United Airlines raises checked bag fees up to $50 starting Friday

United Airlines is raising checked bag fees by $10 to $50 for travelers purchasing tickets starting Friday, the company confirmed to Fox Business on Thursday.

The increase, which the airline said marks its first bag fee hike in two years, comes after JetBlue announced similar measures in late March. 

Customers flying within the U.S., Mexico, Canada and Latin America can expect a $10 increase on first and second checked bags, while the fee for a third bag will jump by an additional $50.

The airline did not specify whether the price increase was tied to higher jet fuel costs stemming from the recent Iran war, which has drastically disrupted global oil markets. However, United CEO Scott Kirby warned in recent weeks that sustained higher jet fuel costs could strain company revenue. 

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United Airlines airplanes proceed to a runway at Newark Liberty International Airport on January 27, 2024, in Newark, New Jersey. (Gary Hershorn / Getty Images)

“United is raising first and second checked bag fees by $10 for customers traveling in the U.S., Mexico and Canada and Latin America beginning with tickets purchased Friday, April 3,” the airline said.  

Currently, tickets sold through April 2 list prepaid bag fees at $35 for the first bag, $45 for the second, and $150 for the third. Starting Friday, those fees will increase to $45, $55, and $200, respectively.

Similarly, bags paid within 24 hours of travel currently cost $40 for the first bag, $50 for the second, and $150 for the third. Starting Friday, those fees will increase to $50, $60, and $200, respectively.

“Customers in most markets will still enjoy a $5 discount if they prepay for their bags online 24 hours before their flight,” the airline said, referring to the first two bags. 

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Travelers gather with their luggage in the international terminal at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on June 25, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.  (Mario Tama / Getty Images)

The airline emphasized that eligible passengers — such as United Chase credit card holders, MileagePlus Premier members, active military members, and travelers in premium cabins — can still check a bag for free. 

Earlier in March, Kirby acknowledged the rising pressure from higher jet fuel prices, noting that over the course of a year, the increased costs could exceed twice the company’s most profitable year.

“The reality is, jet fuel prices have more than doubled in the last three weeks,” the CEO wrote in a memo to employees. “If prices stayed at this level, it would mean an extra $11B in annual expense just for jet fuel. For perspective, in United’s best year ever, we made less than $5B. That may sound scary, but the first piece of good news is that, for now at least, demand remains the strongest we’ve ever seen. The 10 biggest booked revenue weeks in our history have been the last 10 weeks.”

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United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby speaks to reporters after a joint press event on December 13, 2022.  (LOGAN CYRUS/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Earlier this week, JetBlue Airways also raised its checked bag fees for economy passengers, citing disruptions in global oil supply from the ongoing Iran war. Under the new structure, the first checked bag now costs about $39 on non‑peak days and about $49 during peak travel periods, up roughly $4–$9 compared with previous rates.

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When an airline raises fees, competitors often follow. However, there have been no additional indications yet from American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, or Frontier Airlines that they plan to take similar measures.

Fuel costs have surged to multi-year highs after the U.S.–Israel conflict with Iran erupted on Feb. 28, disrupting roughly 20% of the global oil supply that normally flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

As of Thursday, jet fuel in major U.S. markets averaged $4.88 per gallon, up more than 95% from the day before the war began, according to Argus data published by Airlines for America.

FOX Business’ Eric Mack contributed to this report.