In recent weeks, major US airlines such as American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and JetBlue have raised their checked bag fees to approximately $45. This increase is primarily due to rising operating costs, particularly linked to escalating oil prices resulting from geopolitical tensions, including the Iran war. Experts, including travel analyst Brett Snyder, predict that these fees are likely to remain high, as airlines prefer this method of revenue generation over raising ticket prices, which customers scrutinize more closely. Historically, airlines have introduced bag fees during economic downturns, with the first fees appearing during the Great Recession. In 2024, US airlines reportedly earned around $7.3 billion from these fees alone. While some travelers may consider switching to carry-on luggage to avoid the fees, many are accepting them as a normal part of travel. Options to avoid these fees include purchasing tickets that include checked baggage or using airline credit cards that offer free checked bags.