August 27th, 2009
Updated: The Ultimate Airline Checked Baggage Fees Chart.
Recent Updates:
-Hawaiian no longer offers a free bag on interisland flights.
-5 Major airlines now charge $50 to check a 2nd bag to Europe. In addition AA extends the fee to India, USAirways to Israel, but Continental will offer $5 off if you prepay the fee online.
-USAirways has raised the 1st and 2nd domestic bag fees.
-Hawaiian becomes the 9th airline being tracked below to add an airport surcharge.
The chart has been updated with all of the latest baggage fee changes for 22 US and Canadian carrier. It first displays in alphabetical order the US based network carriers, followed by all other US based carriers, followed by Canadian carriers.
The following chart is applicable for economy class travel only. All fees listed are for each way, simply double the fee to calculate the cost for round-trip travel. Airport surcharge fees are waived if you prepay for the baggage online.
|
Airline |
1st Bag fee: |
2nd Bag fee: |
Other fees: |
Airport Surcharge |
Elites |
Other exemptions: |
|
AA |
US: $20
Canada:$15
Other locations: Free. |
US: $30
Canada:$25
Europe/India: $50
Other locations: Free. |
-Over 62 linear inches=$150. -51-70 pounds=$50 -71-100 pounds=$100 -3rd bag=$100 -Some International rates may be higher.
|
None |
AA and OneWorld alliance Elites get 2 free 50 lb. bags |
Anyone traveling on the same reservation as an elite member
Full “Y class” refundable tickets. AAnytime mileage awards. |
|
——————– |
|
|
|
|
|
——————– |
|
Continental |
US/Canada:$15
Other locations: Free. |
North/South America, excluding Brazil: $25
Europe: $45
Other locations: Free. |
- Over 62 linear inches=$100. -51-70 pounds=$50 -Over 70 pounds=Not allowed. -3rd bag=$100
|
$5/Bag |
Continental Elites as well as Continental PP Mastercard holders get 2 free 70 lb. bags.
Continental credit/debit cardholders get 1 free 50 lb. bag. |
Identical exemption for anyone traveling on the same reservation as a cardholder or elite member
Full “Y class” refundable tickets. |
|
——————– |
|
|
|
|
——————– |
|
|
Delta |
US:$15
Other locations: Free. |
US: $25
Europe: $50 Other locations: Free. |
-Over 62 linear inches=$175. -51-70 pounds=$90 domestic, $150 int’l. -71-100 pounds=$175 domestic, $300 int’l. -3rd bag=$125 domestic, $200 int’l.
|
$5/Bag |
Delta and Northwest Elites get 2 free 70 lb. bags.
|
Full “Y class” refundable tickets. |
|
——————– |
|
|
|
|
——————– |
|
|
Northwest |
US:$15
Other locations: Free. |
US: $25
Europe: $50 Other locations: Free. |
-Over 62 linear inches=$175. -51-70 pounds=$90 domestic, $50 int’l. -71-100 pounds=$175 domestic, not allowed int’l. -3rd bag=$125 domestic, $200 int’l.
|
$5/Bag |
Delta and Northwest Elites get 2 free 70 lb. bags.
Elites pay $25 for a 3rd bag up to 70 pounds when traveling domestically. |
Anyone traveling on the same reservation as an elite member
Full “Y or B class” refundable tickets. |
|
——————– |
|
|
|
|
|
——————– |
|
United |
US/Canada:$15
Other locations: Free. |
US/Canada:$25
Other locations: Free. |
- Over 62 linear inches=$175 domestic, up to $250 int’l. -51-100 pounds=$125 domestic, up to $400 int’l. -3rd bag=$125 domestic, up to $400 int’l.
|
$5/Bag |
United 1K, 1P, and Star Alliance Gold Elites get 3 free 70 lb. bags.
