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.
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 (ordinary published fares) | 22×14×9 in |
| Delta Air Lines | Yes (ordinary published fares) | 22×14×9 in |
| United Airlines | Standard Economy; Basic exceptions by route/eligibility | 22×14×9 in main bag |
| Southwest Airlines | Yes (all fares) | 24 ×16 ×10 in, including wheels and handles |
| Alaska Airlines | Yes, including Saver | 22×14×9 in |
| JetBlue | Yes, including Blue Basic | 22×14×9 in |
| Hawaiian Airlines | Yes, Saver/Main/First | 22×14×9 in; max 45 linear in |
| Allegiant Air | Personal item free; main bag paid | Confirm paid main-bag size with the booking |
Southwest includes a carry-on and personal item with every fare. Its published carry-on size limit is 24 ×16 ×10 inches, including wheels, handles, and attachments.
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 | 40×30×20 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 | Standard/Flex; Light outside Europe | 55×40×23 cm | 8 kg |
| Iberia | Yes (all fares) | 56×40×25 cm | 10 kg |
| Finnair | Light/Classic/Flex; Superlight small bag only | 55×40×23 cm | 8 kg combined with small bag |
Middle East
Carry-On Always Included on Full-Service Carriers
| Airline | Carry-On Included? | Economy Allowance |
|---|---|---|
| Emirates | Yes | 55×38×22 cm, 7 kg |
| Qatar Airways | Yes | 50 ×37 ×25 cm, 7 kg |
| Etihad Airways | Yes | 56×36×23 cm, 7 kg |
| Turkish Airlines | Yes | 55×40×23 cm, 8 kg; personal item 40×30×15 cm, 4 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 | One 55×40×20 cm bag, 7 kg; no separate free personal bag established |
Asia-Pacific
Carry-On Typically Included on Full-Service Carriers
| Airline | Economy Allowance |
|---|---|
| Singapore Airlines | Three-dimension sum≤115 cm,7 kg |
| Cathay Pacific | 56×36×23 cm, 7 kg combined; one main bag + small item; Hong Kong/New Zealand exception |
| Japan Airlines | 55×40×25 cm AND 115 cm total, 10 kg combined |
| ANA | 55×40×25 cm AND 115 cm total, 10 kg combined |
| Qantas (international Economy) | 56 ×36 ×23 cm, 7 kg |
| Air New Zealand | 55 ×40 ×23 cm, 7 kg |
Budget carriers in Asia: check the actual inclusion
Budget airlines do not share one baggage model. Check the operator, fare and travel date:
| Airline | Policy |
|---|---|
| AirAsia | Main bag plus small personal bag included; 7 kg combined |
| Scoot | One 54×38×23 cm bag plus one 40×30×10 cm personal item included; share 10 kg Economy or 15 kg ScootPlus |
| Jetstar | JQ before 2 February 2027 and GK: main bag plus small item, 7 kg combined; future JQ rules differ |
| IndiGo | Standard one 7 kg main bag plus 3 kg personal article; Lite only one 7 kg bag; regular Stretch main bag 12 kg, with Lite upgrade exception |
| SpiceJet | One main bag plus eligible additional articles share 7 kg; Boeing and Q400 dimensions differ |
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.
Sources and scope
Source-based research; no hands-on test or specialist review claimed.
Ryanair: 40×30×20 cm free underseat bag.
Ryanair dimensions only; remaining sections were not reverified in this review.
Cabin BaggageSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
Southwest permits one carry-on up to 24 x 16 x 10 inches plus an underseat personal item.
Southwest cabin baggage only
Carryon bags and personal itemsSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
Iberia and Iberia Express comparison correction
Iberia and Iberia Express comparison correction
Dimensiones y peso / Resumen rápidoSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
Scoot: one 54×38×23 cm main bag plus one 40×30×10 cm personal item share 10 kg Economy or 15 kg ScootPlus.
Scoped Scoot correction; unrelated carrier, product and destination facts not recertified.
Cabin Baggage Allowance; Checked Baggage AllowanceSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
Qantas route, per-item and combined allowance correction; related scope as stated in article.
Only the identified correction; no full review of unrelated claims.
