Airline Baggage Fees

Airline Baggage Fees: Compare 50 Airline Guides (2026)

Compare carry-on and checked baggage allowances across 50 airline guides, including historical Spirit information. Check what your fare includes before comparing total trip prices. Fees are in US dollars unless noted and depend on route, ticket date and eligibility.

Policies checked October 3, 2026

50 airlines compared Carry-on and checked side by side Best and worst for fees Updated for 2026 fee increases Check personal-item and combined-weight limits

Compare all airlines Best and worst for fees

A set of hard shell suitcases packed and ready for check-in

Many U.S. domestic fares charge for checked bags, but included bags and fee waivers still depend on fare, route and benefits.

Several major U.S. carriers charge $45–$50 for a first standard domestic checked bag; some charge more at the airport.

Low-cost base fares can charge for a carry-on, while bundles or eligible benefits may include it.

Many long-haul fares include checked baggage, but Basic, Light and other restricted fares can differ.

Airlines Compared

$45 to $50

Typical US First Bag

Varies

Long-Haul Bag Allowance

Paid

Carry-On On Some Budget Fares

Prepay

Discounts Vary By Airline

Check Size And Weight Limits

Baggage fees depend on the ticket, not just the airline. Some U.S., Canadian and European Basic fares exclude overhead cabin baggage. Many long-haul fares include checked baggage, but restricted fares can remove it. A small cabin item is commonly included; separate-item and combined-weight limits vary.

The Short Answer

Airline baggage fees depend on airline, fare, route, ticket date and eligible benefits. Several major U.S. carriers charge $45–$50 for a first standard domestic checked bag, while other routes or fares include bags. A free overhead carry-on is not universal: United Basic Economy, Air Canada Basic and WestJet UltraBasic have important route and benefit exceptions. Emirates, Qatar Airways and Japan Airlines include checked baggage under their published ordinary fare allowances. Advance payment can save money on some carriers; Delta and Alaska have no standard prepay discount. Use the comparison, then confirm your exact allowance with the operating airline.

What Changed In 2026

Baggage fees in 2026

2026 fee increases and fare-specific allowances

Several major U.S. airlines raised checked baggage fees in April 2026, with United, Delta, and Southwest moving a first checked bag to about 45 dollars and a second to about 55. American’s standard domestic Main Cabin first bag is $45 online or $50 at the airport for tickets issued from April 9, 2026; Basic Economy tickets issued from May 18 cost $5 more. Alaska’s standard North American first bag is $45 for tickets issued from April 10, with no prepay discount. Route and waiver exceptions apply. The increases were tied to a sharp rise in jet fuel costs.

Southwest ended its universal two-free-checked-bag policy in 2025. It still includes bags with certain fares and benefits, as do other carriers. Delta, American and JetBlue include a carry-on and personal item with their current ordinary fares; United Basic Economy has route and benefit exceptions. Packing within your included allowance avoids extra bag charges, but compare the complete fare before choosing an airline.

The Comparison

Compare baggage fees across 50 airline guides

Search, filter or sort the table, then open the airline guide and confirm the ticket’s rules with the carrier. Carry-on describes the overhead cabin bag, not an extra personal item. Paid means low-fare baggage costs extra; bundles or benefits may include it. By fare means the fare or route changes inclusion. Checked-bag prices are selected standard examples, not universal minimums.

