Fuel Surcharges, Bag Fees: How Airlines Are Passing on Costs to Travelers
Photo Credit: United Airlines announced recently it would raise fees for checked bags. Wikimedia Commons / Aero Pixels
Skift Take
The rise in fuel prices gives every airline on this list a good excuse to raise fees. Less clear is when they'll come back down.
The war with Iran has nearly doubled jet-fuel costs for airlines, and the industry is passing on those costs to travelers.
The conflict could cost U.S. airlines $24 billion in added jet-fuel expenses — a figure that could hit $100 billion or more — and major airlines have responded with a wave of baggage fee hikes, fuel surcharges, and base fare increases.
Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary warned that other European airlines could fail if jet fuel prices remain at current levels. The high fuel prices have claimed one casualty recently, as Spirit Airlines cited high fuel prices spurred by the Iran war as a major factor in its demise.
Here's a rundown of the airline fee increases that several major carriers have levied due to the war in Iran.
War on Iran — Travel Impact
