JetBlue has raised checked bag charges to offset the impression of upper jet gas costs amid the Iran battle.
Passengers should now pay at the least $39 to verify a bag, up $4 per bag from the earlier $35 charge. Checking a second bag now prices at the least $59, up from $50. These charges apply to luggage checked greater than 24 hours earlier than departure.
If passengers verify their luggage inside 24 hours of departure, they are going to be charged an extra $10 per bag on prime of these charges, in keeping with the airline’s web site.
JetBlue elevated the charges as airways maneuver to cowl their rising jet gas prices, which have soared for the reason that Iran battle started. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has constrained oil provides, driving up transportation prices for a variety of industries.
Brent crude, the worldwide benchmark, rose to $115 a barrel on Monday earlier than falling to $107.95, in keeping with information from Oilprice.com and FactSet. West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. benchmark, rose 2% to $101.70.
“As we expertise rising working prices, we frequently consider how you can handle these prices whereas holding base fares aggressive and persevering with to put money into the expertise our prospects worth,” JetBlue stated in an announcement to CBS Information on Monday. “Adjusting charges for elective companies utilized by choose prospects, reminiscent of checked baggage, permits us to proceed providing extra aggressive fares.”
The airline added that it solely will increase charges “when vital.”
Some airways are passing larger gas costs on to shoppers within the type of jet gas surcharges or larger ticket costs.
United Airways CEO Scott Kirby final week informed CBS Information senior transportation correspondent Kris Van Cleave that elevated oil costs “create numerous stress” for airways, noting that United’s airfares have elevated between 15% to twenty% over the previous month.
Jet gas prices account for roughly one-fifth of airways’ working bills.
