Airline Baggage Fees 2026: Carry-On & Checked Bag Costs by Airline

You find a flight for $79 and think you’ve scored a deal. Then you get to the checkout page, add a carry-on and a checked bag, and suddenly that “cheap” ticket costs almost twice as much.

Sound familiar? In 2026, baggage fees can easily add $90 to $200 to a round trip. Almost every major US airline raised its checked bag prices in April, so the cheapest ticket isn’t always the cheapest trip anymore.

This guide breaks down airline baggage fees for 2026, airline by airline, so you can work out what your flight will really cost before you book.

Airline Baggage Fees 2026: Quick Comparison Chart

*American charges more for checked bags on Basic Economy tickets. **Hawaiian inter-island flights have different fees. Prices shown are standard domestic economy fees for new 2026 bookings, without elite status or credit card benefits. Fees vary by route, fare type and when you pay. Note: Spirit Airlines stopped flying on May 2, 2026, and is no longer selling tickets.

Carry-On Baggage Fees by Airline in 2026

Before comparing carry-on fees, it helps to know there are two kinds of cabin bags:

Airlines that include a free carry-on: American, Delta, Southwest, Alaska, Hawaiian and JetBlue on most fares, and United on standard economy.

Where you might pay:

• United Basic Economy: On most domestic routes, you only get a personal item. A full-size carry-on isn’t included, and bringing one to the gate can mean extra charges.
• Frontier, Allegiant and Sun Country: The overhead bin usually costs extra. Prices depend on your route and when you pay.
• Breeze: Whether a carry-on is included depends on the fare bundle you choose.

Not sure if your bag counts as a personal item? Our guide to carry-on vs personal item explains the size rules.

Checked Baggage Fees by Airline in 2026

American Airlines

On Main Cabin tickets, your first checked bag costs $45 if you pay online or $50 at the airport. A second bag is $55 online or $60 at the airport. Basic Economy travelers pay more to check a bag. See our full American Airlines baggage policy guide.

Delta Air Lines

Delta charges $45 for your first checked bag and $55 for the second on domestic flights. A third bag costs $200. SkyMiles Medallion members, eligible Delta Amex cardholders, active-duty military and First Class travelers still get free bags.

United Airlines

United rewards planning ahead. Pay at least 24 hours before departure and your first bag is $45, with the second at $55. Wait until later and it’s $50 and $60. Details are in our United Airlines baggage policy guide.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest now charges $45 for your first checked bag and $55 for the second on most fares booked from April 9, 2026. Your carry-on and personal item are still free. Some travelers, including certain elite members, cardholders and active-duty military, still get free checked bags.

JetBlue

JetBlue prices bags by date. Fees are lower on off-peak days and higher during busy times like holidays and summer. The first bag starts at about $39 and the second at about $59. Check JetBlue’s site for the exact price on your dates.

Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines

Alaska charges $45 for the first bag and $55 for the second on flights booked from April 10, 2026. Hawaiian matches these fees on most routes to and from the mainland, while flights between the Hawaiian islands have their own pricing. Alaska no longer gives a discount for paying online.

Frontier, Allegiant and Other Budget Airlines

Budget airlines don’t have one set bag price. Fees change based on your route, travel date and when you pay. In general, the earliest price, usually when you book, is the lowest. Waiting until the airport almost always costs more.

What Changed in Airline Baggage Fees in 2026?

In early April 2026, almost every major US airline raised checked bag fees within about a week, mostly by $10 per bag. The airlines pointed to rising fuel costs.

The biggest change is Southwest. For decades, Southwest was the airline where “bags fly free.” That ended for new bookings in May 2025, when it started charging $35 for a first bag. Then in April 2026, it raised fees again to $45 and $55. Read our Southwest Airlines baggage policy guide to see who still flies with free bags.

Booked before the increase? Your fees are usually based on when you bought your ticket, not when you fly. If you booked before the new prices started, you’ll generally pay the old rates. Changing your booking, though, may move you to the new fees.

Carry-On vs Checked Bag: Which Costs Less?

It depends on the airline. On major airlines, a carry-on is free, so packing light saves you the full checked-bag fee. On budget airlines, a carry-on and a checked bag can cost about the same, and sometimes the checked bag is cheaper.

Here’s how it adds up for two travelers on a round trip with a major airline charging $45 per checked bag:

On a budget airline, run the same math with the carry-on fee too. For example, if a carry-on costs more than a checked bag on your route, sharing one checked suitcase could be the cheaper choice for two people.

Overweight and Oversized Baggage Fees

These are three different charges, and they can stack on top of each other:

• Overweight: Your bag weighs more than the limit. Many major airlines allow up to 50 pounds for economy checked bags. Frontier’s standard limit is generally 40 pounds, so a bag that’s fine on Delta could be overweight on Frontier.
• Oversized: Your bag is bigger than allowed. Many airlines use 62 linear inches (length + width + height) as the standard maximum.
• Extra bags: A third bag usually costs much more. Delta, United, American and Alaska now charge $200.

Overweight and oversized fees are charged on top of your regular bag fee, and they’re often more than the bag fee itself. A cheap luggage scale at home can save you from a nasty surprise at the counter.

Which Airlines Offer Free Checked Bags?

No major US airline gives every economy passenger a free checked bag on domestic flights anymore. But you can still get free bags through:

• Airline credit cards: Many co-branded cards waive the first checked bag for you, and often for companions on the same booking.
• Elite status: Frequent flyer status usually comes with free checked bags.
• Premium tickets: First class, business class and some premium economy fares include one or more bags.
• Military benefits: Active-duty military members often get free checked bags. Rules vary by airline.
• Certain routes: Some international routes include a free bag, even when domestic flights don’t.

How to Avoid Paying Extra Airline Baggage Fees

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much does a checked bag cost in 2026?

On most major US airlines, a first checked bag costs about $45 and a second about $55, each way. Some airlines charge $5 to $10 more if you pay at the airport. Budget airlines set their own prices by route and date.

2. Which airlines charge for carry-on bags?

Frontier, Allegiant and Sun Country usually charge for an overhead carry-on, and Breeze depends on your fare bundle. United Basic Economy also doesn’t include a full-size carry-on on most domestic routes.

3. Does Southwest still offer free checked bags?

Not for most travelers. Southwest now charges $45 for a first checked bag and $55 for a second on most fares booked from April 9, 2026. Some elite members, eligible cardholders and active-duty military still get free bags.

4. Is baggage cheaper when paid online?

On many airlines, yes. American and United charge less when you pay ahead online, and budget airlines usually charge the most at the airport. Some airlines, like Alaska, charge the same either way.

5. Which airlines include a free checked bag?

No major US airline includes a free checked bag on every domestic economy fare. You can usually get one through an airline credit card, elite status, a premium cabin ticket or military benefits.

6. What happens if my checked bag is overweight?

You’ll pay an overweight fee on top of the regular bag fee. Many major airlines allow 50 pounds for economy bags, but Frontier’s standard limit is generally 40 pounds. Weigh your bag at home to avoid surprises.

The Bottom Line

In 2026, the price you see first is rarely the price you pay. With checked bags now around $45 to $55 each way on most major airlines, baggage fees can make a big difference to your total trip cost.

Before you book, add up your fare, carry-on, checked bags and any extras. That way, you’ll know which flight is really the best deal.