Airlines With a Free First Checked Bag (2026 Guide)

The era of the free checked bag is largely over. The US airline industry began unbundling baggage fees from fares in 2008, and the global trend has accelerated since. In 2026, most major airlines charge for every checked bag regardless of fare. But a few exceptions remain — and knowing which airlines include checked luggage can save $35–$80 per passenger per flight.

Airlines That Include a Free First Checked Bag

Southwest Airlines — Free Bags Depend on Fare and Benefits

Southwest's former universal two-free-bag rule no longer applies. Current fare and benefit terms distinguish these cases:

• Choice Extra or A-List Preferred: Two standard checked bags free on eligible Southwest flights
• Weight limit: 50 lb (23 kg) per bag
• Size limit: 62 linear inches (L + W + H combined)
• A-List or eligible Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmember: First standard checked bag free, subject to terms
• Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred without an eligible benefit: Checked-bag fees apply

Southwest previously used “Bags Fly Free” as a central brand promise. For a current booking, compare the fare plus any applicable checked-bag fees in both directions. Check Southwest's current charges.

The trade-off: A fare including two bags may cost more than a lower fare plus bag charges. Southwest now assigns seats, and partner-carrier itineraries can have different baggage terms.

Hawaiian Airlines — Route and eligibility determine free bags

For tickets issued on or after 10 April 2026, standard Main/Saver checked fees are USD30 first/40 second for wholly Hawaii itineraries and USD45 first/55 second for North America. A free interisland bag is not automatic for every passenger.

Eligible card, Atmos status or resident-program benefits have their own conditions; confirm the ticket and qualifying benefit. Main Cabin Asia/Oceania includes the first two standard checked bags; Europe includes the first. Use the actual itinerary rather than an old HawaiianMiles one-free-bag promise.

Alaska Airlines — Free Bag via Credit Card or Status

Alaska Airlines does not include a free checked bag in base Economy fares for general passengers, but provides it through two channels:

• Alaska Airlines Visa credit card holders: First bag free for the cardholder and up to six companions on the same reservation
• Alaska MVP and higher status: First bag free on Alaska flights
• Base Economy: First checked bag is $35

The Alaska credit card's free bag benefit is one of the most valuable of any co-branded airline card in the US market, particularly for frequent Alaska flyers in the Pacific Northwest and West Coast.

Airlines That Include Checked Bags in Select Fares

JetBlue — Free Bag on Blue Plus and Higher

JetBlue uses a fare bundle structure where the first checked bag is included at higher tiers:

JetBlue's Blue Plus and above fares include the first checked bag, but the cheapest Blue Basic and Blue fares do not. Blue Plus is typically only marginally more expensive than Blue on many routes, making it worth comparing when you need to check a bag.

JetBlue Plus credit card: Holders of the JetBlue Plus Card get one free checked bag on JetBlue flights for themselves and up to three companions.

American Airlines — Free Bag for Credit Card Holders and Status

American Airlines charges for checked bags in base Economy fares. Free bags are available through:

• AAdvantage Platinum and above status: First bag free
• Citi AAdvantage credit cards (Gold and Platinum): First bag free for cardholder and companions
• American Airlines co-branded Barclays cards: First bag free
• Base Economy and Main Cabin without card: $35 first bag, $45 second bag

United Airlines — Free Bag for Credit Card Holders and Status

United's structure matches American:

• MileagePlus Premier Silver and above: First bag free
• United Explorer credit card: First bag free for cardholder and one companion
• United Club Infinite card and higher: First and second bags free
• Base Economy without card: $35 first bag

Delta Air Lines — Free Bag for Credit Card Holders and Status

Delta follows the same pattern:

• SkyMiles Silver Medallion and above: First bag free
• Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express card: First bag free for cardholder and companions on the same reservation
• Base Economy without card or status: $35 first bag

Free First Checked Bag: Summary Table

European Airlines: Checked Bags Almost Never Free

European full-service carriers include a checked bag in their standard Economy fares — but not in their cheapest or "Hand Baggage Only" versions:

• British Airways: Standard Economy includes one 23 kg checked bag; Hand Baggage Only (HBO) fare does not
• Lufthansa: Economy Classic includes one checked bag; Economy Light does not
• Air France: Economy fares generally include one checked bag except on the cheapest Light or promotional fares
• KLM: Similar to Air France — Light fares do not include checked bags

Do not infer checked-bag inclusion from the label “budget airline”. Review the named fare and booking. Transavia Plus may include checked baggage while still excluding the large cabin bag; cabin and hold entitlements are separate. Prices require a quote for the actual flight.

The Real Cost of "Free" Checked Bags

Airline co-branded credit cards that offer a free first checked bag typically come with annual fees. The math:

Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex: $150 annual fee (after first year) → One round-trip saves $70 in bag fees for two passengers → Net saving: $70 − $150 = card still costs money on bags alone, but other perks (miles, lounge day passes) typically tip the balance.

United Explorer Card: ~$95 annual fee → First bag free saves $35 × 2 (round trip) = $70 → Net on bags: worth it for two or more round trips per year.

Alaska Visa: $75 annual fee → First bag free saves $35–$75 round trip × number of flights → Worth it for anyone flying Alaska more than once a year.

The free bag benefit alone rarely justifies a credit card annual fee on a single annual flight. For frequent flyers — two or more round trips per year with checked luggage — the math works.

Tips for Avoiding Checked Bag Fees

Master the carry-on. A 22 × 14 × 9 inch bag (US domestic standard) holds enough for 5–7 days. The investment in packing skills pays in perpetual bag fee savings.

Compare Southwest fare bundles for trips with checked bags. Add bag charges to the fare in each direction and account for any eligible status or card benefit.

Get the co-branded card if you fly the same airline twice or more per year. The bag fee savings plus sign-up miles almost always exceed the annual fee in the first year.

Check fare bundles before buying the cheapest option. On many airlines, a fare bundle that includes a checked bag is only $20–$30 more than the base fare — less than adding the bag separately.

Weigh bags before the airport. Overweight bag fees ($100–$200 per bag over 50–70 lb) are far more painful than the first bag fee.

The Bottom Line

Southwest includes two standard checked bags with Choice Extra or A-List Preferred on eligible flights, and an eligible Rapid Rewards card can cover a first standard bag. Other airlines may include a bag through fares, cards, or status. Compare the complete fare and baggage terms before booking.

Baggage sources

• Transavia