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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.