Airlines with Free Checked Bags (2026)

37 airlines include at least one free checked bag in economy class. Compare which carriers offer free luggage allowances and which charge extra.

Last updated: May 2026 · Data verified from official airline websites

Quick Answer

37 out of 98 airlines offer free checked bags in economy. Most are full-service international carriers. Among US airlines, only Southwest includes free checked bags for all passengers.

Airlines with Free Checked Bags in Economy

AirlineRegionChecked Bag AllowanceMax Weight
Air ChinaasiaEconomy/Premium Economy: 1 bag (23 kg) or 2 bags (23 kg each) depending on fare type32 kg
Air IndiaasiaEconomy: 15-25 kg (domestic) or 1-2 bags up to 23 kg (international)32 kg
Air India ExpressasiaXpress Lite: 0 bags32 kg
ANA (All Nippon Airways)asiaEconomy/Premium Economy: 2 bags (23 kg / 50 lbs each)23 kg
Asiana AirlinesasiaEconomy: 2 bags (23 kg/50 lbs each) for US routes, 1 bag (23 kg/50 lbs) for non-US routes32 kg
Batik AirasiaEconomy Class: 1 bag (20 kg)32 kg
British AirwayseuBasic Economy: 0 bags32 kg
Cathay PacificasiaEconomy: 1 bag (23 kg)32 kg
China AirlinesasiaEconomy: 1-2 bags (23 kg each) depending on route and fare23 kg
China Eastern AirlinesasiaBasic Economy: 0-1 bag depending on route32 kg
China Southern AirlinesasiaEconomy Standard: 1 bag (23 kg)32 kg
EgyptAirafricaEconomy: 1 or 2 bags (23 kg each) depending on route and fare rules32 kg
EmiratesmeWeight concept (most routes): Special 20kg, Saver 25kg, Flex 30kg, Flex Plus 35kg32 kg
Ethiopian AirlinesafricaEconomy: 2 bags (23 kg each)23 kg
EVA AirasiaEconomy: 2 bags (23 kg/50 lbs each) for most fares, 1 bag for Discount (A)32 kg
Garuda IndonesiaasiaEconomy: 20 kg domestic, 30 kg international32 kg
Gulf AirmeEconomy Light: 1 bag (23 kg)32 kg
Hainan AirlinesasiaEconomy: 2 bags (23 kg each)32 kg
IndiGoasiaDomestic: 15 kg (1 piece)32 kg
ITA AirwayseuEconomy Light: 0 bags23 kg
Japan AirlinesasiaEconomy/Premium Economy: 2 bags (23 kg each)23 kg
Kenya AirwaysafricaEconomy: 2 bags (23 kg each) on most international routes, 1 bag (23 kg) on domestic/some Europe routes32 kg
Korean AirasiaEconomy (Saver): 1 bag (23kg)32 kg
Lion AirasiaEconomy: 10 kg free checked baggage on all domestic and international flights (starting July 17, 2025)32 kg
Malaysia AirlinesasiaWeight concept (most routes): Economy Value 20kg, Basic 25kg, Flex 35kg32 kg
QantasoceaniaEconomy: 1 bag (23kg/50lbs)32 kg
Qatar AirwaysmePiece Concept (Americas/Africa): Economy Lite 1 bag (23 kg), Economy Classic/Convenience/Comfort 2 bags (23 kg each), Business/First 2 bags (32 kg each)32 kg
Royal JordanianmeEconomy: 1 bag up to 23 kg (50 lbs) or 30 kg depending on route32 kg
Singapore AirlinesasiaWeight concept (most routes): Economy 25-30 kg, Premium Economy 35 kg, Business 40 kg, Suites/First 50 kg32 kg
South African AirwaysafricaEconomy: 1 bag (23 kg)32 kg
SpiceJetasiaDomestic: 1 bag (15 kg)32 kg
Starlux AirlinesasiaEconomy (Limited): 1 bag (23 kg)32 kg
Thai AirwaysasiaEconomy Saver/Standard: 1 bag (23 kg)32 kg
Turkish AirlineseuEconomy: 1 or 2 bags (23 kg each) depending on route32 kg
Vietnam AirlinesasiaEconomy: 1 bag (23 kg)32 kg
VistaraasiaEconomy Lite: 1 bag (15 kg)32 kg
VolarislatamZero: 0 bags25 kg

Airlines that Charge for Checked Bags

These airlines do not include a free checked bag in their basic economy fare. Fees shown are for the first checked bag.

