Does Southwest still offer free checked bags?

No. Southwest Airlines ended its famous 2-free-bags policy on May 28, 2025 (fees started at $35/$45). Fees were raised to $45/$55 in April 2026. This ended a 53-year tradition and means no major US carrier offers free checked bags in standard economy.

How can I get free checked bags on US airlines?

Three main ways: (1) Airline co-branded credit cards — Delta Gold, United Explorer, AA AAdvantage cards all include free first bag for $95/year. (2) Elite status — Silver/Gold tier includes free bags. (3) Premium fare classes — Main Cabin international and Premium Economy include bags.

What's the difference between weight concept and piece concept?

Weight concept (used by Middle Eastern carriers) gives you a total weight allowance (e.g., 30kg) that you can split across any number of bags. Piece concept (used for US routes) gives you a specific number of bags with per-bag weight limits (e.g., 2 bags × 23kg each). Weight concept is more flexible for travelers with one heavy bag.

Do any US airlines include free bags for certain routes?

Hawaiian Airlines includes free bags on inter-island flights and some international routes. JetBlue includes a free bag on Blue Extra and Mint fares (not Blue Basic). Alaska Airlines offers free bags with their credit card. Otherwise, no US carrier includes free bags in standard domestic economy.

Which airline gives the most generous free baggage allowance?

Emirates offers the most generous allowance at 30kg Economy (weight concept), 40kg Business, 50kg First. For piece concept, Japan Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines offer 2 bags × 23kg (46kg total) in Economy, which is the most generous piece-based allowance.

Do airline credit cards really save money on bags?

Yes, significantly. A $95/year card that includes free first checked bag saves $70-100 per round trip (at current $35-50 per bag rates). If you fly 2+ round trips per year checking bags, the card pays for itself. Some cards also include free bags for companions on the same reservation.

What about basic economy fares — do they ever include bags?

Basic Economy fares on US carriers never include checked bags domestically. On international routes, some carriers include 1 bag even in Basic Economy (United to Asia, for example). Always check the fare rules — 'Economy' and 'Basic Economy' have very different inclusions.

Which airlines charge the most for checked bags?

Frontier charges the most if you wait until the gate ($79-99 per bag). Among legacy carriers, American and United are tied at $45-50 for the first bag. All major carriers now charge $45 domestic. See our complete baggage fees comparison for all carriers.

Do connecting flights on international carriers still get free bags?

Yes, if booked on a single ticket. The international carrier's baggage policy applies to the entire journey, including domestic connecting segments. For example, a Singapore Airlines ticket SFO-SIN with a domestic connection still includes free bags on the domestic leg.

Which Airlines Still Include Free Checked Bags? (2026 Guide)

Which airlines still include free checked baggage in economy? Complete list of carriers with free bags, how much they allow, and how US travelers can avoid bag fees.

Last updated: July 2026

Quick Answer

No major US domestic airline includes free checked bags in standard economy as of 2026 — Southwest ended its 2-free-bags policy on May 28, 2025, then raised fees to $45/$55 in April 2026.
For international travel, most full-service carriers still include free checked bags: Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Qantas, and British Airways.
The best way to get free checked bags on US carriers is through airline co-branded credit cards ($95/year) or elite frequent flyer status.
Weight-concept airlines (Emirates, Qatar) offer more flexibility than piece-concept carriers for heavy packers.

Do Any US Airlines Still Offer Free Checked Bags?

As of June 2026, no major US airline includes free checked bags in standard economy fares for domestic flights. This represents a significant shift:

However, there are still ways to get free checked bags on US carriers through credit cards, elite status, and fare class upgrades.

Which International Airlines Include Free Checked Bags?

Most full-service international carriers include checked baggage in their standard economy fares. Here's a comprehensive comparison based on our airline baggage data:

Source: Camli airline baggage database (airlineBaggageData.ts), verified against airline websites. Last updated May 2026.

How Can You Get Free Checked Bags on US Airlines?

While no US carrier includes free bags in base economy, several workarounds exist:

Why Did Southwest Eliminate Free Checked Bags?

Southwest's April 2026 decision to charge for checked bags ended a 53-year tradition and was driven by several factors:

The change means US domestic travelers now face baggage fees on every carrier. For travelers who check bags regularly, the airline credit card strategy (free first bag for $95/year) is now essential regardless of which carrier you prefer.

Which Airlines Give the Most Generous Free Baggage Allowance?

Among airlines that include free bags, the allowance varies significantly:

The weight concept (used by Middle Eastern and some Asian carriers) is generally more flexible than the piece concept — you can bring one heavy bag rather than being forced to split items across multiple pieces.

Is It Cheaper to Fly an Airline with Free Bags or Pay Separately?

This depends on the route and how many bags you're checking:

Always compare the total cost (fare + bags + seat selection + meals) rather than just the base fare. Airlines with "free" bags build those costs into the ticket price — but for travelers who need checked bags, the bundled price is almost always better value.

