JetBlue checked-bag fees soar to as much as $70 from $39 ahead of Thanksgiving — it's the second price hike this year

With its latest round of price increases, you could pay up to $140 for a round-trip flight for a single bag. The fees, which are now in effect, apply to domestic flights, as well as flights to Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean and some Transatlantic destinations.

As airlines continue to struggle with higher operating expenses, we likely won’t see the cost of travel come down any time soon.

How much more will you pay?

JetBlue’s new prices reflect peak and off-peak travel. So if you’re traveling during Thanksgiving (Nov 19-30) or Christmas (Dec. 17 - Jan. 18), expect to pay more.

If you pay your checked-bag fee more than 24 hours in advance, it costs $50 for the first bag — that’s up from the previous $39 — or $55 during peak travel for a one-way basic fare. If you pay less than 24 hours before you fly, then the cost is even higher: $60 (off-peak) and $70 (peak).

Checking a second bag? In advance, you’ll pay $70 one way (off-peak) and $75 (peak). Less than 24 hours ahead of your flight, you’ll pay $75 one way (off-peak) and $85 (peak). A third bag comes in at a flat $200.

It’s gotten so complicated that there’s a chart to consult, showing the checked-bag fees based on your fare class, origin, destination, travel dates and status with the airline.

But it boils down to this: A family of four checking one bag each at the airport over the holidays will pay $680 round-trip just for their bags. Once you add in seat selection, for-purchase meals and snacks and, in some cases, fuel surcharges, the cost of a trip might be more than you were budgeting for.

Why prices are rising, again

The rising cost of jet fuel is just one of many factors impacting carriers’ operating costs. That means, even if the price of jet fuel drops, airline travel isn’t suddenly going to get cheaper.

“Pricing pressures are expected to ease gradually next year, but travel costs are unlikely to return to prior levels, as many of the forces driving higher prices have become long-term features of the industry rather than short-term disruptions,” according to a statement by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA).

While the cost of jet fuel is a significant factor in higher ticket fares, it’s not the only one. GBTA also points to “structural factors including aircraft delivery delays, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) requirements, labor shortages and geopolitical uncertainty” as factors that will impact costs in the year to come.

JetBlue, for its part, reported a 21% jump in revenue during Q3, but still lost $257 million.

Back in March, JetBlue wasn’t the only one raising fees. Other U.S. carriers, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines all raised their checked-bag fees. In early May, low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines ceased operations altogether.

It’s possible that other airlines will follow JetBlue’s lead. But, even if they don’t, the cost to check a bag remains high after the last round of increases in May: American Airlines charges $50 for your first checked bag and $60 for your second (you save $5 if you pay online). And Delta charges $45 for your first checked bag and $55 for your second.

However, fees vary by fare type, origin and destination. So if you’re booking a flight, make sure to check the latest information on the airline’s website.

What you can do about it

The easiest way to avoid checked-bag fees is to avoid checking a bag altogether. But sometimes that’s just not possible — say, if you’re traveling during the holidays and have a suitcase full of gifts you’re bringing with you.