Travelore News: JetBlue Raises Baggage Fees for A Second Time As Jet Fuel Prices Stay Elevated

Just weeks ahead of the frantic Thanksgiving and winter holiday travel rushes, JetBlue Airways has implemented a notable hike on its checked baggage fees. Affecting tickets purchased on or after November 3, 2026, the move marks the airline's second baggage fee increase of the year, driven primarily by sustained high jet fuel costs and broader financial pressures across the carrier.

The latest adjustment scales up JetBlue's dynamic pricing model, creating even steeper penalties for last-minute bag checking and peak-season departures.

A Breakdown of the New Fee Structure

Under the revised policy, standard domestic and regional baggage fees vary based on advance pre-payment windows and whether the travel falls during designated peak holiday periods:

• First Checked Bag (Off-Peak): $50 if prepaid more than 24 hours in advance; $60 if paid within 24 hours of departure.
• First Checked Bag (Peak Periods): $55 if prepaid; up to $70 if paid at the airport or within 24 hours of departure. Peak windows cover major holiday periods like Thanksgiving (Nov. 19–30) and the Christmas/New Year stretch (Dec. 17–Jan. 18).
• Second Checked Bag: Now ranges from $70 to $85 depending on timing and peak seasonal windows.
• Transatlantic Flights: Passengers booked on JetBlue's lowest Main Base fares to Europe will face even higher costs, with off-peak first-bag fees jumping to $80 each way.

Navigating the Hike: Tips for Travelers

With holiday airfares and ancillary costs climbing simultaneously, flyers can take a few strategic steps to mitigate the impact of the latest fee increases:

• Prepay Early: Always add and pay for checked bags online or via the JetBlue app more than 24 hours before departure to secure the lower advance rate rather than paying at the airport counter.
• Leverage Co-Branded Cards and Status: JetBlue credit cardholders and Mosaic elite status members often retain complimentary checked bag allowances that exempt them from these surging fees.
• Pack Light: When possible, stick strictly to a personal item and a carry-on bag to bypass checked luggage charges entirely.

As legacy and low-cost carriers alike grapple with volatile operating expenses, industry watchers are keeping a close eye on whether competitors will match JetBlue's latest round of increases heading into 2027. Stay tuned to the Travelore Report for ongoing updates on airline pricing and travel tips!

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Travelore News: Trump Admin Scraps Obama-Era Proposal Requiring Airlines To Disclose Bag Fees

The Trump administration has scrapped an Obama-era proposal requiring airlines and ticket agencies to disclose baggage fees as soon as passengers start the process of buying a ticket.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) posted a notice on the Federal Register this week that it is withdrawing the proposed rule, along with another plan to force air carriers to disclose how much revenue they make from charging other ancillary fees.

The administration, which has made easing regulatory burdens for businesses a top priority, said the rules would have “limited public benefit.”

Airlines are already required to disclose information about optional service fees on their websites. But consumer groups say it’s still difficult for passengers to compare airfare ticket prices, fees and associated rules, and have pushed for more transparency at the start of the process.

And while airlines are required to disclose to federal regulators how much money they make from baggage fees, they are not required to report how much they charge for “optional” services, such as carry-on bags, seat selection and priority boarding, which have grown in recent years.

The DOT’s effort to kill the pair of Obama-era proposals drew ire from Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), who has been one of the leading voices in Congress pushing for airline consumer protections.

“Unbelievable. Pulling the plug on rules that would ensure airlines are open and honest about bag fees and other charges is about as anti-consumer as it gets,” Blumenthal tweeted. “The Trump Admin’s reckless reversal is a gift for the airlines’ bottom line — and a slap in the face for travelers who deserve clarity when buying a ticket."

Original article: http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/363956-trump-admin-scraps-obama-era-proposal-requiring-airlines-to-disclose

Travelore Tips: A Guide To Airline Baggage Fees And Policies

Airline baggage fees have been around for years. Yet, somehow, they still cause confusion and, for some, some budget surprises. However, savvy travelers can plan ahead, and possibly even save, if they dig into the fine print from the airlines. What is the cost for one or more bags? Do I have to factor in weight and size limitations? Does it cost more to bring one heavy bag or two lighter bags? Do I have to pay for skis or car seats? What are the baggage fees and policies for flying international vs domestic? What will fees add to the cost of my flight?

To help travelers get a better handle on this tricky aspect of flying, the travel experts at Cheapflights have compiled Check mate: A guide to airline baggage fees and policies.

As part of its research, Cheapflights polled 400 Americans and Canadians and found that 66% prefer to carry on their luggage for domestic flights, perhaps reflecting that bag fees are shaping travel habits.

When it came to international flights, however, people were almost evenly divided with 49.5% preferring to carry on their luggage and 50.5% preferring to check it.

In terms of how much to pay, among those polled, 41% of travelers felt it appropriate to pay $25 or less to check baggage.

A slightly smaller group (38% of travellers) were comfortable paying $50 or less, while 14% were willing to pay up to $75 to check their bags and only 7% were willing to pay as much as $100 to check their bags for a flight.

The range of responses to the survey fit with the wide range of rules for the airlines. From total baggage allowances to weight limits to different policies for domestic flights (in the airlines’ home country) to international flights, there’s a lot to know and understand for each airline. Here are a few key takeaways:

Second Bag Flies Free

For those who really want freedom from checked bag fees, check out these airlines that not only offer the first checked bag for free on both domestic and international flights but in fact offer a second checked bag for free.

1. Air India
2. All Nippon Airways
3. Emirates
4. Japan Airlines
5. Southwest Airlines

Other airlines, such as Etihad, Aurigny Air Services, Eva Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways let passengers check 2 bags if the total weight is less than 66lbs (30kg). And Korean Airlines, Philippines Airlines, China Eastern and Turkish Airlines permit 2 checked pieces if the total weight is 44lbs (20kg) or less.

Hawaiian Airlines doesn’t charge for a second bag on international flights while Korean Air includes two free bags on domestic flights if the combined weight doesn’t exceed 44lbs (20kg).

The Carry-On Club

Some airlines take their à la carte pricing model to the extreme, including only a personal item that fits under your seat as part of the price of the ticket. If you want to bring a larger carry-on, these airlines will add these charges:

1. Allegiant Air – US$15-$25 (depending on destination)
2. Frontier Airlines – US$30-$35
3. Spirit Airlines – US$35
4. Wow Airlines – US$20-$40

Airline Fees: Dozens Of New Charges Added For 2013

Contributed by the Huffington Post.

Airlines have added more than 50 new fees over the past year, new data from the website TravelNerd show.

The finance-oriented site found dozens of "direct fee increases" on already existing charges, as well as 28 new baggage-related fees levied in January 2013 compared to January 2012.

The fees add an estimated $36.1 billion annually to airlines' bottom lines, according to TravelNerd.

Increasing fees for the same service are a big part of the uptick. For example, Spirit Airlines' premium seat fee, which was $25-$75, is now as much as $199 depending on the flight.

The only good news, TravelNerd reports, is that the increases are generally modest. "The majority of fee increases were within $5-$10," the site writes.

While some fees are nearly unavoidable, travelers can prepare for them. A newly released Airfarewatchdog super-survey of U.S. airlines' charges is a good place to start.