JetBlue Airways Corporation (NASDAQ:JBLU) has introduced a new fee for checked luggage after many years of free luggage checks for one bag.
The airline company has introduced a new luggage check charge where customers will have to pay up to $25 for a luggage check. Southwest Airlines Co (NYSE:LUV) is now the only airline company that does not charge a bag fee.
JetBlue Airways had mentioned the possibility of such a change in November last year, but the company did not follow up until it formalized the change on Tuesday. The company has added a bit of fairness to the service by allowing a loophole. The new feel will only be charged on new reservations. Customers who book ahead of schedule will still receive the free check for one bag.
The company will charge $20 to customers with the cheapest tickets if the tickets have been purchased online or at a vendor. Those who will purchase the tickets at the counter will have to pay $25 for luggage checks. JetBlue Airways is also working on lowering the charges for reservations and second bag checks.
The company’s executive vice president of commercial products and planning, Marty St. George said that the amount collected from the checks will be used buy new TVs and seats. JetBlue Airways has resulted in adopting the practices of other airlines due to pressure from Wall Street investors and investors. The company recently introduced a new first class service called Mint. Additional changes include cutting down on the legroom in some of the airplanes to it more seats.
Jetblue Airways Corporation (NASDAQ:JBLU) will still retain some of its unique features such as free internet on its A321 jets and the Airbus A320 planes. The company will also retain the satellite TV and radio services for its clients. The uniqueness has also been extended to the new bag fees where they are differentiated unlike the fixed prices charged by other airlines. The company is still focused on offering the best services to its customers regardless of the need for a few tweaks.
