As the global aviation industry faces mounting concerns over escalating fuel expenses and labor costs airlines in the United States have announced a surge in checked baggage fees. Carriers including Alaska American and JetBlue have implemented higher fees for checked luggage. Passengers will now be required to pay separately for each bag they check in at the airport with airlines offering discounts for online payment prior to arrival at the airport. Checked baggage fees represent a significant revenue stream for airlines with US carriers generating over $5.4 billion in such fees in the first nine months of 2023 as per the Transportation Department latest data a marked increase of over 25 percent from the same period in 2019. While airlines acknowledge their reluctance to raise baggage fees they assert that such adjustments are necessary to offset rising operational costs. JetBlue for instance stated that while they dislike raising fees it is a measure aimed at restoring profitability and covering increased transportation expenses. The airline emphasized that adjusting fees for optional services enables them to maintain competitive base fares while preserving complimentary amenities such as seatback TVs and highspeed WiFi for all passengers. According to CNBC American Airlines indicated that the fee adjustments allow their team to allocate more time to passengers requiring additional assistance during their travels. Additionally the airline noted a reduction in fees for slightly overweight bags as part of these changes.