Interview: JetBlue on Its New Bag Fee and the Passenger Experience
Photo Credit: JetBlue introduced a new fare system that it hopes will maintain the loyalties of its customer base. Pictured is a marketplace of free snacks and soft drinks available to passengers flying coach class. JetBlue
Skift Take
It's a brave new world for JetBlue and its customers as the airline introduced a new fare lineup. The Blue Plus fare, which includes one free checked bag, is only about $15 more than the lowest fare type, which doesn't provide for a free checked bag.
JetBlue unveiled its much-anticipated new fare types that include a $20 to $25 fee for a first-checked bag in the lowest fare category and reduced change and cancellation fees.
For details about the new fares see the chart below. They are called Blue, Blue Plus and Blue Flex fares. The Blue Plus fare, which includes one free checked bag, generally costs about $15 more than the base Blue fare. The Blue Flex fare, which includes two free checked bags, usually costs about $85 more than a Blue Plus fare, officials said.
In abandoning its free first-checked bag policy, leaving Southwest as the only major U.S. airline with no bag fees on a first (and second) checked bag, JetBlue now charges flyers who purchased a Blue fare $20 for a first checked bag if they change their minds and check in online or at a kiosk. Deciding to check a bag at the airport counter would cost people flying on Blue fares $25.
Only the Blue Flex fares come with two free checked bags so travelers who bought Bl
