Southwest Hikes Fees Amid Fuel Crisis

The new fee structure, which takes effect immediately, will see passengers paying $45 for the first checked bag and $55 for the second.

This move follows similar increases by Delta, United, and JetBlue as the industry grapples with a projected $2 billion hit to fuel budgets.

Southwest is also introducing new safety restrictions on the carriage of portable lithium battery chargers.

Industry analysts warn that these additional costs, combined with rising ticket prices, may significantly dampen summer travel demand.