After resisting for years, JetBlue adds checked bag fee

NEW YORK (AP) -- The era of free checked suitcases on JetBlue has come to an end.

The airline proudly proclaimed itself a holdout on fees for years, allowing passengers to check one bag for free. Now it will charge up to $25 for checked luggage.

The move leaves Southwest Airlines as the only major U.S. carrier not to charge a bag fee.

JetBlue passengers will pay less if they plan ahead. Those with the cheapest tickets will pay $20 each way if they check in online or at a kiosk. The fee jumps to $25 if they go to the counter. A new fare class that costs about $15 extra each way would include one free bag.

The fee only applies to new bookings; existing reservations still get one free bag.

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