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A Delta Air Lines Airbus A350 airplane lands at Los Angeles Airport after arriving from Atlanta on March 7, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Kevin Carter | Getty Images
Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines are raising checked bag fees by $10 for tickets, the third and fourth major U.S. carriers to increase prices as the industry grapples with a jump in jet fuel expenses this year.
"As part of an ongoing analysis of the business and against the evolving global backdrop, Southwest Airlines is increasing its fees on first and second checked bags by $10, effective on all reservations ticketed or voluntarily changed on or after April 9, 2026," Southwest said in a statement.
Southwest Airlines ended its policy allowing all customers to check two bags for free less than a year ago.
The changes would bring the fee to check a first piece of luggage to $45, and $55 for a second bag on each airline. Delta's changes take effect with bookings starting Wednesday and don't apply to long-haul international travel but domestic flights and shorter flights abroad.
"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 airline said in a statement Tuesday.
A third bag on Delta would cost $200 to check.
Last week, United Airlines and JetBlue Airways increased their checked bag fees. Other carriers often follow such pricing moves.
Jet fuel in major U.S. cities was going for $4.69 a gallon on Monday, according to Airlines for America, citing Argus data, up nearly 88% since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28. The key Strait of Hormuz shipping channel has remained effectively closed over the past month, choking off global crude and refined fuel supplies.
Delta reports first-quarter results before the market opens on Wednesday, and investors are likely to question executives on how well they are covering the surge in fuel, airlines' biggest expense after labor. Analysts have pointed to strong demand as a salve for high fuel, but it's not clear that carriers will be able to cover the entirety of the fuel price run-up.
