Are carry-on bags not free anymore?

At least for now, no U.S. airline charges for a personal item, which can be as large as a backpack. In addition, Delta, American and Alaska don't ever charge for a carry-on.



In 2026, the era of the "guaranteed free carry-on" has largely ended for the lowest fare classes. While "Full Service" carriers like Delta, American, and Southwest still include a carry-on in their standard economy fares, many have introduced "Basic Economy" or "Saver" tiers that restrict you to only a "personal item" (like a small backpack) that must fit under the seat in front of you. If you show up at the gate with a roller bag on these tickets, you will be charged a "Gate Handling Fee" that can be as high as $65 to $100. Almost all "Ultra-Low-Cost Carriers" (ULCCs) like Ryanair, Spirit, and Frontier now charge for overhead bin access as a standard "unbundled" fee. For 2026 travelers, the "pro-tip" is to carefully read the "Baggage Allowance" section of your confirmation; if it says "Personal Item Only," you should either pay for the bag online in advance (which is 50% cheaper than at the airport) or master the art of "one-bag" travel using a high-capacity under-seat backpack to avoid these punitive fees.

People Also Ask

You can bring one carry-on bag and one personal item for free on most domestic and international flights.

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Many airlines will allow you to bring a carry-on bag and personal item for free. However, some airlines may only allow a personal item that fits under your seat for free. Anything larger (e.g. a bag that's too big to fit under the seat but can fit into the overhead compartment) may require extra payment.

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Charging for carry-on bags helps lower ticket prices by reducing the aircraft's load and saving fuel. Many airlines, including Spirit and Frontier, charge high fees for carry-on bags at the gate, increasing the cost of flying on these carriers.

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Fly Southwest whenever you can. It's the only major carrier in the U.S. that doesn't charge for checked or carry-on bags. Delta, American and Alaska, meanwhile, never charge for a carry-on.

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A carry on bag is your larger, primary bag, which you'll stow in the overhead bin. A backpack can be your carry on if it meets your airline's carry on size limits. A personal item is a smaller, secondary bag, which you'll stow under the seat in front of you.

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Economy and Economy Plus flyers will be able to take a personal item and carry-on bag on the flight without any extra fees.

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Carry-on luggage, for example, has the benefit of being much cheaper. You often don't have to pay any extra fees for carry-on bags. This means that you can save money by using only carry-on baggage.

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Carry-on bags are limited to 22 inches long, 14 inches wide and 9 inches high including wheels and handles. All three measurements shouldn't add up to more than 45 inches.

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Is toothpaste considered a liquid by the TSA? Yes, toothpaste must adhere to the 3-1-1 rule for liquids and gels. Toothpaste can be brought through TSA security in your carry-on as long as it is 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less and placed in a 1-quart bag.

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Domestic carry-on policies. A good rule of thumb is that if your carry-on bag fits under the seat in front of you, it's considered a personal item. This includes small backpacks, purses, briefcases, laptop bags, etc. Larger bags, including suitcases, must fit in the overhead bin compartment.

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Depending on your fare type, most domestic airlines generally permit travelers to carry on two items — one that fits underneath the seat in front of you, generally labeled as a personal item, and a second item that fits overhead. However, you must meet certain dimension thresholds, which vary by airline.

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Carry-on bags, sometimes known as hand luggage or cabin baggage, are items of luggage that are taken into the plane's cabin. They are not checked in before your flight and are normally stored in the overhead storage compartment above your seat.

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Basic economy is United's least-expensive economy fare class. Unlike some of the other perks (i.e. free checked bag, seat selection) included on a regular economy ticket, basic economy offers nothing extra. In addition, you'll board last and may not be able to bring a carry-on.

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Domestic carry-on policies. A good rule of thumb is that if your carry-on bag fits under the seat in front of you, it's considered a personal item. This includes small backpacks, purses, briefcases, laptop bags, etc. Larger bags, including suitcases, must fit in the overhead bin compartment.

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Usually, many airlines won't check every carry-on but will instead go for ones that look oversized. If your luggage does not fit in the sizer, you might have to pay a checked bag fee along with the gate checking fee and have your bag transferred to the airplane's cargo.

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The majority of airlines do have a weight limit for carry-on bags, and they will weigh your bag at the gate to make sure it falls within the limit. However, there are some airlines that do not weigh carry-on bags.

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Free Baggage Allowance is a baggage quota with a certain amount given to passengers, according to the airline ticket purchased. Free baggage concept: *Weight concept: free baggage determined based on a certain baggage weight.

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Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked baggage. TSA officers may instruct travelers to separate items from carry-on bags such as foods, powders, and any materials that can clutter bags and obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine.

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