March 6th 2024.
Delta has recently announced that they will be increasing the prices for checked luggage, following in the footsteps of other airlines. This news was shared on March 5 and will result in a $5 increase for those who require more than just carry-on bags. To be specific, the fee for the first checked bag will now be $35, while the second bag will cost $45. Any additional luggage will come with a higher price, with the third bag fee remaining at $150. However, for travelers who have already purchased their tickets before the announcement date, this new charge will not apply. Delta has already updated their website to reflect the new prices, so customers will be aware of the change.
This decision by Delta is in line with other major airlines, such as American and United, who have also recently increased their baggage fees. However, Delta's prices are still lower than those of their competitors. In February, American announced a $10 increase, bringing their fee for the first checked bag to $40. Delta also made it clear that this is their first price hike since 2018.
It's no secret that checked baggage fees bring in a significant amount of revenue for U.S.-based airlines, with billions of dollars being generated each year. Despite this, Delta ranks third among major airlines in terms of profits for 2022, with a total of $9.974 million. This is a considerable difference from American Airlines, who reported a profit of $1.7 billion. Interestingly, American Airlines was also the first to implement checked baggage fees back in 2008, according to AP News. However, they have recently announced a decrease in fees for overweight or oversized luggage, which will go into effect in April. Delta's prices for these types of luggage will remain the same, ranging from $100 to $200.
Fortunately, this price increase will not affect Delta SkyMiles American Express cardholders, as they typically have their first-checked baggage fees waived when using their card to purchase flights. Additionally, these new charges do not apply to flights between the United States and other countries in the Americas, such as Canada and Mexico.
In related news, Delta Air Lines CEO has acknowledged that the airline may have gone too far with their recent crackdown on SkyMiles and has promised to make revisions. This shows that the company is willing to listen to feedback and make necessary changes for the benefit of their customers.
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