Virgin Blue (ASX: VGA) is raising the fuel surcharge on tickets and baggage charges in an effort to recover rising fuel costs.

The airline said it will raise the international fuel surcharge on VAustralia flights to Los Angeles and other USA destinations from $85 to $115 each way. The $30 rise applies to tickets sold from March 9.

The biggest increase, however, will be for baggage fees paid at the airport, which double from $20 to $40 on all Virgin Blue domestic routes and soar from $40 to $60 on Pacific Blue international routes.

On baggage pre-paid online for Virgin Blue domestic flights, the airline will charge $12 each way, a $2 increase per sector.

Excess baggage charges on both Virgin Blue domestic routes and Pacific Blue international flights will rise from $10 a kilo to $15 a kilo, each way.

“These changes are being made in response to current high global fuel prices which Virgin Blue has been absorbing for some time,’’ the airline said.

“The changes will result in some of these costs being partially recovered.’’

"We will continue to closely monitor fuel prices and we will always keep our airfares at the most competitive level for our guests."