Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines raised checked bag fees by $10 on Tuesday, becoming the third and fourth major US carriers to hike prices as jet fuel costs surge.
Why it matters: Air travel costs are rising sharply for American consumers, with bag fees joining higher ticket prices as airlines pass on war-driven fuel costs. The increases affect tens of millions of passengers ahead of the summer travel season.
The new fees
Delta’s first checked bag now costs $45 on domestic and short-haul international routes, up from $35. A second bag costs $55, and a third costs $200, an increase of $50. The changes took effect on Wednesday.
Southwest Airlines, which built its brand on free checked bags before introducing fees in 2024, raised prices on first and second bags by $10. The new rates apply to all reservations ticketed or changed on or after 9 April.
Industry-wide trend
United Airlines and JetBlue announced similar increases last week. All four carriers cited the same cause: jet fuel prices that have jumped 85% since the Iran war began on 28 February.
According to Argus Media, the average price for a gallon of jet fuel across Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and New York was $4.69 on Monday. Before the war, it was $2.50.
Consumer impact
A family of four checking two bags each on a domestic Delta round-trip now pays $720, up from $560 before the increases. Travel industry analysts expect further hikes if fuel prices remain elevated through the northern summer.