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Passengers of United Airlines will begin to pay more for checking their luggage starting this Friday, against a backdrop of significant increases in global aviation fuel prices.
The airline confirmed that it will increase checked baggage fees by between 10 and 50 dollars for tickets purchased from April 3rd, becoming the second U.S. company in less than a week to implement this measure, following JetBlue.
Increases in the first, second, and third suitcase
The adjustment will primarily affect travelers within the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Latin America, as revealed by the U.S. press.
"United will increase the fees for the first and second checked baggage by $10 for customers traveling within the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Latin America, starting with tickets purchased on Friday, April 3," the airline stated.
With the new structure, the first suitcase will cost $45 if paid in advance and $50 if added within the 24 hours leading up to the flight.
The second will rise to $55 and $60 respectively, while the third suitcase experiences the largest increase: from $150 to $200.
Until April 2, the fees were $35 for the first suitcase, $45 for the second, and $150 for the third if paid in advance.
Discounts and exceptions for certain passengers
United specified that some customers will continue to be exempt from these additional charges.
"United Chase credit card holders, MileagePlus Premier members, active duty military members, and customers traveling in premium cabins can still check in one bag for free," the company noted.
Additionally, it will maintain an incentive for those who pay in advance:
"Customers of most markets will continue to enjoy a $5 discount if they pay for their luggage online 24 hours before their flight."
Fuel: the main pressure for airlines
Although United did not officially link the fare increase to the rising cost of fuel, the context clearly points to that factor as the trigger.
The airline sector is facing an increase of more than 80% in fuel costs since the end of February, when the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran disrupted global energy markets.
According to data from Argus cited by Airlines for America, the average price of jet fuel reached $4.88 per gallon in major U.S. markets, nearly double the level before the start of the conflict.
United's own CEO, Scott Kirby, had warned about the impact of this situation on the company's finances:
"The reality is that jet fuel prices have more than doubled in the last three weeks," he stated.
Kirby also warned about the potential economic impact if this trend continues: “If prices remained at this level, it would mean an additional annual expense of 11 billion dollars just for aviation fuel.”
A trend that the competition is already following
United's increase comes just days after JetBlue also raised its checked baggage fees by $4 to $9, depending on the timing of the purchase.
Historically, this type of decision tends to be replicated in the sector, although for now airlines such as American Airlines, Delta, Southwest, or Frontier have not announced similar measures.
Fuel is, after labor costs, the largest expense for airlines, so its increase in price is often quickly passed on to consumers.
Strong demand despite the costs
Despite the pressure from costs, United assures that travel demand remains at record levels.
"The last 10 weeks have been the highest-grossing for reservations in our history," Kirby noted in a memo to employees.
This scenario—high demand and skyrocketing costs—explains why airlines are choosing to adjust additional fees such as baggage, rather than reducing their capacity.
In this context, passengers should prepare to pay more not only for flying but also for bringing their luggage.
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