Will Free Checked Bags Ever Return to US Airlines?

Industry analysts consider this unlikely for several reasons:

The most likely evolution: airlines will continue offering free bags as a credit card perk and elite status benefit, making it a loyalty incentive rather than a universal inclusion.

How to Get Free Checked Bags on US Airlines (Without Elite Status)

Even though US airlines charge for checked bags, several strategies can get you free bags without earning elite frequent-flyer status:

For frequent travelers, the credit card strategy is the most cost-effective. The annual fee pays for itself after just one round trip with a checked bag, and you get additional perks (priority boarding, lounge passes) that add further value.

Common Baggage Policy Traps to Avoid

Even on airlines with free checked bags, several common mistakes can result in unexpected charges:

Always verify the specific baggage allowance for your fare class, route, and booking channel before packing. The airline's "Manage Booking" page typically shows your exact allowance after purchase.

Need help finding the best total-cost fare including baggage? Camli's travel specialists compare all-in prices across carriers — including bag fees, seat selection, and meals — so you see the true cost before booking. Search flights on Camli or call our team for a complete price comparison on your route.

Related Baggage & Airline Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Southwest still offer free checked bags?: No. Southwest Airlines ended its famous 2-free-bags policy on May 28, 2025 (fees started at $35/$45). Fees were raised to $45/$55 in April 2026. This ended a 53-year tradition and means no major US carrier offers free checked bags in standard economy.
Which international airlines include free checked bags?: Most full-service international carriers include free checked bags in economy: Emirates (30kg), Singapore Airlines (2×23kg to US), Japan Airlines (2×23kg), Korean Air (1-2 bags), Qatar Airways (30kg), Turkish Airlines (23kg), Cathay Pacific (23kg), ANA (2×23kg to US), British Airways (23kg on long-haul), and Qantas (23kg).
How can I get free checked bags on US airlines?: Three main ways: (1) Airline co-branded credit cards — Delta Gold, United Explorer, AA AAdvantage cards all include free first bag for $95/year. (2) Elite status — Silver/Gold tier includes free bags. (3) Premium fare classes — Main Cabin international and Premium Economy include bags.
Is it cheaper to fly an airline with free bags or pay separately?: For international flights, airlines with free bags are often price-competitive once you add bag fees to US carrier fares. A $900 Singapore Airlines fare with 2 free bags vs. $800 United + $150 bag fees = Singapore is cheaper. For domestic flights, budget carriers + bag fees are usually still cheapest.
What's the difference between weight concept and piece concept?: Weight concept (used by Middle Eastern carriers) gives you a total weight allowance (e.g., 30kg) that you can split across any number of bags. Piece concept (used for US routes) gives you a specific number of bags with per-bag weight limits (e.g., 2 bags × 23kg each). Weight concept is more flexible for travelers with one heavy bag.
Do any US airlines include free bags for certain routes?: Hawaiian Airlines includes free bags on inter-island flights and some international routes. JetBlue includes a free bag on Blue Extra and Mint fares (not Blue Basic). Alaska Airlines offers free bags with their credit card. Otherwise, no US carrier includes free bags in standard domestic economy.
Which airline gives the most generous free baggage allowance?: Emirates offers the most generous allowance at 30kg Economy (weight concept), 40kg Business, 50kg First. For piece concept, Japan Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines offer 2 bags × 23kg (46kg total) in Economy, which is the most generous piece-based allowance.
Will free checked bags ever return to US airlines?: Industry analysts consider this unlikely. US airlines generate $5-7 billion annually from baggage fees. Re-bundling would require raising base fares, making airlines look less competitive in fare searches. The trend is toward more unbundling, not less.
Do airline credit cards really save money on bags?: Yes, significantly. A $95/year card that includes free first checked bag saves $70-100 per round trip (at current $35-50 per bag rates). If you fly 2+ round trips per year checking bags, the card pays for itself. Some cards also include free bags for companions on the same reservation.
What about basic economy fares — do they ever include bags?: Basic Economy fares on US carriers never include checked bags domestically. On international routes, some carriers include 1 bag even in Basic Economy (United to Asia, for example). Always check the fare rules — 'Economy' and 'Basic Economy' have very different inclusions.
Which airlines charge the most for checked bags?: Frontier charges the most if you wait until the gate ($79-99 per bag). Among legacy carriers, American and United are tied at $45-50 for the first bag. All major carriers now charge $45 domestic. See our complete baggage fees comparison for all carriers.
Do connecting flights on international carriers still get free bags?: Yes, if booked on a single ticket. The international carrier's baggage policy applies to the entire journey, including domestic connecting segments. For example, a Singapore Airlines ticket SFO-SIN with a domestic connection still includes free bags on the domestic leg.