Alert! Spike in baggage charges in these US airlines; check out the list

Yes! You heard it right. Delta Airlines has increased baggage fees for the first time since 2018. According to the sources, the company says this will help it keep up with the industry's rising costs. The move from the air carrier has come weeks after United Airlines, quickly following American Airlines' example, raised checked baggage fees for the first time in six years, drawing criticism.

Here’s the list of airlines that have raised the baggage prices:

Delta Airlines: Increased fees by $5 for both the first and second checked bags on domestic and short-haul international routes, bringing the new prices to $35 and $45 respectively.

American Airlines: Raised the cost of the first checked bag to $35 (prepaid online) or $40 (paid at the airport), and the second bag to $45.

United Airlines: Matched American Airlines' new pricing structure of $5 for domestic economy customers. 

Alaska Air: Comparable hikes in baggage costs were also announced by Alaska Airlines in past two months.

JetBlue: Increased fees by $10 for both the first and second checked bags, bringing the new prices to $35 and $50 (prepaid) or $45 and $60 (paid at the airport) for flights within the US, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

These airlines cited rising operational costs, including fuel prices, as the reason for the increases. However, it is worth noting that airlines also generated significant revenue from baggage fees in 2023, with the total amount exceeding $33 billion.

This sum, which will account for 4.1 percent of global airline revenue in 2023, is made up only of the expenses associated with larger carry-on bags, standard checked baggage charges, and penalties associated with overweight or oversized checked baggage.

Meanwhile, it is important to check the specific baggage fees of the airline you are flying with before booking your trip, as they can vary depending on the route, fare class, and whether you prepay for your bags.