"Rising Baggage Fees: How Airlines Are Impacting Your Wallet"

Airlines such as United, American, and JetBlue are raising baggage fees, charging more for checking bags at the airport or close to departure compared to paying in advance online. This strategy aims to streamline operations and encourage early payments. The increase in fees is attributed to higher costs such as labor and fuel, with U.S. airlines generating over $5.4 billion from baggage fees in the first nine months of 2023. Southwest Airlines remains an outlier by allowing customers to check two bags for free, emphasizing operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.