Showing 50 of 50 airlines

Airline	Region	Carry-on	First checked bag	Guide
Southwest Airlines	United States	Free	From $45 on applicable domestic fares	View
American Airlines	United States	Free	From $45 on applicable domestic fares	View
Delta Air Lines	United States	Free	From $45 on applicable domestic fares	View
United Airlines	United States	By fare	From $45 on applicable domestic fares	View
Alaska Airlines	United States	Free	$45 North America; route exceptions	View
JetBlue	United States	Free	From $45 off-peak; fare/route exceptions	View
Hawaiian Airlines	United States	Free	$30 interisland / $45 North America	View
Spirit Airlines (ceased operations)	United States	Historical	Flights ended May 2, 2026	View
Frontier Airlines	United States	Paid	Paid, varies	View
Allegiant Air	United States	Paid	Paid, varies	View
Sun Country Airlines	United States	Paid	Paid, varies	View
Avelo Airlines	United States	Paid	Paid, varies	View
Breeze Airways	United States	By fare	Fare based	View
Air Canada	Canada	By fare	Fare based	View
WestJet	Canada	By fare	Econo prepaid: CAD/USD $45–$53 within Canada/U.S.; other fares/routes vary	View
Aeromexico	Mexico	By fare	Fare based	View
Volaris	Mexico	Paid	Paid, varies	View
Viva Aerobus	Mexico	Paid	Paid, varies	View
Avianca	Latin America	By fare	Fare based	View
Copa Airlines	Latin America	Free	Fare based	View
LATAM	Latin America	By fare	Fare based	View
Lufthansa	Europe	By fare	Fare based	View
Air France	Europe	By fare	Fare based	View
KLM	Europe	By fare	Fare based	View
British Airways	Europe	Free	Fare based	View
SWISS	Europe	By fare	Fare based	View
ITA Airways	Europe	Free	Fare based	View
TAP Air Portugal	Europe	Free	Fare based	View
Aer Lingus	Europe	By fare	Fare based	View
Iberia	Europe	Free	Fare based	View
SAS	Europe	By fare	Fare based	View
Icelandair	Europe	Free	Fare based	View
Virgin Atlantic	Europe	Free	Fare based	View
Condor	Europe	By fare	Fare based	View
Ryanair	Europe	Paid	Fare based	View
Wizz Air	Europe	Paid	Fare based	View
easyJet	Europe	Paid	Fare based	View
Aeroflot	Europe	Free	Fare based	View
Emirates	Middle East	Free	Included	View
Qatar Airways	Middle East	Free	Included	View
Turkish Airlines	Middle East	Free	Fare based	View
Singapore Airlines	Asia	Free	Included	View
Cathay Pacific	Asia	Free	Included	View
Japan Airlines	Asia	Free	Included	View
ANA	Asia	Free	Fare based	View
Air India	Asia	Free	Included	View
Malaysia Airlines	Asia	Free	Included	View
IndiGo	Asia	Free	Fare based	View
Qantas	Oceania	Free	Included	View
Jetstar	Oceania	Free	Paid, varies	View

No airlines match that search or filter.

How to read this table

Free carry-on means a standard cabin bag is included under the ordinary fare policy, within size and weight limits; space is not guaranteed. Separate personal-item allowances vary. Paid and By fare rows can still include bags with bundles, status or other benefits. Spirit’s row is historical: the airline ended all flights on May 2, 2026. First checked bag shows a selected standard price or fare-based allowance, in U.S. dollars unless noted. It is not a guaranteed price for every route. Fees and waivers change with fare, ticket date, eligibility and payment timing. For the changes above, see American’s checked-bag policy and Alaska’s April 10 fee update. Exact prices depend on route, ticket date, fare and eligibility. Jetstar date exception: for JQ departures from February 2, 2027, Starter’s new allowance is an underseat bag only; bookings made before August 5, 2026 must check their original allowance. GK and earlier JQ departures have different rules. See Jetstar’s Starter guide.

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The best and worst airlines for baggage fees

There is no single best airline for baggage, since it depends on whether you carry on or check, and whether you fly domestic or long haul. These are the clear patterns at each end.

Easiest on your wallet

Best value for bags

Full service international airlines usually include a checked bag on long haul economy, so carriers like Emirates, Qatar Airways, Japan Airlines, and Singapore Airlines include a checked allowance in ordinary economy fares; compare the total ticket price rather than the bag allowance alone.
Check overhead-bag inclusion. Current ordinary fares include a carry-on plus personal item on Delta, United except restricted Basic Economy itineraries, and JetBlue.
Check ticket dates and payment method for American and Alaska, both with standard first-bag rates starting at $45 on the applicable routes and ticket dates described above.
Pack within the included allowance. A small underseat bag can avoid add-on fees, but check its dimensions and whether it shares a weight limit with another cabin bag.

