Airline Checked Luggage Fee Chart
by The Sky Steward
Filed under Air Travel Tips, In the Clouds, Latest Posts
How much do airlines charge for checked baggage?
Bookmark this chart for future reference or to pass on to friends.
Airline checked baggage fees are causing even those with nerves of steel to lose their composure. Sky Steward fliers now have a simple reference tool to make travel planning a little easier. There are also direct links to each airline’s checked luggage information pages. Remember that if you are flying on a code-share flight, you will pay the checked luggage fees that apply to the airline in which you are using for check-in.
This chart will be updates as airlines adjust their policies.
Note from The Sky Steward: “If airline checked luggage fees are confusing to you, you’re not alone! 4 out of 5 travelers interviewed find it confusing”
Also, did you know that Alaska Airlines offers a guarantee that if your luggage does not arrive at the baggage claim within 25 minutes of your arrival, you receive a travel voucher for the value of the checked baggage fee? That’s a move in the right direction.
Click the airline name to go to their luggage policy page for additional information.
**BTW, if you pay higher fares Y/B/J/C/F etc. or are an elite frequent flyer, these fees most likely will not apply to you. Please check the airline’s website for details.
Free luggage allowance search tool (opens new window)
| Airline | First Checked Bag | Second Checked Bag | Additional Bags | Overweight Bags | Oversized Bags length + width + height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Tran | $15 | $25 | $50 | $49 51-70 pounds $79 71-100 pounds | $79 71 to 80 inches |
| Alaska | $15 | $25 | $50 | $50 51-100 lbs | $50 63-80 inches $75 81-115 inches |
| American Airlines | $20 | $30 | $100 3-5 $200 6+ | $50 51-70 pounds $100 71-100 additional fees on Int'l flights | $150 Over 63 inches |
| Continental | $23 If paid online $25 If paid at airport | $32 If paid online $35 If paid at airport | $100 | $100 50-70 pounds Will not accept over 70 pounds | $100 Over 62 inches |
| Delta | 23 USD/CAD* fee, first bag; | 32 USD/CAD* fee, second bag. $50 for Europe | $125 3rd $200 3rd to Europe More info from Delta | $90 in USA $150 Int'l 51-70 pounds $175 in USA $300 Int'l 71-100 pounds | $175 63-80 inches |
| Frontier | $20 | $30 | $50 3+ | $75 50-99 pounds | $75 63-80 inches |
| JetBlue | $0 | $30 | $75 | $50 51-70 pounds $100 71-99 pounds | $75 63-80 inches |
| Northwest | Refer to Delta | Refer to Delta | Refer to Delta | Refer to Delta | Refer to Delta |
| Southwest | $0 | $0 | $50 bag 3-9 $110 bag 10+ | $50 51-100 pounds | $50 63-80 inches |
| Spirit | $19 online $25 airport | $25 online and airport | $100 online and airport | $100 71-99 pounds | $100 62 + inches $150 82 + inches |
| United | $25 | $35.00 | $125 3rd and 4th bag $200 5+ | $125 50-100 pounds | $175 62-115 inches |
| US Airways | $23 online $25 airport | $32 online $35 airport | $100 | $50 51-70 pounds $100 71-100 pounds | $100 63-80 inches |
| Virgin America | $20 up to 70 pounds | $20 up to 50 pounds | $20 up to 50 pounds | $100 bag one 71-100 pounds $50 bag 2-10 (51-70 pounds) $100 bag 2-10 (71-100 pounds) | $50 63-80 inches |
Airline baggage fees are becoming the norm as airlines seek additional ways to increase revenue while keeping ticket prices competitive. The airline baggage fee chart illustrates the baggage fees that may apply for the first bag plus luggage fees for additional bags. Many passengers are surprised when they begin to check luggage and find that their bag is overweight or oversized. The chart also explains luggage fees that apply to oversized and overweight baggage. Be sure to click on the airline name to be taken to the airline’s own baggage fee policy page for more specific information.
Only part of the full story. This chart is missing an important column. For those of those that travel often and are in a mileage program, many of these bag fees are simply waived. For example, every tier at Delta (Silver, Gold, Platinum or Diamond) waives the bag fees. It basically takes one flight to qualify for the lowest tier. Mileage program bag benefits should be added to this chart to clarify that, if you are a qualified traveller, you don’t pay extra.
I’ll be traveling Southwest whenever possible!
Thank you for pointing this out. Very important and we will update the chart with this information:)
This is the scheduled airlines’ fanatical drive for ‘ancillary revenues’ because they are unable to differentiate themselves. Collectively, they have positioned themselves against efficient and effective low cost business models, but are trying to maintain their ‘brand’ as service-oriented airlines – it can’t be done. This is a case of not knowing what you need to be and what market you’re trying to serve. As a result, they serve no one really well – unfortunatley, it’s a ‘follow-the-lemmings’ proposition.