American on Thursday joined its major U.S. competitors in raising fees for checked bags.
In a statement on its website, the carrier said checked bag prices will increase for domestic flights and some short-haul international flights, specifically to Canada, Mexico, most of the Caribbean, most of Central America, and Guyana. Fees will increase by $10 each for first and second checked bags, and by $50 for a third.
The price for a first checked bag is now $50, though American provides a $5 discount if the fee is paid in advance online. The price for a second checked bag is now $60, though with the pay-online discount it would be $55.
The change goes into effect on Thursday.
American did not give a reason for the price hikes, but they are almost certainly connected to the recent surge in energy costs. The price of jet fuel globally has more than doubled since the start of the conflict in Iran in late February, and though oil prices dropped on Tuesday on news of a ceasefire, it could take weeks, months, or even years for prices to return to pre-war levels.
United, Delta, Southwest, and JetBlue have all raised fees for checked bags within the last two weeks.
