JetBlue May Begin Charging for the First Checked Bag Next Year
Skift Take
The lure of bag fees may be too much for JetBlue to resist, but it would take a big brand hit if it decides to do so. Coupled with the airline's new business class service, many passengers will wonder if the JetBlue they loved is gone forever.
JetBlue is open to the possibility of charging for first checked bags next year, a move that would leave Southwest as the only U.S. airline balking at charging for first and second checked bags.
Robin Hayes, JetBlue's president, addressed the issue during JetBlue's first quarter earnings call today, opening the door to what would be a dramatic change in JetBlue's bag-fee policies.
Without providing details, Hayes said charging for a first checked bag could come in the context of offering various fare bundles, and giving passengers more choice.
He said JetBlue's investment in a partnership with Dublin-based Datalex, which will provide the technology as a foundation for a new merchandising platform for the airline, "went a little bit unnoticed." JetBlue and Datalex announced the partnership in January.
"This strateg
