If you are a fan of getting your first checked bag for free on JetBlue things are about to change.  JetBlue just put in to motion their plans from last November to start charging flyers for their first checked bag when booking a low-level “Blue” fare.  This change leaves Southwest as the only major US carrier that doesn’t charge for checked baggage.  In fact, Southwest allows each customer the option to check up to two bags for free.  Sounds like JetBlue is making this move due to pressure from Wall Street, and the pressure is paying off for investors.  Since the announcement back in November their stock has gone from $13 a share to $20.

JetBlue’s Executive Vice President told the Associated Press that some of the additional revenue will be used to pay for new seats and seat-back TVs.  How nice! Except for the fact that the new seats are going to be smaller than the existing seats so they can fit more rows on their aircraft.  There they go with that squeeze I wrote about the other day!  If you fly JetBlue and count on checking your bag for free, it’s time to learn how to turn your checked bag into a carryon.  Here are a few tips for carrying on your luggage with JetBlue. 

Measure your bags.  To carry on with JetBlue your luggage must not exceed 22″ L x 14″ W x 9″ H.  You are also allowed a personal item (which I just wrote about) which will need to go under the seat in front of you and cannot exceed these sizes; For Airbus A321: 17″ length x 13″ width x 11″ height, for Airbus A320 / EMBRAER 190: 18″ length x 15″ width x 8″ height.  If you end up needing to purchase new luggage check out our carryon luggage page with loads of helpful information.  Buying a new carryon can pay for itself in in just a few flights by not having to pay for checked baggage.

Get your toiletries in order.  When checking your bag you don’t have to worry about toiletry guidelines.  It’s a much different story when you are carrying on your toiletry items!  Take a look at my post on Breaking the Code to Travel Toiletries.  There you’ll find everything you need to know about condensing your toiletries to fit within the TSA guidelines.

Use a capsule wardrobe.  This can be done by making sure that each of your pieces can be worn together. This should give you just about unlimited outfit possibilities, so you don’t feel like you’re wearing the same thing every day.  Here is a sample capsule wardrobe I put together for spring.

Packing cubes.  These things will squeeze down a ton of clothes into a small rectangle. I am constantly amazed at how my Eagle Creek packing cubes compress so much stuff. They are helpful for keeping things organized as well.

Readers, do you fly JetBlue often? Will this change in checked bag fees change that?

Be sure to check out my page with products I recommend for travel!

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