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JetBlue hikes checked bag fees
JetBlue was a late adopter of bag fees but is now leading the industry in fee hikes.
It was the first to increase fees to $30 per bag in 2018, and has now hiked it to $35.
The fee for the second bag rises from $40 to $45.
The airline quietly introduced the new fees this week on its website which is valid for all new bookings.
However customers can avoid the extra $5 by paying in advance online at least than 24 hours before departure.
It is the first major carrier to offer bag discounts in advance.
Budget airlines like Spirit, Allegiant and Frontier also offer discounted bag fees when booked in advance.
"Customers who add a checked bag online or on the JetBlue app at least 24 hours prior to their flight will pay $30 for the first bag – the same price customers paid when checking a bag at the airport under our previous pricing structure," JetBlue said in a release.
"While we don’t like increasing fees, we are focused on keeping fares low and offering the features customers tell us they want most."
JetBlue banked $270 million in baggage fees during the first three quarters of 2019, according to data from the Bureau of Transportation.
The latest fee hike may lead to similar increases at rival airlines.
When JetBlue hiked bag fees in 2018 Delta, United and American Airlines also did the same within weeks.
Southwest Airlines is still the only major carrier where ‘bags fly free.’
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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