JetBlue Baggage Fees and Allowance

JetBlue Airways is a low-cost carrier that operates in North America, the Caribbean, Latin America, and the United Kingdom. If you are planning to take a flight with them, it’s wise to familiarize yourself with their baggage policy. That is where this article steps in.

In this post, we will provide a comprehensive guide to JetBlue’s baggage policy so that you can be well-prepared for your next flight. We’ll begin our discussion by briefly going over JetBlue’s carry-on policy, as this can have an effect on how we assess the airline’s checked baggage policy. We’ll then explore JetBlue’s checked baggage allowance and fees. There are some ways that you can avoid having to pay fees. We’ll explain some of the more common ways to do so.

You may want to bring special items with you such as sports equipment and musical instruments. We’ll have a look at the specific requirements and fees these items attract.

Finally, we’ll explain what to do if your bag doesn’t make it to your destination when you do, or if your bag gets damaged during transit.

Carry On Baggage Allowance

Number of Carry On Items

All passengers are entitled to bring 1 personal item on board.

However, not all travelers can bring a carry-on bag. If you’re flying on a Blue Basic ticket, you aren’t allowed to bring a carry-on bag into the cabin.

Personal Item Size Limit

Your personal item can be up to 17 x 13 x 8 inches (43.2 x 33 x 20.32 centimeters) in size. It must be able to fit under the seat in front of you.

Typical personal items include:

• Handbag
• Laptop bag
• Small Backpack

Carry-on Bag Size Limit

All passengers except those traveling on a Blue Basic fare can bring 1 carry-on bag into the cabin.

Your carry-on bag can be up to 22 x 14 x 9 inches (55.88 x 35.56 x 22.86 centimeters) in size. It should be able to fit in the overhead bins or under the seat in front of you.

Typical carry-on bags include:

• Small suitcase
• Duffel bag
• Large backpack
• Garment bag

JetBlue doesn’t have a weight limit

Carry On Bag and Blue Basic Fares

As we mentioned previously, Blue Basic fares don’t include a carry-on bag. Also, JetBlue doesn’t allow you to add a carry-on bag after you have made your reservation. If you do turn up at the boarding gate with a carry-on bag, it will have to be gate-checked.

JetBlue will charge a special gate-checked bag fee that varies, depending on if this will be your first checked bag, or you’re already traveling with checked luggage.

Exceptions to the Blue Basic Fare No Carry On Rule

Certain classes of passengers that are traveling on a Blue Basic fare are entitled to bring a carry-on bag on board:

• Travelers with Mosaic status
• Passengers flying to/from the UK and Europe
• Passengers traveling in a Even More Space seat
• Active-duty U.S. military personnel
• Minors traveling without a guardian

Checked Baggage Allowance

Checked Bag Size Limit

Your standard checked bag can be up to 62 linear inches (157.48 centimeters) in size. This is calculated by measuring the outside length, width, and height, and then adding these measurements together. Be sure to include any protruding wheels, handles, or straps with your measurements.

If your bag is larger than 62 linear inches, it will be considered an oversized bag. JetBlue may charge an oversized bag fee at check-in.

Checked Bag Weight Limit

JetBlue limits a standard checked bag’s weight to 50 pounds (22.68 kilograms).

If your checked bag is heavier than this weight, JetBlue may charge an overweight bag fee at check-in.

Checked Baggage Fees

Next, let’s discuss the baggage fees associated with checked luggage on JetBlue flights. There are two different baggage fee structures for JetBlue flights: one for domestic U.S. flights and another for international flights.

JetBlue applies a transparent flat fee for each checked bag. We here at Hands Off My Suitcase prefer this way of presenting bag fees, as opposed to using a baggage tool to search for dynamic baggage fees based on your itinerary.

You can buy up to 2 checked bags at any time from when you make your booking up to arriving at the airport. If you want to travel with more than 2 bags, you can buy extra bags within 24 hours of your flight’s scheduled departure or when you get to the airport.

