JetBlue increased its first checked bag fee from $35 to $39 and its second checked bag fee from $50 to $59. The airline said it raised the fees to cover rising jet fuel costs.
The updated checked bag fees apply to bags checked more than 24 hours before departure. Passengers who check bags within 24 hours of departure face an additional $10 per bag surcharge, according to the airline's website. The first checked bag fee represents an increase of roughly 11%, while the second checked bag fee rose by 18%.
"As we experience rising operating costs, we regularly evaluate how to manage those costs while keeping base fares competitive and continuing to invest in the experience our customers value," the airline said in a statement. "Adjusting fees for optional services used by select customers, such as checked baggage, allows us to continue offering more competitive fares."
Jet fuel costs account for roughly one-fifth of airlines' operating expenses. Those costs have increased since the Iran war began, as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has constrained oil supplies. Constrained oil supplies have driven up transportation costs for a range of industries.
Brent crude rose to $115 a barrel on Monday before falling to $107.95, according to data from Oilprice.com and FactSet. West Texas Intermediate rose 2% to $101.70 per barrel, according to the same data.
On Friday, the average one-way JetBlue airfare for same-day flights rose 16.2% to $368, according to research from Deutsche Bank. Tickets for JetBlue flights departing later in April were up 24% to $286, according to the same research.