Soaring Oil Prices Drive Up Airline Baggage Fees!
Global turbulence is starting to take its toll. Airlines in the United States are raising baggage service fees to anticipate the increase in oil fuel prices.
United Airlines has raised its checked baggage fees by US10orRp169, 770(exchangerate : Rp16, 977/US) on Thursday (2/4/2025).
United Airlines has become the second US airline in less than a week to raise baggage fees, as the aviation industry grapples with the surge in fuel costs this year, which is the largest expense for airlines after labour costs.
United Airlines’ new baggage fees will be US$45 or Rp764,000 for the first bag on most domestic flights, with passengers paying in advance. Then a fee of US$50 or Rp848,889 if passengers pay within 24 hours before their flight.
“United is raising the first and second checked baggage fees by US$10 for customers travelling in the US, Mexico, Canada, and Latin America starting from tickets purchased on Friday, 3 April,” according to the airline’s statement quoted from CNBC International on Friday (3/4/2026).
United last raised checked baggage fees in 2024 to cover the surge in aircraft fuel costs.
Additionally, JetBlue Airways on Monday raised its registered baggage fees by at least US$4 or Rp67,911 per bag up to US$9 or Rp152,800 per bag, depending on when the customer’s trip is booked.
Nevertheless, airline credit cards often provide customers with free registered baggage when they travel domestically in economy class, and this is usually a benefit with elite frequent flyer status. Additionally, first-class seats generally include free registered baggage.
“Chase United credit card holders, MileagePlus Premier members, active military members, and customers travelling in premium cabins can still check baggage for free, and customers in most markets will still enjoy a US$5 or Rp85,855 discount if they pay for their baggage online 24 hours before their flight,” United said.
Fuel prices for Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and New York averaged US$4.56 per gallon or Rp77,418 on Wednesday (1/4/2026), up more than 82% since the US and Israel attacked Iran on 28 February, according to data from Argus published by the industry group Airlines for America.