Most you will pay

Priciest for bags

Ultra low cost airlines charge for the carry-on, not just checked bags, including Frontier, and Allegiant in the US, and Ryanair and Wizz Air in Europe.
Budget bag prices swing widely with route, season, and when you pay, and buying at the airport can cost more; not every airline offers an advance-purchase discount.
US checked bags hit a record in 2026, with most major carriers near 45 to 50 dollars for a first bag and 55 or more for a second.
Basic and light fares on full service airlines can strip the free checked bag, so the cheap fare is not always the cheap trip once a bag is added.

The Three Bags

How airlines count your bags

Almost every fee comes down to three categories. Knowing which bag is which, and where the free line sits, is how you avoid a surprise at the gate.

Personal item

A small bag that fits under the seat, such as a backpack, purse or laptop bag. Many fares include one, but a separate extra personal bag is not universal. Check dimensions, item counts and combined-weight limits.

A carry-on roller bag sized for the overhead bin

Carry-on bag

The larger cabin bag for the overhead bin. A common U.S. limit is 22 by 14 by 9 inches (about 56 by 36 by 23 cm), but airline limits differ. Some Basic fares on full-service airlines exclude it; budget bundles may include it.

A checked suitcase being weighed at the airport

Checked bag

The bag that goes in the hold, usually up to 23 kg, or 50 lb, and 158 linear cm, or 62 inches. This is where most fees live on US and budget airlines, while long haul international economy often includes one or two.

Weight versus piece

Some tickets use a piece allowance: a fixed number of bags, each with a weight limit. Others use a combined weight allowance. Emirates uses weight on most routes, with multiple bags allowed within the total and a 32kg maximum per bag; Americas and Africa routes generally use piece rules. Fare, stopover and operating-carrier exceptions apply. Check the system printed on your ticket.

Pay Less

How to avoid baggage fees

Many bag fees apply per traveler and direction, while some charges depend on excess weight. Compare these ways to reduce fees and check each benefit’s conditions.

Cards

Carry the airline card

Eligible airline credit cards can waive checked-bag fees for the primary cardmember and qualifying companions. Requirements vary by card, operating airline, reservation and payment method. Compare the fees you would actually avoid with the card’s annual fee; one trip does not always cover it.

Eligible bag waiversCompanion limits vary

Pack

Travel with a personal item

Packing inside your fare’s included cabin allowance can avoid extra bag fees. Check both dimensions and weight, and do not assume that a full-service airline includes a separate overhead bag with its cheapest fare.

Check included allowancePack light

Status

Status, premium, and prepay

Eligible status and premium fares can include checked bags, but premium Base/Basic products may include fewer bags than standard premium fares. If none of those apply, buy your bag online before the airport, after checking whether your airline offers a discount; Delta and Alaska charge the same standard fee online and at the airport.

Fare and status rules applyPrepay online

Special Baggage

Sports gear, instruments, and strollers

Bulky and fragile items follow their own rules, and the details differ by airline. These are common cases; confirm the exact handling, acceptance and price with your airline.

A golf travel bag checked as sporting equipment

Sports equipment

Sports-equipment policies are item-specific. Some carriers waive oversize fees for qualifying skis, golf clubs or bicycles but still charge normal bag or overweight fees. Others use special charges or require advance arrangements; check packing, size and route restrictions before travel.

A hard case guitar instrument case ready to fly

Musical instruments

Small instruments can often travel as your carry-on if they fit the overhead bin, while larger instruments go in the hold or need a purchased seat. Use a protective case that meets the airline’s packing requirements.