United 2P, 3P, and Star Alliance Silver Elites get 2 free 50 lb. bags. |
Anyone traveling on the same reservation as an elite member |
|
——————– |
|
|
|
|
|
——————– |
|
USAirways |
U.S, Canada, Latin America and Caribbean: $20
Other locations: Free. |
U.S, Canada, Latin America and Caribbean: $30
Transatlantic: $50
Other locations: Free. |
- Over 62 linear inches=$100. -51-70 pounds=$70 for the 1st bag, $80 for the 2nd.. -71-100 pounds=$120 for the 1st bag, $130 for the 2nd.. -3rd bag=$100
|
$5/Bag |
USAirways and Star Alliance Elites get 2 or 3 free 50 lb. bags depending on status. |
Anyone traveling on the same reservation as an elite member |
|
——————– |
|
|
|
|
|
——————– |
|
Airtran |
Systemwide: $15 |
Systemwide: $25 |
- Over 62 linear inches=$39.
-51-70 pounds=$39
-71-100 pounds=$79
-3rd bag=$50 |
None |
Airtran and Frontier elites get 2 free 50 lb. bags.
Corporate members get 1 free 50 lb. bag. |
Identical exemption for anyone traveling on the same reservation as an elite member |
|
——————– |
|
|
|
|
|
——————– |
|
Alaska |
Systemwide: $15 |
Systemwide: $25 |
- Over 62 linear inches=$50.
-51-100 pounds=$50
-3rd bag=$50
|
None |
Alaska Elites get 2 free 50 lb. bags |
Identical exemption for anyone traveling on the same reservation as an elite member |
|
——————– |
|
|
|
|
|
——————– |
|
Allegiant |
Systemwide: $15 |
Systemwide: $25 |
- Over 80 linear inches=$25. -51-70 pounds=$50 -71-100 pounds=$75 -3rd bag=$50
|
$10/Bag |
- |
- |
|
——————– |
|
|
|
|
|
——————– |
|
Frontier |
US:$15
Other locations: Free. |
US:$25
Other locations: Free. |
- Over 62 linear inches=$75. -51-100 pounds=$75 -3rd bag=$50
|
None |
Frontier and Airtran elites get 2 free 50 lb. bags |
|
|
——————– |
|
|
|
|
|
——————– |
|
Go |
Systemwide: $10 |
Systemwide: $17 |
- Over 62 linear inches=$25 -51-70 pounds=$25 -71-100 pounds=$50 -3rd bag=$25 |
None |
Corporate members get 2 free 50 lb. bags |
Anyone traveling on the same reservation as a corporate member |
|
——————– |
|
|
|
|
|
——————– |
|
Hawaiian |
Mainland-$15 Interisland-$10 |
Mainland-$25 Interisland-$17 |
- Over 62 linear inches=$25 mainland, $50 interisland. -51-70 pounds=$25 mainland, $50 interisland -Over 70 pounds=Not allowed. -3rd bag=$100 mainland, $25 interisland.
|
$5/Bag for Mainland flights only. |
Hawaiian Elite and Corporate members get 2 free 50 lb. bags |
Anyone traveling on the same reservation as an exempt member. |
|
——————– |
|
|
|
|
|
——————– |
|
Jetblue |
Free |
Systemwide: $30 |
- Over 62 linear inches=$75 -51-70 pounds=$50 -71-100 pounds=$100 -3rd bag=$75
|
None |
- |
- |
|
——————– |
|
|
|
|
|
——————– |
|
Midwest |
Systemwide: $15 |
Systemwide: $25 |
- Over 62 linear inches=$80 -51-70 pounds=$50 -71-100 pounds=$65 -3rd bag=$100
|
None |
- |
- |
|
——————– |
|
|
|
|
|
——————– |
|
Southwest |
Free |
Free |
- Over 62 linear inches=$50 -51-100 pounds=$50 -3rd bag=$50
|
None |
- |
- |
|
——————– |
|
|
|
|
|
——————– |
|
Spirit
|
Systemwide: $19 |
Systemwide: $25 |
- Over 62 linear inches=$100 -51-70 pounds=$50 -71-100 pounds=$100 -3rd bag=$100
|
$6 for the first bag. |
- |
- |
|
——————– |
|
|
|
|
|
——————– |
|
Sun Country |
Systemwide: $15 |
Systemwide: $25 |
- Over 62 linear inches=$75 -51-100 pounds=$75 -3rd bag=$75
|
None |
- |
- |
|
——————– |
|
|
|
|
|
——————– |
|
USA3000 |
US:$9
Other locations: Free. |
Systemwide: $25 |
- Over 62 linear inches=$25 -51-70 pounds=$25 -Over 70 pounds=Not allowed. -3rd bag=$25
|
$3 for the first bag. |
- |
- |
|
——————– |
|
|
|
|
|
——————– |
|
Virgin America |
Systemwide: $15 (70 lbs) |
Systemwide: $15 (50 lbs) |
- Over 62 linear inches=$50 -51-70 pounds=Free for 1st bag, $50 for additional bags. -71-100 pounds=$100 -3rd bag=$15
|
None |
- |
- |
|
——————– |
|
|
|
|
|
——————– |
|
Air Canada |
Free |
Free |
- Over 62 linear inches=$75 in North America, $100 elsewhere. -51-70 pounds==$75 in North America, $100 elsewhere. -71-100 pounds=Not allowed. -3rd bag==$100 in North America, $225 elsewhere.
