AIRLINE BAGGAGE FEE LOOKUP — 2026
5 carriers · fare class · route region · verified 2026-06-12
Quick answer
In April 2026 all three US legacy carriers raised checked-bag fees: Delta's first domestic bag is now $45 (was $35, effective 8 Apr 2026), United's first domestic bag is $45 prepaid / $50 at the airport (was $35, effective 3 Apr 2026), and American's first bag is $45 online (was $35 online, effective 9 Apr 2026).
The costliest surprise is United Basic Economy on transatlantic routes: it includes NO free checked bag — the first checked bag is $75 and the second $100. Ryanair charges excess weight per kilogram (about €12/kg over the 20 kg allowance), so a 30 kg bag costs roughly €120 in excess, not a flat surcharge. Spirit (NK) is not listed: it ceased all operations on 2 May 2026.
| Carrier | 2026 change | Effective |
|---|---|---|
| Delta — first checked bag (domestic) | $35 → $45 | 8 Apr 2026 |
| United — first checked bag (domestic) | $35 → $45 prepaid / $50 airport | 3 Apr 2026 |
| American — first checked bag (domestic) | $35 → $45 online | 9 Apr 2026 |
| United Basic Economy — checked bag (transatlantic) | $0 → $75 first / $100 second | 2026 fare rules |
Last updated 12 June 2026 · Data verified 2026-06-12 against the carriers' official tariff pages: Delta baggage, United baggage, American baggage, Ryanair fees.
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Pack-smart gear · skip the surcharge
Tools that keep a checked bag inside the allowance — cheaper than one airport overweight fee. Amazon search links (tag bordertrip-20):
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Disclaimer
Results are estimates based on published carrier tariffs as of the verified date. Final fees are determined by the airline at check-in. Codeshare itineraries, award tickets, and elite-status waivers may not be reflected. Confirm with the airline before flying.
Worked examples
These reproduce exactly what the calculator above returns from the verified 2026 ruleset. Final fees are set by the airline at check-in.
United Basic Economy, transatlantic, one checked bag
Verdict: WITHIN ALLOWANCE for size/weight, but the bag is not free. Basic Economy includes 0 free checked bags transatlantic, so one 23 kg bag at the size limit is $75. A second bag adds $100. Choosing standard Economy instead includes the first bag.
Ryanair, intra-EU, 30 kg checked bag (20 kg allowance)
Verdict: OVERWEIGHT. The 10 kg of excess is charged per kilogram at roughly €12/kg, so about €120 on top of the prepaid checked-bag fee — not a flat €12. Ryanair's free small personal item (40×30×20 cm) has no published weight limit.
Frequently asked questions
Did US airline baggage fees go up in 2026?
Yes. In April 2026 Delta, United and American all raised the first checked-bag fee to $45 (United $45 prepaid / $50 at the airport). The increases took effect 3–9 April 2026 and apply to most domestic Economy tickets issued from those dates. This calculator uses the post-increase tariffs.
Is a checked bag free on United Basic Economy to Europe?
No. On transatlantic routes United Basic Economy does not include a free checked bag: the first checked bag is $75 and the second is $100. Basic Economy does include a full-size carry-on transatlantic, unlike domestic Basic Economy where the carry-on is excluded. If you need a checked bag, standard Economy includes the first one.
How does Ryanair charge for an overweight bag?
Per kilogram, not a flat fee. Excess weight over the 20 kg checked allowance is billed at roughly €11–13 per kilo (€12/kg used here as the midpoint), so 10 kg of excess is about €120 — far more than a single flat surcharge. It is usually cheaper to buy a higher weight allowance in advance than to pay excess at the airport.
Why isn't Spirit Airlines in the list?
Spirit (NK) ceased all operations and entered wind-down on 2 May 2026 after a failed rescue. A baggage tariff for an airline that no longer flies would be misleading, so its rows were removed rather than kept with a stale date.
Are these the final fees I'll pay?
They are estimates from the carriers' published tariffs as of the verified date. The airline sets the final fee at check-in. Codeshare itineraries, award tickets, co-branded credit-card waivers and elite-status benefits can change what you pay and may not be reflected here. Always confirm on the airline's own site for your specific ticket.
What size and weight count as 'oversize' or 'overweight'?
For most carriers a standard checked bag is up to 23 kg and 158 cm in total linear dimensions (length + width + height). Above 23 kg triggers an overweight surcharge; above 158 cm (or the carrier's stated limit) triggers an oversize surcharge, and both can stack. Enter your bag's real dimensions and weight above to see which thresholds it crosses.
Related tools
Other BorderTrip checks that pair with airline baggage planning:
- Cabin bag fit & fee checker — check whether your carry-on fits each airline's sizer and what it costs if it doesn't
- Delayed baggage compensation checker — work out what an airline owes you when your checked bag is delayed or lost
- Travel power bank airline compliance — confirm your power bank's watt-hours are allowed in the cabin before you fly