Hot Tip: You can save $5 off each of your first 2 checked bags by buying them earlier than 24 hours before your flight.

Domestic Bag Fees

For domestic flights, including both the U.S. and Canada, JetBlue offers a simple pricing structure for checked baggage. You can save $5 by buying your checked bag at least 24 hours before your flight’s scheduled departure.

International Bag Fees

For international flights, the checked baggage fees can vary based on the specific route you’re traveling on.

It’s important to note that these fees can change based on the route you’re traveling on and the time of year. JetBlue enforces baggage embargoes to specific international destinations. This can impact the amount and type of checked baggage that you can travel with.

Hot Tip: Baggage embargoes can be enacted at short notice, so it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on your email inbox. Airlines sometimes put embargoes in place days before your flight’s scheduled departure.

Caribbean Baggage Fees

JetBlue flies to a number of Caribbean destinations:

• Aruba
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Bahamas
• Barbados
• Bermuda
• Cayman Islands
• Costa Rica
• Cuba
• Curaçao
• Dominican Republic
• Grenada
• Guadeloupe
• Guatemala
• Haiti
• Jamaica
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Maarten
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Turks and Caicos

You can save $5 if you prepurchase your checked bags at least 24 hours prior to your departure.

Latin America Baggage Fees

JetBlue flies to a number of Latin American destinations:

• Colombia
• Ecuador
• Guyana
• Mexico
• Peru

You can save $5 if you prepurchase your checked bags at least 24 hours prior to your departure.

United Kingdom Baggage Fees

JetBlue flies to the following London airports in the U.K.:

• London-Gatwick, UK (LGW)
• London-Heathrow, UK (LHR)

You can save $5 if you prepurchase your checked bags at least 24 hours prior to your departure.

Oversized Baggage Fees

If your checked bag is between 63 linear inches (160 centimeters) and 80 linear inches (203.3 centimeters), it will be considered oversized and subject to an oversized bag fee. This is in addition to any other fees that your checked bag may be subject to, including an overweight baggage fee.

The oversized bag fee that you’ll be charged depends on your itinerary:

JetBlue will not accept checked bags larger than 80 linear inches.

Oversized Golf Bags

Golf bags are exempt from oversized checked bag fees if they are between 63 and 80 linear inches if the bag is hard sided. As with standard checked bags, golf bags larger than 80 linear inches will not be accepted at check in.

Overweight Baggage Fees

If your checked bag weighs between 51 pounds (23.13 kilograms) and 99 pounds (44.91 kilograms), it will be considered overweight and subject to an overweight bag fee. This charge is in addition to any other fee applied to your checked bag.

The overweight bag fee that you’ll be charged depends on your itinerary:

Checked bags heavier than 99 pounds will not be accepted.

Free Checked Baggage Allowance

The following table summarizes the different ways you can qualify for free checked baggage.

Examples include buying a higher-tier fare, achieving flight status, holding an airline-affiliated credit card, and more.

Mobility and Assistive Devices

You are allowed to check one infant car seat and one infant stroller at no charge. This will not have any effect on your checked baggage allowance.

You can check in mobility and assistive devices such as wheelchairs and canes at no charge if you are dependent on these items.

Free Bags by Fare Type

JetBlue has 5 types of fares. Some of them include free checked bags as part of their fare:

• Blue Basic: 0 checked bags included.
• Blue: 0 checked bags included (1 checked bag for travel between the U.S. and U.K.)
• Blue Plus: 1 checked bag included.
• Blue Extra: 0 checked bags included (1 checked bag for travel between the U.S. and U.K.)
• Mint: 2 checked bags included (each bag can weigh up to 70 pounds [32 kilograms])

Free Bags for Mosaic Members

If you are a Mosaic member flying on American Airlines-operated flights, you can check up to 2 bags for free, irrespective of the fare type bought. This benefit extends to all travelers in the same booking.

Free Bags for JetBlue Plus Members

If you are a JetBlue Plus cardmember, your first bag is free when traveling on JetBlue-operated flights only. The benefit does not apply when you are flying with one of JetBlue’s codeshare or airline partners.

