The Cost of Getting There Just Got Higher
Planning a Disney vacation requires juggling numerous expenses, from park admission and resort accommodations to dining reservations and ground transportation. However, one factor that often gets overlooked in vacation budgeting is the actual cost of air travel itself—and that oversight just became significantly more expensive.
Families traveling to Walt Disney World or Disneyland rarely pack light. Between strollers for younger children, clothing suitable for unpredictable Florida weather, specialized footwear for long theme park days, rain jackets, and all the other essentials a family vacation requires, checked luggage becomes practically unavoidable. That necessity just became considerably more costly.
Which Airlines and How Much They Increased Fees
Five of the country’s largest airlines have recently announced substantial increases to checked baggage fees, affecting the vast majority of domestic flights to Orlando International Airport and airports serving Disneyland Resort.
Delta’s New Fee Structure
Effective for flights booked on or after April 8, Delta increased its first checked bag fee from $35 to $45 and its second bag from $45 to $55. The airline also raised its third bag fee by $50, bringing it to $200. These adjustments apply to domestic flights for main cabin and Delta Comfort passengers, though long-haul international routes remain unaffected. SkyMiles elite members, premium fare purchasers, and Delta co-branded credit card holders continue to receive fee exemptions.
American Airlines’ Expanded Changes
American Airlines moved its pricing structure starting April 9. The first checked bag now costs $45 if prepaid or $55 when paid at the airport, with the second bag following the same pattern at $55 prepaid or $60 at check-in. These rates cover domestic flights and routes to Canada, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands. AAdvantage elite members, American credit card holders, premium seat purchasers, and active military personnel maintain their exemptions.
Beyond baggage fees, American also tightened basic economy policies beginning May 15. Basic economy passengers on domestic flights will pay $50 to $55 for their first bag and $60 to $65 for their second. Starting May 18, all basic economy passengers will be charged for seat selection regardless of status, and they lose eligibility for complimentary upgrades. AAdvantage members without elite status who book basic economy will be placed in Group 7 for boarding later in the year.
Southwest’s New Rates
Southwest raised its first checked bag fee from $35 to $45 and its second from $45 to $55 for tickets booked on or after April 9. A-List elite members and Rapid Rewards credit card holders still receive their first bag free, while A-List Preferred members and Choice Extra fare purchasers maintain two free bags.
Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines
Both Alaska Airlines and its partner Hawaiian Airlines increased their first bag fee to $45 and second bag to $55, effective April 10. The third bag now costs $200, up from $150. The airlines eliminated their previous $5 discount for prepayment. Atmos Rewards elite members, card holders, and premium cabin passengers continue to receive free bag allowances.
Earlier Increases
JetBlue and United made similar moves the week prior, joining the wave of fee increases across the industry. Airlines have attributed the increases to rising jet fuel costs, specifically tied to geopolitical tensions affecting oil prices.
The Real Impact on Your Disney Budget
Understanding the actual financial impact helps put these increases in perspective. For a family of four checking two bags each on a round-trip flight to Orlando on Delta, the baggage fee increase alone adds $80 to the total trip cost compared to tickets booked before April 8. Families checking additional luggage or traveling on American during the post-May 15 basic economy window face even higher costs.
Across the millions of Disney-bound travelers, these increases represent a meaningful and unavoidable addition to vacation expenses. The timing—just as peak summer travel season approaches—means families should factor these new fees into their overall budgets.
Smart Strategies for Disney Travelers
Before booking your next Disney trip, take time to run the numbers on baggage fees relative to your actual luggage needs and preferred fare class.
Travelers who qualify for fee waivers through elite status or co-branded airline credit cards remain insulated from these increases. Ensure your card benefits are activated before travel to take full advantage of these exemptions.
For those without eligibility for waivers, the gap between basic economy and main cabin fares may have narrowed considerably. When you combine a cheaper basic economy ticket with new baggage and seat selection fees, the savings advantage may disappear entirely. Running these calculations before booking takes only a few minutes and could reveal that a higher fare class actually provides better overall value.
Important Changes to Power Bank Rules
Beyond baggage fees, Southwest has announced new restrictions on portable lithium battery chargers effective April 20. Passengers may carry one power bank per person with a capacity up to 100 watt-hours. Chargers cannot be stored in overhead bins—they must remain in bags under seats or carried on the person. If used during flight, power banks must be visible at all times.
These restrictions exceed current Federal Aviation Administration requirements, which prohibit checked lithium batteries but allow them in carry-on bags. The International Civil Aviation Organization recently updated its standards, limiting passengers to two portable chargers and prohibiting in-flight recharging. The FAA documented 97 in-flight lithium battery incidents involving smoke, fire, or extreme heat in 2025, up significantly from 39 in 2020.
For Disney travelers, this matters because portable phone chargers are essential equipment for any theme park day. The My Disney Experience app runs continuously for wait times, mobile dining orders, and Lightning Lane selections. A dead phone at 2 p.m. in Magic Kingdom creates real problems. Pack a compliant power bank and remember to keep it accessible rather than storing it overhead.
Understanding Airline Loyalty Programs
If you fly regularly to Disney, your airline loyalty program matters. WalletHub’s 2026 annual report ranked Alaska Airlines’ Atmos Rewards program first for the third consecutive year, followed by United, Delta, American, JetBlue, and Southwest. Frontier’s program offered the highest rewards value at $13.92 returned per $100 spent, with Alaska second at $9.58.
The top ten airlines are offering an average of 5 percent greater rewards value compared to 2025, making these programs increasingly valuable. However, the report also noted an important caution: airline miles cost an average of 2.5 times more than their actual value when purchased rather than earned. This is crucial to remember if you’re considering buying miles to supplement your account before a Disney trip.
Final Takeaway
If you’re booking flights for Walt Disney World or Disneyland in the coming months, now is the time to calculate the true cost of your airfare. Factor in baggage fees based on your actual luggage needs, compare the total cost across different fare classes, and verify that any loyalty program benefits or credit card perks are activated. Your vacation budget should reflect what flying to the parks actually costs right now, not what it cost a few months ago.
