Packing for the holidays just got pricier for anyone flying JetBlue.
New York’s hometown airline has raised its checked bag fees for the second time this year, and the first bag now starts at $50.
The new prices apply to any ticket bought on or after November 3, 2026, according to Simple Flying.
Already booked your Thanksgiving trip? You’re in luck, since tickets bought before then keep the old rates.
How much a checked bag costs now
JetBlue prices bags based on two things: when you pay for them and whether you’re flying on a busy “peak” date.
Here’s the new first-bag pricing:
- Paid online 24+ hours ahead: $50 on off-peak dates, $55 on peak dates (up from $39 and $49)
- Paid within 24 hours or at the airport: $60 off-peak, $70 peak (up from $49 and $59)
- Second bag: $70 to $85, depending on timing and date
- Third bag: a flat $200
Peak dates cover most of the summer, from late May to early September, plus the major holiday travel periods.
That means one checked bag on a peak-season round trip can now run $110 if you prepay, or $140 if you wait until the airport.
Flying to Europe? The first bag on JetBlue’s cheapest transatlantic fares now starts at $80 each way.
A $15 jump in about two and a half years
JetBlue’s cheapest first-bag fee was $35 in May 2024.
It rose to $39 this March, and now it’s $50, a jump of about 43%.
JetBlue says the increase helps keep base fares competitive and covers rising fuel and operating costs.
And it might not stop with JetBlue.
When the airline raised its fees this spring, other major U.S. carriers matched them within weeks, Thrifty Traveler reports.
We covered United’s own checked bag hike at the time.
How to avoid paying $50 (or more)
- Prepay online: adding your bag more than 24 hours before your flight saves you $10 to $15 each way.
- Fly off-peak: the same bag costs less on non-peak dates, and March 2027 has no peak dates at all.
- Use the right credit card: JetBlue Plus, Business and Premier cardholders get their first checked bag free, and so do up to three companions on the same booking.
- Get status or splurge: TrueBlue Mosaic members and JetBlue Mint passengers get free checked bags.
- Pack light: a carry-on is still the cheapest bag there is.
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