JetBlue said Tuesday it is raising checked-bag fees for many economy passengers, citing higher jet fuel and other operating costs^1,2.

CBS News reported that, as of Tuesday, checking one bag on domestic, Caribbean and Latin American flights for most economy customers costs $50 in off-peak periods, up from $39, and $55 in peak periods, up from $49¹. CNBC described a different prior off-peak price and a split based on when the fee is paid: $50, up from $45, if the first bag is purchased more than 24 hours before a non-peak departure, and $60 if paid within 24 hours; at peak, $55, up from $49, and $70 within 24 hours of departure².

CBS News framed the change as the airline's second bag-fee increase in less than a year, after a March hike of up to $9¹. CNBC called it the third increase in less than a year². Neither report listed a complete sequence of prior prices that would resolve the count^1,2.

JetBlue told CBS News the increase "helps us keep our base fares competitive while giving customers the choice to pay for a checked bag only if they need one"¹. CNBC quoted the airline saying it is adjusting fees "to help offset rising fuel and operating costs" and using the same line about competitive base fares and paying only if a bag is needed².

JetBlue also said customers who add a checked bag at least 24 hours before departure can save up to $15 on the first bag¹. Co-branded cardholders and TrueBlue Mosaic members can check at least one bag free, with Mosaic 2, 3 and 4 members each getting two free bags, CBS News reported¹. CNBC likewise noted exceptions for co-branded cardholders and elite frequent-flyer status².

CBS News said jet fuel was $4.41 a gallon Monday, up from just over $2 in January, according to Airlines for America's tracker, and that fuel is airlines' second-largest cost after labor¹. CNBC cited $4.44 a gallon Tuesday for the U.S. Gulf of Mexico from the Energy Information Administration and said fuel has roughly doubled this year since the start of the Iran war in February².

CBS News said Delta, United and Southwest have also raised baggage fees this year¹. CNBC said other airlines often follow when one carrier raises fees and that major U.S. airlines did so earlier this year after JetBlue raised bag fees². CNBC said the latest JetBlue changes were reported earlier by the Thrifty Traveler blog².