Several U.S. airlines have increased passenger baggage fees, and some, like American Airlines, are offering customers a lower price if they pay in advance instead of at the airport.
Now, JetBlue is trying a new strategy: a dynamic baggage pricing method that charges passengers more depending on the date.
For example, the airline offers a $10 discount on checked bags if customers choose to pay for checked bags online at least 24 hours before flight departure.
Related: Report: Airlines Billed $33 Billion for Checked Bags Last Year
In February, JetBlue increased checked bag prices to a base fee of $45 for the first bag and $60 for the second. These will be the prices for dates considered “off-peak” on domestic flights, on all Blue, Blue Basic and Blue Extra tickets.
Prices rise to $50 for the first bag on peak dates and $70 for the second.
Dynamic pricing is in play for flights booked starting March 22, 2024, with peak dates in 2024 and 2025 currently listed as: April 11-24; June 20 – September 3; November 21 – December 2; December 19 – January 6; February 13 – February 24; and from April 3 to April 28.
“The cost of baggage transportation has increased significantly due to rising wages and higher fuel costs, and we remain unprofitable post-COVID,” a JetBlue spokesperson said Travel + Free time. “While we don’t like increasing fees, we are making these adjustments to help our company return to profitability and cover the increased costs.”
Blu Plus, Mint and Mosaic tiered tickets have the first two checked bags included in the ticket price.
Related: Baggage handler shares trick to avoid lost luggage
The increases are part of an industry trend of rising checked baggage fees: The world’s top 20 airlines earned $33 billion in baggage fees in 2023 alone.
As of Tuesday afternoon, JetBlue was down just under 4% over a one-year period.