Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we may receive financial compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology.

Checked Bag Fee Changes, JetBlue Adds Houston Service, Avelo Shrinks, Breeze Expands, and More Airline News

Daniel Ross's image
Daniel Ross
Updated: 
Edited by: Keri Stooksbury
Checked Bag Fee Changes, JetBlue Adds Houston Service, Avelo Shrinks, Breeze Expands, and More Airline News
Jump to Section
Table of Contents

We may be compensated when you click on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

In this week’s round-up up we’ll take a look at JetBlue’s new route to Houston (IAH), changes to American’s checked bag fees, Delta’s increased Melbourne frequency, Avelo’s downsizing, Breeze’s aggressive expansion, Porter’s update to its U.S. route network, and American and United’s large investment in a Brazilian airline.

Let’s get started.

Advertisement

JetBlue Connects JFK With Houston

From May 21, 2026, JetBlue will fly twice daily between its JFK hub and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). The route to the major United hub comes as the Blue Sky partnership between JetBlue and United continues to develop.

United and JetBlue planes at Newark Airport EWR
Blue Sky partners JetBlue and United side by side at Newark Airport (EWR). Image Credit: Daniel Ross

The flight from JFK joins the airline’s nonstop service from Boston (BOS) as only its second route to the Texan city.

American Airlines Increases Airport Checked Baggage Charges

American Airlines will now charge $50 to check a second bag at the airport. Prepaying for a second bag online before check-in reduces the fee to $45. The news comes after the Fort Worth-based carrier just announced plummeting profits that ruffled the feathers of employees and unions. This extra $5 could just be the first of many small increases that American will introduce in the hope of turning its finances around.

Hot Tip:

We hate fees as much as you do, so we put together this guide to help you avoid having to pay baggage fees!

Advertisement

Delta Makes LAX to Melbourne Daily From December 20

Delta has scheduled more nonstop flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Australia next winter. From October 11, 2026, the number of weekly flights on the Airbus A350-900 from LAX to Melbourne (MEL) will gradually increase from 3 to 7 (daily) starting December 20.

The increased schedule will complement Delta’s daily service from LAX to Sydney (SYD) and seasonal 3x-weekly service to Brisbane (BNE), which ends on March 25, 2026.

What’s Going on at Avelo Airlines?

The low-cost carrier will operate over 3,000 fewer flights from April to June 2026 than in the same period in 2025.

Avelo 737 800 HVN Taxiing
Image Credit: Alberto Riva

This 29% reduction in Avelo‘s route network is part of a restructuring that includes shuttering major bases at Wilmington (ILM) and Raleigh-Durham (RDU) in North Carolina, starting March 6.

Breeze’s Florida-Heavy 12-Route Expansion

While Avelo trims down, competitor Breeze is padding out. Focus airports for the new routes are Cincinnati (CVG), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), and Raleigh-Durham (RDU), as first reported by IshirionA on X. Breeze will connect Cincinnati with Greenville, South Carolina (GSP) and Portland, Maine (PWM), while the new routes from Raleigh-Durham are to Birmingham, Alabama (BHM) and Tallahassee, Florida (TLH).

As for Fort Lauderdale, the airport will be served by 8 new routes to Birmingham; Charleston, South Carolina (CHS); Greenville; Jacksonville, Florida (JAX); Salisbury, Maryland (SBY); Scranton, Pennsylvania (AVP); Tampa, Florida (TPA), and Tallahassee.

Advertisement

Start dates and schedules have not yet been released.

Porter Adds Austin, Swaps Chicago Airport

As some Canadian airlines are axing routes to the U.S., Porter is doing the opposite. The regional carrier is adding a new 5x weekly service between Toronto (YYZ) and Austin (AUS) from May 21, 2026. Air Canada is the only other airline that connects the city pair.

And as of September 1, 2026, Porter’s 3x daily Toronto City (YTZ) departures to the Windy City will move from Chicago Midway (MDW) to Chicago O’Hare (ORD).

Both American and United Invest Millions in Struggling Brazilian Airline

Both American and United are investing at least $100 million in Azul — a Brazilian airline founded by airline tycoon David Neeleman. United’s investment isn’t surprising, given the airlines’ well-established partnership.

Azul Aircraft at Belo Horizonte CNF airport
Azul planes at Confins (CNF) serving the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Image Credit: Daniel Ross

However, American’s investment raises questions, as the airline owns a 5.2% stake in Azul’s competitor, GOL. Worse still, given the financial pressure American is currently under, the $100 million might have been better spent investing in saving itself rather than a regional Brazilian airline.

Final Thoughts

Could a merger be on the cards for JetBlue and United? Will American’s $5 increase in checked bag fees turn its finances around? Can Avelo’s restructuring save it from going under? And just how long will Breeze’s new niche routes be in service? These are the major questions that I’m left with at the end of this week.

Featured Image Credit: Daniel Ross
Daniel Ross's image

About Daniel Ross

Daniel has loved aviation and travel his entire life. He earned a Master of Science in Air Transport Management and has written about travel and aviation in publications like Simple Flying, The Points Guy, and more.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE™

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy  and terms of service  apply.

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse

We Recommend

Platinum Card® from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

Platinum Card® from American Express

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Platinum Card® from American Express

Welcome Offer: As High As 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
Show more
  • With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges.* As of 07/2025.
  • $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
  • $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
  • $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® to make eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you.
  • $209 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
  • Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
  • $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®.* Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
  • Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
  • $895 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.

Upgrade your travel experience

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube

© 2026 Upgraded Points™, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

DMCA.com Protection Status
Disclaimer: 

Upgraded Points, LLC and its website, UpgradedPoints.com, provides information on credit cards, reward programs, travel information and ancillary information concerning travel and credit cards. The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax or legal advice.

Upgraded Points, LLC uses reasonable efforts to maintain accurate information on the site — and prior to applying for any credit card offers found on UpgradedPoints.com, all visitors should review other features of such credit cards including but not limited to interest rates, annual fees and transaction fees, and should determine the suitability of such credit cards considering their own individual financial position.

Advertiser Disclosure: 

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we may receive financial compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. For more information on our advertisers and how we make money, see our advertising policy here. In addition, as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Editorial Disclosure: 

The content featured on UpgradedPoints.com has not been influenced, provided, or reviewed by the credit card companies mentioned. Any and all options, reviews, comments and analyses are the responsibility of the author(s) and not any Advertiser or credit card issuer.