Alaska Airlines, too, increases checked bag fees

Alaska Airlines will join JetBlue, United, American and Delta by raising checked bag fees.

Beginning with tickets purchased or exchanged on or after Dec. 5, Alaska will charge $30 for the first checked bag and $40 for the second checked bag, up from its existing fees of $25 for the first and second checked bags. 

JetBlue led the way by announcing in late August that it would increase the first checked bag to $30 from what had long been the industry standard of $25. The other carriers quickly fell in line.

Southwest remains the U.S. industry outlier when it comes to baggage fees and has said it will continue its policy of not charging for checked bags.