The free checked bag benefit applies for up to 3 extra travelers on the same travel itinerary.

Free Bags for AAdvantage Elite Members

If you are an AAdvantage elite member flying with JetBlue, you can check up to 2 free bags at check-in.

Free Bags for Military Passengers

Military personnel are eligible for a free checked bag allowance when flying with JetBlue. The number of free bags depends on the type of travel being taken.

If you are an active-duty military member traveling on orders, you can check up to 5 checked bags at no charge. Each bag can be up to 80 linear inches and 99 pounds. This free bag allowance also applies to dependents who are traveling with you on the same itinerary.

If you are an active-duty military member on personal travel, you can check up to 2 free bags. Each bag can be up to 62 linear inches and 50 pounds. This benefit extends to dependents who are traveling on the same itinerary as you.

Special Baggage

JetBlue accepts special items, such as sports equipment and musical instruments, for a fee. These items are subject to the same weight and size restrictions as checked bags, and fees vary depending on the item.

All special items should be packed in a proper and protective case – otherwise JetBlue may not accept liability if the item is damaged while in the airline’s custody.

Sports Equipment

If you’re traveling with sports equipment, JetBlue allows you to bring it as checked baggage. However, some items, such as surfboards and bicycles, require a $100 handling fee.

JetBlue accepts the following sports equipment as checked baggage.

• Archery equipment
• Baseball equipment
• Bicycles (non-motorized)
  • If the bicycle (when packed in its container) is within standard checked bag limits (up to 62 linear inches and 50 pounds), it will be subject to standard checked bag fees
    • However, if the bicycle is larger than 62 linear inches or heavier than 50 pounds, it will be subject to a $100 handling fee. This is in addition to any applicable standard checked bag fees. In this instance, the bicycle will not be subject to overweight baggage fees. The item can weigh up to 99 pounds.
  • Bicycles are not allowed when traveling to or from the following destinations:
    • Dominican Republic (all airports)
    • Haiti
    • Peru
    • Trinidad and Tobago
• Bowling equipment
• Drones
• Fishing equipment
  • 1 checked bag:
    • Up to 2 rods
    • 1 reel
    • 1 net
    • 1 tackle box
    • 1 pair of fishing boots
  • Not subject to oversized bag fees
• Golf equipment
  • 1 checked bag: A golf bag having up to 14 golf clubs, up to 3 golf balls, and a pair of golf shoes.
• Hockey equipment
  • Hockey sticks are not allowed when traveling to or from the following destinations:
    • Dominican Republic (all airports)
• Ice skates
• Kiteboarding equipment
  • Kiteboards are subject to a $100 handling fee. This is in addition to any applicable standard checked bag fees.
  • Kiteboards are not allowed when traveling to or from the following destinations:
    • Bermuda
    • Cuba
    • Haiti
    • Peru
    • Trinidad and Tobago
    • Dominican Republic (select airports):
      • Santiago (STI)
      • Santo Domingo (SDQ)
• Lacrosse equipment
  • Lacrosse sticks are not allowed when traveling to or from the following destinations:
    • Dominican Republic (all airports)
• Paddles and oars
• Parachutes
• Pole vaulting equipment
• Scooters
• Scuba equipment
• Skateboards
• Skim boards
• Snorkeling equipment
• Snow skis
  • 1 checked bag: 1 pair of snow skis, 1 pair of ski poles, and 1 pair of ski boots. The ski boots can be packed in a separate ski boot bag and still be considered as 1 checked bag.
  • Snow ski equipment is not allowed when traveling to or from the following destinations:
    • Dominican Republic (all airports)
• Snowboards
  • 1 checked bag: 1 snowboard and a pair of snowboard boots. Snowboard boots can be packed in a separate boot bag and still be considered as 1 checked bag.
  • Snowboard equipment is not allowed when traveling to or from the following destinations:
    • Dominican Republic (all airports)
• Sporting gun case
• Sports balls
• Surfboards
  • 1 checked bag: 1 surfboard only.
  • Subject to a $100 handling fee. This is on top of any applicable checked baggage fee.
  • Surfboards are not allowed when traveling to or from the following destinations:
    • Bermuda
    • Cuba
    • Haiti
    • Peru
    • Trinidad and Tobago
    • Dominican Republic (select airports):
      • Santiago (STI)
      • Santo Domingo (SDQ)
  • Not subject to overweight baggage fees. Item can weigh up to 99 pounds.
• Tennis equipment
• Wakeboards
• Water skis
  • Water skis are not allowed when traveling to or from the following destinations:
    • Dominican Republic (all airports)
• Windsurfing equipment
  • 1 checked bag:
    • 1 windsurfing board
    • 1 mast (up to 15 feet long)
    • 1 sail
  • Windsurfing equipment is subject to a $100 handling fee. This is in addition to any applicable standard checked bag fees.
  • Windsurfing equipment is not allowed when traveling to or from the following destinations:
    • Bermuda
    • Cuba
    • Haiti
    • Peru
    • Trinidad and Tobago
    • Dominican Republic (select airports):
      • Santiago (STI)
      • Santo Domingo (SDQ)

