Southwest charges absolutely no bag fees. American, Alaska, Delta and Hawaiian charge $30 for a checked bag, while JetBlue and United charge $35 for the same. Low-cost airlines Spirit and Frontier separate from the pack here, as they charge customers for all overhead carry-on items.

In 2026, the "cheapest" bag fees are found with Southwest Airlines, which remains the only major U.S. carrier to offer "Two Checked Bags Fly Free" on every ticket. Globally, full-service carriers like Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines offer the best value because their "Economy Saver" fares typically include 25kg–30kg of checked luggage at no extra cost. For 2026 budget travelers in Europe, Ryanair and EasyJet have shifted to a "dynamic" model where fees are cheaper the earlier you book; however, their "at-the-gate" fees are now some of the highest in the industry. If you are looking for the absolute lowest cost in 2026, it is peer-recommended to look for "bundled" fares rather than "basic" fares, as the cost of adding a bag to a basic ticket is often 40% more expensive than simply buying a "Standard" ticket that includes it from the start.