Airlines That Include a Free Carry-On Bag (2026)
Not all airlines include a carry-on bag in the base fare. Here's which airlines let you bring an overhead bin bag for free — and which charge extra for it.
Airlines That Include a Free Carry-On Bag (2026)
One of the biggest hidden costs in air travel is the carry-on fee. On some airlines, the overhead bin bag you've always taken for granted is now a paid add-on — and the fee can exceed the cost of a cheap base fare. This guide organizes airlines by region and makes clear which ones include a full-size carry-on in the price of your ticket and which ones don't.
What "Free Carry-On" Means
A "free carry-on" in this context means: on the cheapest available fare for a given airline, can you bring a full-size bag that fits in the overhead bin at no extra charge?
The distinction matters because:
- Many airlines offer a free personal item (under-seat bag) but charge for overhead bin access
- Some airlines include a carry-on in all fares; others restrict it to mid-tier or premium fares
- Fees for carry-ons range from $25–$80 per flight depending on the airline and when you add it
United States
Airlines That Include a Free Carry-On on All Fares
| Airline | Carry-On Included? | Size Limit |
|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | Yes (all fares) | 56 × 36 × 23 cm |
| Delta Air Lines | Yes (all fares) | 56 × 35 × 23 cm |
| United Airlines | Yes (all fares) | 56 × 35 × 22 cm |
| Southwest Airlines | Yes (all fares) | No size limit specified |
| Alaska Airlines | Yes (all fares) | 55 × 40 × 23 cm |
| JetBlue | Yes (all fares) | 56 × 35 × 22 cm |
| Hawaiian Airlines | Yes (all fares) | 56 × 35 × 22 cm |
| Allegiant Air | Yes (all fares) | 55 × 40 × 22 cm |
Southwest deserves a special mention: it has no size template and rarely enforces size limits, making it the most permissive US carrier.
Airlines That Charge Extra for a Carry-On on Cheapest Fares
| Airline | Cheapest Fare Includes | Carry-On Fee (Approximate) |
|---|---|---|
| Spirit Airlines | Personal item only | $25–$65 per flight |
| Frontier Airlines | Personal item only (on some fares) | $30–$60 per flight |
Spirit and Frontier both operate ultra-low-cost models where the base fare is stripped of almost all inclusions. A Spirit "Go" fare or Frontier "Basic" fare allows a small under-seat bag only; the overhead bin carry-on is a paid add-on. These fees are substantially lower when added during the booking process versus at the airport check-in.
Europe
Budget Carriers: Carry-On Typically Not Included on Base Fares
European LCCs have largely moved to personal-item-only base fares, making carry-on access a premium feature:
| Airline | Base Fare Includes | Overhead Bag Option |
|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | 40 × 20 × 25 cm personal bag only | Priority Boarding or paid add-on |
| Wizz Air | 40 × 30 × 20 cm personal bag only | Wizz Priority or paid add-on |
| easyJet | 45 × 36 × 20 cm under-seat bag only | FLEXI, upfront/extra legroom seats, or add-on |
| Vueling | Personal bag only (basic fare) | Paid add-on |
| Norwegian | Personal bag included | Carry-on included from "LowFare+" fare up |
| Transavia | Personal bag only (cheapest fare) | Carry-on available as add-on |
Full-Service European Carriers: Carry-On Always Included
| Airline | Carry-On Included? | Size Limit | Weight Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Airways | Yes (all fares) | 56 × 45 × 25 cm | 23 kg combined |
| Lufthansa | Yes (all fares) | 55 × 40 × 23 cm | 8 kg |
| Air France | Yes (all fares) | 55 × 35 × 25 cm | 12 kg |
| KLM | Yes (all fares) | 55 × 35 × 25 cm | 12 kg |
| Swiss | Yes (all fares) | 55 × 40 × 23 cm | 8 kg |
| SAS | Yes (all fares) | 55 × 40 × 23 cm | 8 kg |
| Iberia | Yes (all fares) | 56 × 45 × 25 cm | No limit |
| Finnair | Yes (all fares) | 56 × 45 × 25 cm | 8 kg |
Middle East
Carry-On Always Included on Full-Service Carriers
| Airline | Carry-On Included? | Economy Allowance |
|---|---|---|
| Emirates | Yes | 55 × 38 × 20 cm, 7 kg |
| Qatar Airways | Yes | 50 × 37 × 25 cm, 7 kg |
| Etihad Airways | Yes | 50 × 40 × 25 cm, 7 kg |
| Turkish Airlines | Yes | 55 × 40 × 20 cm, 8 kg |
Middle Eastern carriers are generally carry-on inclusive, though weight limits are more strictly enforced than on US carriers.
