Last week, JetBlue became the first airline in the United States to increase checked bag fees in recent times. This is an area where JetBlue tends to “lead,” and other airlines to follow. We then saw United match, and now we can add a third airline to that camp.
In this post:
Delta tries to boost revenue with higher checked bag fees
Airlines are obviously in an incredibly tough spot at the moment. We’ve seen a massive increase in fuel costs, which is one of the biggest variable expenses that airlines have. If oil prices don’t decrease from these levels, even the world’s most profitable airlines will be losing money, while those airlines that were previously struggling may be in bankruptcy.
For tickets purchased as of tomorrow (Wednesday, April 8, 2026), Delta is increasing checked bag fees by $10-50. Currently you’ll pay $35 for the first checked bag, $45 for the second checked bag, and $150 for the third checked bag. With this change, you’ll pay $45 for the first checked bag, $55 for the second checked bag, and $200 for the third checked bag.
In a statement, Delta explains that “these updates are part of Delta’s ongoing review of pricing across its business and reflect the impact of evolving global conditions and industry dynamics.”
Why Delta is raising checked bag fees instead of fares
In recent weeks, we’ve heard a lot of airline executives warn that airfare could go up due to higher oil prices. The issue is that demand for airfare is pretty elastic — when airfare goes up, demand goes down.
Even beyond that, Americans are feeling the impacts of higher oil prices, so many people also have less disposable income (though the “premium” airlines love to boast about the wonders of the K-shaped economy). If airlines could just easily raise prices, we wouldn’t be in a situation where most US carriers are turning operating losses.
From the perspective of airlines, if they desperately need to extract more revenue from passengers, increasing checked bag fees is a logical place to start, since it’s not a detail that passengers compare quite as closely as just direct ticket costs.
So yeah, the price of oil is impacting checked bag fees, but that’s simply because it’s a more practical way to try to increase revenue, compared to outright raising fares.
Bottom line
Delta is increasing checked bag fees by $10-50 per flight. The increase is $10 for the first and second checked bag, and $50 for the third bag and beyond.
Airlines see raising checked bag fees as the easiest way to boost revenue without having to increase fares. JetBlue started this round of bag fee increases, now United and Delta have quickly followed, and I’m sure other airlines won’t be too far behind. And remember, once costs go up, they rarely come down.
What do you make of Delta increasing checked bag fees?
At a Congressional hearing on airline baggage fees.
Scott Kirby leans into the microphone. "Look, senators, United’s baggage strategy is about choice. If you want a bag, you pay the market rate. If you don't, you save. We’re upgrading our overhead bins to fit more 'Basic Economy' rollers, which mathematically proves we are the most innovative carrier in the history of the troposphere. Also, our Newark hub is fine, stop asking."
Ed Bastian calmly sips...
At a Congressional hearing on airline baggage fees.
Scott Kirby leans into the microphone. "Look, senators, United’s baggage strategy is about choice. If you want a bag, you pay the market rate. If you don't, you save. We’re upgrading our overhead bins to fit more 'Basic Economy' rollers, which mathematically proves we are the most innovative carrier in the history of the troposphere. Also, our Newark hub is fine, stop asking."
Ed Bastian calmly sips a glass of premium sparkling water. "At Delta, we don't think of it as a 'fee.' We think of it as a premium investment in your luggage's journey. For just $45, your bag receives a world-class RFID experience and a 20-minute delivery guarantee. It’s about the warmth of the brand. We are a people-first company that happens to own a lot of 30-year-old metal."
Suddenly, the back doors of the hearing room fly open. Tim Dunn marches in, hauling a literal wagon full of printed 10-K SEC filings and a laptop glowing with "Delta vs. The World" spreadsheet.