Relevant allowance table / product scopeSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
Jetstar current included baggage, date-bound JQ change and unchanged GK rules; no universal surcharge or inspection rate.
Only the identified Jetstar correction; unrelated claims not recertified.
Relevant operator/date/allowance sectionSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
Jetstar current included baggage, date-bound JQ change and unchanged GK rules; no universal surcharge or inspection rate.
Only the identified Jetstar correction; unrelated claims not recertified.
Relevant operator/date/allowance sectionSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
Cathay baggage comparison corrected.
Only identified Cathay-related claims; no full review of unrelated carriers or destinations.
Pages 6–8: cabin and checked baggage; Policy A Hong Kong/New Zealand and Policy B other flights; page 5 batteriesSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
55×40×23 cm and 118 cm total, Q300 depth 22 cm; Economy 1×7 kg; premium cabins and named eligible status 2 bags sharing 14 kg, max 10 kg each, plus small personal item. Checked baseline 23 kg/158 cm.
Identified Air New Zealand and dimension-calculation correction only; unrelated claims not recertified.
Carry-on allowances; fare and tier allowances; small personal item; checked-in allowancesSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
55×40×23 cm main; 40×30×15 cm small; Economy/Premium 8 kg combined; Superlight no main; Business one main12 kg combined; €60 gate collection.
Only the named airline claims corrected in this article; unrelated carriers and destination details are not newly certified.
Ticket-type allowance table; excess carry-on; travelling with children; extra itemsSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
55×40×23/8kg main;40×30×15/max18L small;Light-only main-bag purchase;route/time fee variation;excess goeshold.
Scoped related-guide cabin-policy correction; unrelated destination and airport details not recertified.
Size and weight; underseat item; additional bag and feesSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
Light main only outsideEurope;Standard/Flexone;Premium/BusinessonewithinEurope,twooutsideEurope.
Scoped related-guide cabin-policy correction; unrelated destination and airport details not recertified.
Expanded Economy, Premium and Business accordionsSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
Cabin allowances and route exceptions
Scoped official cabin review; other topics not recertified.
Cabin allowances and route exceptionsSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
All fares include Economy 1×7 kg or Business 2×7 kg /14 kg total, 55×38×20 cm; personal 25×33×20 within allowance; AED200/USD55 gate excess per item plus possible local charges; conditional infant and stroller allowances.
Scoped carrier correction only; unrelated destination/security/other-carrier claims not recertified.
Economy; Business; personal items; boarding gate; infants; stroller FAQSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
Economy1×7kg56×36×23;Business/First/Residence2pieces12kg combined, US1piece12kg; extra premium small bag23×39×19/5kg. Basic excludes checked baggage; excess cabin checked with charges; AUH liquid100ml/1L.
Scoped carrier correction only; unrelated destination/security/other-carrier claims not recertified.
Partner-flight FAQ cabin paragraphs; Basic fare; toiletriesSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
Singapore Economy one 7 kg main bag with three-dimension sum115 cm; listed40×30×10 cm personal item.
Reused completed Singapore source review for encountered comparison row only
Cabin allowance table; additional itemsSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
Economy one 8 kg bag; Business two bags each 8 kg; 55×40×23 cm. Personal item 40×30×15 cm/4 kg. US departures Business second cabin bag checked free. Infant cabin one 8 kg; Star Alliance Gold does not add cabin entitlement.
Scoped airline/transfer corrections only; unrelated destination facts and schedules not recertified.
Cabin baggage rules; personal item; US departures; infants; liquidsSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
Economy one 55×40×20 cm/7 kg; Business two pieces15 kg combined. Declare and tag all cabin bags; no passenger pooling. Infant Economy additional hand bag up to 10 kg within size limit; no infant checked allowance.
Scoped airline/transfer corrections only; unrelated destination facts and schedules not recertified.
Carry-on baggage; infants; important guidelinesSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
Main 55×35×25 cm/115 cm,7 kg; additional personal article 3 kg; infant 7 kg cabin, no checked allowance, one free stroller/pram.
Scoped correction of named baggage claims in this article; unrelated product, airport and destination content not recertified.
