Packing Pain: Delta & Southwest Make Your Bags More Expensive

Air travel is poised to become costlier for passengers checking their bags, since two prominent American airlines are increasing their luggage charges amidst escalating expenses throughout the aviation sector.

Both Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines are hiking their fees for checked luggage by $10, elevating the charge to $45 for a primary bag and $55 for a subsequent one. Delta will additionally boost the charge for a third piece of checked luggage by $50, bringing the cumulative expense to $200, as verified by the carrier to FOX Business.

These modifications are applicable to fresh reservations, as Delta’s revised charges commence on Wednesday and Southwest’s on Thursday. 

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Delta stated that these increments will affect national routes and certain short-distance international journeys, representing its initial national luggage charge increase in two years.

“These revisions stem from Delta’s continuous assessment of its pricing strategy throughout its operations and mirror the influence of shifting worldwide circumstances and sector movements,” a representative for Delta communicated to FOX Business via email.

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Travelers line up to register at a Delta Air Lines desk at Benito Juarez Global Aerodrome in Mexico City, Mexico, on Nov. 13, 2025. (Paola Garcia/Reuters)

In a comparable declaration, Southwest articulated that this choice follows “a continuous examination of its enterprise and in light of the changing international environment.”

The increases in charges occur as carriers contend with escalating operational expenditures, notably, aviation fuel. 

Aviation fuel prices have soared worldwide in recent periods, escalating from approximately $85 to $90 per barrel in February to around $209, subsequent to disturbances connected to friction in the Strait of Hormuz during the Iran conflict, as reported by Reuters.

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Travelers queue in a TSA screening station line that extends through Baltimore/Washington Global Thurgood Marshall Aerodrome (BWI) in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 29, 2026. (Aaron Schwartz/Reuters)

Over the past few weeks, JetBlue and United Airlines have similarly declared rises in luggage charges.

“Given our escalating operational expenditures, we consistently assess methods to control these expenses while maintaining competitive foundational ticket prices and persisting in enhancing the experience cherished by our patrons,” JetBlue communicated in a declaration to FOX Business.

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Southwest Airlines did not promptly reply to FOX Business’ inquiry for input.

Eric Mack and Bonny Chu of FOX Business aided in compiling this dispatch.