Airlines passing fuel costs onto customers with increased baggage fees

As fighting in Iran disrupts oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, the cost of jet fuel has surged.

Airlines are passing that pain onto passengers.

American Airlines became the latest major carrier to announce an increase in bag fees, joining others like Delta, United, JetBlue, and Southwest.

Airlines also warned ticket prices could climb even higher.

So what do you do if you're planning to travel?

"We pay enough as it is," one traveler said.

Five major US airlines are increasing checked bag fees, as jet fuel costs have jumped since the start of the war in Iran

Some airlines are reporting the crisis has added roughly $400 million to operating costs.

American Airlines is charging an additional $10 for a first and second checked bag, but with a $5 dollar if done in advance online or on the app.

Southwest and United are also tacking on a $10 increase from 35 to 45 for the first checked bag.

Delta is raising fees by $10 as well, with a third bag going up from $150 to $200.

JetBlue is raising luggage fees by $9 during peak travel periods and by 4 for off-peak dates.

"The idea and concept behind it is really just almost like a fuel surcharge in a way," Travel expert Zach Griff said.

Griff, author of the From the Tray Table newsletter, says there is a way to save money on bags besides doing carry-on only.

"Just having an airline co-branded credit card. You don't actually have to spend money on the card. And actually, it's so interesting because some of these cards, they start with annual fees of around $100 hundred and $50. And nowadays, given that these bag fees are like $50 a person, it only takes, you know, maybe 1 or 2 trips to actually like earn out or pay off the value of that credit card," Griff said.

Many of the fee increases apply to flights booked today; they're not retroactive. However, the major domestic airlines haven't said if fees will go back down once jet fuel costs decrease. In fact, it's very possible they won't.

Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News

Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.