Airline1st Bag Fee2nd Bag FeeHow to Get Free
Aer Lingus$30-$72 (distance-based) for Europe flights, $55-$75 for Transatlantic flights$65 USD for a second bag (up to 23kg) on Transatlantic flights if booked onlineCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
Aeroflot$84-$100 or €80-€100 depending on route and payment time (online vs airport) for Economy Lite$84-$100 or €80-€100 depending on route and payment time (online vs airport)Credit card, elite status, or premium fare
Aeromexico$30-$40 USD domestic/US/Canada, $60 USD Europe$55-$80 USD domestic/US/Canada, $100 USD EuropeCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
Air Canada$45 CAD/USD for domestic/US/Mexico/Caribbean$60 CAD/USD for domestic/US/Mexico/CaribbeanCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
Air France$30 to $85 depending on route (eApproxCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
Air New Zealand$30 USD prepaid domestic, $80 USD prepaid long-haul$45 USD prepaid domestic, $135 USD prepaid long-haulCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
Air Transat$35 CAD prepaid, $40 CAD at airport$55 CAD prepaid, $70 CAD at airportCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
AirAsiaFrom $20 USD (approx) for 15kg domestic if pre-booked, up to $60+ USD for international routesAirAsia uses a total weight concept rather than a per-bag feeCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
Alaska Airlines$45 domestic$55 domesticCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
Allegiant Air$18 to $50 depending on route and when purchasedVaries by route, typically similar to first bag fee ($18-$50) when purchased in advanceCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
American Airlines$45 online / $50 at airport for domestic flights$55 online / $60 at airport for domestic flightsCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
Austrian Airlines$75 on flights between Europe and US/Canada (Economy Light)$90-$285 depending on route and whether purchased online or at check-inCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
AviancaFrom $35 to $40 online, $85 to $100 at airport for international flights from US/South AmericaFrom $50 to $120 online, $85 to $150 at airport depending on international routeCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
Azul Brazilian Airlines$35 USD (R$ 213$40 USD advance / $44 last-minute for domestic; $44 advance / $56 last-minute for US/Europe/South AmericaCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
Bamboo Airways$130,000 VND (approx $5Additional weight is purchased in packages (eCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
Breeze Airways$35 to $41 domestic$45 domesticCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
Brussels Airlines$31 domestic/Europe, higher for internationalVaries by route, typically $95-$300Credit card, elite status, or premium fare
Condor$75 pre-sale, $90 at airport (Economy Zero/Light)$120 pre-sale, $180 at airport (Zone 5)Credit card, elite status, or premium fare
Copa Airlines$30 domestic, $38 international (if prepaid online)$50 domestic, $53-$55 internationalCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
Delta Air Lines$35 domestic, $75 to Europe$45 domestic, $100 internationalCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
easyJetFrom $8 online, $54 at airportFrom $8 online, $54 at airportCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
Etihad AirwaysVaries by routeIncluded in standard allowance for US/Canada routesCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
EurowingsFrom $16 (15 EUR) for up to 23 kg when booked online; higher at airportFrom $81 (75 EUR) for up to 23 kgCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
Fiji AirwaysVaries by route, eVaries by route, same as excess baggage fee per extra pieceCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
Finnair$70-$90 USD for Europe/North America flights at airport, cheaper if prepaid$110 USD for North America flights at airport, €90 for Europe flightsCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
Flair Airlines$44-$89 CAD online, up to $97-$109 CAD at airport$44-$89 CAD online, up to $99-$109 CAD at airportCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
Frontier Airlines$39-$49 during booking, up to $89 at gate$49-$59 during booking, up to $99 at gateCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
GOL AirlinesR$ 50 (approx $10) domestic, $15 international in advanceR$ 70 (approx $14) domestic, $35 international in advanceCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
Hawaiian Airlines$45 North America, $30 Neighbor Island, Free on International$55 North America, $40 Neighbor Island, Free on InternationalCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
Iberia$45-$70 domestic/Europe, $65-$70 long-haul (online vs airport prices vary)$80-$90 for second bag on long-haul flightsCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
IcelandairFrom $60-$95 USD online depending on route, 20% higher at airportFrom $60-$95 USD online depending on route, 20% higher at airportCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
JetBlue Airways$45 domestic off-peak ($49 peak), $75 transatlantic off-peak ($85 peak)$59 domestic off-peak ($69 peak), $109 transatlantic off-peak ($119 peak)Credit card, elite status, or premium fare
JetstarFrom AUD 55 (approxCharged by total weight, not per bagCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines$35 to $75 depending on route, often €30-€40 within Europe$50 to $120 depending on routeCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
Kuwait Airways$80-$210 (25-65 KWD) depending on route for first extra piece$80-$210 (25-65 KWD) depending on route for additional pieceCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
LATAM AirlinesStarts at $16Starts at $24Credit card, elite status, or premium fare
