Apr 10, 2026
It's no new revelation that fuel costs have surged amid the war in Iran. While the recent announcement of a two week ceasefire led oil prices to plunge — U.S.-traded oil fell to just $96 — prices still remain higher than before the war started (1). And new airline baggage fees are just one example of the way these price surges are affecting people's everyday lives
On Apr. 7, Delta Airlines (2) and Southwest Airlines (3) announced they would start charging $10 more to check a bag on U.S. domestic flights. This followed announcements from United Airlines and JetBlue just a week prior, announcing their own baggage fee increases (4).
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Katy Nastro, a travel expert for the website Going, discussed the increased baggage fees with MarketWatch (5). She explained that the airline industry is a copycat industry, and she expects more airlines to follow suit.
"This is going to hurt families since it's likely we see this become the norm across all airlines," Nastro said.
Airlines might be working against themselves
Air travellers are already facing higher plane ticket prices, so adding on these baggage fees further hurts budgets. Business Insider (6) reported that the average price of a transcontinental flight has risen from $167 to $414 since the war began. They also stated that "the average Transatlantic flight is some 40% more expensive than a month ago."
MarketWatch (7) spoke with Michael Taylor, a senior managing director with JD Power who tracks the travel industry. Taylor said raising bag fees is "one of the worst things you can do as far as satisfaction and loyalty [go]."
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Avoiding costly fees when travelling
As of right now, these increased travel fees are our reality. And whether you have a vacation you're trying to plan, a family event or a business trip, you still have some options to help you stick to your budget.
Travel with a carry-on only. Perhaps the most obvious thing you can do to avoid baggage fees is not bring a checked bag. Try to pack as light as possible and optimize your carry-on bag and personal item of choice to fit as much as you need to bring. This might also mean bringing less items home with you.
Pre-pay for your bags online. If you do decide to check a bag, paying the fee in advance online can save you money. Failing that, some airlines even offer discounts for paying for your bags more than 24 hours before your flight. Otherwise, you may be stuck with an upcharge for baggage fees paid at the airport right before you fly.
Use a travel credit card. Some travel rewards credit cards offer special baggage prices as one of their perks. Find out the details of your current travel credit card, or try to find one to apply for that aligns with your needs.
Article Sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our ethics and guidelines.
BBC (1); Delta Air Lines (2); Southwest Airlines (3); The New York Times (4); MarketWatch (5,7); Business Insider (6)
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Em Norton is a Staff Writer for Moneywise. Em holds a B.A. in Professional Writing from York University and has been writing professionally since 2019. Em's work has previously been published by Room Magazine, IN Magazine, Our Canada and more.