Budget Carriers in the Middle East
| Airline | Carry-On Policy |
|---|---|
| flydubai | Carry-on included (55 × 38 × 20 cm, 7 kg) |
| Air Arabia | Carry-on included (55 × 40 × 20 cm, 7 kg) |
| Jazeera Airways | Carry-on included |
Asia-Pacific
Carry-On Typically Included on Full-Service Carriers
| Airline | Economy Allowance |
|---|---|
| Singapore Airlines | 55 × 38 × 20 cm, 7 kg |
| Cathay Pacific | 56 × 36 × 23 cm, 7 kg |
| Japan Airlines | 55 × 40 × 25 cm, 10 kg |
| ANA | 55 × 40 × 25 cm, 10 kg |
| Qantas | 56 × 36 × 23 cm, 7 kg |
| Air New Zealand | 55 × 42 × 25 cm, 7 kg |
Budget Carriers in Asia: Carry-On Often Costs Extra
Many Asian LCCs follow the Spirit/Ryanair model:
| Airline | Policy |
|---|---|
| AirAsia | Carry-on NOT included on cheapest fares; personal bag only |
| Scoot | Personal bag included; carry-on add-on available |
| Jetstar | Carry-on NOT included on cheapest fares |
| IndiGo | Carry-on included (7 kg) on all fares |
| SpiceJet | Carry-on included (7 kg) |
How to Tell If Your Fare Includes a Carry-On
The clearest way to check is to look at your booking confirmation. Airlines typically list baggage inclusions explicitly. Look for:
- An icon or text saying "cabin bag" or "carry-on" under baggage
- A bag weight or size specification (e.g., "7 kg cabin bag")
- An overhead bin icon vs. an under-seat icon
On airline booking pages, the baggage policy is usually displayed during the fare selection step. If you see a personal bag or under-seat bag icon but no overhead bin icon, a carry-on is not included.
The True Cost of Cheap Fares Without Carry-On
Budget fares that exclude carry-ons can be deceptive. A Spirit "Go" fare might be $29 cheaper than a Delta economy fare on the same route — but a Spirit carry-on add-on costs $35–50. Add an under-seat personal bag difference and the "cheap" Spirit fare often ends up costing more than the comparable full-service option once you add what you actually need.
Always add up the total cost including your realistic bag requirements before deciding which airline's fare is genuinely cheaper.
The Bottom Line
In North America and on full-service carriers worldwide, a carry-on bag in the overhead bin is included in every ticket. On budget carriers in Europe, Asia, and increasingly in North America (Spirit, Frontier), the cheapest fares include only a small under-seat personal bag. Knowing your airline's policy before booking is the only way to avoid paying carry-on fees you didn't budget for.
Frequently asked questions
Which US airlines include a free carry-on?▾
American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue, and Hawaiian Airlines all include a full-size overhead bin carry-on in every fare. Spirit and Frontier charge for carry-ons on their cheapest fares.
Do budget European airlines include a carry-on for free?▾
Most do not on their cheapest fares. Ryanair, Wizz Air, and Vueling restrict base-fare passengers to an under-seat personal bag only. easyJet also restricts the larger overhead bag to upgraded fares or seats.
Does Spirit Airlines include a free carry-on?▾
No. Spirit's cheapest 'Go' fare only includes a small personal item. A full-size overhead carry-on costs extra and must be added during booking or at the airport, where fees are higher.
Which airlines have the most generous free carry-on policy?▾
Full-service US carriers (American, Delta, United) and full-service international carriers (Emirates, Singapore Airlines, British Airways) consistently offer the most generous free carry-on policies with no weight restrictions or large size limits.
Can airlines change their carry-on policy after I book?▾
Yes, airlines can update their baggage policies. Always verify the carry-on rules on the airline's website for your specific fare class before your travel date, as policies do change.
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