Airlines with free checked bags are getting rare in the United States. Southwest ended its two bags free policy in 2025. That means no major US carrier now includes a checked bag for every passenger on a domestic ticket.
The bag is still free in plenty of cases. It is just not automatic anymore. A free checked bag now usually depends on your fare class, your loyalty status, or a credit card, not on simply buying a ticket.
Outside the United States, the picture is different. Many international carriers still build a checked bag into the base economy fare. This page sorts out airlines with free checked bags, what changed at Southwest, and where the real exceptions live.
What happened to Southwest’s free bags policy
Southwest was the last US airline to include two checked bags free for every passenger. That changed in 2025. As of April 2026, Southwest charges 45 USD for a first checked bag and 55 USD for a second on US mainland travel.
Southwest still hands out a free bag or two in specific cases. Details live on its Southwest baggage record. Choice Extra fare buyers get both bags free.
Active duty military traveling with a valid ID get both bags free too. A List Preferred Rapid Rewards members get two free bags. A Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card covers the first bag, and Hawaii residents flying between islands keep two free bags on a valid Rapid Rewards account.
The practical effect is simple. Southwest now behaves like the rest of the industry. The free bag exists, but you have to qualify for it.
Do all airlines charge for checked baggage now
Not entirely. The answer depends heavily on status and fare type. Delta still lets its SkyMiles Medallion members and holders of eligible Delta American Express cards check a first bag free on domestic flights.
Basic cardmembers can cover both bags this way. Passengers without status or a qualifying card pay 45 USD for the first bag and 55 USD for the second, straight from Delta’s own domestic fee page.
American Airlines runs a similar split. A first domestic bag runs 50 USD at the airport or 45 USD paid online. Elite AAdvantage status, Premium Economy, Business, and First tickets can bring that down to free depending on the route.
So do all airlines charge for checked baggage on a plain economy domestic ticket. Mostly yes. A card, a status tier, or a premium fare is usually what cancels the charge.
Which airlines still include a checked bag on international flights
International flights are where the picture changes. Several US carriers that charge domestically still include a first checked bag on many international routes in standard economy. Basic economy fares typically do not qualify, and the exact rule varies by destination.
American’s own fee chart lists a first bag as free on many transatlantic and transpacific main cabin fares. A fee mostly applies to lower fare buckets and basic economy on those same routes.
Outside the US, the pattern is more generous. Emirates builds a checked bag into every Economy Class fare. The exact weight or piece allowance depends on the route and fare tier, from an Economy Special allowance up through the higher Economy Flex tiers with more baggage included.
Most other full service international carriers follow the same logic. The kind of airline with a business class cabin and a real meal service usually includes a checked bag with the ticket. Budget carriers are the exception, not the rule.
This is the core answer to which airline offers free checked baggage on a long trip. Look at full service international carriers first. Treat a US domestic itinerary as the case where you should expect to pay unless you qualify for an exception.
Domestic versus international first bag, at a glance
| Airline | Domestic first bag | International first bag |
|---|---|---|
| Southwest | 45 USD, free with status, military ID, or Choice Extra fare | Varies by route, check fare rules before booking |
| Delta | 45 USD, free for Medallion members and eligible Amex cardmembers | Often free on Main Cabin and above, basic economy usually excluded |
| American | 50 USD at airport, 45 USD online | Often free on transatlantic and transpacific Main Cabin, some fare buckets excluded |
| Emirates | Not a domestic US carrier | Included in every Economy fare, allowance varies by fare tier and route |
This table is a snapshot of airlines with free checked bags today, not a permanent guarantee, since fees change often. Check the specific fare rules on your ticket. Confirm the current number with the baggage cost tool or the airline’s own site before you fly.
How to get a free checked bag anyway
Frequent flyer forums point to the same three shortcuts over and over. A branded airline credit card, elite status, or a premium fare class. Cardholder benefits are usually the cheapest of the three.
A single annual fee can offset several checked bag fees a year for a whole traveling party in some cases. Fare shopping on purpose is the other reliable route.
A Main Cabin international fare that already includes a bag can beat a cheaper basic economy fare once you add the checked bag fee back in. Compare the total cost, not just the sticker price.
Reading up on the basics of checked baggage before you book also helps. If none of that applies, budget for the fee rather than guess.
The checked baggage fees page has the current numbers airline by airline. Packing to avoid a second bag is usually cheaper than any workaround.
Common questions
What airlines have free checked baggage for everyone?
None of the major US carriers include a free checked bag for every passenger on a standard domestic economy fare anymore. Southwest was the last holdout and ended that policy in 2025.
Which airline offers free checked baggage most reliably?
International carriers like Emirates build a bag into the base economy fare on most routes. Within the US, the most reliable free bag comes from airline credit cards and elite status rather than the ticket itself.
Do all airlines charge for checked baggage on every route?
No. Many US carriers still include a bag on select international routes and in higher fare classes, even though they charge on domestic tickets. Basic economy is the fare type most likely to charge no matter the route.
Are international flights free checked bag policies the same on every carrier?
No. Allowances differ by carrier, fare class, and sometimes by region. Weight based allowances apply on some routes and piece based allowances on others, so confirm the allowance tied to your specific fare before you pack.
Does a credit card really cover a checked bag?
Many airline credit cards do cover a first checked bag for the cardholder and sometimes companions on the same reservation. Terms vary by card and airline, so check the card’s own benefits page rather than assuming.
What is the cheapest way to avoid a checked bag fee?
Packing everything into a carry-on that meets size limits avoids the fee entirely on most airlines. When a checked bag is unavoidable, compare the full fare price using the baggage cost tool before you assume the cheapest fare is actually cheaper.
The bottom line on airlines with free checked bags: the automatic free bag for every passenger is mostly gone in the United States, Southwest included. The bag is still free in plenty of cases, through status, cards, premium fares, or international tickets. Check your specific fare before you assume either way.