Delta Airlines Announces 17% Increase in Baggage Fees, Echoing American and United – Sky Bulletin
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In a recent update to its checked baggage fee policy, Delta Airlines has announced a 17% increase on the cost of checking in your first bag. This decision comes shortly after both American Airlines and United Airlines announced similar increases. For travelers, this will mean the addition of $5 to the already considerable $30 fee for checking the first bag on domestic flights.
Following in the footsteps of fee hikes by Alaska Airlines and JetBlue Airways, Delta’s increase is illustrative of a common trend among major U.S. airlines to echo each other’s pricing strategies. This behavior, characterized by some analysts as ‘herd instinct,’ often sees airlines make uniform adjustments to their pricing structures.
With the new adjustment, Delta customers can now expect to pay $35 for their first checked bag on domestic flights. The cost for checking a second bag has also risen from $40 to $45. Delta had previously increased bag fees in 2018 and states that the current change is to help manage rising costs in the industry, although no specific details were provided.
However, not all Delta passengers will be affected by the increase. There are still exemptions for customers with particular status perks and those flying first class, who can check their luggage at no extra cost.
Checked baggage fees have become an essential revenue source for airlines; this was highlighted when American Airlines first imposed them back in 2008. In the year 2022 alone, U.S. airlines accumulated approximately $6.8 billion in checked-bag fees, with American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta leading the pack.
FAQs About Delta’s Checked Baggage Fee Increase
- How much has Delta increased the fee for the first checked bag?
- The fee for the first checked bag on Delta Airlines has increased by 17%, adding $5 to the existing $30 fee.
- Why did Delta increase its checked baggage fees?
- Delta increased its checked baggage fees to cope with rising industry costs, but the specific expenses haven’t been disclosed.
- Will the fee increase apply to all Delta customers?
- No, customers with certain status perks or those flying first class can still check bags free of charge.
- How do the increased fees compare among major U.S. airlines?
- With this increase, Delta joins American Airlines and United Airlines in setting the standard fee for the first checked bag at $35 on domestic flights.
- Can customers avoid the fee by attaining a certain status with Delta?
- Yes, customers with particular status perks with Delta can avoid the first checked bag fee.
Conclusion
The baggage fee increase by Delta Airlines marks another instance where the industry’s major players adjust their revenue strategies in a coordinated fashion. While these changes place additional financial burdens on many travelers, especially those without premium status or first-class tickets, they have become a normative part of the airlines’ approach to maintaining profitability in face of various economic pressures. As more airlines continue to adopt similar pricing strategies, passengers will need to become increasingly savvy, finding ways to minimize extra costs while still reaching their destinations successfully.
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