USA — After this disappointing winter, you may be thinking of planning a ski trip this summer or during the 2026-27 winter to make up for it. Unfortunately, global circumstances will lead to more expensive flights for the foreseeable future.
What started as an article about how much Southwest sucks because of its new baggage fees has now become a realization that every major US airline has raised its baggage fees over the past few weeks. With fuel prices surging due to the Straight of Hormuz being basically closed, this could impact flight prices and the fees you’re paying for a while.
Here’s a rundown of which airlines have upped their baggage fees for domestic flights, and what skiers should consider if these trends continue.
Airline Breakdown
Alaska announced on April 9th that they will increase their baggage fees. One checked bag for a one-way flight has gone up from $40 to $45, while a second bag has increased from $45 to $55. If you’re crazy enough to check a third bag, that has increased from $150 to $200. Given that Alaska serves several key airports in the Northwest, this increase will affect many skiers. However, it seems likely that they’ll keep their Ski Free promo, which includes lift tickets to various mountains.
American Airlines also increased its increase of baggage fees on April 9th. A first checked bag costs $45, and the second bag costs $55. However, if you don’t check your bags in advance, there’s an additional $5-per-bag fee at the airport.
Delta announced on April 7th that it’s upping its baggage fees by $10. This means that the first checked bag is now $45, and the second is $55. Since Salt Lake City is one of Delta’s hubs, this is a noteworthy development for skiers.
JetBlue will see the smallest price increases of the bunch, depending on when you go. Baggage fees have gone up $4 for non-peak times and $9 for peak periods. JetBlue’s first bag costs $39-49, while the second bag costs $59-69. However, an additional $10 fee applies if you don’t check in before heading to the airport. These changes are most relevant to those in the Boston and New York City markets, as the carrier serves various ski destinations, including Bozeman, Denver, Steamboat Springs, and Salt Lake City.
Southwest Airlines, which had the two-bags fly-free policy until 2025, has now increased its baggage fees. Bags were increased by $10 last week, with the first checked bag costing $45 for one bag and $55 for two. Seeing that Denver is a hub market for Southwest, what was once the best value for skiers isn’t much different from the rest. What a shame.
United changed its baggage fees on April 3rd by $10. The first bag is now $45, and the second is $55. However, there’s an additional $5 fee if you don’t check in in advance. Yes, United is struggling so much financially because of the situation in the Middle East that they’re now in talks… to merge with American Airlines? Oh brother.
While there’s been no increase in baggage fees on low-cost carriers like Frontier, skiers typically avoid them due to add-on fees. If you do like to travel light, those airlines could be a consideration, especially considering that Frontier has a hub in Denver.
Ultimately, these cost increases don’t change the fact that airlines classify both a ski and a boot bag as a single item. However, if you like to travel with a separate luggage bag to hold your clothes, as I do, you’ll be paying a bit more for bags.
Workarounds & Future Discounts
While these added fees will make ski vacations more expensive, there are potential workarounds for those who don’t want to travel with their gear.
The first option is to use a gear rental program, which has seen quality improvements in recent years. Options from major companies like My Epic Gear and Ski Butlers (owned by Alterra) have given more experienced skiers and riders access to higher-quality and personalized rental gear.
The second option is shipping your skis before the flight. While pricier than flying with them, options like Ship Skis eliminate the hassle of lugging them through the airport. Ski Magazine did a solid write-up on the options, which you can read here. However, there’s no guarantee these companies won’t see price increases before next winter, as they also rely on jet fuel.
The last thing to note is that ski resorts and lodging companies will likely offer deals to encourage guests to visit next winter. This past ski season left lots of ski operators hurting, and they’ll be eager to welcome people back.
Image/Video Credits: David Syphers, DJ’s Aviation
