A number of airlines have increased their baggage fees since the start of 2020, and travel experts are wondering if more will follow suit as the industry tries to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Lesbian couple walking together with rolling suitcases
Several airlines have raised their baggage fees in 2020 © Klaus Vedfelt via Getty Images

American Airlines recently increased its transatlantic checked baggage fees from $60 (€54.82) one-way to $75 (€68.52) for holders of basic economy tickets, effective 21 April. Second bag charges remain at $100 (€91.36), while third and fourth bags are unchanged at $200 (€182.73) each way for transatlantic travel. Checked baggage fees for domestic flights remain at $30 (€27.41) for the first bag.

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Suitcases stacked on a luggage trolley in an international airport
A number of airlines have increased their baggage fees since the start of 2020 © Mongkol Chuewong/Getty Images

Earlier in the year, budget carrier JetBlue Airways raised the charge for a first checked bag from $30 (€27.41) to $35 (€31.98) from 16 January, and the second bag from $40 (€36.55) to $45 (€41.11). United Airlines then decided to do the same from 6 March, charging $35 (€31.98) for the first checked bag each way, and $45 (€41.11) for the second bag. However, for both JetBlue and United, the $5 increase can be avoided if the fee is paid before online check-in opens.

A pile of different coloured suitcases stacked on top of each other
A record $5.1 billion in US baggage charges were generated from April 2018 to March 2019 © Maurizio Milanesio/Shutterstock
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Upgraded Points conducted a study exploring the growing rate of US airlines' baggage fees and the revenue generated, using data released by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics for the year spanning April 2018 to March 2019. It found that a record $5.1 billion (€4.6 billion) in baggage charges were generated in that period. "We've all noticed that baggage fees have increased over the years; you feel the financial pinch every time you check-in to fly," said founder Alex Miller.

Smiling baby boy sitting in a stroller near luggage at an airport terminal
Travel experts are wondering if more airlines will raise baggage charges © Gorlov-KV/Shutterstock

Baggage fees make up 3% of the overall operating revenue for all airlines, although the individual figure varies from airline to airline. They make up far more of the revenue for low-cost carriers than larger ones. Given how strapped for cash airlines are in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it remains to be seen if other airlines also decide to raise their baggage fees.

Keep up to date with Lonely Planet's latest travel-related COVID-19 news here.

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