Baggage fees are now one of the largest hidden costs in US air travel. You spot a $99 fare on Spirit, add a carry-on, pay for a checked bag, choose a seat, and suddenly the total has more than doubled. Every major US carrier except Southwest charges for checked bags in standard economy, and the ultra-low-cost carriers — Spirit and Frontier — charge for almost everything that touches the overhead bin.
This guide breaks down the carry-on, personal item and checked bag rules for the nine biggest US airlines, with the 2026 fees side-by-side, plus the federal liability rules that apply when a bag goes missing.
Fees change frequently. The numbers below reflect typical online prices in early 2026 for standard domestic main cabin economy. Bags purchased at the airport or gate are usually $25–$75 more per bag. Always confirm on the airline's site at the time of booking — and add bags before you get to the airport.
Carry-On and Personal Item Rules
Almost every US airline uses the same standard for cabin bags: 22 × 14 × 9 inches (56 × 36 × 23 cm), including wheels and handles. That covers American, Delta, United, JetBlue, Alaska, Hawaiian and Southwest. Spirit and Frontier are slightly tighter at 22 × 18 × 10 inches and — critically — they charge for the carry-on if it's going overhead.
The personal item is a smaller bag that fits under the seat in front of you. It is free on every US airline. Sizing varies:
- American, Delta, United, Alaska, Hawaiian: roughly 18 × 14 × 8 inches
- Southwest: 18.5 × 13.5 × 8.5 inches
- JetBlue: 17 × 13 × 8 inches
- Spirit: 18 × 14 × 8 inches (free)
- Frontier: 14 × 18 × 8 inches (free)
Basic Economy warning. American Airlines Basic Economy on domestic routes does not include a full-size carry-on for the overhead bin — only a personal item that fits under the seat. United's Basic Economy applies the same rule on most domestic flights. If you bring a carry-on to the gate on these fares, it will be checked and you will be charged the standard checked bag fee plus a gate handling fee.
Checked Bag Fees by Airline (Domestic, 2026)
| Airline | Personal item | Carry-on (overhead) | 1st checked bag | 2nd checked bag | Max weight / size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | Free | Free (not on Basic Econ) | $35 | $45 | 50 lb / 62 linear in |
| Delta Air Lines | Free | Free | $35 | $45 | 50 lb / 62 linear in |
| United Airlines | Free | Free (not on Basic Econ) | $35 | $45 | 50 lb / 62 linear in |
| Southwest Airlines | Free | Free | Free (1st) | Free (2nd) | 50 lb / 62 linear in |
| JetBlue Airways | Free | Free (not on Blue Basic) | $35 | $45 | 50 lb / 62 linear in |
| Alaska Airlines | Free | Free | $35 | $45 | 50 lb / 62 linear in |
| Hawaiian Airlines | Free | Free | $30 inter-island / $40 N. Am. | $40 / $50 | 50 lb / 62 linear in |
| Spirit Airlines | Free | From $49 (carry-on > checked!) | From $44 | From $54 | 40 lb / 62 linear in |
| Frontier Airlines | Free | From $45 (carry-on > checked!) | From $40 | From $50 | 40 lb / 62 linear in |
Prices are typical online pre-booked rates for domestic main cabin in 2026. Premium cabin, elite status and co-branded credit cards waive most checked bag fees. Always confirm at time of booking.
Key Takeaways from the Table
Southwest is the genuine outlier. Two free checked bags on every fare, every route, no asterisks. For a family of four flying with luggage, that's roughly $280 saved on a one-way ticket compared to the legacy carriers — often more than the fare difference itself.
Spirit and Frontier flip the usual logic on its head. Their carry-on bag fee is typically $5–$15 higher than the checked bag fee on the same flight. The reason is operational — airlines want bags in the cargo hold to speed up boarding — but for travelers it means the cheapest way to fly Spirit or Frontier is to pack into a personal item only, or to check the bag rather than bring it to the gate. Bag prices on both airlines climb sharply the closer to departure you book: paying at the gate can be $99 or more for a single carry-on.
Basic Economy is a trap if you have any luggage. American and United Basic Economy on domestic routes don't include the overhead bin. JetBlue's Blue Basic doesn't include a carry-on either. If you need to bring a wheeled bag, the difference between Basic Economy and Main Cabin is almost always less than the gate-check fees you'll pay otherwise.
How to Avoid Baggage Fees: 5 Tips
- Pack into the personal item only. Every US airline allows a free under-seat personal item — typically around 18 × 14 × 8 inches. With packing cubes and compression bags, that's enough for 3–5 days of clothing for most travelers. On Spirit and Frontier, this is the single biggest money-saver: skip the carry-on and the checked bag entirely.
