JetBlue Raises Checked-Bag Fees Again, With First Bags Starting at US$50

NEW YORK — JetBlue Airways (B6) has raised checked-baggage fees for the second time in 2026, with the advance price for a first bag increasing from US$39 to US$50 during off-peak travel on most routes within the Americas.

The new charges apply to tickets booked from November 3. Peak-period advance pricing rises from US$49 to US$55. Travelers who booked earlier retain the previous pricing; JetBlue directs them to Manage Trips to check their applicable fees.

JetBlue attributed the increase to higher fuel and operating costs in a statement reported by The Points Guy. The carrier said charging separately for checked luggage helps it keep base fares competitive.

What Passengers Will Pay

JetBlue's published fee schedule lists the advance rates for Main and EvenMore fares, including their Base and Flex versions, on flights within the U.S., Latin America, the Caribbean and Canada. Those prices require payment more than 24 hours before departure. Within 24 hours, a first bag costs US$60 off-peak or US$70 on peak dates.

A second bag costs US$70 off-peak or US$75 during peak periods when purchased in advance. Within 24 hours of departure, those charges become US$75 and US$85, respectively.

For a passenger paying for one bag in each direction, two off-peak advance fees total US$100, compared with US$78 previously. Two peak advance fees total US$110; paying within 24 hours on both peak departures takes the round-trip baggage bill to US$140. These calculations exclude excess-weight or size charges and assume no baggage benefit applies.

Holiday Dates and Exceptions

JetBlue lists November 19–30, 2026, and December 17, 2026–January 18, 2027 as peak travel periods. An itinerary crossing peak and off-peak dates can therefore carry different charges outbound and inbound.

Mosaic 1 members retain one included checked bag, while Mosaic 2–4 members retain two. Eligible Plus and Premier cardholders also retain their first-bag benefit, subject to the card conditions. Certain fares and routes include baggage; transatlantic flights follow a separate schedule. Passengers should check the allowance attached to their itinerary before buying a bag.

Higher Costs Behind the Increase

The change follows JetBlue's third-quarter loss. Its October 26 financial release put average fuel expense at US$3.91 per gallon, 57% above a year earlier, and forecast a full-year adjusted operating loss.

For travelers comparing fares, the relevant calculation is the ticket plus the baggage charges that apply to their dates and benefits. On two off-peak departures, a US$22 increase in one bag's round-trip cost can erase a fare advantage of that amount without any change to the advertised ticket price.