JetBlue Raises Checked Bag Fees, Adds "Peak" Bag Pricing

jetBlue is just such a ghetto airline.

I would rather fly on JetBlue than Spirit or United...or even AA for that matter.

A non-mint first class would be huge for Jetblue. I'm frequently flying LAX-JFK and SLC-JFK and will sometimes fly Jetblue instead of Delta when in LA, but when originating in Salt Lake it's Delta every time. On the morning SLC-JFK flight Delta also restricts most of its FC seats to the J fare class months in advance and it is consistently sold out - SLC-JFK would be a very strong opportunity for Jetblue to introduce a regular first class product and i'm sure there are many others.

JetBlue is headed into the arms of AA.

Tell us you haven’t been paying attention to what the government’s done with Jet Blue over the last couple years, without saying you haven’t been paying attention to what the government’s done with Jet Blue over the last couple years.

Simple, they can't raise fares, which they need to do to return to profitability, so they're doing it with (hopefully for them) by raising after the fact fees. I think other airlines are going to follow. Raising fares squashes demand and airlines need to fill their planes to the gills.

"Generally airlines choose what bag fees to charge based on what they think will maximize revenue and profitability, rather than what’s fair. And what the airline can get away with largely depends on what competitors are doing."

I've got to say, although I think you're the hardest workin' man with, most of the time, the best content in the rather sad points-and-miles bloat-o-sphere, the above comment seems to indicate a fundamental misunderstanding of how most American businesses operate nowadays; specifically, airlines choose bag fess (and all other fees), as well as their poor levels of service, on what they're reasonably sure (and they're generally correct) they can put over on the travelling public. I doubt there was much analysis vis-a-vis JetBlue's competitors; it was most likely a few minutes discussion and an order to implement. It's quite evident most flyers will put up with all sorts of fare shenanigans and atrocious service with nothing more than 'please sir, may I have some more?'

Get an airline cc and ignore the bag fees or just travel with a carryon. This isnt that big of a deal.

@ Gentleman Jack Darby -- Thanks for the kind words... I think. 😉

I'm not sure I'm fully following your logic. You're suggesting airlines don't make these decisions based on what competitors are doing? If so, do you think it's a coincidence that five of the biggest US carriers all raised fees within weeks of one another, after not doing so for years?

You're absolutely right that they do it based on what they "can put over on the travelling public," but I think that's driven by the competitive landscape.

I haven't checked a bag in years, and I think in 99% of cases it's unnecessary for all travelers. With that being said, $70 for a 2nd bag is insane. Some travelers are going to be rightfully irate.

I agree offering a domestic first seat would seem an easy way to better monetize non mint aircraft. It might work on mint aircraft too being sold as premium economy.

Yes, it's the government's fault that JetBlue runs a bad business model and squanders assets it has in very desirable places.

I agree! Or UA. Carl has a plan....just watch.

This is a big story, but the more concerning was a brand new Jetblue A321 LHR-JFK losing an engine ( I believe it was a compressor stall) over the Atlantic, and having to float down and divert to SNN. This was the aircrafts FOURTH flight.

I really wish Jetblue the best.

I've been noticing JetBlue fares being cheapest in transcon markets, but once you add in the fees for seat selection and bags they are the same as others. Maybe a new strategy to have a teaser price.

Peak pricing for checked bags …. If today wasn’t April 2nd already, I though this is an April’s fool joke.

I pay for the Big Front Seat on Spirit. Priced right, I'd buy it on JetBlue. Problem is, with JetBlue dropping DTW-JFK, I have less opportunity to fly them. Literally just flew DTW-JFK-PBI. Great overall experience. Would do it again, except...

When did this happen? Quick Google search doesn't return a story about an engine failure, not even on a JFK-LHR flight. Can you post a link? Thanks

So when is considered peak - they haven’t defined. I also expect some customers to argue the bag fees because it is kind of complicated. If the staffs can decide then we are in trouble....

The quote about the raised fees "subsidizing" the free Wi-Fi and personal IFE screens (as well as helping B6 return to profitability, of course) is interesting. That said, I can't help but to think that this cheapens B6's brand. From my armchair CEO perspective, I feel like introducing domestic First Class is a much better way to maximize revenue and return to profitability...with the added bonus of not cheapening the brand.