CBS News
JetBlue brings dynamic pricing to checking bags. Here’s what it will cost you.
JetBlue is bringing Uber-style surge pricing to bag-check fees, making it more costly to check luggage during peak travel periods.
When and where you’re traveling to now affects how much you’ll pay to check a bag on JetBlue flights. If you’re flying at a busy time or traveling internationally, expect to pay more to check your pay — the airline’s way of offsetting higher costs related to hauling luggage.
“The cost of transporting bags has gone up significantly due to increased wages and higher fuel costs, and we remain unprofitable since COVID,” JetBlue said in a statement to CBS News. “While we don’t like increasing fees, we are making these adjustments to help get our company back to profitability and cover the increased costs.”
JetBlue added that the move helps keep a lid on airfares, while upping the cost of “services that only certain customers use.” Perks like seatback TVs and onboard wifi services remain free, the airline noted.
In the fourth quarter of 2023, JetBlue lost $104 million on operating revenue of $2.3 billion, compared with a profit of $24 million on revenue of $2.4 billion in the year-ago period. The airline in March ended plans to buy discount carrier Spirit Airlines for $3.8 billion after a federal judge blocked the deal over concerns it could weaken industry competition.
So-called dynamic pricing has long been used in how carriers price tickets, but seldom to add-on services for travel. The approach has seeped into other industries, with restaurants now experimenting with changing menu prices depending on the hour and demand.
What are the new costs?
JetBlue outlines the new pricing structure on its website. If you pay to check bags more than 24 hours in advance of a flight, you’ll save $10 each in checking up to two bags.
The fees are stiffer within 24 hours of a flight’s departure, costing up to $110 if you’re traveling internationally with two bags at a peak time, such as during a typically busy travel period or a holiday.
On “Blue,” “Blue Basic,” and “Blue Extra” fares, the airline’s lower-cost ticket tiers, a first checked bag costs $45 for “off-peak” flights and $50 during peak hours. A second checked bag costs $60 off-peak and $70 for peak.
The fees also can rise for transatlantic flights. For an off-peak, “Blue Basic” fare, a first checked bag costs $65, while a second costs $105. The fees run an additional $5 for a first bag and $10 for a second during peak travel periods.
A Frontier flight appeared to catch fire as the plane was landing Saturday at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada. Cell phone video showed flames and billows of smoke on the plane’s undercarriage as it touched down on the runway. Fire trucks and other emergency service vehicles rushed onto the runway, as smoke continued to surround the plane.
“Frontier flight 1326 experienced a hard landing,” a spokesperson for the airport confirmed to CBS News. “The Clark County Fire Department responded immediately and all passengers and crew have been safely transported to the gated area. No injuries were reported.”
Frontier flight 1326 from KSAN-KLAS just caught fire on landing at KLAS.
I caught it on video as it landed pic.twitter.com/KGt1Asx3rv
— Tyler (@TylerHerrick) October 5, 2024
Frontier Flight 1326 left San Diego at 1:51 p.m. Pacific Time and landed at Las Vegas at 3:37 p.m., according to Flight Aware.
“The pilots detected smoke and declared an emergency,” a spokesperson for Frontier Airlines confirmed to CBS News. “The aircraft landed safely and all passengers and crew were evacuated via airstairs. No injuries were reported, and passengers have been bussed to the terminal. The cause of the incident is currently under investigation.”
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CBS News
$100 million in federal funds released for North Carolina to rebuild roads, bridges damaged by Helene
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation released $100 million in emergency funds on Saturday for North Carolina to rebuild its roads and bridges damaged by Helene.
“We are providing this initial round of funding so there’s no delay getting roads repaired and reopened, and re-establishing critical routes,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement. “The Biden-Harris administration will be with North Carolina every step of the way, and today’s emergency funding to help get transportation networks back up and running safely will be followed by additional federal resources.”
The storm caused rampant flooding that has devastated several towns and killed more than 225 people – with CBS News confirming at least 114 people killed in North Carolina. There was more than 8 inches of rain across the western North Carolina mountains, with some areas seeing more than a foot.
Hundreds of roads across Western North Carolina remain closed, leading to an increase in air traffic as teams scour the region for survivors by air. Air traffic over Western North Carolina has increased by 300% due to relief efforts since the storm cleared, the Federal Aviation Administration and the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
Mudslides blocked Interstate 40 and other highways in North Carolina and about 400 roads were closed due to damage from Helene. Interstate 40 was damaged at several locations, the Department of Transportation said.
President Biden visited the Carolinas on Wednesday, surveying the flood damage by air from Greenville, South Carolina, to Asheville, North Carolina. Mr. Biden announced the federal government would cover “100%” of all debris removal and emergency protective measure costs in North Carolina for six months.
The Department of Transportation said these relief funds will allow the North Carolina Department of Transportation to act more quickly to fund eligible repairs to their damaged facilities.
Li Cohen and
contributed to this report.
