Airline baggage fee comparison — who charges what in 2026
Baggage fees are a core revenue line for U.S. airlines — $7 billion annually across the industry. The rules vary wildly between carriers, which is why a $99 Spirit flight becomes a $239 flight once you've paid $62 for a checked bag, $78 for a carry-on (yes, Spirit charges for carry-on), and $35 for seat selection. This comparison shows 18 airlines' baggage fees for 2026 with the fare class each fee applies to, so you can price the actual cost of flying each one.
The big 4 U.S. legacy carriers
American Airlines: 1st bag $40 domestic / $75 international main cabin. Free in business, first, and for AAdvantage Gold+ elites. Carry-on free in main cabin, not in basic economy (domestic/international). 2nd bag $45 domestic / $100 international. Weight limit 50 lb ($100 overweight fee 51–70 lb, $200 for 71–100 lb).
Delta Air Lines: 1st bag $35 domestic / $75 international main cabin. Free in Comfort+ and above on international, free for SkyMiles Silver+ domestic. Free carry-on on main cabin (not basic economy international). 2nd bag $45 / $100.
United Airlines: 1st bag $35–$45 depending on route domestic / $75 international economy. Free in business and for MileagePlus Silver+. Carry-on restricted in basic economy (personal item only). 2nd bag $45–$55 / $100.
Southwest Airlines: 2 free checked bags for everyone, always. Carry-on + personal item free. 50 lb limit, $75 overweight 51–100 lb. The only U.S. airline with generous baggage policy.
Low-cost U.S. carriers
Spirit Airlines: Personal item free (small, under-seat). Carry-on $49–$79 depending on when purchased (cheapest at booking, most expensive at gate). 1st checked $49–$75. 2nd checked $70–$100. "Big Front Seat" upgrade $15–$50. Full "Bare Fare + everything" often equals legacy main-cabin price.
Frontier Airlines: Personal item free. Carry-on $35–$89. 1st checked $45–$89. 2nd checked $65–$99. "WORKS" bundle $79 includes carry-on + checked + priority boarding + seat selection + changes — often best value if you need more than personal item.
Allegiant Air: Personal item free. Carry-on $10–$45 varies widely by route. 1st checked $18–$45 at booking, $45–$75 at airport. 2nd checked $20–$65. Priority bundle often $45–$75.
JetBlue Airways: Mint (business class) free. Core 1st bag $35 domestic / $45 international. Blue Basic: no free checked bag, no free carry-on. Carry-on always free in Core + Mint.
International legacy carriers
British Airways: Economy Basic: no checked bag, hand luggage + personal item. Economy Classic + up: 1 free checked 23kg. Business class: 2 bags 32kg each. Carry-on always free in all cabins (including Basic).
Lufthansa: Economy Light: no checked bag. Economy Classic: 1 free bag 23kg. Business: 2 free 32kg. Add bags $50–$100 depending on route.
Air France / KLM: Similar structure to Lufthansa. Light fares no checked bag. Standard + 1 free. Add bags $60–$120.
Emirates: Economy Saver: 25kg. Economy Flex: 30kg. Business: 40kg. Excess $10–$20/kg.
Turkish Airlines: Economy 23kg. Comfort 30kg. Business 40kg. Generous allowances for Istanbul long-haul connections.
Cathay Pacific: Economy 23kg. Premium Economy 30kg. Business 40kg. First 50kg.
Singapore Airlines: 30kg economy, 40kg premium economy, 40kg business. Generous for a premium carrier.
European low-cost carriers (the gotchas)
Ryanair: Personal item free (small, must fit 40×25×20cm). Carry-on €9–€45 (price varies by day). 1st checked bag €20–€55 depending on size (10/20kg options). Strict enforcement — €60 fee at gate for non-compliant bags.
easyJet: Personal item free (1 small under-seat bag). Carry-on £10–£30 depending on route + when booked. 1st checked £7–£40. Weight limit 23kg.
Wizz Air: Personal item free. Carry-on €8–€39. 1st checked €15–€50. Similar to Ryanair — strict enforcement.
How to game baggage fees
Credit card status: Chase Sapphire Reserve gives free checked bag on many airlines. American Airlines Platinum cards give first bag free on AA. Delta SkyMiles Gold gives first bag free on Delta. Amex Platinum covers first bag on Delta + partners. Elite status: Airline status earned via flying gets you free bags, priority boarding, better seats. Ship the bag: LuggageForward or ShipGo costs $80–$150 to ship a bag — sometimes cheaper than airline fees for overweight/oversized. Wear layers: put heavy jacket on for flight, heavy shoes, etc. Avoid domestic basic economy: the "save $50" fare often costs you $120 in baggage + seat fees. Book 2+ bags at booking, not at airport (cheaper). Southwest: just fly Southwest if you have bags.
Oversized/overweight fees
50 lb standard limit on most U.S. airlines. 51–70 lb overweight = $100–$150. 71–100 lb = $200–$400. Over 100 lb refused. International long-haul may have 23kg (50.7 lb) limit — verify. Oversized (linear dimensions over 62" = length + width + height): $200–$400 fee. Sporting equipment: skis, surfboards, golf clubs, bikes have separate fee schedules — often $200–$400 for bikes (heavily varies). AA waives golf fee if under 50lb.
FAQ on baggage fees
Is it cheaper to pay for bags online vs airport? Always cheaper online — save $10–$25/bag. Which airline is cheapest for bags? Southwest (2 free checked + carry-on + personal = $0 for reasonable traveler). JetBlue Core, Alaska with status are next. Basic economy with carry-on? Spirit, Frontier charge for carry-on in all fare classes. United, American, Delta basic economy allows personal item only. Southwest, JetBlue Core allow carry-on free in all fare classes. International carry-on rules? 7kg limit common on European + Asian airlines (vs U.S. 22 lb). Enforced strictly by Ryanair/Wizz, leniently by legacy. Excess baggage per kg? International varies wildly: $15–$100 per extra kg. Weigh bag before leaving home — $30 overweight scales at Amazon. Second carry-on? Most airlines allow personal item under seat + carry-on in bin. "Personal item" is purse/laptop bag/small backpack, usually 17×13×7" max. Is airline-branded credit card worth it for free bag? If you check 4+ bags/year, yes. Amex Platinum for Delta, CitiBusiness AAdvantage for American, Chase Sapphire Reserve (varies by airline). Status match for bag fees? Status match between airlines works if you have elite on one carrier — match saves $40–$60/trip in bag fees. Pre-paying vs pay-at-gate? Always prepay — gate fees are $25–$50 more. Buy bags at booking or 24h check-in.
Related tools
Compare with flight cost-per-mile calculator, pack within limits via packing weight calculator, compare cards with credit card miles comparison, and use the pre-departure checklist.