|
None |
Air Canada Elite and Super Elites get 3 free 70 lb. bags. Star Alliance Gold elites get 3 free 50 lb. bags |
-20% off additional bags when purchased online. |
|
——————– |
|
|
|
|
|
——————– |
|
Porter |
Free |
Free (limit of 50 lbs. total checked weight per passenger.) |
- Over 62 linear inches=Not allowed. -Over 5 pounds per passenger=$5/kg. (2.2lbs.) -3rd bag=$25
|
None |
- |
Passengers flying on the reservation can pool their 50 pound weight allowance together. |
|
——————– |
|
|
|
|
|
——————– |
|
WestJet |
Free |
Free |
- Over 62 linear inches=$40 -51-100 pounds=$40 -3rd bag=$75 |
None |
- |
- |
|
——————– |
|
|
|
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©2009 Dansdeals.com Research. Policies are current as of 07/24/09.
Please do not post this article in its entirety on any other website without explicit prior permission. Thank You!




April 21st, 2009 at 5:44 pm
wow now virgin america started charging–atleast its good to note VA allows 70 pounds for the first bag!
April 22nd, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Passengers traveling on Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air may check free of charge, one bag with a maximum dimension of 62 linear inches (length + width + height) and weight of up to 50 pounds.
Passengers checking in with one of our airline partners, or on a codeshare flight may be subject to additional checked baggage restrictions. Please check with the operating carrier for more information regarding their baggage allowance and fees.
April 22nd, 2009 at 1:02 pm
addendum….
# Excess Baggage Fees
Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air will accept baggage exceeding the free piece, subject to the standard fees outlined below. The fees noted below are based on one-way travel and are collected at the time of check-in.
Excess Piece Number Max. Linear Dimension Max. Weight Excess Charge
1st 62 in. 50 lbs. $25 (USD) one way
2nd 62 in. 50 lbs. $100 (USD) one way
3rd 62 in. 50 lbs. $100 (USD) one way
4th 62 in. 50 lbs. $100 (USD) one way
5th 62 in. 50 lbs. $100 (USD) one way
6th 62 in. 50 lbs. $100 (USD) one way
7th or More 62 in. 50 lbs. $150 (USD) one way
April 23rd, 2009 at 1:55 pm
air canada gives two bags free!!
April 24th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
I was surprised seeing Alaska charging, and after ac’s comment, I looked at Alaska’s site and found this:
“Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air passengers traveling on tickets purchased or reissued on or after May 1, 2009, for travel on or after July 7, 2009, will be charged $15 for the first checked bag* and $25 for the second checked bag.”
April 24th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Delta/Northwest will allow 1 free bag for international, you should note that.
Otherwise, a very handy chart.
April 24th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
^ never mind
April 25th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
About time!
It’s ridiculous that people want to fly nearly for free and get all the perks. Charging for bags makes perfect sense when the one with the lowest price wins.
