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Unlike other airlines with frustrating and complicated baggage policies, JetBlue takes a simpler route. There’s no need to scroll through pages and pages trying to locate basic information. With their unfussy rules, it’s painless to estimate how much you’ll be spending on checked bags.
I’ll break down JetBlue’s baggage policies below and how easy it is to get free checked bags.
JetBlue baggage policies
JetBlue carry-on baggage policies
JetBlue’s carry-on bag policy is just what you’d expect: You’re allowed one personal bag and one carry-on bag that fits within the below size requirements. Though JetBlue has no restriction on the weight of your carry-on items, you’ll just need to ensure you are able to lift into the overhead!
- Personal item: must fit under the seat in front of you and not exceed 17 inches x 13 inches x 8 inches
- Carry-on: to fit in the overhead bin, the bag cannot exceed 22 inches x 14 inches x 9 inches
Special items like medical devices and car seats don’t count toward your carry-on allowance.
JetBlue checked baggage policies
Checked bag dimensions cannot exceed 62 inches after you add the length, width, and height of the bag and must weigh 50 pounds or lighter. If your bag doesn’t meet these requirements, you’ll incur some hefty fees (noted below).
There are some select markets that have exceptions. Travelers to Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guyana, Haiti, Peru, Trinidad, and Tobago are limited to checking two bags.
To ensure your bag gets on the plane, JetBlue asks that your bags are checked 40 minutes before departure for domestic flights and 60 minutes for international flights.
JetBlue checked baggage fees
JetBlue bases their checked baggage fees on the fare type you’ve purchased and time of bag fee purchase. Below are the fares and corresponding fees if you choose to pay the baggage fees at the airport or online within 24 hours of departure.
| Fare type | Bag 1 | Bag 2 | Bag 3+ | Notes |
| Blue Basic | $35 | $45 | $150 | |
| Blue | $35 | $45 | $150 | |
| Blue Plus | $0 | $45 | $150 | |
| Blue Extra | $35 | $45 | $150 | |
| Mint | $0 | $0 | $150 | |
| Mosaic | $0 | $0 | $150 | Companions on the same itinerary also receive two free bags |
| JetBlue Plus cardmember | $0 | $45 | $150 | Up to three companions on the same itinerary also receive the first bag free |
If you pay for your two bags online over 24 hours in advance of departure via the JetBlue app or online, you will save $5 per bag. For example, if you purchased a Blue Basic fare you’d pay $30 for your first bag and $40 on the second bag if you paid for the bag fees 48 hours before your flight.
Active duty military and their dependents (on the same itinerary) who are traveling with valid travel orders can check five bags per person for free. If traveling for personal reasons, the first two bags per person are free. JetBlue partners with Veterans Advantage and offers veterans two free checked bags if they’re enrolled in the program.
JetBlue excess baggage fees
Any bag that is over the standard 50 pounds or 62-inch dimensions is considered overweight and oversized.
- A bag that is 51 to 99 pounds has an extra fee of $150
- A bag that measures 63 inches to 80 inches has an extra fee of $150
If your bag is both oversized and overweight, you’ll be paying $300 in fees.
Sporting equipment such as golf bags or skis are exceptions to the oversized rule but will count as one checked bag.
How to avoid JetBlue baggage fees
There are few ways to avoid JetBlue baggage fees.
- Check other JetBlue mid-range fares like Blue Plus, which comes with a free first bag, to see if it’s cheaper than buying a base fare and paying a bag fee
- Use a credit card that reimburses airline incidental fees like The Platinum Card® from American Express, which comes with an up to $200 airline fee credit annually (enrollment required).
- Use your elite TrueBlue Mosaic status with JetBlue to earn you and your companions first and second bag free
Bottom line
Baggage fees are frustrating enough without the stress of deciphering your final bill through a labyrinth of complicated fine print. JetBlue makes it easy with the first bag at $35 and the second bag at $45. You save $5 per bag by paying the baggage fees over 24 hours in advance.
You could save on baggage fees by purchasing a more expensive fare such as Blue Plus if the fare difference is less than the price of a checked bag at $30 or using the right credit card.
Let us know how you save on baggage fees!