Compare 12 US airlines
Airline baggage fees
This page covers checked bag fees and where a carry-on fee applies. Personal items are free on typical fares for all 12 airlines listed. Major airlines publish fees by ticket date, so the date you bought or changed your ticket can keep you on an older fee table. Budget airlines (Frontier, Allegiant, Sun Country, Avelo, Breeze) price bags by route and timing, so BagRule does not publish fixed first and second bag prices for them. Use each airline’s calculator; we list only the overweight and oversize add-ons they publish.
TL;DR
- Personal items are free on typical fares for all 12 airlines here when they meet size and under-seat rules.
- Major airlines publish fee tables by ticket date. Your purchase or change date can keep you on an older fee table (American from April 9, 2026, and Basic Economy from May 18, 2026; United from April 3, 2026; Alaska and Hawaiian from April 10, 2026; Southwest mainland from April 9, 2026; Frontier overweight from April 4, 2026).
- On major airlines, a first checked bag on a new domestic ticket is often about $45 online or prepaid. Still match your ticket date on your airline’s page. JetBlue prices depend on whether you prepay or pay within 24 hours of departure, and on peak or off-peak dates.
- Budget airlines (Frontier, Allegiant, Sun Country, Avelo, Breeze): no fixed nationwide table for first and second bags. Use each airline’s calculator; BagRule lists only published overweight and oversize add-ons.
- Southwest: checked fees apply on most fares since Bags Fly Free® ended on May 28, 2025; cabin carry-on stays free. United Basic Economy: forcing a full carry-on costs about $45 prepaid, $50 at the airport counter, or $75 at the gate for tickets bought on or after April 3, 2026. See when to pay and the Basic Economy guide.
When to pay (quick)
- Add bags at booking when the airline’s price is lower than at the airport counter or gate.
- Match ticket date and route on your airline’s fees page (North America or interisland, peak windows, and Basic Economy add-ons).
- Avoid gate surprises. United Basic Economy and unpaid overhead bags on budget airlines cost more at the airport (when to pay guide). Not sure about size? Measure first (bag sizer).
Each airline’s fees page in the table below has full fee tables, overweight and oversize fees, and its Last verified date.
Also: Carry-on size · Personal item size · Basic Economy carry-on
Figures come from each airline's official pages. Check them before you fly.
Each airline row links to our page for that airline, with official sources and a last-verified date. How we check: /about/.
Good to know
- The date you bought or changed your ticket decides which 2026 fees apply (American from April 9, 2026; United from April 3, 2026; Alaska and Hawaiian from April 10, 2026; Southwest from April 9, 2026; Frontier overweight from April 4, 2026).
- Southwest Bags Fly Free® ended for most fares May 28, 2025, so “2 free for everyone” no longer applies.
- United Basic Economy: a bag forced to check at the gate costs $75 for tickets bought on or after April 3, 2026; $65 was the earlier rate.
- Budget airlines: no fixed checked-bag prices.