- Get an airline-branded credit card. The major US carriers' co-branded credit cards (American, Delta, United, JetBlue, Alaska) typically waive the first checked bag fee for the cardholder and up to eight companions on the same reservation. The $95 annual fee pays for itself on a single round-trip family vacation.
- Weigh your bag at home. The 50 lb domestic limit (40 lb on Spirit/Frontier) is enforced strictly. Overweight fees start at $100 on most legacy carriers and rise sharply over 70 lb. A $15 luggage scale eliminates the risk — aim 1–2 lb under the limit because airport scales vary.
- Always pre-pay online — never at the airport. Bag fees added at check-in or the gate are typically $25–$75 more than the same bag added during booking or via the airline app the night before. On Spirit and Frontier, the gate price can be three times the cheapest online price. A calendar reminder 24 hours before departure to add bags via the airline app is one of the highest-ROI travel habits you can build.
- Compare the all-in price, not the fare. A $79 Spirit fare with a $49 carry-on, $44 checked bag and $25 seat is $197. A $159 Southwest fare with two free checked bags, free seat selection and free changes is often the cheaper option for any traveler with luggage. Always add the bags you actually need before deciding which airline is cheapest.
Frequent flyer tip: Mid-tier elite status on American (Platinum), Delta (Silver Medallion) or United (Premier Silver) waives the first checked bag fee for you and a companion on every flight. If you travel with a partner six or more times a year, the math on chasing status is worth running.
Lost, Delayed and Damaged Bags
The Department of Transportation caps US airline liability for checked baggage at $3,800 per passenger on domestic flights. For international itineraries governed by the Montreal Convention, the cap is approximately $1,700 per passenger (1,288 Special Drawing Rights). Both limits apply to lost, damaged and delayed bags combined.
If your bag doesn't arrive on the carousel: file a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) at the airline's baggage service office before you leave the airport. Get a written reference number. Most airlines reimburse reasonable interim expenses (toiletries, basic clothing) for delayed bags — keep every receipt. If the bag is declared lost (typically after 5–14 days), you submit a claim itemizing the contents up to the federal cap.
High-value items belong in your carry-on. Cameras, laptops, jewelry, prescription medication, important documents and any item over $500 in value should never go in checked baggage. Most airlines explicitly exclude these categories from their liability coverage even within the federal cap.
TSA Rules and Prohibited Items
Two TSA rules trip up the most travelers at security:
- The 3-1-1 rule for liquids. Liquids, gels, aerosols, creams and pastes in carry-on bags must be in containers of 3.4 fl oz (100 mL) or less, all fitted into a single 1-quart clear zip-top bag, one bag per passenger. Larger sizes belong in checked baggage. Some larger US airports are starting to roll out CT scanners that relax this rule, but assume the standard rule applies unless the lane is signed otherwise.
- Lithium batteries must travel in your carry-on. Spare lithium-ion batteries, power banks and e-cigarettes are banned from checked bags by FAA regulation. Power banks up to 100 Wh are unrestricted in carry-on; 100–160 Wh requires airline approval; over 160 Wh is forbidden. Devices with installed batteries (laptops, phones, cameras) can go in checked baggage, but it's safer to keep them with you.
Other categories worth knowing: firearms can be checked but must be unloaded, in a locked hard case, and declared at check-in. Marijuana — even from states where it's legal — is federally prohibited and will be referred to law enforcement if found by TSA. Full prohibited-item lists are maintained on the TSA website.
Sports Equipment and Special Items
Specialty items — golf clubs, skis, snowboards, surfboards, bikes — generally count as one checked bag if within standard size and weight limits, but some airlines apply oversize or special handling fees on top. Typical 2026 fees:
- Golf clubs: $35–$50 (counted as a regular checked bag on most US airlines, including Southwest where one is free)
- Skis and snowboards: $35–$50 with bindings; bag must be padded and within 62 linear inches
- Surfboards: $50–$150 depending on length; longboards over 7 feet often require special handling
- Bicycles: $35 on Alaska and JetBlue; $150 on American and Delta if oversized; box must be wheels-removed and pedals-detached
Pets in the Cabin and Cargo
Most US airlines allow small dogs and cats in the cabin in an FAA-approved soft carrier that fits under the seat — counting as your personal item or carry-on. Typical fees in 2026:
- In-cabin (small pets): $125 per direction on American, Delta, United, JetBlue, Alaska and Hawaiian; $95 on Southwest; $99 on Spirit; $99 on Frontier
- Cargo / checked pet: American, United and Alaska accept some breeds in temperature-controlled cargo from $200 each way. Delta no longer accepts pets as checked baggage on most routes.
- Service animals trained for a disability fly free in the cabin under DOT rules. Emotional support animals are no longer recognized by US airlines and are treated as standard pets.
Reservations for pets are limited per flight and book up quickly. Always call the airline to confirm availability before booking the ticket.