American Airlines and Alaska Airlines are the latest carriers to raise bag fees as jet fuel costs double
April 10, 2026
American Airlines has increased checked baggage fees, becoming the latest US carrier to raise ancillary charges amid sharply rising fuel costs following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz during the US-Israel-Iran conflict.
The airline confirmed the new pricing applies to tickets booked from April 9, 2026, with most domestic and short-haul international travellers now paying $50 for a first checked bag and $60 for a second bag when paying at the airport. Customers who prepay online receive a $5 discount.
Alaska Airlines also announced an increase in baggage fees on tickets for North American flights booked from April 10, raising its fee for the first bag by $5 and the second bag by $10. Its Alaska Air Group partner, Hawaiian Airlines, will also pass on these bag fee increases.
The move to raise ancillary charges comes as the cost of jet fuel has doubled during the conflict and follows similar fee increases by major competitors, including Delta, United, JetBlue and Southwest.
What American Airlines passengers will now pay for checked bags
The new American Airlines bag fee structure is as follows:
| Fare / Region | 1st Bag (Prepay) | 1st Bag (Airport) | 2nd Bag (Prepay) | 2nd Bag (Airport) | 3rd Bag | Effective For Tickets Purchased |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Hawaii, Alaska, short-haul international | $45 | $50 | $55 | $60 | $200 | April 9, 2026 onward |
| Basic Economy – Domestic U.S., Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, Guyana | $50 | $55 | $60 | $65 | $200 | May 18, 2026 onward |
| Basic Economy – South America (except Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru) | $70 | $70 | $100 | $100 | $200 | April 9, 2026 onward |
| Basic Economy – Panama | $55 | $55 | $100 | $100 | $200 | May 18, 2026 onward |
| Basic Economy – Colombia, Ecuador, Peru | Not available | $70 | Not available | $100 | $200 | May 18, 2026 onward |
Passengers travelling in premium cabins or with elite frequent-flyer status are still eligible for complimentary checked baggage allowances, and some airline credit cards still provide a free first checked bag. American also offers complimentary bags to active-duty US military personnel on all its flights.
Additionally, American announced that a new seat selection fee will take effect for Basic Economy tickets purchased from May 18 onward, and that Basic Economy tickets, even those purchased by elite-status members, will no longer be eligible for systemwide upgrades.
What Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines passengers will now pay for checked bags
The new Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines bag fee structure is as follows:
| Category | Previous | New | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| First checked bag | $40 | $45 | Applies to travel on North American Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines flights booked on or after April 10, 2026 |
| Second checked bag | $45 | $55 | Fee rises by $10 under the update |
| Third-plus checked bag | $150 | $200 | Applies to each additional checked bag beyond the second |
| Prepay bag discount | $5 off online/mobile | No discount | Previous discount applied when prepaid four or more hours before departure |
| Oversized bag fee | $200 | $200 | No change |
| Oversized and overweight (up to 70 lbs) | $300 | $300 | No change |
| Oversized and overweight (71–100 lbs) | $400 | $400 | No change |
| State of Alaska Club 49 travel | Three free intrastate and two free to/from Alaska | Three free intrastate and two free to/from Alaska | No change |
| State of Hawaiʻi travel | $30 first bag; $40 second | $30 first bag; $40 second | No change |
| State of Hawaiʻi Huakaʻi travel | One free Neighbor Island bag | One free Neighbor Island bag | No change |
| Tier 1 elites / oneworld Ruby | One free bag + companions | One free bag + companions | No change |
| Active-duty military | Up to five free bags (70 lbs each) | Up to five free bags (70 lbs each) | No change |
| First Class checked bag allowance | 70 lbs | 70 lbs | No change |
Alaska says Atmos Rewards status members, eligible cardholders, Huaka‘i travellers, and Club 49 members keep their current baggage benefits under the new policy.
Why airlines are raising bag fees
The fee increases respond to a surge in jet fuel prices linked to the conflict in the Middle East, with shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz hampering oil transport.
According to the International Air Transport Association, jet fuel prices have more than doubled in recent weeks, reaching $209 per barrel, compared to $85-$90 per barrel before the Iran conflict began. It is a sudden 132% increase in jet fuel costs compared to last year, significantly raising airline operating costs.
While airfare increases are harder for airlines to implement immediately, ancillary charges—such as baggage fees, seat selection and onboard services—can help offset higher operating expenses.
New bag fees across major US airlines
American and Alaska’s latest bag fee announcements follow a cascade of similar changes across the US airline industry in recent weeks. United Airlines raised its bag fees by $10 earlier in April; Delta Air Lines also increased checked baggage charges, as have JetBlue and Southwest.
As a result, all major US carriers now charge around $45–$50 for a first checked bag on many domestic flights, depending on when and how the bag fee is paid.
The latest fee increases offset airlines’ soaring fuel costs and protect their margins. For passengers, it means checked baggage is becoming more expensive across the industry—especially for travellers flying on the lowest-priced basic economy tickets.
Featured image: American Airlines
