Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines have each raised their checked baggage fees by $10, pushing the cost of checking a first bag to $45 per way on most domestic and short-haul routes. The increases, which take effect for flights booked from April 8–9, come as jet fuel prices have surged dramatically due to disruptions linked to the US-Iran conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The New Fee Structure
Passengers will now pay $45 for the first checked bag, $55 for the second bag, and $200 for a third bag — a $50 increase from previous rates on the third bag. Delta and Southwest join United Airlines, JetBlue, and several other carriers that announced similar increases within days of each other, prompting consumer advocates to question whether the simultaneous moves constitute coordinated pricing — a concern the DOJ has also been examining in its broader antitrust review of airline sector practices.
The Fuel Price Context
Jet fuel — the largest single variable cost for most airlines — has surged from approximately $85 per barrel in early February 2026 to roughly $209 per barrel following disruptions to oil supply linked to Iran’s partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz during the US-Iran military confrontation. The renewed closure of the strait on April 9 has pushed prices even higher, suggesting further pressure on airline operating costs in the weeks ahead.
Southwest’s Striking Turnaround
Perhaps the most notable element of the story is Southwest’s trajectory. The carrier — famously synonymous with free checked bags for decades — only introduced bag fees in 2025 as part of a broader restructuring. The jump from $35 to $45 in less than a year represents a dramatic shift from the low-cost ethos that long defined the brand, and has generated significant pushback from long-time Southwest customers.
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