Free Baggage Allowance; infant; liquids; connecting flightsSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
Stretch/Stretch+ main 12 kg one piece. Cabin bag may move to hold and return via conveyor. Guitar soft case allowed; violin checked; special fees differ from dedicated page.
Scoped correction of named baggage claims in this article; unrelated product, airport and destination content not recertified.
Stretch customers; cabin space; musical instruments; special baggageSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
Infants travel on adult lap; no separate infant seat. Fees follow route/service table.
Scoped correction of named baggage claims in this article; unrelated product, airport and destination content not recertified.
Infant seat and fee questionsSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
Guitar soft case; other listed instruments checked. Additional seat for large accepted items. Dedicated handling fees conflict with general FAQ.
Scoped correction of named baggage claims in this article; unrelated product, airport and destination content not recertified.
Special Baggage; Musical InstrumentsSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
Lite includes only one 7 kg cabin bag, no checked bag; airport/onboard upgrades retain original Lite baggage. Specific terms prevail over general policy.
Scoped correction of named baggage claims in this article; unrelated product, airport and destination content not recertified.
Terms 1, 3, 4.7 and 9; baggage and upgrade FAQsSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
One 56×36×23 cm cabin bag and one 40×30×10 cm small bag are included, 7 kg combined.
Scoped correction of named baggage claims in this article; unrelated product, airport and destination content not recertified.
AirAsia Flights: All you need to know about our cabin baggage policy; AnswerSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
One 22×14×9 in carry-on and one 17×10×9 in personal item; Basic Economy route/status/card exceptions, wheels and handles, liquids guidance and United Express restrictions.
Scoped correction of named baggage claims in this article; unrelated product, airport and destination content not recertified.
Size limits; Liquid, gels and sprays; Basic Economy bag limits; Gate-checked bagsSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
Lap-infant price varies by destination; free stroller/car-seat checking has quantity, size and cabin-placement conditions.
Scoped correction of named baggage claims in this article; unrelated product, airport and destination content not recertified.
Ticketing options; Getting to the gate; Car seats; FAQs: lap-child cost and checking car seat/strollerSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
Aircraft-specific boxes; 7 kg shared with eligible additional articles; infant extra 7 kg; purchased extra 5 kg, maximum 12 kg.
Boeing checker baseline; Q400 and paid slab explicitly manual. Domestic excess INR 750/kg is not an international rate.
Hand baggage; Carry More On-board; airport excess table; terms 2–5Source review: · Codex (AI source review)
Infant fees differ by route; pushchairs and baby/car seats not permitted in cabin.
No claimed free hold or gate handling.
Domestic and international infant booking answersSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
Charter says no separate infant baggage, conflicting with current baggage page.
Conflict retained; no invented universal infant entitlement.
Carriage of Infant Passengers, item 5Source review: · Codex (AI source review)
Cabin liquid containers limited to 100 ml.
Airport/transit rules and exceptions require separate confirmation.
Liquids and toiletries restrictionsSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
One main bag and one personal item share 10 kg in all cabins; 55×40×25 cm AND total 115 cm including handles/wheels. Personal item 40×30×20 cm.
Scoped encountered carrier claim correction; unrelated destination and other-carrier claims not recertified.
Free carry-on allowance / class-independent size and weight table; notesSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
One main bag and one personal item share 10 kg in all cabins; 55×40×25 cm AND total 115 cm including handles/wheels. Personal item must fit under seat; no numeric box published.
Scoped encountered carrier claim correction; unrelated destination and other-carrier claims not recertified.
Free carry-on allowance / class-independent size and weight table; notesSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
One carry-on 22×14×9 inches including wheels/handles, max 45 linear inches, plus one personal item; applies on all aircraft. Current page states no numerical weight.
Hawaiian row only; other corrected rows reuse already-reviewed canonical carrier records, without resetting their review dates.
Carry-on luggage size; maximum 45 linear inches; one carry-on and personal itemSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
Frequently asked questions
Which US airlines include a free carry-on?
Do budget European airlines include a carry-on for free?
Does Spirit Airlines include a free carry-on?
Which airlines have the most generous free carry-on policy?
Can airlines change their carry-on policy after I book?
Check if your bag fits
Compare your carry-on dimensions with your airline’s allowance.