If you fly JetBlue, get ready for baggage fees that vary with the day of departure.
According to a report from CNN, the price of a first checked bag now ranges from $35 to $50 under a recently revealed fee structure that depends on a number of factors, including dates JetBlue determines to be peak or off-peak. The airline is giving flyers a $10 discount if they add a checked bag during booking and at least 24 hours before check-in, with prices ranging from $35 for off-peak dates and $40 for peak dates.
So far, the airline defines “peak dates” as most of the busy summer travel season as well as dates before and after the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays in 2024. For 2025, according to CNN, the dates range from mid-February (Valentine’s Day and President’s Day) and most of April for spring break and Easter. Full dates are listed on the Jet Blue website. If a customer checks a bag within 24 hours of departure, the price jumps to $45 for off-peak dates and an industry high of $50 for peak dates.
In a statement to CNN, the airline attributed the rise in baggage fees to increased wages, higher fuel costs, and loss of profits due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“While we don’t like increasing fees, we are making these adjustments to help get our company back to profitability and cover the increased costs,” the carrier said.