JetBlue has announced changes to its baggage fees, introducing new perks for Blue Basic fliers. Starting September 6, 2024, Blue Basic ticket holders will be able to carry on a bag and store it in the overhead bins at no extra charge, a significant improvement from the current policy.
Key Takeaways
- Blue Basic fliers can carry on a bag for free starting September 6, 2024.
- Current policy restricts Blue Basic fliers to one personal item that fits under the seat.
- Checked bag fees remain the same, with peak pricing during high-traffic periods.
New Perks for Blue Basic Fliers
Starting September 6, 2024, Blue Basic ticket holders will be able to carry on a bag and store it in the overhead bins at no extra charge. This is a significant change from the current policy, which restricts Blue Basic fliers to one personal item that fits under the seat in front of them. Any additional or larger carry-on bags brought to the gate currently incur a fee and need to be checked.
Current Baggage Policies
As of now, Blue Basic customers are limited to one personal item, such as a purse, daypack, laptop bag, or pet carrier. Any additional or larger carry-on bags brought to the gate will incur a fee of $65 for the first or second checked bag and $180 for the third checked bag. Checked bag fees are only refundable if the entire booking is canceled before the scheduled departure.
Carry-On Bags
Customers flying Blue, Blue Plus, Blue Extra, and Mint (and Blue Basic for travel on or after September 6, 2024) can take one carry-on bag that fits in the overhead bin, plus a personal item that fits under the seat in front of them. Carry-on bags must not exceed 22" L x 14" W x 9" H, including wheels and handles, and personal items must not exceed 17" L x 13" W x 8" H.
Exceptions to the Rule
There are several exceptions to the current Blue Basic baggage policy:
- Mosaic members get a carry-on bag and early boarding with all fares.
- Travelers on a JetBlue transatlantic flight, including connecting flights.
- Travelers combining a Blue Basic fare with an Even More Space seat on all legs, if connecting.
- Active U.S. military personnel.
- Unaccompanied minors.
Checked Bags
Checked bags must conform to size and weight restrictions or be subject to fees for overweight and oversized items. Checked bags cannot exceed 62" in overall dimensions (length + width + height) or 50 pounds. Peak-season pricing applies to checked bags during high-traffic periods.
You can add up to two checked bags anytime, from during the booking to when you arrive at the airport. Additional bags or any items that would incur an additional fee can be added to your booking starting 24 hours before departure or at the airport. If your fare does not include checked bags, you’ll save money by paying in advance on JetBlue’s website or app.
Peak Pricing Schedule
Peak-season pricing for checked bag fees applies to bookings made on or after March 22, 2024, for travel during peak travel and high-traffic periods, including Presidents’ Week, Thanksgiving, and Winter holidays, as well as peak spring and summer travel seasons. Off-peak pricing applies to all other travel dates and to all bookings made before March 22, 2024.
