Several US airlines raise baggage fees as Iran war sends fuel costs soaring

Delta, United and JetBlue hiked rates even as Delta announced $1bn pre-tax profit in quarter ending June Sign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email Several major US airlines have raised their baggage fees in recent days, blaming ongoing volatility in oil markets caused by the US-Israeli war in Iran that has almost doubled jet fuel prices. On Tuesday, Delta followed the lead of United Airlines and JetBlue, which announced last week that they were hiking baggage prices because of the ongoing war. The move from Delta came on the same day that the company announced it expected to record a pre-tax profit of about $1bn in the quarter that will end in June. In a statement, a Delta spokesperson said the new fee structure would take effect on Wednesday. The cost of a first and second checked bag on most routes will increase by $10 to $45 and $55, respectively, while a third bag will cost $200, an additional $50. “These updates are part of Delta’s ongoing review of pricing across its business and reflect the impact of evolving global conditions and industry dynamics,” the spokesperson said. Delta did not immediately answer if the new rates were intended to be permanent, or would be re