Does Southwest still offer free checked bags?

No. Southwest Airlines eliminated its famous 2-free-bags policy in April 2026. It now charges $45 for the first checked bag and $55 for the second on domestic flights. 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?

Spirit and Frontier charge 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. Delta is slightly cheaper at $35 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: May 2026

Quick Answer

No major US domestic airline includes free checked bags in standard economy as of 2026 — Southwest eliminated its 2-free-bags policy 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Southwest still offer free checked bags?: No. Southwest Airlines eliminated its famous 2-free-bags policy in April 2026. It now charges $45 for the first checked bag and $55 for the second on domestic flights. 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?: Spirit and Frontier charge 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. Delta is slightly cheaper at $35 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.