Airlines That Offer Free Checked Bags: Pack Smarter with Laters.com
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Edited by Adiatma Sukwirahmanta
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TL;DR: Most US airlines now charge for a first checked bag (~$45–55), while international carriers like Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Ethiopian typically include one. Explains how to get a free bag via status, cards or fare class.
Which airlines have free checked bags?
Want to avoid surprise baggage fees at the gate? Most US airlines now charge for a first checked bag on basic and standard economy fares. The airlines that include a checked bag in economy as standard are mostly international carriers, such as Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Ethiopian Airlines, listed below with their allowances.
On a US airline, a free bag comes from a higher fare, elite status or the airline’s credit card. The fees and allowances on this page were checked as of October 14, 2026. Fees change, so confirm yours in the fare conditions before you pay.
What free baggage means
Free baggage is luggage included in your ticket price, not an add-on you pay for separately. There are two kinds:
- Carry-on (cabin) bag: the bag you take onto the plane. Most airlines allow a carry-on plus a small personal item, and size and weight limits vary. Our guide to cabin bag and personal item rules has the details.
- Checked bag: the luggage you hand over at check-in, carried in the hold. Some airlines include one or more checked bags, depending on the route and fare.
The fare decides. On the same airline, a Basic fare and a Standard or Flex fare can come with different baggage allowances.
US airlines: first-bag fees and how to get one free
Southwest, Delta and American all charge for a first checked bag on their main economy fares. These are the domestic fees as of October 14, 2026, from each airline’s own fee page:
| Airline and fare | First checked bag | Second checked bag | Applies to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest: Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred (US mainland) | $45 | $55 | Tickets booked or changed on or after April 9, 2026 ($35 and $45 if booked before that date) |
| Delta: Comfort and Main, domestic | $45 | $55 | Customers without Medallion status or an eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express card |
| American: Main Cabin, domestic (US and Canada) | $45 online, $50 at the airport | $55 online, $60 at the airport | Tickets from April 9, 2026 |
| American: Basic Economy, domestic (US and Canada) | $50 online, $55 at the airport | $60 online, $65 at the airport | Tickets from May 18, 2026 |
How to get a free checked bag on a US airline
- Southwest Airlines: Choice Extra fares and A-List Preferred members get two free checked bags. Rapid Rewards credit cardmembers get the first bag free for themselves and up to eight passengers on the same reservation. The second bag is still charged.
- Delta Air Lines: Medallion members have the first bag fee waived, and eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express cardholders get the first bag free.
- American Airlines: Basic Economy has no free checked bag on domestic routes. On Main Cabin, paying for the bag online costs $5 less than paying at the airport.
Each airline’s Laters page has its full baggage fee table. Fee tables for United Airlines, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines and Frontier are on their Laters pages too. Official fee pages: Southwest, Delta, American.
International airlines with a checked bag in economy
These airlines include a checked bag in many economy fares, especially on international and long-haul routes. Allowances are for economy:
- Singapore Airlines baggage allowance: 30 kg checked, included in the fare with no separate fee. Carry-on 7 kg.
- Emirates baggage allowance: a checked bag is included on many routes, and the weight depends on your fare, so check the allowance for your fare when you book. Carry-on is one 7 kg piece.
- Qatar Airways: typically includes at least one checked bag in economy. The allowance depends on the fare and route, so check Qatar’s baggage table for your ticket. Carry-on is one piece up to 7 kg.
- Turkish Airlines baggage allowance: checked bags up to 23 kg each, but whether a bag is included depends on the fare package and route. On some routes, EcoFly fares include no checked bag. Carry-on is one cabin bag up to 8 kg plus a 4 kg personal item.
- Ethiopian Airlines: two checked bags of 23 kg each on standard routes, two bags of 32 kg on some routes, and three bags of 23 kg on certain routes (the airline labels these C-9).
Important: even on these airlines, the baggage included depends on your route, fare class and ticket conditions. Always check it at checkout.
