JetBlue Hikes Checked Bag Fees Ahead of Holiday Travel

Travelers in Cook County and across the country will pay more for checked luggage on JetBlue flights this holiday season. New fees apply to tickets purchased on or after Nov. 3. For most economy passengers flying within the United States, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean, the cost for the first checked bag now starts at $50 each way. That is an increase from the previous rate of $39.

The price rises further during peak travel times, which include Thanksgiving and the winter holidays. If passengers pay at least 24 hours before departure, the fee is $55 during peak periods. Those who wait until the final 24 hours will pay $60 during off-peak times and $70 during peak times. A second checked bag now starts at $70 each way in off-peak periods and $75 during peak travel. Paying at the airport can push the cost of a second bag to $85.

This is the second time JetBlue has raised these fees in 2026. The airline first increased prices in March after the Iran war began. At the start of the year, a first checked bag on domestic economy flights cost $35 during off-peak periods. The conflict started in late February with U.S.-Israeli strikes, which sent jet fuel prices swinging. The war remains unresolved, keeping traffic restricted through the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for global oil. This disruption has kept fuel costs high.

JetBlue stated in an emailed statement that it is adjusting fees to offset rising fuel and operating costs. The airline said the move helps keep base fares competitive while allowing customers to pay for checked bags only if needed. The increase followed a similar move by JetBlue in March that led other major U.S. airlines, including Delta, United, American, and Southwest, to raise their baggage fees.

During its third-quarter earnings call last week, JetBlue executives noted that demand has remained resilient despite higher fares. The airline reported that its average fuel price reached $3.91 per gallon in the summer. That figure is up 57% from the same period last year. JetBlue expects the average price to climb to $4.64 per gallon during the final three months of the year, an 85% increase from a year earlier.

Some passengers can still check bags for free. The airline said that eligible co-branded credit card holders and members of its loyalty program retain this benefit. The new fee structure is in effect for new bookings immediately.