Delta Air Lines is following the lead of the competition, becoming the latest major airline to raise its checked baggage fees for 2024.
The Atlanta-based carrier is increasing the cost of checked bags for passengers on domestic flights and short-haul international routes by $5 starting Tuesday.
The first checked bag will now cost $35 while a second will run $45. The increase signals the first fee increase for Delta since before the pandemic in 2018.
"Beginning March 5, Delta will increase fees for the first and second checked bags by $5 for most U.S.-originating domestic and short-haul international routes. Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members, customers flying with First Class, Delta Premium Select, and Delta One itineraries, as well as those with eligible co-branded Delta SkyMiles American Express Cards, will continue to receive their allotment of complimentary checked bags," Delta confirmed.
Passengers can still travel with one carry-on bag and one personal item at no cost and the fee increase does not apply to tickets purchased before March 5.
Checked bags for flights between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Paraguay and Uruguay will remain the same.
Delta is attributing the increase to rising costs within the industry. Baggage fees continue to be a big moneymaker for airlines, with the U.S. Department of Transportation reporting that Americans paid $6.8 billion in baggage fees in 2022.
Alaska Airlines announced it was raising baggage fees late last year, American Airlines followed suit for the first time in five years last month and United Airlines raised its baggage fees shortly after.
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