Personally, I’d rather pay more for a ticket but get food like we used to get and other small “perks”. Too bad that once a year mom and pop flier doesn’t agree with me…
April 25th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
hey dan, this entry was featured on consumerist, nice
April 26th, 2009 at 2:41 am
Dan’s article quoted on consumerist:
http://consumerist.com/5226720/heres-what-the-airlines-are-charging-for-luggage
April 26th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
[...] the surprise of an unexpected charge at the ticket counter and check out a full list of the most current fees for the top 22 major airlines. Filed Under: Campus News BlogTagged: airlines, american, [...]
April 26th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
NOOTICE, THE 1ST BAG ON SPIRIT IS 15$ NOT 25
PLUS U CAN TAKE A CARRY ON LUGGAGE, AND A BAG/PURSE/BACK PACK ( I EVEN ONCE TOOK 2, THEY COULD CARE LESS)
GOOD LUCK!
April 26th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
@spirit frequent flyer:
http://www.spiritair.com/Policiesbags.aspx#CheckedBag
April 27th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
southwest airlines linked to you on twitter! “SouthwestAir: Really…your first 2 bags are FREE on SWA. Don’t believe me? Here’s a chart: (via @Newyorkology) http://bit.ly/10Al4h“
April 27th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
[...] Ever wondered how much that extra bag is going to cost you on your next flight? Here is a nifty little online database that tracks baggage fees for U.S. and Canadian [...]
April 29th, 2009 at 9:16 am
[...] Estados Unidos. En el caso de Spirit la primera maleta no está incluida en el precio del tiquete. [dansdeals] Comparta este artículo [...]
April 29th, 2009 at 9:29 am
” I EVEN ONCE TOOK 2, THEY COULD CARE LESS GOOD LUCK!” – they’re supposed to. The two item carry on limit is not an airline regulation but an FAA regulation. The fine is about $10,000.
May 12th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
[...] Luggage…my how the rules have changed! Know how each airline is nibbling away at free baggage services and replacing them with fees. Here is a current airline baggage chart. [...]
June 13th, 2009 at 5:11 am
i’ve been told by a number of people that delta charges for their second bag internationally however i called delta in australia and they said for regular members you get 2 bags 50 lbs and for elite you get 2 bags 70 lbs.
June 13th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
i agree
June 14th, 2009 at 2:30 am
wow dan this post really got the website out there
July 18th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
Not only have American companies started charging passengers for checked in luggage, but some, like Delta, give the maximum allowable dimensions for carry on as well – in length, width and depth, in addition to linear inches. This is a real problem since if your linear measurement is within the maximum allowable for carry on, but is not shaped according to the diktats of the company, you’ve got to go out and buy carry on luggage that fits a particular airline. And linear measurements can differ from company to company. For ex, American Airlines allows 114cm while Delta accepts up to 118cm. My carry on measures 120cm (about 1/2″ more) — what am I supposed to do since I’ll be flying both this summer? This is the pits.
July 21st, 2009 at 3:15 pm
hey dan how can i be come Continental elite
July 21st, 2009 at 6:33 pm
I don’t know if anyone has noticed this, but Delta will be charging an additional $5.00 for bags checked in at curbside, kiosk or ticket counter. This fee will be waived if the baggage is checked in online. This starts for tickets made after July 16th 2009, to be flown after Aug 4th 2009.
July 21st, 2009 at 6:59 pm
@Shira:
Look up at the chart under “airport surcharge”
July 21st, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Thanks Dan, missed that.
July 22nd, 2009 at 12:27 am
you didnt mention delta charges for all israel flights $50
for second bag
July 22nd, 2009 at 12:57 am
@chulent:
That’s because they don’t.
July 26th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
Citi® Platinum American Express® Card- what do you hold about this card?
July 27th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
dan
do you think if i show my citi aadvantage platinum Credit Card and say im aadvantage platinum i can get 2 free bags
(since it says on there website aadvantage platinum get 2 free bags)
July 27th, 2009 at 11:38 pm
@bo:
No.
August 14th, 2009 at 1:48 am
Surprising that Midwest doesnt have a published policy with regard to there “executives” (thats their one tiered elite program. I have heard, however, that “Executive” members are not charged for two bags with Midwest from a fellow Midwest flyer.