Wow, has travel changed a lot in just a few years. $9 for a sandwich on a transcontinental flight! $20 to check a bag. Taxes and fuel surcharges more than the fares themselves! Flying isn’t quite as romantic as it use to be.
One of the most annoying new fees is the “baggage fee” that airlines are now charging for checked baggage. They are also using those creaky scales at the airport again with a passion. So learn to pack lightly or you will get with an overweight fee too! To help you navigate the new world of baggage fees the TravelGuru has put together this short guide to baggage costs on major carriers operating in and out of the US. Note, prices and rules change rapidly, so please be sure to check with the airlines website to confirm your final costs. All prices shown below are for economy tickets.
American Airlines
Within the US:
$20 first bag
$30 second bag
International:
First bag free
$50 second bag to Belgium, England, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Spain and Switzerland
Continental
Within the US:
$15 first bag (not to exceed 50lbs)
$25 second bag
($5 surcharge if baggage is paid at the airport)
International:
First checked bag free
$25 for second bag to Mexico, Latin and South America (except Brazil)
$45 for the second bag to Europe
Delta and Northwest
Within the US:
$15 first bag
$25 second bag
($5 surcharge if baggage is paid at the airport)
International:
First bag free
$50 for second bag to Europe
second bag free to other destinations
United Airlines
Within the US:
$15 first bag
$25 second bag
($5 surcharge if baggage is paid at the airport)
International:
2 bags free
US Airways
Within the US:
$15 first bag (going up to $20 in Oct)
$25 second bag (going up to $30 in Oct)
International:
2 bags free (up until Oct 7)
$45 for second bag (after Oct 7)
Alaska Airlines
$15 first bag
$25 second bag
Southwest Airlines
2 bags free
Virgin America
$20 per bag (up to 70lbs)
JetBlue
first bag free
$30 second bag
Airtran
$15 first bag
$25 second bag
$50 third bag
Most International Carriers
Still allow two checked bags for international flights. But please check the airline’s website to confirm all the details.
