Alaska Airlines joins 5 others in painful baggage hike

A wave of checked baggage fee increases is sweeping through the airline industry, and travelers heading into spring and summer are now facing higher costs at the ticket counter. The driver is a significant spike in jet fuel prices, which climbed from roughly $85 to $90 per barrel in February to approximately $209 following disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz tied to the ongoing conflict with Iran. As operating costs have risen sharply, airlines have moved quickly to pass a portion of those expenses on to passengers.

Six major carriers have now raised their checked bag fees, with changes rolling out across the first two weeks of April.

Which airlines raised fees and by how much

1. Alaska Airlines raised its checked bag fees for North American travel starting April 11. The first bag now costs $45, up $5. The second bag increased $10 to $55, and the third climbed $50 to $200. The airline also eliminated the $5 discount it had previously offered to travelers who paid for bags in advance. Benefits for Club 49 members, which allow Alaskans to check bags free when traveling to, from, or within the state, remain unchanged, as do bag benefits for Atmos Rewards members and eligible Atmos Rewards Visa or Hawaiian Airlines Mastercard holders.
2. American Airlines implemented its fee increases on April 9. The first checked bag now costs $50 at the airport, or $45 when prepaid online or through the app. The second bag runs $60, or $55 with advance payment. A third bag purchased at the airport costs $200, an increase of $50. Basic economy passengers face slightly higher rates on tickets purchased after May 18. Travelers with AAdvantage status, premium cabin seats, or active-duty U.S. military status continue to receive complimentary bags.
3. Delta Air Lines raised its first and second bag fees by $10 each, to $45 and $55, respectively, for domestic routes and select short-haul international flights. The changes took effect Wednesday and mark the carrier’s first domestic baggage fee increase in two years.
4. Southwest Airlines matched those same increases, raising its first and second bag fees by $10 to $45 and $55. The new rates went into effect Thursday.
5. JetBlue Airways and 6. United Airlines have each raised baggage fees in recent weeks as well, with their adjustments preceding the latest round of industry-wide increases.

Smaller carriers feel the pressure too

The impact is not limited to major airlines. In Alaska, two regional carriers have responded to the same fuel price environment. Alaska Seaplanes and Ravn Alaska each added a 6% fuel surcharge to their routes, reflecting cost pressures that are affecting the broader industry at every level.

What travelers should know before they fly

For most passengers, the practical takeaway is straightforward: checking even one bag now costs more than it did a month ago, and the case for packing light or relying on a carry-on has grown considerably stronger. Travelers with airline credit cards or loyalty status may be shielded from some or all of the new fees, and reviewing the specific baggage policy for your carrier before heading to the airport is worth doing now rather than at the ticket counter.

The fee increases are already in effect across all six carriers, meaning anyone booking travel in the coming weeks should factor the updated rates into their trip budget from the start.