Airline Baggage Fees Are Going Up — Here's What Every Major U.S. Carrier Is Charging Now

Why Fees Are Rising Right Now

Oil markets rarely stay calm during regional conflicts, and the war in Iran is no exception. Fuel already accounts for roughly 20 to 25 percent of an airline’s operating costs under normal conditions, so when oil prices rise sharply, airlines feel it almost immediately.

Executives at American, Delta, and United have all pointed to rising fuel costs during earnings calls this year, and the fee increases have followed right behind them. What makes 2026 stand out is the speed of the changes. Several airlines have raised fees more than once since January, with American updating its fee schedule as recently as May 18.

And importantly, these increases are not just a short-term reaction to the conflict itself. They are also a signal that airlines do not expect fuel prices, or broader instability in the region, to calm down anytime soon.

What Every Major Airline Is Charging

Here is what every major U.S. airline is charging right now. The good news is that most of the big carriers are in roughly the same ballpark. The bad news is that ballpark keeps getting more expensive.

American Airlines - Fees updated twice in 2026

American has been the most active with increases, including a further hike on May 18. For domestic flights:

• 1st bag: $45 prepaid online ($50 at the airport)

• 2nd bag: $55 prepaid online ($60 at the airport)

• Basic Economy: add $5 to each

• 3rd bag: $200

The $5 online discount sounds modest, but across a family of four it adds up fast. Pay ahead.

Delta Air Lines - One of the cleaner structures

No Basic Economy bag surcharge to worry about here:

• 1st bag: $45

• 2nd bag: $55

• 3rd bag: $200

Delta Medallion members and SkyMiles Amex cardholders get the first bag free, which is a low bar to clear if you fly Delta even occasionally.

United Airlines - Watch the Basic Economy fine print

United mirrors the legacy carrier standard, with the same online vs. airport split:

• 1st bag: $45 prepaid online ($50 at the airport)

• 2nd bag: $55 prepaid online ($60 at the airport)

• 3rd bag: $200

United is the only major carrier that doesn't include a free carry-on for Basic Economy passengers, and they'll charge a $25 gate handling fee if you show up with one anyway.

Southwest Airlines - Best value for families

Southwest ended its "bags fly free" policy earlier this year, which stung. But the new fees are still competitive, and the companion policy on credit cards is one of the most generous in the industry:

• 1st bag: $45

• 2nd bag: $55

• 3rd bag: $150 (lower than most competitors)

• Business Select and Choice Extra fares: two free bags included

Rapid Rewards cardholders can extend the free first bag to up to eight companions on the same reservation. For groups and families, that math is hard to beat.

JetBlue - Most complicated pricing of any major carrier

Peak/off-peak pricing layered on top of advance purchase discounts makes this the trickiest structure to navigate:

• 1st bag: $39 off-peak / $49 peak (prepaid 24+ hours out)

• 2nd bag: $59 off-peak / $69 peak (prepaid 24+ hours out)

• Add $10 to either if you pay within 24 hours of departure

• 3rd bag: $200

Blue Plus fares include the first bag; Mint includes two. Outside peak season, JetBlue can actually be the cheapest option.

Alaska Airlines - Best credit card companion policy

Alaska's fees match the legacy carrier standard, but the cobranded card extends free bags to up to six companions, more than any other airline:

• 1st bag: $45 (North American flights)

• 2nd bag: $55

• 3rd bag: $200

• Intra-island Hawaii flights: lower rates apply

Atmos Rewards tiers are straightforward: Silver gets one free bag, Gold gets two, Platinum and Titanium get three.

Frontier Airlines - Avoid if you're checking bags

Frontier is in a category of its own. The fees are significantly higher, the weight limit is lower, and pricing shifts by route and date:

• 1st bag: $79

• 2nd bag: $89

• 3rd bag: $150

The standard weight limit is 40 pounds, not the 50 pounds you'd get everywhere else. Use Frontier's baggage calculator before you book.

The Biggest Fee Increases by Airline

The numbers tell a pretty clear story. Most major carriers raised their first checked bag fee by $10, moving from $35 to $45, while second bags jumped from $45 to $55. Alaska was slightly ahead of the curve, having already increased its first checked bag fee to $40 before the latest wave of hikes.

Southwest represents the biggest philosophical shift. The airline long marketed itself around free checked bags, but now charges the same standard rates as the legacy carriers for most travelers.

Then there's Frontier, which exists in a category almost by itself. The airline raised its first checked bag fee from $35 to $79 and its second bag from $45 to $89. Those $44 increases on both fees are dramatically larger than anything seen elsewhere in the industry, and they underline just how aggressively ultra-low-cost carriers are leaning into ancillary fees as a revenue strategy.

How to Avoid Fees

The fastest workaround is usually a cobranded airline credit card. Most major carriers now offer at least one card that waives the first checked bag fee on domestic flights, and many extend that perk to additional travelers on the same reservation. For families especially, even a card with an annual fee under $100 can easily pay for itself in a single round trip.

If you're not particularly loyal to one airline, a broader travel rewards card can help offset the pain. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which includes a $300 annual travel credit, or the American Express Platinum Card, which offers up to $200 annually in airline fee credits on a selected carrier, can effectively absorb a lot of these added costs.

Elite status is the other major workaround. Nearly every airline waives at least one checked bag for even lower-tier frequent flyers, with more generous allowances as status levels increase.

And one important thing travelers often miss: paying for bags online ahead of time is almost always cheaper than doing it at the airport. Several airlines now charge an additional $5 to $10 for last-minute bag purchases at check-in or the gate, which feels a little petty until you realize just how aggressively carriers are trying to push travelers toward prepayment.

Whether you're a carry-on-only purist or you simply can't fit a week in a personal item, it's worth knowing exactly what you're walking into. The fees aren't going anywhere, and based on current fuel prices, they may not be done climbing

FAQ: Airline Baggage Fees 2026

Why have airline baggage fees increased in 2026?

Most major U.S. airlines raised checked bag fees in early 2026, citing surging jet fuel costs linked to the conflict in Iran. Increases of around $10 per bag have been common across the industry.

What is the cheapest way to check a bag in 2026?

Pay for your bag online at least 24 hours before departure. Many airlines offer a $5 to $10 discount over airport pricing, and cobranded airline credit cards often waive the first bag fee entirely.

Which airline has the lowest checked bag fees?

Most major carriers charge $45 for the first bag and $55 for the second on domestic routes. JetBlue can be cheaper during off-peak periods if you pay in advance. Frontier is consistently the most expensive.

Does Southwest still have free checked bags?

No. Southwest ended its "bags fly free" policy in 2026. First and second checked bags now cost $45 and $55, though some fare types and loyalty members still receive free bags.

Can I avoid baggage fees without a credit card?

Yes. Elite status with an airline's frequent flyer program typically includes at least one free checked bag. Active military personnel have fees waived across most carriers. Packing light enough to carry on is always an option too.

Which credit cards waive airline baggage fees?

Cobranded airline cards such as the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex, United Explorer Card, or Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select typically waive the first bag fee. General travel cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum offer travel credits that can cover bag fees across any airline.

Do bag fees apply to international flights?

Not always. Many airlines, including American and United, include free checked bags on transatlantic and transpacific routes regardless of fare class. Basic Economy passengers on international routes may still pay, though some routes have exceptions.

Is it cheaper to pay for bags at the airport or online?

Online is almost always cheaper. Paying at the airport typically costs $5 to $10 more per bag, and some airlines charge an additional gate handling fee if you show up with an oversized carry-on that needs to be checked.