JetBlue raised its checked bag fees again, effective for bookings made November 3 onward. The first checked bag on domestic flights now costs at least $50 each way, climbing to $70 if paid within 24 hours of departure on peak travel dates. That amounts to $140 roundtrip for a single bag.
A family of four checking one bag each pays $440 roundtrip on peak dates like November 19–30, December 17–January 18, and May 20–September 8, even with advance payment. Waiting until check-in pushes that to $560.
JetBlue already raised bag fees earlier this year, when the cheapest first bag jumped from $35 to $39. The current $50 minimum is 28% higher than March's low rate and 43% higher than the original $35 price from 2015, when JetBlue introduced checked bag fees.
On transatlantic flights, Main Base and EvenMore Base fares charge $80 per bag off-peak or $90 peak when prepaid, rising to $90 or $100 within 24 hours. Standard Main and EvenMore transatlantic fares still include a first bag.
Mosaic elite members at levels 1 through 4 keep checked bag benefits, as do JetBlue Plus and Premier credit cardholders. JetBlue routinely leads competitors with fee increases, and other airlines typically follow suit.
The article notes that federal tax policy encourages the shift. Domestic fares face a 7.5% federal excise tax, but baggage fees are exempt. Every dollar moved from fares into fees saves airlines 7.5 cents in taxes.