Santo Domingo. JetBlue Airways has announced an increase in its checked baggage fees for flights to the Dominican Republic and other locations throughout the Caribbean, Latin America, Canada, and the United States. This marks the airline’s second fee hike this year.
Effective for tickets purchased from November 3, 2026, the fee for the first checked bag for most economy-class passengers will now be $50 per flight, up from $39. During peak travel periods, such as Thanksgiving and the winter holidays, the charge increases to $55 when paid at least 24 hours before departure. If passengers wait until the last 24 hours, the fee will rise to $60 during regular times and as much as $70 during peak periods.
The cost for a second checked bag has also been adjusted, now set at $70 during regular periods and $75 during peak seasons when paid in advance. Passengers opting to pay at the airport could incur a fee of up to $85 for the second bag.
According to JetBlue, these fee adjustments are aimed at mitigating the impact of rising fuel and operational costs while maintaining competitive base fares. Certain passengers, including holders of JetBlue co-branded credit cards and members of the company’s loyalty program, will still qualify for complimentary checked bags.
This latest increase follows a previous rise in baggage fees implemented in March. Earlier in 2026, the first checked bag for most domestic economy flights was priced at $35 during off-peak times.
JetBlue cited a significant increase in fuel costs, with the average price now at $3.91 per gallon, reflecting a 57% rise compared to the previous year. The airline anticipates that fuel prices could reach $4.64 per gallon by the end of 2026, an 85% increase year-over-year.
Similar adjustments to baggage fees have been made by other major U.S. airlines, including Delta, United, American, and Southwest, as the industry grapples with rising operational costs.
