{"id":2590243,"date":"2026-04-13T14:29:56","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T18:29:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/two-airlines-hike-bag-fees-as-fuel-prices-create-cost-pressures\/"},"modified":"2026-04-13T14:36:03","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T18:36:03","slug":"two-airlines-hike-bag-fees-as-fuel-prices-create-cost-pressures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/two-airlines-hike-bag-fees-as-fuel-prices-create-cost-pressures\/","title":{"rendered":"Two Airlines Hike Bag Fees as Fuel Prices Create Cost Pressures"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftwo-airlines-hike-bag-fees-as-fuel-prices-create-cost-pressures%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2590243&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The war in Iran has pushed up fuel costs,which in turn is driving airlines to raise baggage fees for travelers. Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines both increased their checked-bag fees by $10 per bag on new bookings, with Delta\u2019s change also adding a $200 fee for a third checked bag; Southwest\u2019s first bag is now $45 and the second $55. Delta says the updates reflect ongoing pricing analysis amid evolving global conditions, and premium-cabin, elite frequent-flyer, and co-branded cardholders keep free checked-bag privileges.<\/p>\n<p>Other carriers moved earlier: United Airlines now charges $50 per checked bag (or $45 if prepaid), and JetBlue asks for $39 off-peak and $49 peak for a bag. <\/p>\n<p>The rise in baggage fees comes as fuel costs have climbed due to the broader Middle East tensions,including actions in Iran. The Strait of Hormuz was closed, reducing about 20% of the world\u2019s oil flow, and jet fuel has reached about $4.69 per gallon-roughly 88% higher than at the war\u2019s outset. With earnings seasons approaching, airlines appear motivated to adjust pricing to offset <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fact-check-did-airlines-in-the-us-implement-baggage-fees-as-a-result-of-9-11\/\" title=\"FACT CHECK: Did ... In The US Implement ...gage ... As A Result Of 9\/11?\">higher fuel costs<\/a>. The changes apply to domestic and short-haul international itineraries.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>The war in Iran has led to rising prices not only for fuel, but for countless products downstream of fuel.<\/p>\n<p>That includes luggage on business trips and vacations for millions of people in the coming months.<\/p>\n<p>Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines raised their checked bag fees by $10 this past week, according to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2026\/04\/07\/delta-checked-bag-fees.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">report<\/a> from CNBC.<\/p>\n<p>Each airline is making passengers on new bookings pay $10 more per bag than usual.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;As part of an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/defense-department-encryption-keys-found-on-hunter-bidens-laptop\/\" title=\"Defense Department \u201cEncryption Keys\u201d Found on Hunter Biden\u2019s Laptop\">ongoing analysis<\/a> of the business and against the evolving global backdrop, Southwest Airlines is increasing its fees on first and second checked bags by $10, effective on all reservations ticketed or voluntarily changed on or after April 9, 2026,&rdquo; Southwest remarked in a statement.<\/p>\n<p> <script type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\tif ( getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"anyclipvideo\").remove() \t\t\t} else { \t\t\t\tdocument.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\", function() { \t\t\t\t\tfunction loadAnyclip() { \t\t\t\t\t\tconst container=document.getElementById(\"anyclipvideo\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tif (!container) return;  \t\t\t\t\t\tconst script=document.createElement(\"script\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tscript.src=\"https:\/\/player.anyclip.com\/anyclip-widget\/lre-widget\/prod\/v1\/src\/lre.js\"; \t\t\t\t\t\tscript.setAttribute(\"pubname\", \"westernjournalcom\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tscript.setAttribute(\"widgetname\", \"001w000001jULVcAAO_M12924\");  \t\t\t\t\t\t\/\/ append inside the container so player shows in correct spot \t\t\t\t\t\tcontainer.appendChild(script); \t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\tfunction findPreviousParagraph(selector, x) { \t\t\t\t\t\tconst targetElement=document.querySelector(selector); \t\t\t\t\t\tif (!targetElement) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.warn(\"Target element not found.\"); \t\t\t\t\t\t\treturn null; \t\t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Get all <\/p>\n<p> elements in order as they appear in the document \t\t\t\t\t\tlet paragraphs=Array.from(document.querySelectorAll(\"p\"));  \t\t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Find the index of the last <\/p>\n<p> before the target element \t\t\t\t\t\tlet targetIndex=paragraphs.findIndex(p=> p.compareDocumentPosition(targetElement) & Node.DOCUMENT_POSITION_PRECEDING);  \t\t\t\t\t\tif (targetIndex===-1 || targetIndex <x) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.warn(\"Not enough paragraphs before the target element.\"); \t\t\t\t\t\t\treturn null; \t\t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\t\treturn paragraphs[targetIndex - x]; \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Set up IntersectionObserver \t\t\t\t\tfunction observeElement(element) { \t\t\t\t\t\tif (!element) return;  \t\t\t\t\t\tconst observer=new IntersectionObserver( \t\t\t\t\t\t\t(entries)=> { \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tentries.forEach(entry=> { \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tif (entry.isIntersecting) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.log(\"Paragraph is now visible:\", entry.target.textContent.trim()); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloadAnyclip(); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tobserver.disconnect(); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t\t\t\t\t}, \t\t\t\t\t\t\t{ threshold: 0.5 } \/\/ Adjust threshold as needed \t\t\t\t\t\t);  \t\t\t\t\t\tobserver.observe(element); \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Find the 1st paragraph before #anyclipvideo and observe it \t\t\t\t\tlet paragraphToObserve=findPreviousParagraph(\"#anyclipvideo\", 2); \t\t\t\t\tobserveElement(paragraphToObserve); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> <\/p>\n<p>Delta&rsquo;s new policy entered into effect on April 8.