There’s a bit of bad news for all the overpackers out there: one by one, most major US airlines have quietly increased their checked baggage fees in 2024.
The nearly industry-wide price hike began in January when Alaska Airlines raised the cost of checking a first bag to $35 and a second bag to $45. Over the next month, JetBlue, American, and United followed suit, each raising their checked baggage fees by an average of $5 to $10. Delta is currently the only major mainline carrier in the US that hasn’t raised the cost of checking a bag this year (the other exception being Southwest, which has famously never charged for checked luggage).
These are the current baggage fees for each major US airline in 2024:
- Alaska Airlines: First checked bag $35; second checked bag $45
- American Airlines: First checked bag $35-$40; second checked bag $45
- Delta Air Lines: First checked bag $30; second checked bag $40
- Hawaiian Airlines: First checked bag $25-30; second checked bag $35-40
- JetBlue Airways: First checked bag $35-$45; second checked bag $50-60
- United Airlines: First checked bag $35-$40; second checked bag $45-50
- Southwest Airlines: Each passenger gets two checked bags for free
So why, after years of charging $30 across the board, are airlines making it more expensive to check bags? JetBlue, for its part, says raising baggage fees is one step the company is taking in order to return to profitability and cover the cost of transporting bags amid inflationary pressures such as higher fuel and labor costs. The New York City-based carrier implemented the highest increase of the bunch, charging up to $45 for a first checked bag and $60 for a second.
“By adjusting fees for added services that only certain customers use, we can keep base fares low and ensure customer favorites like seatback TVs and high-speed Wi-Fi remain free for everyone,” JetBlue said in a statement shared with Traveler.
While there are staunch believers among the Traveler team that all you need is carry-on luggage, the good news is that if you must check a bag, there are a few sure-fire tactics to get around baggage fees.
Editors and contributors traveled near and far to test popular checked suitcases, carry-ons, weekenders, and backpacks.
Invest in luggage that makes packing light easy
The surest way to avoid checked bag fees is to not check a bag at all. Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, and Hawaiian Airlines offer one free carry-on (and one personal item) regardless of your cabin class; meanwhile, JetBlue and United restrict basic economy ticket holders to one personal item.
