Trending Now - Southwest Airlines Raises Checked Bag Fees Amid Rising Costs
WHO:
ABC News - Southwest Airlines, a major U.S. airline.
Upgraded Points - Southwest Airlines passengers, including those with Choice Preferred fares, A-List status, A-List Preferred status, and active-duty military members.
WHAT:
ABC News - Southwest Airlines is raising its checked baggage fees by $10, effective for tickets booked on or after April 9th, 2026.
Upgraded Points - The fee for a third checked bag remains at $150, while the fees for overweight and oversized bags also stay the same.
The Guardian - Several major U.S. airlines, including Delta, United, and JetBlue, have raised their baggage fees by $10 due to rising jet fuel costs linked to the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran.
The Guardian - Delta's new fees for checked bags are $45 for the first bag and $55 for the second bag, with a third bag costing $200.
The Guardian - United Airlines increased the cost of first and second checked bags to $45 and $55, respectively, with the increase being the first in two years.
The Guardian - The average price of a gallon of jet fuel in major air hubs has risen from $2.50 on February 27th, 2026, to $4.81 on April 4th, 2026.
ABC News - Southwest Airlines is raising its checked baggage fees by $10.
Upgraded Points - The fee for the first checked bag will increase from $35 to $45, and the second checked bag will increase from $45 to $55.
Upgraded Points - The fee increase applies to tickets booked on or after April 9, 2026.
WHERE:
Upgraded Points - The changes apply to Southwest Airlines flights in the United States.
WHEN:
NY Post - American Airlines will raise the fee for the first and second checked bags by $10 each, starting on April 13th, 2026.
Upgraded Points - The fee increase takes effect for tickets booked on or after April 9, 2026.
Upgraded Points - Southwest Airlines ended its "bags fly free" policy on May 28, 2025.
WHY:
The Guardian - The fee increases are attributed to ongoing volatility in oil markets caused by the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran, which has almost doubled jet fuel prices.
Upgraded Points - The fee increase is a response to rising jet fuel costs, similar to actions taken by other airlines such as JetBlue, United, and Delta.
HOW:
Upgraded Points - Passengers can still get free checked bags by booking Choice Preferred fares, having Southwest A-List or A-List Preferred status, or holding a Southwest Airlines credit card. Active-duty military members can check up to 2 bags at no charge.
(UPDATED April 9, 2026 17:22 UTC)
Southwest Airlines is raising its checked baggage fees by $10 for tickets booked on or after on Thursday, while the fee for a third checked bag remains at $150, and the costs for overweight and oversized bags will stay the same. This increase is being attributed to ongoing volatility in oil markets, which has nearly doubled jet fuel prices due to the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran. Additionally, American Airlines will follow suit by raising the fees for the first and second checked bags by $10 each, starting April 13th.
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(UPDATED April 9, 2026 15:23 UTC)
Several major U.S. airlines, including Delta, United, and JetBlue, have raised their baggage fees by $10 due to rising jet fuel costs linked to the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran. Delta's new fees for checked bags are now $45 for the first bag and $55 for the second, while a third bag will cost $200, and United Airlines has matched these increases for their first and second checked bags. The average price of a gallon of jet fuel in major air hubs has surged from $2.50 February 27th to $4.81 on Saturday.
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(UPDATED April 9, 2026 13:23 UTC)
Southwest Airlines is raising its checked baggage fees by $10, with the cost for the first checked bag increasing from $35 to $45 and the second bag going from $45 to $55. This fee increase applies to tickets booked on or after on Thursday, and comes as a response to rising jet fuel costs, following similar moves by other airlines like JetBlue, United, and Delta. Passengers can still avoid these fees by booking Choice Preferred fares, having A-List or A-List Preferred status, or being active-duty military members, who can check up to two bags for free.