Airline Carry-On & Checked Bag Fees: 8 Major Airlines Compared (2026)

Why This Keeps Changing

Airline baggage fees have moved fast over the last two years — several carriers, Southwest included, have raised or introduced fees that didn't exist before. The figures below are accurate as of mid-2026, but airlines update pricing often enough that it's worth a quick check on the airline's own site before you fly. Think of this as a starting point, not gospel.

US Carriers

American Airlines — around $40 for a first checked bag on domestic routes. A carry-on and personal item are included on most fares, though Basic Economy tickets lose overhead bin access entirely — you're limited to a personal item under the seat.

Delta Air Lines — around $35 for a first checked bag. Same Basic Economy catch as American: no overhead bin access, personal item only.

United Airlines — around $40 for a first checked bag, with the same Basic Economy restriction on carry-ons.

Southwest Airlines — the big 2026 change: Southwest ended its long-running free-checked-bags policy. First bag is now around $45, second bag around $55, third around $150. The one thing that hasn't changed: a carry-on and personal item are still free on every fare, with no Basic-style bin restriction.

UK & European Carriers

Ryanair — one small personal bag (40 x 30 x 20 cm) is free with no weight limit. Anything bigger — a second cabin bag or priority boarding — is a paid add-on, typically £6–£30+ depending on route and how early you book. Checked bags come in 10kg, 20kg, and 23kg tiers, and buying them at booking is consistently cheaper than adding them at the airport.

easyJet — similar structure to Ryanair: a small free personal bag, with larger cabin bags and checked bags as paid extras that get more expensive the closer to departure you book them.

British Airways — more generous by default: carry-on is included on essentially all fares, and a first checked bag typically runs $65–$80 equivalent on international routes, though it's often bundled free into mid-tier and premium fares.

How to Avoid Getting Surprised

Two habits save more money than any packing trick: buy checked bags during booking rather than at the airport (airport add-on prices are consistently the worst rate an airline offers), and double-check whether your fare class includes overhead bin access — on several US carriers now, "carry-on included" quietly stops being true the moment you book Basic Economy.