| Airline | Personal | Carry-on | First and second checked bags (published) | Notes | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | Free 18×14×8 | Free all fares | Main, tickets bought on or after April 9, 2026: $45 online or $50 at the airport; 2nd bag $55 online or $60 at the airport; 3rd bag and later $200. Basic Economy (from May 18, 2026): often $5 more on the first or second bag | Up to 50 lb and 62 linear in | View American fees |
| Delta Air Lines | Free (under-seat size not published) | Free all fares | Domestic Main and Comfort: $45 first bag, $55 second; 3rd bag and later $200 (no separate prepaid price published) | Up to 50 lb and 62 linear in; overweight adds $100 or $200; oversize 63 to 80 in adds $200 | View Delta fees |
| United Airlines | Free 9×10×17 | Free on most fares; not on most Basic Economy | Domestic example: $45 prepaid or $50 standard; 2nd bag $55 or $60; 3rd bag and later $200. Basic Economy gate check $75 (tickets bought on or after April 3, 2026) | Higher Asia fees for tickets bought on or after July 21, 2026 | View United fees |
| Southwest Airlines | Free (under-seat size not published) | Free 24×16×10 all fares | Mainland, booked, ticketed, or changed on or after April 9, 2026: Basic, Choice, and Choice Preferred $45 first bag, $55 second; Choice Extra 2 free; 3rd bag and later $150. Before April 9, 2026, often $35 and $45 | Bags Fly Free ended most fares May 28, 2025 | View Southwest fees |
| Alaska Airlines | Free (under-seat size not published) | Free on all fares, including Saver. | North America, tickets bought on or after April 10, 2026: $45 first bag, $55 second, $200 third. Tickets bought on or before April 9, 2026: $40 ($35 prepaid), $45, $150. Interisland: $30 first, $40 second | No prepaid discount listed on the North America table for tickets bought on or after April 10, 2026 | View Alaska fees |
| JetBlue Airways | Free 17×13×8 | Free on all fares, including Main Base | Within the US, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada: prepaid more than 24 hours before departure, off-peak $45 first bag and $59 second, peak $49 and $69; within 24 hours, off-peak $49 and $69, peak $59 and $79; 3rd bag $200 | Peak dates on JetBlue’s legal fees page; overweight and oversize charges in $150 tiers | View JetBlue fees |
| Frontier Airlines | Free 18×14×8 | Paid on Basic and Standard; included in Economy and higher bundles | Price varies by flight; check the airline's site | Price varies by route and date: use the Bag Price Checker; no fixed 1st and 2nd $. Standard 62 linear in and 40 lb. Overweight 41 to 50 lb costs $75; 51 to 99.99 lb costs $100 (book before April 4, 2026) and $129 (on and after April 4, 2026); oversize 63 to 110 $75. Bundles: Economy and Premium and Business | View Frontier fees |
| Allegiant Air | Free 8×14×18 | Paid, $10 to $75 by route and timing | Price varies by flight; check the airline's site | Priced by route and by when you add bags, per segment: use the calculator; no fixed 1st and 2nd $. Personal item free; carry-on paid. Standard up to 50 lb and up to 80 linear in. Overweight 51 to 70 lb adds $50; 71 to 99 lb adds $75 (no bag over 99 lb accepted); oversize over 80 in adds $75. Up to 5 checked bags, up to 4 reserved online | View Allegiant fees |
| Hawaiian Airlines | Free (under-seat size not published) | Free on all fares, including Saver. | North America, tickets bought on or after April 10, 2026: $45 first bag, $55 second, $200 third; interisland $30 and $40. Within North America, overweight adds $100 or $200 and oversize adds $200 (both fees can apply to one bag) | Huakaʻi: first and second bags free up to 50 lb on flights wholly within Hawaii | View Hawaiian fees |
| Sun Country Airlines | Free 17×13×9 | Paid overhead (dynamic) | Price varies by flight; check the airline's site | Price varies by route and date; Explore Bag Prices shows yours. Standard up to 62 in and up to 50 lb. Overweight tiers cost $25 to $125; oversize from 63 in costs $100; bags over 80 in or over 100 lb are not accepted. Gate $10 handling on airport bag fees | View Sun Country fees |
| Avelo Airlines | Free 17×13×9 | Paid, $52 to $75 for new reservations | Checked fees $47 to $75 for new reservations, varying by route; no fixed city-pair table. Overweight over 50 to 70 lb adds $100; oversize over 62 to 80 in adds $100; both add $200 | Not accepted over 70 lb or 80 linear in | View Avelo fees |
