United Airlines Raises Checked Baggage Fees, Following American Airlines and Jet Blue

United Airlines Raises Baggage Fees, Following American Airlines and Jet Blue

North America Travel Will See an Increase in Checked Bag Fees

United Airlines announced on Friday that it would be raising baggage fees for passengers traveling in North America. This decision comes in the wake of similar fee hikes implemented by American Airlines and Jet Blue earlier this week. The cost for Economy class passengers on domestic United Airlines flights to check their first bag will now stand at $40, following a $5 increase. Meanwhile, the fee for a second checked bag will also see an increase, from $40 to $45 if done in advance online, and $50 at the airport.

Impact on Passengers and Exceptions to the Rule

The new baggage policy will take effect for tickets purchased on or after Saturday, Feb. 24. To alleviate some impact on certain customers, United Chase credit card holders, MileagePlus Premier members, active military members, and customers traveling in premium cabins will still be able to check a bag for free.

Previous Fee Structure and Reasons Behind the Hike

It is noteworthy that United Airlines, based in Chicago, had refrained from raising their bag fees for the past four years. However, following the footsteps of American Airlines and Jet Blue, United has now embraced the decision to increase checked baggage fees. Baggage fees have become a significant component of airlines’ ancillary revenue, helping them offset other costs.

Continuous Industry-Wide Baggage Fee Hikes

The recent adjustments in baggage fees, not limited to United Airlines, extend across the industry. American Airlines, Alaska Air, and Jet Blue have all recently raised their checked luggage fees. According to an annual report from IdeaWorks Co. and CarTrawler, the top 20 global airlines generated over $33 billion in revenue from these fees last year. This sum accounted for about 4.1% of global airline revenue in 2023, demonstrating a 15% increase from the previous year’s $29 billion.

Positive Step: New, Larger Bins on Mainline Aircraft

United Airlines has stated that in conjunction with the increased baggage fees, they are updating all of their mainline aircraft with new, larger bins. The purpose of these bins is to easily accommodate and accommodate more carry-on bags.

Continuously Changing Aviation Industry and Future Implications

As the aviation landscape transforms, baggage fees provide substantial ancillary revenue to airlines. The decision by United Airlines to raise baggage fees is reflective of broader industry trends. While this increase may inconvenience some passengers, the revenue generated from these fees ultimately supports better operational efficiency and contributes to the overall customer experience.

Disclaimer: The opinions and statements made in this article do not reflect those of the original author or news provider.