Complete checked bag fee comparison for 30+ airlines in 2026. First bag, second bag, overweight fees, and how to avoid paying for luggage.
Checked bag fees have become a significant hidden cost of flying — especially on US carriers where they can add $70-140 per round trip. But policies vary wildly between airlines. Here's a comprehensive breakdown of what every major airline charges, plus strategies to avoid paying.
Delta, United, American: 1st bag $35, 2nd bag $45 (each way). Basic Economy on Delta/United: often no carry-on either (personal item only). JetBlue: 1st bag $35 (Blue Basic fare), free carry-on on all fares. Spirit/Frontier: 1st bag $35-65 (varies by when you add it — cheapest at booking, most expensive at gate). Alaska Airlines: 1st bag $35. Exception: Southwest — 2 free checked bags on all fares. Round-trip baggage costs: $70-130 per person on most US carriers, $0 on Southwest.
Budget carriers: Ryanair — 10 kg checked bag from €/£20-30. easyJet — 15 kg or 23 kg from €/£23-32. Wizz Air — 10 kg from €14-30. Full-service: British Airways — 1st bag free on long-haul; short-haul hand baggage only (checked from £30). Lufthansa — 23 kg included on long-haul; short-haul economy is hand baggage only (checked from €15). Air France/KLM — 23 kg included on long-haul; short-haul hand baggage only (checked from €15-30).
Emirates: 30 kg free in economy. Qatar Airways: 30 kg free. Turkish Airlines: 30 kg free. Singapore Airlines: 30 kg free. ANA: 2 × 23 kg free on international. Korean Air: 1 × 23 kg free. Thai Airways: 30 kg free. These carriers view baggage as included in the ticket price — a fundamentally different philosophy from US carriers.
Get an airline co-branded credit card (first bag fee waived on Delta, United, American — saves $140/year in just 2 round trips). Earn airline elite status (free bags at mid-tier and above). Pack carry-on only (the ultimate savings — invest in a good carry-on suitcase and packing cubes). Ship luggage separately via postal service for extended trips (can be cheaper than bag fees). Book airlines with free checked bags (Southwest, Emirates, Turkish, etc.). Wear your heaviest items to reduce bag weight.
Put these insights into action — compare prices from 100+ airlines:
Checked bag fees vary from free (on some full-service carriers) to $60+ each way on budget airlines. The true cost of a bag — factoring in time at check-in and baggage claim — often exceeds the fee itself. Packing light is the single best way to reduce both cost and travel friction.
If you must check a bag, prepaying online is almost always cheaper than paying at the airport. Some credit cards and elite status tiers waive bag fees entirely — worth factoring into your booking platform choice.
Start with one strategy from this guide and apply it to your next booking using the search widget above. Once you see the results, layer in additional techniques over time — building better booking habits is a process, not a one-time event.
These rankings highlight the strongest overall performers, but the best choice for your trip depends on your route, budget, and priorities. A top-ranked service on one corridor might not even operate on another — always check availability for your specific dates before narrowing your list.
Read the fine print on what is included. Headline prices can be misleading when one option bundles baggage and flexibility while another charges extra for both. The total cost at checkout — not the advertised price — is the number that matters.
The travel industry evolves constantly — new routes launch, policies change, and carriers rise or fall in quality. We update these rankings regularly to reflect current reality rather than historical reputation. Check back before any major booking to make sure you are working with the latest information.
Want a deeper look at two specific options? Our head-to-head comparisons go into more detail on individual matchups.
Southwest (2 free), Emirates (30 kg), Qatar Airways (30 kg), Turkish Airlines (30 kg), Singapore Airlines (30 kg), ANA (2 × 23 kg), Thai Airways (30 kg). Most Gulf and Asian full-service carriers include generous checked baggage in all economy fares.
Pay at booking (cheapest), not at the airport (most expensive). Get the airline's credit card for free first bag. Consider carry-on only with a compression packing strategy. For families, Southwest's 2 free bags per person saves hundreds per trip.
Knowledge saves money only when applied. Try the search widget above on a route you are considering, and see how the approaches discussed here translate to real savings on your dates.