Delta & Southwest Airlines Hike Baggage Fees to $45 Amidst Fuel Price Surge
Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines, two major U.S. airlines, announced on Tuesday that they are increasing their checked baggage fees by $10. This move escalates the cost to $45 for the first bag and $55 for the second. The airlines attribute this increase to the rising jet fuel costs, a consequence of the escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Delta’s revised fees came into effect on April 8 for tickets bought on or after this date. On the other hand, Southwest’s fee hike applies to bookings made on April 9 or later. Additionally, Delta is also increasing the fee for a third bag from $150 to $200, marking a $50 increase. This move aligns Delta and Southwest with United and JetBlue, who have also implemented similar fee increases within the same timeframe.
“These updates are part of Delta’s ongoing review of pricing across its business and reflect the impact of evolving global conditions and industry dynamics,” a spokesperson from Delta commented. Southwest echoed this sentiment, citing “an ongoing analysis of the business and against the evolving global backdrop.”
The fee hikes coincide with a surge in jet fuel prices, which have jumped from roughly $85-$90 per barrel in February to approximately $209. This increase follows disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz closure during the U.S.-Iran conflict. United Airlines CEO, Scott Kirby, warned last month that if fuel prices remain at their current levels, it would result in an additional $11 billion in annual fuel expenses.
The move by Southwest is particularly noteworthy as the carrier only abandoned its iconic “bags fly free” policy less than a year ago in 2025. This change represents a rapid escalation from $35 to $45.
Source: Newsweek