Airfare isn’t the only thing that’s going up these days. You will also have to pay extra for shipping shoes and unnecessary items to your destination.
Delta Air Lines is the latest airline increase the price baggage fees, announcing an immediate $5 increase in the price of checked bags. Flights with luggage will now cost $35 for the first piece of luggage and $45 for the second.
The move is something of a domino effect in the airline industry. Alaska Airlines kicked things off by increasing its baggage allowance at the beginning of the year. Two weeks ago, American Airlines followed suit, raising the cost of your first checked bag to $35 or $40, depending on whether you declare it before arriving at the airport. United Airlines then raised prices (matching American’s fares), as did JetBlue, which raised prices by $10 per bag to $35-$45 for first and $50-$60 for second.
Southwest Airlines remains the only carrier that does not charge a fee for checked bags.
A few caveats. If you purchased your tickets before Tuesday, March 5th, you will not have to pay a retroactive surcharge. And if you’re a SkyMiles Medallion member, have a Delta American Express card, or are flying first class, you’ll continue to receive your usual free baggage allowance.
For the first time since 2018, Delta has increased its baggage fees. The Atlanta-based airline says the move is necessary because of rising industry costs. Other carriers motivated their actions for the same reason.
Airlines make significant amounts of money by charging for checked luggage. In the first three quarters of last year, the industry generated nearly $5.5 billion in revenue from baggage fees alone. according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Last year’s figures are expected to exceed baggage revenue in 2022, at $6.8 billion.