Airline Baggage Fee Comparison: Who Charges the Most? (2026)

Baggage fees are one of the most significant hidden costs of air travel. What looks like a cheap ticket can double in price once you add a bag. This guide breaks down which airlines charge for carry-on bags, what checked bag fees look like across carriers, and how to minimize what you spend.

Airlines That Charge for Carry-On Bags

Most people assume a carry-on bag is always free. For full-service airlines, that's true — but for a growing list of ultra-low-cost carriers (ULCCs), the overhead bin is a paid amenity.

Spirit Airlines (USA)

Spirit charges for any bag that goes in the overhead bin. The personal item (45×35×25 cm, fits under the seat) is free. A carry-on bag costs approximately:

• $45–$65 when added online before check-in
• $65–$85 at check-in or the airport counter
• $99+ at the gate

Spirit's fees vary by route and season, so prices can be higher on popular routes during peak periods.

Frontier Airlines (USA)

Frontier's model mirrors Spirit. The personal item (35×45×20 cm) is free with most fares; the overhead carry-on is charged:

• $39–$59 when added at booking
• $49–$79 at the airport
• $99 at the gate

Frontier's WORKS bundle includes a carry-on plus checked bag plus other perks and can be cost-effective on longer routes.

Ryanair (Europe)

Ryanair permits one small personal item (40×20×25 cm, under-seat only) for free. A standard cabin bag (55×40×20 cm, overhead) requires Priority Boarding:

• Priority Boarding (includes overhead bag): approximately €6–€30 depending on route and timing
• Cabin bag add-on without Priority: typically €8–€40

If you don't have priority and your bag won't fit under the seat, it will be checked at the gate for a fee of up to €60.

Wizz Air (Europe)

Wizz Air's base fare includes one personal item (40×30×20 cm). An overhead cabin bag (55×40×23 cm) costs extra:

• WIZZ Go/Plus bundles include the cabin bag
• Standalone cabin bag: approximately €15–€45 depending on route and booking timing

Allegiant Air (USA)

Allegiant charges for both carry-on bags and checked bags. Only a small personal item is free. Carry-on fees typically run $25–$75 depending on timing.

easyJet (Europe)

easyJet occupies a middle ground. One small bag (45×36×20 cm) that fits under the seat is always free. A larger cabin bag for the overhead bin costs:

• Approximately £7–£35 for the large cabin bag add-on
• Free with easyJet Plus membership (annual fee around £270)

Airlines That Include Carry-On Bags Free

These airlines include one carry-on bag and one personal item at no additional charge for standard economy fares:

Airline	Carry-On Size	Weight Limit
American Airlines	56×36×23 cm	None (domestic)
Delta Air Lines	56×35×23 cm	None (domestic)
United Airlines	56×35×22 cm	None (domestic)
British Airways	56×45×25 cm	23 kg combined
Lufthansa	55×40×23 cm	8 kg
Air France	55×35×25 cm	12 kg
KLM	55×35×25 cm	12 kg
Emirates	55×38×20 cm	7 kg
Singapore Airlines	55×40×20 cm	7 kg
Southwest (USA)	56×36×23 cm	None

Note that weight limits are stricter on European and Asian carriers. A bag that's fee-free on Delta may face a weight surcharge on Lufthansa.

First Checked Bag Fees

When carry-on space runs out or you need to check a bag, fees vary considerably.

US Domestic Carriers

• American, Delta, United: approximately $35–$40 for the first checked bag on domestic routes. Free for elite members and co-branded cardholders.
• Southwest Airlines: free — two checked bags are included on every ticket, which is genuinely unusual.
• Alaska Airlines: approximately $35 for the first bag, free for Mileage Plan members and cardholders.
• Spirit/Frontier/Allegiant: $35–$65 depending on timing and route.

European Carriers

• Ryanair: approximately €12–€40 for a checked bag (10 kg or 20 kg tiers)
• easyJet: approximately £13–£40 per bag depending on weight and route
• Wizz Air: approximately €10–€35 depending on weight and route
• Vueling: approximately €15–€55 for a checked bag
• Transavia: approximately €15–€40

Full-service European carriers (Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways) typically include one checked bag in standard economy.

What Checked Bags Actually Cost in Total

The real cost of a checked bag isn't just the outbound fee — it's round trip. A €25 fee each way is €50 per person. Multiply by two travelers and a family trip quickly racks up €100 in bag fees before a single item is packed.

This is the core reason carry-on-only travel has grown significantly: avoiding the round-trip bag fee often costs less than the bag add-on would.

How to Minimize Your Baggage Spend

1. Use the Free Personal Item Allowance

Every airline, including ULCCs, includes a personal item. Bags designed to maximize these dimensions — typically around 40×30×20 cm or 45×35×25 cm — can hold several days of clothing when packed with cubes.

2. Add Bags in Advance

Bag fees on budget carriers increase significantly as you get closer to departure. Adding a carry-on at booking typically costs 30–50% less than adding it at the gate. Set a reminder to add the bag within 24 hours of booking when prices are still at the lowest tier.

3. Use Co-Branded Credit Cards

Most US airline co-branded cards (Chase United, Citi AAdvantage, Delta SkyMiles Amex) include a free first checked bag on that airline as a cardholder benefit. On a round trip for two passengers, a $95 annual fee card can save $160+ in bag fees, making it net-positive from the first flight.

4. Choose Airlines Strategically

When comparing routes where multiple airlines compete, factor the bag fee into the total cost. A $30 cheaper ticket that adds a $55 bag fee is actually $25 more expensive. Tools that display total price including bags make this comparison straightforward.

5. Pack for One Bag Only

The most reliable way to eliminate baggage fees is to pack into the free allowance. One carry-on-sized bag plus a personal item (on full-service airlines) or a single personal item (on ULCCs) covers most trips of up to a week when packed with intention.

The Bottom Line

Budget airlines have fundamentally changed what "free" means in air travel. Spirit, Frontier, Ryanair, and Wizz Air all charge for overhead bin carry-on bags — only a personal item under the seat is genuinely included. Full-service airlines like Delta, United, and British Airways still include a standard carry-on at no extra charge. When comparing fares, always calculate the total cost including the bags you'll actually need — the cheapest headline fare often isn't cheapest once bags are added.