Delta Raises Fees For Checked Bags As Iran War Spikes Jet Fuel Prices

Delta is raising fees for checked luggage this week, according to a statement from the company sent to Forbes on Tuesday—as it seeks to cover the increase in jet fuel prices driven by the U.S. war in Iran. Key Facts Delta will increase the fees for a first and second item of checked baggage by $10, pushing prices to $45 and $55, respectively. The airline is also planning to hike the fees for a third item by $50, meaning customers will pay $200 if they take three bags. The new prices “reflect the impact of evolving global conditions and industry dynamics,” Delta spokesperson Chelsea Wollerson said in a statement sent to Forbes on Tuesday. The price increases will begin for tickets purchased on or after Wednesday. The pricing changes only apply to domestic flights and some select short-haul international flights, according to the company. Other Airlines Raise Luggage Fees Delta is the third U.S. airline to announce price increases for baggage as oil disruptions related to the Iran war continue to impact air travel. United announced a similar price hike last week, also raising prices for checked bags by $10. JetBlue also announced changes to their checked baggage fees last week, raising fees for off-peak travel by $4 and peak travel by $9. Key Background Jet fuel prices have skyrocketed in the last few weeks due to the ongoing war in Iran. After the U.S. and Israel began a campaign of air strikes against the country on Feb. 28, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that separates it from the Arabian Peninsula. About 20 million barrels of oil per day passed through the strait in 2025, according to the International Energy Association, or about 25% of the world’s oil transported by sea. The closure has caused prices for oil and petroleum products like jet fuel to spike. The average price of jet fuel reached $4.69 per gallon on Monday, according to data compiled by aviation trade group Airlines for America—up from $2.50 per gallon on Feb. 27, one day before the war began. Read the full story on Forbes: By Zachary Folk https://www.forbes.com/sites/zacharyfolk/2026/04/07/delta-raises-fees-for-checked-bags-as-iran-war-spikes-jet-fuel-prices/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices