$5 to Check Your Carry-On?
Joe Cortez October 23, 2019
Most airlines allow flyers to check-in carry-on bags at the gate for no charge. But what if you could do that at check-in for $5? JetBlue is running a trial to see if passengers would be interested in the guaranteed service – and even more baggage ancillary fees.
On small aircraft, flyers know that finding overhead bin space is a struggle. On many flights, airlines often volunteer the option to check carry-on luggage at the gate for free – and can turn it into a mandate if the cabin becomes full. But what if you could voluntarily check a carry-on at the check-in counter? Would it be worth $5 per bag?
JetBlue is currently running that experiment out of its operations from Orlando International Airport (MCO). Paxex.aero reports JetBlue is offering the chance to “gate-check” carry-on sized bags at check-in for $5.
Under the rules of the current experiment, the $5 checked carry-on offer applies to luggage with a maximum size of 22 inches-by-14 inches-by-9 inches, with a maximum weight of 25 pounds. Bags can be checked before security, allowing flyers to only go through with their personal item, which must fit under the seat in front of them.
The $5 checked bag would be in addition to the current checked bag policies of $30 for a first checked bag and $40 for the second. The potential for a cost- and convenience-savings for passengers is significant: If a party of six each checked their bag for $5, they collectively could fly with 150 pounds of luggage – triple what is allowed in a single checked bag for the same price.
“In an effort to streamline the travel experience, we hope customers will enjoy carrying fewer bags through security and a quicker boarding process at the gate,” JetBlue spokesperson Philip Steward told Paxex.aero. “We look forward to gathering feedback on this trial from our customers and crewmembers.”
The airline has not commented on how long the experiment will last, or when it could be expanded to other airports. If the project is successful, it could spread to other airlines similar to each following last year’s move to increase checked luggage fees to $30 across all domestic carriers. Southwest Airlines was the exception, still allowing flyers to check two bags free of charge.
[Featured Image: Wikimedia]
What is the guarantee for offering to pay $5 to check a carryon? If you could have 150 lb. of baggage by checking your carryon, you still get the 150 lb of baggage by not checking the carryon, bringing the latter on board with you.
@jn in ca is spot on -- people are carrying more on-board to avoid the becoming-usurious check-in bag rates. Not charging for checked luggage, but instead charging for carry-ons would negatively impact business travelers, BUT it would make a huge improvement in boarding speed. Take a look at Southwest. I'm not a fan, BUT sometimes I do have to fly them. There's a substantial difference in how many carry-ons Southwest passengers carry compared to the Legacy3 passengers. Now... Southwest's baggage handling leaves much to be desired. One round-trip on Southwest is equivalent to 20+ of wear and tear on Delta, and I know my bags will definitely get there, sometimes before I do, on Delta.
@jn in ca - You echo my thoughts verbatim. I have felt this way ever since they started charging for checked bags(SMH!!!) I just saw on my local news that United (which I am captive to out of EWR) is now making overhead bins larger to accommodate all the stuff people attempt to bring on board. They are "hoping" this will help make the boarding process smoother and less stressful, yikes! Where is this genius living?? in a closet somewhere??
I want to be able to walk straight to BART (SFO) to catch train or out to catch Uber. Don't want hassle of checking luggage. I would pay $5 to be guaranteed overhead space. I/We fly Jet Blue several times a year. Never checked luggage even when it was free. SFO-FLL BOS-FLL SFO-JFK et al
...what next, pay loos like Ryanair considered? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYspsgIjb4U @ jn in ca, Precisely..