JetBlue baggage fees are going up. Will other airlines follow as fuel costs rise in 2026?

JetBlue has increased checked bag fees for the first time since March 2024, raising the minimum cost from $35 to $39 and introducing peak-season surcharges that push the highest first bag fee to $49—the highest among major U.S. carriers. These new prices, effective for bookings on or after March 30, also apply an additional $10 for bags added within 24 hours of departure on most non-transatlantic flights. This move is primarily driven by rising "jet fuel costs," a trend the article attributes to an ongoing "Iran war" and other escalating operational expenses. Such cost pressures compel airlines to seek additional revenue streams, leading to widespread fee hikes across the sector, with American Airlines, United, and Delta also having recently increased fees, and even Southwest Airlines beginning to charge for bags in May 2025. This strategy, however, risks pushing away consumers already experiencing financial strain from broader "inflation," potentially dampening overall "travel demand." The article cites United's CEO Scott Kirby referencing reduced flights on less in-demand routes as a response to managing rising fuel prices.