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JetBlue details new bag fees, which begin Tuesday

And then there was one.

June 30, 2015

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​JetBlue began charging extra for checked bags starting with itineraries booked from Tuesday onward. The change was announced in November, but JetBlue had not revealed details until now.

Previously, JetBlue had allowed customers to check one bag for free.

The change leaves Southwest as the only major U.S. carrier that still allows its customers to check bags for free.

As for JetBlue, its move to charge for bags comes amid a broader revamp of its fare offerings into three main fare types. Customers who have already booked travel will not be subject to the new fare classifications. But those booking with JetBlue beginning Tuesday will chose from the following options:

Blue

The cheapest fare, JetBlue's "Blue" fares do not include checked bags. Customers choosing to check a bag can do so for $20 if they pay to check the bag online or at a check-in kiosk. The fee rises to $25 if done at a check-in counter. A second bag is $35, which JetBlue notes is a reduction from the previous $50 fee for a second bag.

Customers flying on Blue fares can make changes to their itineraries, with the change fee varying based on the cost of the ticket. JetBlue will charge $70 for changes on fares of $99 or less; $90 for changes on fares of up to $149; and $135 on fares of $149 and up. Same-day stand-by changes will cost $50.

Blue Plus

JetBlue's mid-tier fare, "Blue Plus," includes one complimentary checked bag. A second bag is $35, which JetBlue again notes is a reduction from the previous $50 fee for a second bag.

JetBlue says Blue Plus fares will vary by route and by demand, but that they'll "generally" be about $15 more than the more-basic Blue fares.

Change fees will be slightly less for customers flying on Blue Plus fares. JetBlue will charge $60 for changes on fares of $99 or less; $80 for changes on fares of up to $149; and $120 on fares of $149 and up. Same-day stand-by changes will cost the same, $50.

Blue Flex

JetBlue's top-tier fare for its main cabin, "Blue Flex," includes two complimentary checked bags. Like its other fare tiers, prices will vary by route and by demand. But JetBlue says Blue Flex fares will "generally" be about $85 more than Blue Plus and about $100 more than basic Blue fares.

Customers flying on this fare will not be charged for ticket changes or for same-day standby changes.

Mint

Mint is JetBlue's premium first class-style cabin that it offers on select routes from New York's JFK and -- starting next year -- Boston. The cabins feature lie-flat seats and other premium features and are available mostly on transcontinental routes to Los Angeles and San Francisco, and to a small number of Caribbean destinations.

One catch for some customers is that online agencies like Orbitz and Expedia will sell only JetBlue's cheapest fares, which do not include a checked bag. Marty St. George, JetBlue's executive vice president of commercial products and planning, tells the Associated Press this will continue indefinitely, but notes 75% of the airline's customers already book directly with JetBlue.

More broadly, JetBlue's changes follow pressure from Wall Street, which had been pressing the carrier to boost revenue. With most other carriers already charging for bags and certain perks, JetBlue's new fare categories inch it it closer to the practices of most other big U.S. carriers. The airline also has decided to reduce legroom on some planes. The move will allow it to add more seats, though JetBlue says its average "seat pitch" -- a measure of seat space -- is still the highest in the U.S.

And while JetBlue's new Mint cabin may fly on only a handful of routes, it lets JetBlue sell lucrative premium seats between cities with lots of corporate and wealthy travelers.

While JetBlue's changes have pleased Wall Street, the carrier also promises it will pay dividends for its customers, too.

St. George -- the JetBlue executive -- tells AP that the increased revenue will help pay for new seats and seat-back TVs.

"Some of these changes are going to help pay for what's the biggest product upgrade JetBlue has had in the history of the company," St. George said.