JetBlue has raised its checked baggage fees for the second time this year, increasing costs for travelers as the busy holiday season approaches. The new fees, effective for tickets purchased on or after November 3, mean most economy passengers flying within the U.S., Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean will now pay at least $50 each way for their first checked bag, an increase from the previous $39.

Prices will climb to $55 during peak travel periods, such as Thanksgiving and the winter holidays, for those who pay at least 24 hours before departure. Travelers who wait until the final 24 hours will face higher charges of $60 during off-peak times and $70 during peak times. At the beginning of the year, the cost for a first checked bag on most domestic JetBlue economy flights was $35 during off-peak periods.

The fee for a second checked bag has also seen an increase, starting at $70 each way during off-peak periods and $75 during peak travel. Passengers checking bags at the airport could pay as much as $85 for a second bag.

JetBlue previously raised its checked baggage fees in March. The airline stated that these increases are intended to help offset higher operating costs while enabling the airline to maintain competitive base fares. The airline has not yet responded to requests for comment on the latest fee adjustments.

The elevated jet fuel prices are attributed to ongoing disruptions in global oil supplies, exacerbated by the unresolved war with Iran, which has restricted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. JetBlue executives noted during the airline's third-quarter earnings call that demand has remained resilient despite fare increases prompted by higher fuel costs. The average fuel price for JetBlue reached $3.91 per gallon in the summer, a 57% increase from the previous year, and is projected to reach $4.64 per gallon in the final quarter of the year, an 85% year-over-year increase.

Some travelers, including eligible co-branded credit card holders and members of JetBlue's loyalty program, may still be able to check bags for free.