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;These updates are part of Delta&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/reports-biden-to-roll-back-president-trumps-crackdown-of-china\/\" title=\"Reports: Biden to roll back President Trump\u2019s crackdown of China\">ongoing review<\/a> of pricing across its business and reflect the impact of evolving global conditions and industry dynamics,&rdquo; Delta said in a statement.<\/p>\n<p>Those who want to check a third bag on a Delta flight must pay $200.<\/p>\n<p>But the changes only apply to tickets bought for domestic and short-haul international hikes, according to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/travel\/airline-news\/2026\/04\/07\/delta-checked-bag-fee-price-increase\/89498869007\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">report<\/a> from USA Today.<\/p>\n<p>The first checked bag at Southwest will now cost $45, and the second will cost $55.<\/p>\n<p>Southwest only started asking for payment on checked bags last spring.<\/p>\n<p>Delta has the same updated fee structure &mdash; in addition to the $200 extra bag fee.<\/p>\n<p>But premium cabin, elite frequent flyers, and co<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >-branded credit card holders<\/a> will keep free checked bag privileges at Delta.<\/p>\n<p>United Airlines and JetBlue Airways made similar calls to increase their general bag fees a week earlier than Delta and Southwest.<\/p>\n<p>United customers now pay $50 for a checked bag &mdash; or $45 if they prepay.<\/p>\n<p>JetBlue passengers pay $39 during off-peak times and $49 during peak times, such as summer.<\/p>\n<p>CNBC noted that fuel costs have risen substantially for airlines in recent weeks as the United States and Israel conduct bombing campaigns and high-level assassinations in Iran.<\/p>\n<p>The conflict prompted Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz, severing one-fifth of the planet&rsquo;s oil flow.<\/p>\n<p>As a result, jet fuel now costs $4.69 per gallon &mdash; nearly 88 percent more than the day on which the war started.<\/p>\n<p>Since some airlines face quarterly earnings calls in the near future, they have extra reason to ensure they adjust for higher fuel costs.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey==typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts={ \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs=[ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i=0; i <inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! ( opts[inputs[i]]=document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"' + inputs[i] + '\"]' ).value ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .required-message' ).style.display='block'; \t\t\t\t\t\treturn; \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction input[type=\"submit\"]' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).src=firefly_loading_gif_url; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='inline-block';  \t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( 'ma subbing' );  \t\t\t\t\tif( firefly_post_id ) opts['post_id']=firefly_post_id;  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Send the data using post with element id name and name2*\/ \t\t\t\t\tvar posting=jQuery.post( firefly_ajax_url, opts );  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Alerts the results *\/ \t\t\t\t\tposting.done( function( response ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tif( response.success ) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( response.data ); \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-confirm' ).style.display='block';  \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdataLayer.push( { 'event': 'submit-correction' } ); \t\t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> \t     \t\t\t\t\t\t     \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><script>console.log(\"ad slot (BA1)\")<\/script> \t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here\u2019s a paraphrase of the main article content:<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; The war in Iran has pushed up fuel prices and many related costs, including the price of luggage for travelers in the coming months.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Airlines have begun raising bag fees: Delta and Southwest increased their checked-bag fees by $10 per bag for new bookings. Southwest\u2019s change takes effect on reservations ticketed or changed on or after April 9, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Delta\u2019s updated fee structure also includes higher charges for multiple bags (for example, a third checked bag could cost around $200). The changes mainly affect domestic and short-haul international itineraries. Premium cabins, elite frequent flyers, and co-branded card holders generally retain free checked bags.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; United Airlines and JetBlue announced similar increases earlier: United now charges about $50 per checked bag (or $45 if prepaid), and JetBlue charges $39 off-peak and $49 peak.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Airlines note these adjustments reflect higher fuel costs and evolving global conditions, and some carriers have upcoming quarterly earnings discussions that influence pricing decisions.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Fuel costs have risen sharply: jet fuel is now about $4.69 per gallon, roughly 88% higher than at the start of the conflict. The Iran-related disruption-including Iran\u2019s closure of the Strait of Hormuz-has reduced the world\u2019s oil supply by about one-fifth.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; The overarching point is that airlines are adjusting bag fees and other pricing as they cope with higher fuel costs and a more volatile global environment<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2590244,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Michael-Featured-Image-911.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[6327,77693,70645],"class_list":["post-2590243","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-airlines","tag-bag-fees","tag-fuel-prices-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Michael-Featured-Image-911.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2590243","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2590243"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2590243\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2590247,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2590243\/revisions\/2590247"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2590244"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2590243"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2590243"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2590243"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}