Major US airlines like American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and JetBlue have increased checked bag fees in recent weeks. The new standard price for a checked bag is now around $45, and experts say this price is likely here to stay, as reported by USA Today. Airlines say they raised fees because their operating costs have gone up, especially due to rising oil prices linked to the Iran war.
Even if oil prices go down later, bag fees are unlikely to decrease. Travel expert Brett Snyder said there is “no chance” bag fees will go down, and they will only increase unless the whole airline pricing model changes. He also explained that airlines earlier removed change and cancellation fees during COVID-19 pandemic, and those fees have not come back yet.
In 2008, high oil prices were a key reason airlines introduced bag fees for the first time. Today, with oil prices rising again, airlines are using the same strategy again. Experts say airlines usually don’t remove fees once they start earning from them. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, US airlines earned about $7.3 billion from bag fees in 2024, as cited by USA Today.
Overall, if none of these options work, travelers should be ready to pay the higher fees. Bag fees are rising, airlines are making billions from them, and this extra cost is now the new normal for travelers, as per USA Today.
US airlines are raising bag fees because their operating costs, especially fuel prices, have gone up and they want extra revenue without increasing ticket prices.
Q2. How can passengers avoid paying high baggage fees?
Passengers can avoid bag fees by using airline credit cards, choosing fare bundles with baggage included, or earning frequent flyer status.
Even if oil prices go down later, bag fees are unlikely to decrease. Travel expert Brett Snyder said there is “no chance” bag fees will go down, and they will only increase unless the whole airline pricing model changes. He also explained that airlines earlier removed change and cancellation fees during COVID-19 pandemic, and those fees have not come back yet.
Why airlines are increasing bag fees
Airlines prefer raising bag fees instead of ticket prices because customers mainly focus on ticket price while booking. Vicki Morwitz said people don’t think about the total cost of travel, only the visible ticket price, as cited by USA Today. She added that travelers often feel they will save money later, so they ignore extra costs like baggage fees. Airlines also use situations like rising oil prices as a “good excuse” to increase fees without upsetting customers too much. According to Morwitz, people feel price hikes are more fair if companies say costs are rising, even if companies also want more profit.History of checked bag fees
Checked bag fees usually increase during economic crises or shocks. Around 20 years ago during the Great Recession, airlines started charging for the second checked bag first. American Airlines was the first to introduce fees for the first checked bag. Airlines realized that customers don’t consider bag fees when buying tickets, so it became an easy way to earn more money.In 2008, high oil prices were a key reason airlines introduced bag fees for the first time. Today, with oil prices rising again, airlines are using the same strategy again. Experts say airlines usually don’t remove fees once they start earning from them. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, US airlines earned about $7.3 billion from bag fees in 2024, as cited by USA Today.
Impact on travelers & cabin space
Higher bag fees might push some people to carry luggage instead of checking bags, but the effect will be small. Brett Snyder said if someone is okay paying $35 earlier, they will likely still pay $45, so the increase won’t change behavior much, as noted by USA Today. Some travelers might instead choose to get airline credit cards to avoid paying fees. More travelers are already accepting bag fees as a normal part of flying.How to avoid paying bag fees
You can avoid fees by buying a ticket that already includes a checked bag. You can also get an airline credit card, which often gives a free checked bag. Frequent flyers with elite status often get free checked bags as a perk. If you don’t have these options, you can try to travel with only carry-on luggage. But if you are carrying large items (like sports gear), avoiding the fee may be very difficult.Overall, if none of these options work, travelers should be ready to pay the higher fees. Bag fees are rising, airlines are making billions from them, and this extra cost is now the new normal for travelers, as per USA Today.
FAQs
Q1. Why are US airlines increasing checked bag fees?US airlines are raising bag fees because their operating costs, especially fuel prices, have gone up and they want extra revenue without increasing ticket prices.
Q2. How can passengers avoid paying high baggage fees?
Passengers can avoid bag fees by using airline credit cards, choosing fare bundles with baggage included, or earning frequent flyer status.
