What you need to know about JetBlue's new bag fees

Ben Mutzabaugh | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption JetBlue stops free checked bag program, introduces fees There are no more Free checked bags on Jetblue, unless you're paying a premium fare. The airline announced the upcoming change late last year, and introduced a new fare structure on its website Tuesday. Southwest is now the last free carrier.

And then there was one.

JetBlue began charging extra for checked bags starting with itineraries booked from Tuesday onward. The change was announced in November, but JetBlue had not revealed details until now.

Previously, JetBlue had allowed customers to check one bag for free.

The change leaves Southwest as the only major U.S. carrier that still allows its customers to check bags for free. Southwest took to social media to tout its new status with posts to Facebook and Twitter.





"We are proud to offer 'Bags Fly Free' and have no current plans to change our policies," Southwest spokeswoman Thais Conway said in a statement to Today in the Sky.

As for JetBlue, its move to charge for bags comes amid a broader revamp of its fare offerings into three main fare types.

"It's customer friendly," Brett Snyder, author of The Cranky Flier blog and operator of the Cranky Concierge travel service, said about how the carrier worked to integrate bag fees into its new fare structure.

He doesn't expect JetBlue to suffer lasting push-back from its customer base.

"The JetBlue experience in coach is much better than on other North American carriers," Snyder says. "That will outweigh the new bag fees. Most people won't even notice."

Customers who have already booked travel will not be subject to the new fare classifications. And JetBlue's elite-level frequent-fliers will be exempt from both bag and change fees.

But non-elite customers booking with JetBlue beginning Tuesday now must choose from the following options:

Blue

The cheapest fare, JetBlue's "Blue" fares do not include checked bags. Customers choosing to check a bag can do so for $20 if they pay to check the bag online or at an airport kiosk. The fee rises to $25 if done at a check-in counter. A second bag is $35, which JetBlue notes is a reduction from the previous $50 fee for a second bag.

Customers flying on Blue fares can make changes to their itineraries, with the change fee varying based on the cost of the ticket. JetBlue will charge $70 for changes on fares of $99 or less; $90 for changes on fares of up to $149; and $135 on fares of $149 and up. Confirmed same-day changes will cost $50.

On 10 of JetBlue's international routes to the Caribbean and Latin America, the carrier's Blue fares will include one checked bag.

Blue Plus

JetBlue's midtier fare, "Blue Plus," includes one complimentary checked bag. A second bag is $35, which JetBlue again notes is a reduction from the previous $50 fee for a second bag.

JetBlue says Blue Plus fares will vary by route and by demand, but that they'll "generally" be about $15 more than the more-basic Blue fares.

Change fees will be slightly less for customers flying on Blue Plus fares. JetBlue will charge $60 for changes on fares of $99 or less; $80 for changes on fares of up to $149; and $120 on fares of $149 and up. Confirmed same-day changes will cost the same, $50.

Blue Flex

JetBlue's top-tier fare for its main cabin, "Blue Flex," includes two complimentary checked bags. Like its other fare tiers, prices will vary by route and by demand. But JetBlue says Blue Flex fares will "generally" be about $85 more than Blue Plus and about $100 more than basic Blue fares.

Customers flying on this fare will not be charged for ticket changes or for same-day confirmed changes.

Mint

JetBlue rolled out its new Mint cabin earlier in 2014. Fares include first class-style lie-flat seats and other premium perks, though the seats are offered on only on a handful of JetBlue's long-haul routes. Mint fares are separate from the new fare types rolled out Tuesday.

More details; Wall Street pressure

One catch for some customers is that online agencies such as Orbitz and Expedia will sell only JetBlue's cheapest fares, which do not include a checked bag. Marty St. George, JetBlue's executive vice president of commercial products and planning, says that will continue indefinitely but notes 75% of the airline's customers already book directly with JetBlue.

St. George says JetBlue is willing to sell its different fare offerings via the online agencies, but says most lack the technology to allow it.

More broadly, JetBlue's changes follow pressure from Wall Street, which had been pressing the carrier to boost revenue. With most other airlines already charging for bags and certain perks, JetBlue's new fare categories inch it closer to the practices of most other big U.S. carriers. The airline also has decided to reduce legroom on some planes. The move will allow it to add more seats, though JetBlue says its average "seat pitch" -- a measure of seat space -- is still the highest in the U.S.

And while JetBlue's new Mint cabin may fly on only a handful of routes, it lets JetBlue sell lucrative premium seats between cities with lots of corporate and wealthy travelers.

While JetBlue's changes have pleased Wall Street, the carrier also promises it will pay dividends for its customers, too.

St. George says the increased revenue will help pay for a thorough cabin overhaul of the Airbus A320s that make more than half of the carrier's current fleet.

"This is really the impetus for a complete relaunch of our A320 product," St. George says, noting the overhaul will include new seats, seat-back entertainment screens and perks like USB outlets at every seat.

St. George also played down concerns that fees could tarnish the airline's customer-friendly reputation. He says JetBlue's customer-service data have consistently shown customers value items such as service, personal space and in-flight entertainment.

"Fees come pretty far down the list," he says.