"While Kirby is trying to 'Choice' his way out of a 12% mishandled bag rate at O'Hare, and Bastian is selling the 'romance' of a $45 surcharge, let’s look at the B.A.G. F.E.E.S. yield (Basically Another Greed Fueled Economy Extraction Scheme Yield). Delta’s baggage infrastructure is statistically 14.7% more efficient than United. Furthermore, if you look at the Q3 RASM, Delta’s baggage handlers are generating 4% more value per square inch of tarmac than anyone in Chicago. United's widebody baggage capacity is a structural liability, and American Airlines has already surrendered the baggage market entirely to focus on 'credit card points'—which everyone knows is a failing strategy for AA. Read the data, Senators! Delta’s 767 cargo holds—even the ones from the 80s—are mathematically superior to anything Kirby is flying. Also, I have proof that United's baggage tags are 2 microns thinner, which is why they tear in Newark. It's science."
The Senator bangs his gavel. "Mr. Dunn, we were just asking if the fees are too high."
Tim doesn't even blink. "The fees aren't 'high,' they are a quantifiable reflection of Delta’s premium dominance. If you can't afford the $45, you're clearly a United flyer who enjoys waiting 40 minutes at a carousel in a terminal that smells like disappointment. Next question."
Why is this even a story? The US has started a war and their lunatic dictator is threatening to wipe out the Iranian population. The US is directly responsible for the economic situation. Regime change in the US now.
Delta has the lowest fuel cost of all airlines because they bought their own refinery in 2012. So, any increase in checked bags is just because they want to increase profits.
It's 2008 all over again.
Could be worse, honestly. We have even dumber, more corrupt leader(s) now.
Airlines are trying to avoid fare increases as it would reduce demand and that would mean cuts, parked planes and furloughed staff. I see change fees coming back if jet fuel prices remain higher.
Of course, we will have those here that do not seem to understand that coach fares do not make money for the airlines. You can make a profit off $49 fares by just buying many more planes and selling many more $49 fares.
Lick those tasty boots, sir!
Let the money grab continue! Would love to see the excise tax extended to cover all ancillary fees.
There have been lots of fare increases since the war began but they make a lot less news than baggage fees.
The real news will be when any carrier chooses not to "go along" with fare and fee increases issued by other airlines.
Given that DL announces its earnings tomorrow to start the US airline earnings season, they undoubtedly do not want to send a message of non-comformity this early in the conflict.
Christ himself has spoken. We are blessed to have his knowledge shared with us.
The simple comment should be - This is pure money grab by DL. Even thought they like to portray themselves as trendsetter, premium and all that BS, they are just a sheep. I guarantee, if oil prices ever come down, DL won't be running to reduce the bag fees.
When you are so brainwashed by a cult, you can't see, admit, and say the facts.
*(United raises bag fees by $10)
TD: "Clear evidence of United's dire financial issues!"
*(Delta raises bag fees by $10)
TD: "No big deal..."
What a disappointment from Delta. Are they trying to run the airline into the ground? They need a new CEO asap.
Why anyone would willingly fly Delta is beyond me. Go wait in line for an hour to get into their “club”. Lol
The airline with the highest checked bag fees will always be the best airline.
Delta copying United... and, when fuel costs come down... these increased fees will remain.
Tim "Tom Deuce" Dunn FTW!!
I love higher checked bag fees as a result of higher fuel prices. I love higher gas prices. I love hamburger selling for $7 per pound. I love blueberries selling for $9 per dry pint. I love a shaky economy. What is not to love?
Tired of all the winning, yet?
Just another flim-flam excuse method to fleece the sheep .
Glad I went ahead and picked up the Delta Gold Business card. We fly Delta for nonstop positioning flights to NYC and LAX, and from there we will take our long haul international flights to Asia and Europe. Thus, we’re likely to have some checked baggage on those Delta domestic flights. There’s a hack respecting some of that credit card’s benefits that will fully cover the $150 annual fee.
but yet they let non-revs check 2 free bags each still. make it make sense if it's about fuel costs. hmmm
Stripping a published benefit from employees is hardly a smart move. I also wonder how much that would move the needle - I know very few airline employees who check bags when flying standby, except when they’re asked to gate check which remains free for everyone.
I'm sure they'll lower the bag fees if fuel drops back down right?
Of course. Inflation is transitory. Lol
Google "Income Tax as a temporary measure".