United Airlines: Baggage fees will jump to $30, matching JetBlue
United Airlines is boosting checked-bag fees for many passengers, matching a move earlier this week by JetBlue Airways.
United raised fees for checking a first bag from $25 to $30 and a second bag from $35 to $40 for tickets issued on or after Friday. The fees cover flights in North and Central America and the Caribbean.
The move comes after JetBlue on Monday raised its fees to $30 for a first checked bag and $40 for a second piece of luggage, pushing its baggage fees to above that of other major U.S. carriers. Other large U.S. carriers including Delta Air Lines and American Airlines charge $25 for the first piece of luggage checked, while Southwest Airlines is the only large U.S. airline that doesn't add a fee for one piece of checked luggage.
Chicago-based United says the money helps it invest in "the overall customer experience."
At midday Friday, American and Delta still showed $25 and $35 bag fees on their websites.
Airlines have steadily increased revenue from extra charges on things like baggage, ticket changes, nicer seats and early boarding. Last year, U.S. airlines raised $7.4 billion from fees on checked bags and ticket changes, led by American, Delta and United.