A folding stroller checked at the gate for a family

Strollers and car seats

Many carriers check a child’s stroller and car seat without an extra bag charge, but item counts, dimensions and gate-check eligibility vary. For example, Delta permits free stroller/car-seat checking, while American requires large, non-collapsible or over-20lb strollers to be checked at the ticket counter.

Every Guide

All airline baggage fee guides

Every airline we cover, grouped by region. Spirit ceased operations on May 2, 2026; its guide covers historical fees and shutdown information. Other guides cover the carry-on and checked allowance, sizes in centimeters and inches, fees in the local currency, special baggage, and the rules that catch travelers out.

United States

Southwest Airlines American Airlines Delta Air Lines United Airlines Alaska Airlines JetBlue Hawaiian Airlines Spirit Airlines Frontier Airlines Allegiant Air Sun Country Airlines Avelo Airlines Breeze Airways

Canada and Mexico

Air Canada WestJet Aeromexico Volaris Viva Aerobus

Latin America

Avianca Copa Airlines LATAM

Europe

Lufthansa Air France KLM British Airways SWISS ITA Airways TAP Air Portugal Aer Lingus Iberia SAS Icelandair Virgin Atlantic Condor Ryanair Wizz Air easyJet Aeroflot

Asia and Middle East

Emirates Qatar Airways Turkish Airlines Singapore Airlines Cathay Pacific Japan Airlines ANA Air India Malaysia Airlines IndiGo

Oceania

Qantas Jetstar

FAQ

Airline baggage fees questions

Do any airlines still offer free checked bags?

Yes. Many international fares and some domestic premium fares include checked baggage. Eligible status, cards or military benefits can also waive fees. Southwest ended its universal two-free-bag policy in 2025, but certain fares and benefits still include bags. Check your exact route, fare and ticket date.

What is the cheapest way to fly with a bag?

Compare the ticket price plus the bags you need. Packing within an included personal-item allowance can avoid extra charges, but overhead-bag inclusion varies even on full-service airlines. A card benefit may help if you meet its conditions; compare savings with the annual fee. Prepay only saves money when the carrier offers a discount.

Which airlines have the worst baggage fees?

There is no universal most-expensive airline: route, fare, timing and included bundles matter. Low-cost base fares such as Frontier, Allegiant, Avelo, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Volaris and Viva can charge for overhead baggage as well as checked bags. Compare the full trip price and confirm airport versus advance-purchase fees.

How much is a checked bag on US airlines in 2026?

Selected standard domestic first-bag fees at several major U.S. carriers are around $45–$50. American Main Cabin is $45 online/$50 at the airport for tickets issued from April 9, 2026; Basic Economy adds $5 from May 18. Alaska’s standard North American first bag is $45 from April 10, with no prepay discount. Other routes, fares, ticket dates and eligible benefits differ.

Do international flights include checked bags?

Many do, but not all. Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Japan Airlines publish included ordinary economy allowances. Other carriers have Basic or Light fares with no checked bag. Some tickets use a total-weight allowance rather than one or two pieces, so check your ticket and operating airline.

Is a carry-on free?

It depends on the fare and route. Delta, American and JetBlue include an overhead cabin bag with current ordinary fares, but United Basic Economy, Air Canada Basic, WestJet UltraBasic and some European entry fares have exclusions. A separate personal item or its combined weight can also be restricted.

Are baggage fees charged each way?

Many checked-bag charges apply per traveler and direction, while weight-system charges can depend on excess weight. If all four travelers owe one bag fee in each direction, a round trip produces eight fees. Included allowances and eligible card/status benefits can change that total; companion limits vary.

How do I find the exact baggage fee for my airline?

Find the airline in the table, review its detailed guide, then confirm the allowance and fee with the operating carrier for your route, fare and ticket date. Treat the comparison as planning guidance rather than a guaranteed quote.

Plan the rest of your trip

Baggage is one piece of the puzzle. Once you know what your bags will cost, the airline guides cover boarding, seats, and change fees, and the best US airlines guide helps you pick a carrier in the first place. Start with your airline above, then build out the trip.

Browse all airline guides