If you’re planning to check a bag on your next flight, I recommend shopping around for airlines that won’t overcharge you or skimp on checked luggage size.
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If you don’t want to check a bag, you might still want to consider airlines that charge for carry-ons. (Like seat sizes, they’re getting smaller!)
Now that economy ticket tiers are evolving, and carry-on size requirements are shrinking, many airline baggage fees are changing. Here’s what you need to know about airline baggage fees for domestic and international flights from major US airlines, along with carry-on fees. I’m including baggage fees for economy-class tickets.
Airline baggage fees by airline
Delta Air Lines
If you want to learn about specific baggage fees for a Delta flight that you’ve already booked, use their My Trips calculator. It will give you specifics for your flight route.
- Checked bag fee (domestic & international): $35 for first, $45 for second
- Carry-on fee: Free
United Airlines
If you’ve already booked a flight with United Airlines, use the Checked Bag Fee Calculator to figure out what you’ll pay for each bag. Additionally, you can save $5 per bag by prepaying for checked luggage on the website.
- Checked bag fee (domestic & international): $40 for first (or $35 when you prepay), $50 for second (or $45 when you prepay)
- Carry-on fee: Free, aside from Basic Economy tickets. Basic Economy tickets only come with a personal item. A carry-on costs $35 for Basic Economy passengers.
JetBlue Airways
JetBlue divides its baggage fees based on three factors. First is the season; JetBlue has off-peak and peak dates, which are pretty complex. Second is whether or not you check bags within 24 hours of your flight; you’ll save more by checking them in earlier. Third is whether you’re flying transatlantic or not.
- Checked bag fee during off-peak (non-transatlantic): $35 for first, $50 for second (or $45-$60 if you wait to check in within 24 hours of your flight)
- Checked bag fee during peak season (non-transatlantic): $40 for first, $60 for second (or $50-$70 if you wait to check in within 24 hours of your flight)
- Checked bag fee during off-peak (transatlantic): $60 for first, $100 for second (or $65-$105 if you wait to check in within 24 hours of your flight)
- Checked bag fee during peak season (transatlantic): $65 for first, $110 for second (or $70-$115 if you wait to check in within 24 hours of your flight)
- Carry-on fee: Free
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines has a straightforward baggage fee setup, though some upcharges might apply during peak season.
- Checked bag fee (domestic & international): $35 for first, $45 for second
- Carry-on fee: Free
Southwest Airlines
Southwest has a simple baggage fee policy. The only exception is for inter-island travel around Hawaii. Baggage fees are slashed down to $15 for the first checked bag and $20 for the second.
- Checked bag fee (domestic & international): $35 for first, $45 for second
- Carry-on fee: Free
American Airlines
You can save on checked luggage fees with American Airlines by checking in online and paying for checked bags there.
- Checked bag fee (domestic & international): $40 for first (or $35 if you pay online beforehand), $45 for second
- Carry-on fee: Free
Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines recently updated its baggage fee policy. The rates listed below apply to flights purchased on or after 10/14/2025 for departure on or after 1/2/2026. You can also save $5 when you prepay for checked bags for flights to/from North America.
- Checked bag fee for inter-island travel: $30 for first, $40 for second
- Checked bag fee for travel to North America: $35 if you prepay online or $40 for first, $45 for second
- Carry-on fee: Free
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines has a pretty complex baggage fee setup that doesn’t include standardized prices. You can use their Bag Price Checker tool to finalize fees for your upcoming trip. I used the tool to estimate baggage fees for a trip between NYC and Miami. Fares for carry-ons ranged between $59-99. Rates for checked bags were $55-99.
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines uses a bag price finder to help you finalize baggage fees. The most basic economy rate (Value tier) doesn’t include a free carry-on. Carry-on rates range from $54-99. Checked bags range from $54-99, as well.