LOT Polish Airlines$21-$45 USD depending on route (e$45 USD for domestic, $77 USD for Europe, $120 USD for long-haulCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
Lufthansa$75 transatlantic, €30 within Europe$100 transatlantic, €65 within EuropeCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
Norwegian Air$20 domestic, $19-$45 international (purchased before check-in)$29Credit card, elite status, or premium fare
Oman Air$8 to $25 per kg depending on destination (eCharged per kg based on total weight concept, not per bag (unless on piece-concept routes like India-Canada)Credit card, elite status, or premium fare
Peach Aviation~$13 domestic, ~$17-$49 international~$13 domestic, ~$17-$49 internationalCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
Pegasus AirlinesFrom €5 to €15 depending on route and time of bookingVaries by route and weight, purchased per kgCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
Philippine Airlines$120-$200 per piece for piece concept routes (US/Canada); $8-$24 per kg for weight concept routes (Asia/Pacific)$120-$200 per piece for piece concept routes (US/Canada); $8-$24 per kg for weight concept routes (Asia/Pacific)Credit card, elite status, or premium fare
Porter Airlines$40 to $69 CAD/USD depending on route and when paid$55 to $92 CAD/USD depending on route and when paidCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
Royal Air Maroc$65 USD (640 MAD) domestic, €90 Europe, $190 USD/CAD Transatlantic, €190 Africa/Middle East$135 USD (1265 MAD) Transatlantic/Brazil, €200 Europe, €320 Africa/Middle EastCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
Ryanair$13 to $27 (10kg) or $20 to $65 (20kg) when booked online; higher at airport$20 to $65 (20kg) when booked online; passengers can purchase up to 3 checked bags of 20kgCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
SaudiaSAR 100 online / SAR 125 at airport for domesticSAR 100 online / SAR 125 at airport for domesticCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS)$25-$40 domestic/Scandinavia, $40-$85 international (varies by time of purchase)Varies by route and time of purchase, typically same as first extra bag fee ($25-$119)Credit card, elite status, or premium fare
Southwest Airlines$45 domestic$55 domesticCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
Spirit Airlines$36-$50 depending on when purchased (during booking vs airport)$46-$60 depending on when purchasedCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
Sun Country Airlines$30-$40 at booking, $50 after booking, $55 at gate$45 at booking, $60 after booking, $65 at gateCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
Swiss International Air Lines$70 for intercontinental flights if booked online, $105 at check-in$92-$287 depending on route (eCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
TAP Air PortugalFrom $37 / €30 if purchased online in advance; higher at airport€150 to €205 / $258 to $528 depending on route and seasonCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
TUI flyFrom $35 (approxBaggage is purchased by total weight rather than piece count; additional weight up to 50 kg total can be purchased starting from $40 (approxCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
United Airlines$45 prepaid, $50 at check-in for domestic economy$55 prepaid, $60 at check-in for domestic economyCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
Virgin Atlantic$75 USD (65 GBP) for Economy Light on US/Canada flights, $75 USD (80 GBP) on other routes$100 USD (65 GBP) for Economy Light and Classic/Delight on US/Canada flightsCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
Virgin Australia$55-$65 AUD domestic online, $110 AUD at airport$55-$65 AUD domestic online, $110 AUD at airportCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
VuelingFrom €10 to €95 for a 15 kg bag online; from €40 to €70 for a 10 kg bag at the check-in deskPassengers can add bags of 15, 20, 25, or 30 kgCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
WestJet$45-53 CAD/USD prepaid for Econo domestic/US, $55-65 CAD/USD for UltraBasic$60-71 CAD/USD prepaid for Econo, $70-83 CAD/USD for UltraBasicCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
Wizz Air€15Same as first bag fee, up to 6 checked bags allowed per passengerCredit card, elite status, or premium fare
Zipair$38 to $85 depending on route (eSame as first bag fee (priced per piece, up to 5 pieces allowed)Credit card, elite status, or premium fare

Frequently Asked Questions

Which airlines include a free checked bag in economy?
As of 2026, 37 airlines include at least one free checked bag in economy class. These are primarily full-service carriers from the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Etihad Airways.
Do any US airlines offer free checked bags?
Southwest Airlines is the only major US carrier that includes two free checked bags for all passengers. JetBlue includes one free checked bag on Blue Extra and Mint fares. Delta, United, and American charge for checked bags in basic economy but include them with credit card perks or elite status.
How can I get free checked bags on airlines that charge?
The most common ways to get free checked bags are: 1) Airline-branded credit cards (most US airline cards include free first checked bag), 2) Frequent flyer elite status, 3) Booking premium cabins (business/first), 4) Military personnel and dependents often fly free bags on US carriers.
What is the cheapest way to check a bag?
Always pre-pay for checked bags online during booking or at online check-in. Airport counter fees are typically $5-$15 higher. Some airlines offer discounted bag bundles when purchased at booking. Also check if your credit card includes free checked bag benefits.

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