Delta joins the growing list of US airlines raising checked bag fees as jet fuel costs soar

Delta Air Lines announced Tuesday that it is increasing checked baggage fees, part of a broader wave of U.S. carriers responding to rising jet fuel prices tied to the war in the Middle East.

Starting Wednesday, most domestic and short-haul international passengers will pay $10 more for their first and second checked bags and $50 more for the third. This increases the fees to $45 for the first bag, $55 for the second bag and $200 for the third bag, according to Delta.

“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,” the carrier said in a statement.

The change marks Delta’s first increase in domestic checked baggage fees in two years. Fares for long-haul international flights are not affected.

CEO Ed Bastian told investors last month that increases in jet fuel prices have added about $400 million to Delta’s operating expenses since the conflict began Feb. 28. United Airlines and American Airlines executives reported similar increases.

The average price of a gallon of jet fuel in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles and New York rose from $2.50 before the war to $4.69 on Monday, according to Argus Media. The energy market intelligence firm’s U.S. Jet Fuel Index tracks average prices across these major hubs.

Delta said free bags will continue to be offered to customers flying in premium cabins, active-duty military personnel, eligible co-branded credit card holders and members of certain loyalty tiers.

The carrier’s move follows similar announcements from United and JetBlue; While both raised baggage fees last week, they continued to offer first checked bags free for some customers.

Airlines around the world are grappling with volatile oil markets as conflicts near the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world’s oil passes, disrupt global supplies. Because jet fuel is refined from crude oil, fluctuations in energy prices are quickly reflected in the carrier’s costs. Fuel is generally the second largest expense after labor.

In addition to increasing ticket prices, analysts say U.S. carriers are more likely to turn to surcharges to offset higher costs, while many non-U.S. carriers have responded by adding or increasing fuel surcharges.

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