Which airlines allow two free checked bags?
For international travel in economy, Ethiopian Airlines gives two free checked bags of 23 kg each on standard routes, two of 32 kg on some routes, and three of 23 kg on certain routes.
In the US, Southwest Airlines gives two free checked bags on Choice Extra fares and to A-List Preferred members.
On other airlines, the number of bags can change with the route and the fare. Check the piece count in your fare’s baggage details before you pay.
Fare types that leave the bag out
On many airlines, Basic or Light fares leave out the checked bag. American Basic Economy has no free checked bag on domestic routes: the first bag costs $50 online or $55 at the airport. Southwest charges for bags on Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred fares and includes two on Choice Extra. Turkish Airlines EcoFly fares include no checked bag on some routes.
Read the fare rules for each airline before you book. The fare name and the fare basis code on your ticket tell you which fare you hold.
Other ways to get a bag included
- Join the airline’s loyalty program or use its credit card: Delta Medallion members, Southwest A-List Preferred members and Rapid Rewards credit cardmembers all get at least one free bag.
- Watch for sales and promotions, when airlines may include extra baggage for a limited time.
- On regional routes, some budget airlines bundle a bag, so compare the total price with the bag, not only the base fare.
Why choosing free baggage matters
A bag included in the fare makes the price predictable. On an American Main Cabin domestic ticket, two checked bags paid at the airport add $110 ($50 plus $60), so a cheaper fare without bags can cost more in the end than a fare that includes them.
It matters most on long-haul trips, where you are likely to bring more luggage, and when you compare several airlines or routes.
How to pick a flight with a bag included on Laters.com
- Search your route on Laters.com, which covers 650+ airlines.
- Compare airlines and fare types.
- Before you pay, read the fare conditions for the checked bag and carry-on allowance.
- If the allowance is unclear, check the airline’s baggage page or its Laters airline page.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do all airlines include free baggage?
No. Some low-cost or light-fare tickets exclude a checked bag or allow only a small personal item; American Airlines Basic Economy, for example, has no free checked bag on domestic routes. Always read the fare details.
How much baggage is free?
It depends on the airline, route and fare. Economy carry-on is often 7 to 8 kg plus a personal item (Emirates 7 kg, Qatar Airways 7 kg, Turkish Airlines 8 kg). Checked allowances are set by weight, such as 30 kg on Singapore Airlines, or by piece, such as two 23 kg bags on Ethiopian Airlines’ standard routes.
Can the baggage included differ by route?
Yes. A domestic leg might not include checked luggage while the international leg of the same ticket does, and some routes count bags by piece while others count total weight.
Can I add baggage later?
Often, yes. Most airlines let you pay for extra baggage in advance online at a lower cost than at the airport: on American Airlines Main Cabin domestic tickets, a first bag is $45 online and $50 at the airport.
Does free baggage cover oversized or special items?
Usually not. Sports gear, musical instruments and oversized bags often cost extra, even when regular baggage is included in the fare.
Which airlines have a free carry-on?
Most airlines include a carry-on plus a small personal item in the fare, with size and weight limits that vary: Emirates and Qatar Airways allow one 7 kg piece in economy, and Turkish Airlines allows 8 kg plus a 4 kg personal item. Some Basic or Light fares allow only the personal item. See our cabin bag and personal item rules.
Which airlines allow two free checked bags on international flights?
Ethiopian Airlines gives two 23 kg checked bags in economy on standard routes, and three on certain routes. In the US, Southwest Airlines gives two free checked bags on Choice Extra fares and to A-List Preferred members. For any other airline, check the piece count in your fare’s baggage details.
How can I get a free checked bag on a US airline?
Through a higher fare, elite status or the airline’s credit card. Delta waives the first bag for Medallion members and eligible SkyMiles American Express cardholders. Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cardmembers get the first bag free for themselves and up to eight passengers on the reservation, and Choice Extra fares include two bags.
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