| Breeze Airways | Free 17×13×8 | Paid unless you have Nice, Nicer or Nicest; $75 at the airport | Price varies by flight; check the airline's site | Price varies; the airline’s bag price tool shows yours. Standard up to 62 in and up to 50 lb. Overweight or oversize adds $75 each (per the notes on Breeze’s fee page); bags over 99 lb or 80 linear in are not accepted. No Flex and Flex include a personal item only; Nice, Nicer and Nicest include bags | View Breeze fees |
American Airlines
- Personal
- Free 18×14×8
- Carry-on
- Free all fares
- First and second checked bags (published)
- Main, tickets bought on or after April 9, 2026: $45 online or $50 at the airport; 2nd bag $55 online or $60 at the airport; 3rd bag and later $200. Basic Economy (from May 18, 2026): often $5 more on the first or second bag
- Notes
- Up to 50 lb and 62 linear in
Delta Air Lines
- Personal
- Free (under-seat size not published)
- Carry-on
- Free all fares
- First and second checked bags (published)
- Domestic Main and Comfort: $45 first bag, $55 second; 3rd bag and later $200 (no separate prepaid price published)
- Notes
- Up to 50 lb and 62 linear in; overweight adds $100 or $200; oversize 63 to 80 in adds $200
United Airlines
- Personal
- Free 9×10×17
- Carry-on
- Free on most fares; not on most Basic Economy
- First and second checked bags (published)
- Domestic example: $45 prepaid or $50 standard; 2nd bag $55 or $60; 3rd bag and later $200. Basic Economy gate check $75 (tickets bought on or after April 3, 2026)
- Notes
- Higher Asia fees for tickets bought on or after July 21, 2026
Southwest Airlines
- Personal
- Free (under-seat size not published)
- Carry-on
- Free 24×16×10 all fares
- First and second checked bags (published)
- Mainland, booked, ticketed, or changed on or after April 9, 2026: Basic, Choice, and Choice Preferred $45 first bag, $55 second; Choice Extra 2 free; 3rd bag and later $150. Before April 9, 2026, often $35 and $45
- Notes
- Bags Fly Free ended most fares May 28, 2025
Alaska Airlines
- Personal
- Free (under-seat size not published)
- Carry-on
- Free on all fares, including Saver.
- First and second checked bags (published)
- North America, tickets bought on or after April 10, 2026: $45 first bag, $55 second, $200 third. Tickets bought on or before April 9, 2026: $40 ($35 prepaid), $45, $150. Interisland: $30 first, $40 second
- Notes
- No prepaid discount listed on the North America table for tickets bought on or after April 10, 2026
JetBlue Airways
- Personal
- Free 17×13×8
- Carry-on
- Free on all fares, including Main Base
- First and second checked bags (published)
- Within the US, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada: prepaid more than 24 hours before departure, off-peak $45 first bag and $59 second, peak $49 and $69; within 24 hours, off-peak $49 and $69, peak $59 and $79; 3rd bag $200
- Notes
- Peak dates on JetBlue’s legal fees page; overweight and oversize charges in $150 tiers
Frontier Airlines
- Personal
- Free 18×14×8
- Carry-on
- Paid on Basic and Standard; included in Economy and higher bundles
- First and second checked bags (published)
- Price varies by flight; check the airline's site
- Notes
- Price varies by route and date: use the Bag Price Checker; no fixed 1st and 2nd $. Standard 62 linear in and 40 lb. Overweight 41 to 50 lb costs $75; 51 to 99.99 lb costs $100 (book before April 4, 2026) and $129 (on and after April 4, 2026); oversize 63 to 110 $75. Bundles: Economy and Premium and Business
Allegiant Air
- Personal
- Free 8×14×18
- Carry-on
- Paid, $10 to $75 by route and timing
- First and second checked bags (published)
- Price varies by flight; check the airline's site
- Notes
- Priced by route and by when you add bags, per segment: use the calculator; no fixed 1st and 2nd $. Personal item free; carry-on paid. Standard up to 50 lb and up to 80 linear in. Overweight 51 to 70 lb adds $50; 71 to 99 lb adds $75 (no bag over 99 lb accepted); oversize over 80 in adds $75. Up to 5 checked bags, up to 4 reserved online
Hawaiian Airlines
- Personal
- Free (under-seat size not published)
- Carry-on
- Free on all fares, including Saver.