Peak-season pricing for checked bags applies to travel booked on the following dates:
- 2024: April 11-29, June 20-September 3, November 21-December 2, December 19-31
- 2025: January 1-6, February 13-24, April 3-28, June 19-September 2, November 20-December 1, December 18-31
Baggage Fees in the Americas and Caribbean
| Ticket Class | Within 24 Hours of Departure (Off-Peak) | Within 24 Hours of Departure (Peak) | More than 24 Hours Before Departure (Off-Peak) | More than 24 Hours Before Departure (Peak) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue/Blue Basic/Blue Extra | 1st Bag: $45 | 1st Bag: $50 | 1st Bag: $35 (incl $10 savings) | 1st Bag: $40 (incl $10 savings) |
| Blue Plus | 1st Bag: Included | 1st Bag: Included | 1st Bag: Included | 1st Bag: Included |
| Mint | 1st Bag: Included (up to 70 lbs) | 1st Bag: Included (up to 70 lbs) | 1st Bag: Included (up to 70 lbs) | 1st Bag: Included (up to 70 lbs) |
| Mosaic | 1st Bag: Included | 1st Bag: Included | 1st Bag: Included | 1st Bag: Included |
| JetBlue Plus Cardmember | 1st Bag: Included | 1st Bag: Included | 1st Bag: Included | 1st Bag: Included |
| 3rd Checked Bag | $125 | $135 | $125 | $135 |
| 4th Checked Bag (or more) | $150 | $160 | $150 | $160 |
Baggage Fees for Transatlantic Flights
| Ticket Class | Within 24 Hours of Departure (Off-Peak) | Within 24 Hours of Departure (Peak) | More than 24 Hours Before Departure (Off-Peak) | More than 24 Hours Before Departure (Peak) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Basic | 1st Bag: $65/£55/€60 | 1st Bag: $70/£60/€65 | 1st Bag: $60/£50/€55 (Incl $5/£5/€5 savings) | 1st Bag: $65/£55/€60 (Incl $5/£5/€5 savings) |
| Blue/Blue Plus/Blue Extra | 1st Bag: Included | 1st Bag: Included | 1st Bag: Included | 1st Bag: Included |
| Mint | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Mosaic | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| JetBlue Plus Cardmember | 1st Bag: Included | 1st Bag: Included | 1st Bag: Included | 1st Bag: Included |
| 3rd Checked Bag (or more) | $200/£150/€185 | $210/£160/€195 | $200/£150/€185 | $210/£160/€195 |
Upcharges for Oversized or Overweight Baggage
Before you pack, make sure your bags meet the airline’s checked bag size dimensions and weight requirements. You will incur an additional fee for checked bags that exceed 62" in overall dimensions (length + width + height) or 50 pounds.
- Overweight baggage: Baggage that weighs 51 lbs (23.13 kg) to 99 lbs (44.91 kg) incur an additional fee of $150 per bag. For transatlantic flights, the fee is $150/£120/€140. Bags that exceed 70 pounds (31.75 kg) are not accepted on transatlantic flights.
- Oversized baggage: 63" to 80" (including wheels and handles) will result in a $150 per bag fee. For transatlantic flights, the fee is $150/£120/€140.
- Sports equipment: Golf clubs, skis, snowboards, skimboards, and fishing rods count as one checked bag and can be added to your booking at any time. The equipment is only subject to any checked bag fees for the fare purchased and will not incur additional or oversized bag fees if it’s within weight limits.
Strollers, Wheelchairs, Scooters, and Other Assistive Devices
Strollers, crutches, wheelchairs, or other assistive devices will not count towards your carry-on or checked bag limit, but they are subject to carry-on size and weight restrictions. If the assistive device or stroller is too big to fit in an overhead bin, it will be gate-checked. You may also request to pick it up at bag claim.
JetBlue transports most types of personal wheelchairs, including folding, collapsible, or non-folding manual wheelchairs, battery-powered wheelchairs, and scooters. However, JetBlue will accept battery-powered wheelchairs and mobility aids as checked items only.
JetBlue provides dimensions of the cargo bin doors for each type of aircraft used. You can check to see if your wheelchair can be safely transported on your flight. Be prepared for possible changes as the aircraft they use are subject to change.
Here are the dimensions of the various cargo bin doors:
- A321: 73” x 80”
- A320: 73” x 80”
- E190: 28”
- A321 LR: 73” x 80”
- A220: 33” x 46.75”
Adding a wheelchair to your reservation is straightforward. When booking your flight, complete a Special Service Request form. After booking, you can add a wheelchair to your reservation by visiting the Manage Trips page and selecting the "Traveler Details" link at the top of the page. Click on the plus (+) sign that says “Add special service requests” and select the ‘I require wheelchair assistance’ option.
Conclusion
JetBlue’s new baggage policy changes bring significant perks for Blue Basic fliers, allowing them to carry on a bag for free starting September 6, 2024. While checked bag fees and peak pricing remain, the new policy offers more flexibility and convenience for travelers.
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