Checked Bag and Carry-On Rules Compared Across Airlines
How the major US and international carriers differ on carry-ons, first-bag fees, and who gets bags free.
By WarBird Flight editors · Updated September 18, 2026 · 2 min read
Carry-on
Delta, American, Alaska, JetBlue, and Southwest include a full-size carry-on on every fare. United excludes it on basic economy for most domestic routes. Gulf and European carriers include a carry-on with a weight limit, usually 7 to 8 kg in economy.
Checked bags
Domestic economy on the big three charges for the first and second bag; fees are lower online than at the airport. Southwest began charging on most fares in 2025. International long-haul economy on legacy carriers usually includes one bag, but European carriers' Light fares include none, and Gulf carriers often include two from the US.
Who gets bags free
Elite members, holders of airline credit cards, active-duty military, and premium cabin passengers. Confirming at booking is cheaper than discovering at the counter.
The bag fee is part of the fare — compare the total
A fare that looks cheapest on the search screen often is not once you add the bags you will actually carry, and the ranking can flip. A carrier that includes a carry-on and a checked bag at a slightly higher base fare can beat a bare fare that charges for both. This is exactly how basic economy is priced to look attractive: the headline is low because it has been stripped of the carry-on or the bag. Always compare the all-in total for your real luggage, both directions, rather than the base fare — and remember that a carrier's own credit card or elite status can waive the first checked bag, which changes the math for frequent flyers.
Prepay online and weigh the bag at home
Checked-bag fees are consistently lower when you add them to the booking or during online check-in than when you pay at the airport counter, so prepay once you know you are checking a bag. The other avoidable cost is the overweight charge, which can exceed a second bag's fee: most economy checked bags are capped around 50 pounds (23 kg), and international economy carry-ons often have a 7-to-8 kg limit that is weighed at the gate on some carriers. Weigh bags at home. When a fare's rules are unclear, an agent can confirm the exact allowance and fee for your specific ticket before you commit.
Ask the agent
Bag rules change the real price of a ticket. Call (708) 866-8751 and the agent will quote each fare with the bags you need included. Policies reviewed September 2026.
Checked bag rules by airline
Carry-on and first checked bag on domestic economy; fees and allowances change, so the agent confirms the current figure when booking. Policy copy last checked September 2026.
| Airline | Carry-on · first checked bag | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Lines | One carry-on bag plus one personal item on all fares including Basic Economy, on most routes. First checked bag fee applies on domestic Main Cabin and Basic Economy fares; complimentary on many international itineraries, for Medallion members, and with Delta co-branded cards. | Details |
| United Airlines | Economy and above include a carry-on and a personal item. First and second checked bag fees apply on domestic Economy; complimentary allowances on many international routes, for Premier members, and with United co-branded cards. | Details |
| American Airlines | One carry-on and one personal item on all fares, including Basic Economy. First and second checked bag fees on domestic Main Cabin and Basic Economy; complimentary on most international long-haul routes, for AAdvantage elites, and with co-branded cards. | Details |
| Southwest Airlines | One carry-on and one personal item on every fare. Southwest introduced checked-bag fees on most fares in 2025; allowances still vary by fare type, credit-card holders, and Rapid Rewards tier. | Details |
| Alaska Airlines | One carry-on and one personal item on all fares including Saver. First and second checked bag fees apply; complimentary for Mileage Plan elites and Alaska Visa cardholders, and on certain routes within Alaska. | Details |
| Hawaiian Airlines | One carry-on and one personal item on all fares. Checked bag fees apply on mainland–Hawaii routes for most fares; inter-island fees are lower. | Details |
| Air Canada | One carry-on and one personal item on all fares including Basic. First-bag fees apply on most transborder and domestic economy fares; complimentary on many international routes and for Aeroplan elites. | Details |
| Lufthansa | One carry-on up to 8 kg and one personal item on all fares. Economy Light includes no checked bag; Classic and Flex include one 23 kg bag. | Details |
| British Airways | One carry-on up to 23 kg and one personal item on all fares. Economy Basic includes no checked bag on transatlantic routes; Standard and above include one 23 kg bag. | Details |
| Air France | One carry-on and one personal item up to 12 kg combined on all fares. Economy Light includes no checked bag; Standard and Flex include one 23 kg bag. | Details |
| KLM | One carry-on and one personal item up to 12 kg combined. Economy Light includes no checked bag; Standard and Flex include one 23 kg bag. | Details |
| Norwegian | One under-seat bag on LowFare; an overhead carry-on is included on higher fares or for a fee. Not included on LowFare; one 23 kg bag on LowFare+ and Flex. | Details |
| Emirates | One carry-on up to 7 kg in Economy; two pieces in premium cabins. Economy allowances are generous, typically 25 to 35 kg depending on fare and route; two bags on many South Asia and Africa routes. | Details |
| Qatar Airways | One carry-on up to 7 kg in Economy; two pieces in Business and First. Two pieces of 23 kg each on routes to and from the Americas in Economy; weight-based allowances elsewhere. | Details |
| Etihad Airways | One carry-on up to 7 kg in Economy; two pieces in premium cabins. Two pieces of 23 kg each in Economy on routes to and from the US on most fare brands; Basic may have a reduced allowance. | Details |
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