JetBlue, the New York-based airline that has long stayed away from unpopular cost-cutting measures used among other carriers, is "breaking hearts" by implementing baggage fees and cutting legroom, Mashable reported.

The baggage fees will be implemented by rolling out multiple fare types, USA Today detailed.

"One will be an inclusive-fare that includes the ability to check a bag," the newspaper explained. "(JetBlue) will offer two presumably less-expensive fare types that will include either one or two checked bags. The new fare types will debut during the first half of 2015."

JetBlue's fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft will also be retrofitted to include more seats, effectively reducing legroom for passengers. That change will kick off in mid-2016. The carrier will add 15 seats to its planes, TIME magazine said, which will cut legroom down from 34.7 inches to 33.1 inches.

JetBlue announced the measures as it met with investors in New York. In a statement, the airline called them "a long-term plan to drive shareholder returns."

"As we focus on executing this plan, JetBlue's core mission to inspire humanity and its differentiated model of serving underserved customers remain unchanged," the carrier insisted.

According to Mashable, Dave Barger, JetBlue CEO, was critized by analysts "who pressured the company to do more to squeeze profit out of its existing customers" by "simple" ideas like baggage fees and diminished legroom.

"Barger had been seen by many as strongly opposed to this type of action," the website explained. "This led some to believe that Barger could be replaced if JetBlue did not change its ways."

In the past, the airline "has been hesitant to do much to threaten its reputation as a customer-friendly airline," the site added.

The new fare classes and baggage fees will mean more than $200 million a year in operating income, the Washington Post calculated. The added seats will add another $100 million a year.

"JetBlue has been under pressure from investors to boost revenue," the newspaper said.

The airline serves 84 destinations in 24 states and 12 countries in the Caribbean, South America and Latin America. With the changes announced at JetBlue, Southwest will become the only U.S. carrier to provide a free checked bag for all fliers, according to TIME.

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