- First and second checked bags (published)
- North America, tickets bought on or after April 10, 2026: $45 first bag, $55 second, $200 third; interisland $30 and $40. Within North America, overweight adds $100 or $200 and oversize adds $200 (both fees can apply to one bag)
- Notes
- Huakaʻi: first and second bags free up to 50 lb on flights wholly within Hawaii
Sun Country Airlines
- Personal
- Free 17×13×9
- Carry-on
- Paid overhead (dynamic)
- First and second checked bags (published)
- Price varies by flight; check the airline's site
- Notes
- Price varies by route and date; Explore Bag Prices shows yours. Standard up to 62 in and up to 50 lb. Overweight tiers cost $25 to $125; oversize from 63 in costs $100; bags over 80 in or over 100 lb are not accepted. Gate $10 handling on airport bag fees
Avelo Airlines
- Personal
- Free 17×13×9
- Carry-on
- Paid, $52 to $75 for new reservations
- First and second checked bags (published)
- Checked fees $47 to $75 for new reservations, varying by route; no fixed city-pair table. Overweight over 50 to 70 lb adds $100; oversize over 62 to 80 in adds $100; both add $200
- Notes
- Not accepted over 70 lb or 80 linear in
Breeze Airways
- Personal
- Free 17×13×8
- Carry-on
- Paid unless you have Nice, Nicer or Nicest; $75 at the airport
- First and second checked bags (published)
- Price varies by flight; check the airline's site
- Notes
- Price varies; the airline’s bag price tool shows yours. Standard up to 62 in and up to 50 lb. Overweight or oversize adds $75 each (per the notes on Breeze’s fee page); bags over 99 lb or 80 linear in are not accepted. No Flex and Flex include a personal item only; Nice, Nicer and Nicest include bags
Weigh before the counter
When an airline publishes a weight limit, weigh your bag before the counter. Checked-bag prices on budget airlines vary by flight, so check the airline’s page.
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Handheld digital luggage scale
A handheld luggage scale helps you stay under published checked-bag weight limits before the counter. Checked-bag prices on budget airlines vary by flight, so check the airline’s own page.
View on AmazonAirline pages
- American Airlines Baggage fees
- Delta Air Lines Baggage fees
- United Airlines Baggage fees
- Southwest Airlines Baggage fees
- Alaska Airlines Baggage fees
- JetBlue Airways Baggage fees
- Frontier Airlines Baggage fees
- Allegiant Air Baggage fees
- Hawaiian Airlines Baggage fees
- Sun Country Airlines Baggage fees
- Avelo Airlines Baggage fees
- Breeze Airways Baggage fees
Related
FAQ
- How much is a first checked bag on major US airlines in 2026?
- For new domestic tickets: American Main is $45 online or $50 at the airport (tickets bought on or after April 9, 2026); Delta $45; United $45 prepaid or $50 standard; Southwest Basic, Choice, and Choice Preferred $45 (tickets bought or changed on or after April 9, 2026); Alaska and Hawaiian within North America $45 (tickets bought on or after April 10, 2026). JetBlue prices depend on when you add the bag and on peak or off-peak dates: the first checked bag costs $45 to $59 within the US, Latin America, the Caribbean and Canada ($45 off-peak or $49 peak when added more than 24 hours before departure, and $49 off-peak or $59 peak within 24 hours). Always match your ticket date.
- Do Frontier and Allegiant have fixed checked-bag prices?
- No single nationwide price table for first and second bags. Prices change by route and when you add the bag. Use each airline’s official calculator. BagRule only publishes their overweight and oversize add-ons when the airline posts them.
- Does Southwest still have Bags Fly Free?
- Not for most fares. Checked fees started May 28, 2025. Carry-on remains free. Choice Extra, A-List Preferred, military, and Getaways travelers still get free checked bags per the fees page, and A-List members and Rapid Rewards® cardholders get their first bag free.
- Does United Basic Economy charge for carry-on?
- On most domestic routes, yes if you bring a full overhead bag; only the personal item is free. For tickets bought on or after April 3, 2026: about $45 prepaid, $50 at the airport counter, or $75 at the gate (United also describes the gate figure as a $25 handling charge plus the applicable checked-bag fee).
- Is a personal item free?
- Yes on typical fares for all 12 airlines on this page when it meets size and under-seat rules.
- Where do ticket dates matter most?
- American (tickets from April 9, 2026; Basic Economy from May 18, 2026), United (from April 3, 2026; Asia from July 21, 2026), Alaska and Hawaiian (from April 10, 2026), Southwest (mainland from April 9, 2026; current checked-bag fees), Frontier overweight (from April 4, 2026). Older tickets can stay on grandfathered tables until changed.
Disclaimer
Bag rules change. Confirm size, fee, and fare rules on the airline site before you travel. BagRule is a publisher site and does not sell tickets or bags.