Sports Equipment Not Allowed in Checked Baggage

JetBlue does not accept the following sports equipment as checked baggage or in carry-on.

• Antlers or horns
• Hoverboards and other electric or gas-powered boards
• Canoes and kayaks
• Scuba tanks with compressed gas cylinders (empty or full)

Musical Instruments

JetBlue allows passengers to bring musical instruments onboard the plane as carry-on or checked baggage. However, if the instrument is too large to fit in the overhead bin or under the seat, it will need to be checked and additional fees may apply.

However, you do have the option to buy a seat for your musical instrument.

Musical Instruments in Carry-on Baggage

You have the option to buy a seat for your large musical instrument. JetBlue doesn’t impose any size limits when brought onboard. Also, your musical instrument can weigh up to 165 pounds (75 kilograms).

Hot Tip: If you plan to travel with your large instrument in the cabin, remember that JetBlue’s Blue Basic fare does not allow carry-on bags. You would need to buy another type of fare.

Musical Instruments in Checked Baggage

JetBlue allows musical instruments to be transported as checked baggage. They are counted against your checked baggage allowance and subject to checked bag fees. However, musical instruments are not subject to oversized bag fees if they are not larger than 150 linear inches (381 centimeters).

Flight Check-in Times

If you intend to travel with checked baggage, you will need to allow more time to check-in to ensure that your bags travel on your flight.

Domestic Travel Check In Times

For domestic travel, you must check your bags at least 40 minutes before your flight’s scheduled departure.

International Travel Check In Times

When traveling internationally, you need to have your bags checked at least 60 minutes before your flight’s scheduled departure.

You can check your bags up to 4 hours before your flight’s scheduled departure.

Delayed and Damaged Baggage

If your checked bags do not arrive at your destination when you do, or they are damaged during transit, you should report the issue to a JetBlue Customer Representative as soon as possible. Ideally, this should be done before you leave the airport. If you have already left the airport, you can contact JetBlue’s Baggage Service at 1-866-538-5438. You need to let JetBlue know of your missing baggage within 4 hours of your arrival.

Once you have filed a report with JetBlue, the airline will send you a copy of the claim to your email address. For missing luggage, JetBlue will search for your bag for up to 30 days, updating you on progress via email.

Final Thoughts

We hope you have enjoyed our exploration of JetBlue’s baggage policy. The airline’s policy is relatively straightforward. However, you should consider your baggage requirements before deciding which fare to purchase. JetBlue’s Blue Basic fare includes a personal item but not a carry-on bag. nor can you buy it later. If you do present at the gate with a carry-on bag, you will have to check it. You will also be subject to a hefty fee: $65, or potentially $180 dollars(!), depending on how many bags you have already checked.

Remember to always check JetBlue’s website or contact their customer service for the latest information on baggage allowances and fees.

References

• JetBlue Airways