Here’s a carrier-by-carrier breakdown of carry-on and checked baggage fees, who still flies free, and how to outsmart the system before your next trip.
If you’ve priced airfare recently, you’ve probably noticed your “cheap” ticket isn’t quite so cheap by the time you add a bag or two. Below is a list of what you’ll pay on each airline, along with tips on how to keep more dollars in your pocket.
United Airlines
United’s carry-on (22 x 14 x 9 inches with no weight limit) is still free, except for Basic Economy passengers, who only get a personal item (17 x 10 x 9 inches; must fit under the seat).
Checked bag fees are $45 for both the first and second bag. Paying within 24 hours of your flight tacks on an extra $5 per bag. Bags must weigh less than 50 lbs. and 62 linear inches.
Traveling with a baby? Diaper bags fly free (one per infant) and don’t count against your carry-on allowance. Strollers, car seats, breast pumps, and milk all skip fees entirely.
Who dodges the fees: MileagePlus Premier members, United-branded Chase credit card holders, active military, and premium cabin passengers.
Delta Air Lines
Delta’s carry-on policy is one of the friendlier ones: free across all fare classes, including Basic Economy, at the standard 22 x 14 x 9 inches with no weight limit. Your personal item is also free. Delta doesn’t publish a strict size limit; if it fits under the seat, you’re good.
As for checked bag fees: the first bag is $45, the second is $55, and the third is $200. Standard 62 linear inches and 50 lbs. limits apply.
Flying with little ones? Diaper bags are free and don’t count toward your carry-on (one per lap infant). Strollers, car seats, booster seats, and infant bassinets all check for free. Breast pumps and cooler bags are exempt, too.
Who dodges the fees: SkyMiles Medallion members, Delta AmEx cardholders (benefits vary by card), premium cabin travelers (First Class, Delta One, Premium Select), and active military.
American Airlines
Carry-on is still free (22 x 14 x 9 inches) for all fare classes, including Basic Economy, and personal items are free with standard under-seat sizing.
Checked bag fees are $40 for the first bag and $50 for the second. Standard limits: 62 linear inches, 50 lbs. Oversized bags up to 115 linear inches will cost you extra.
For families: diaper bags are free (one per child), strollers and car seats check free, and breast pumps plus soft-sided milk coolers are exempt.
Who dodges the fees: AAdvantage elite members (up to 3 free bags depending on tier), Oneworld elite status holders, and co-branded American Airlines credit card holders.
JetBlue
JetBlue keeps carry-ons free across all fare classes (22 x 14 x 9 inches) with no weight limit. Personal items are also free with standard under-seat fit.
Checked bags are where it gets complicated: JetBlue uses peak and off-peak pricing. Off-peak first bag is $39; peak, it’s $49. Second bag off-peak is $59, with peak, $69. Prepaying online saves you roughly $10 per bag versus paying at the gate.
Lap infants? Diaper bags are free, strollers and car seats check free, and breast pumps count as medical devices (exempt).
Who dodges the fees: Mint fare and Mosaic status passengers get complimentary checked bags. Select JetBlue credit card holders may qualify, too.
Southwest Airlines
Carry-ons are still free and slightly larger than competitors’ at 24 x 16 x 10 inches.
Checked bag fees are $45 (first bag) and $55 (second bag). Choice Extra and Business Select fares still include two free checked bags. Standard 50 lbs. and 62 linear inches apply.
Diaper bags are free, strollers and car seats check free, breast pumps and milk are exempt.
Who dodges the fees: Rapid Rewards A-List members (one free bag), A-List Preferred (two free bags), Rapid Rewards credit card holders (one free bag), Business Select fare passengers (two free bags), and active-duty military (unlimited free bags).
Frontier Airlines
Frontier’s pricing is dynamic (and brutal if you wait). Your carry-on is NOT free—it’ll run you $29–$69 at booking and up to $99–$115 at the gate (24 x 16 x 10 inches, 35 lb. max). The personal item is free at 14 x 18 x 8 inches.
Checked bags range from $53–$63 at booking to $99–$117 at the gate for the first bag; second bags start at $75–$95 and climb from there. The weight limit is a stricter 40 lbs. (not 50), and overweight fees pile up fast—$75 for 41–50 lbs., up to $129 for heavier.
Diaper bags are free for lap infants, strollers and car seats check free, and formula/milk/baby food are permitted in carry-ons.
Who dodges the fees: Active-duty military and their families get a free carry-on and two free checked bags. No standard loyalty program offers baggage benefits.
Spirit Airlines
Carry-on is NOT free: $35–$65 depending on when you pay (22 x 18 x 10 inches). Premium Economy and Spirit First fares include a carry-on. The personal item (18 x 14 x 8 inches) is free.
Checked bag fees are dynamic by route and timing—cheapest at booking, up to $65+ at the gate for the first bag. Second bags cost more. Overweight (51–99.99 lbs.) adds $125; oversized adds $150.
Diaper bags are free (one per child under two), strollers and car seats check free.
Who dodges the fees: Gold loyalty members get one free carry-on and one free checked bag. Active-duty military and families get two free checked bags plus a carry-on.
Allegiant
Fees are charged per flight leg; a round trip means you’re paying bag fees twice. Carry-ons run $10–$75 at booking and $75 at the airport (22 x 16 x 10 inches). Your personal item is free (18 x 14 x 8 inches).
Checked bags are $18–$50 at booking and up to $75 at the airport—per segment. The bright spot: a generous 80 linear inches size limit. The weight limit is 50 lbs., with overweight fees starting at $50.
Diaper bags are free (max 7 x 15 x 16 inches, one per lap child). Strollers and car seats check or gate-check free.
Who dodges the fees: No one. Allegiant has no loyalty program or co-branded credit card with baggage benefits.
What’s a traveler to do? The math!
The era of “included” is over; what used to be a final ticket price is now a starting bid. The airlines are banking on you not doing the math—so do the math. Before you book, add the bag fees to the fare and compare. A $59 Frontier flight isn’t a deal when your carry-on costs more than your ticket. Meanwhile, a slightly pricier Southwest fare with two free bags (if you fly Choice Extra) may beat the “cheap” option.
If you fly more than twice a year on the same carrier, a co-branded airline credit card usually pays for itself in one checked bag per trip. If you’re a family, lean into the baby gear freebies—they’re genuinely generous. And always prepay online: gate fees are where airlines make their real money, and where yours disappears.
Twist’s Take: Pack light, pay ahead, use a co-branded airline card if you fly regularly, and always compare the true all-in fare before booking.