Round trip, what one traveler pays
Ticket bought Oct 29, 2026, travelling Mar 10, 2027 (not a JetBlue peak date), standard fare. After the spring 2026 increases, one bag paid ahead costs the same $90 round trip on every airline here; the gaps open up with a second bag and with paying at the airport.
| Airline | 1 bag, paid ahead | 1 bag, at airport | 2 bags, paid ahead | 2 bags, at airport |
|---|
| American |
$90 |
$100 |
$200 |
$220 |
|---|
| Delta |
$90 |
$90 |
$200 |
$200 |
|---|
| United |
$90 |
$100 |
n/p |
n/p |
|---|
| Southwest |
$90 |
$90 |
$200 |
$200 |
|---|
| Alaska / Hawaiian |
$90 |
$90 |
$200 |
$200 |
|---|
| JetBlue |
$90 |
$98 |
$208 |
$236 |
|---|
"Paid ahead" = the airline's online or prepaid price where it has one (United: 24h+ before; JetBlue: 24h+ before). Southwest's Choice Extra fare includes two free bags; this uses its other fares. Change any assumption in the calculator.
By ticket purchase date
If you bought before an airline's change date, the old price should apply to that ticket. Check your purchase date on your receipt.
American Airlines
Within the U.S. (incl. Hawaii/Alaska), Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands
Main Cabin · Paid online / Paid at airport
| Purchase date | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th+ |
|---|
| Tickets issued on/after May 18, 2026 | $45 / $50 | $55 / $60 | $200 | $200 |
|---|
| Tickets issued Apr 9 – May 17, 2026 | $45 / $50 | $55 / $60 | $200 | $200 |
|---|
| Tickets issued Feb 18 – Apr 8, 2026 | $35 / $40 | $45 / $50 | $150 | $200 |
|---|
| Tickets issued on/before Feb 17, 2026 | $35 / $40 | $45 | $150 | $200 |
|---|
Basic Economy · Paid online / Paid at airport
| Purchase date | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th+ |
|---|
| Tickets issued on/after May 18, 2026 | $50 / $55 | $60 / $65 | $200 | $200 |
|---|
| Tickets issued Apr 9 – May 17, 2026 | $45 / $50 | $55 / $60 | $200 | $200 |
|---|
| Tickets issued Feb 18 – Apr 8, 2026 | $35 / $40 | $45 / $50 | $150 | $200 |
|---|
| Tickets issued on/before Feb 17, 2026 | $35 / $40 | $45 | $150 | $200 |
|---|
- American's page says it changed bag fees as of May 18, 2026, and lists separate first- and second-bag fees by ticket-issue date. For domestic travel the online price is $5 less than at the airport.
- 4th+ bag is $200. The page lists the 3rd-bag fee as $200 for tickets issued on/after April 9, 2026 and $150 for tickets issued on/before April 8, 2026.
- Free first bag for eligible AAdvantage credit cardholders on domestic American-operated itineraries (AAdvantage number must be on the reservation), AAdvantage Gold and oneworld Ruby. Two free bags in Domestic First, Business and Premium Economy, among others.
“Changes to bag allowances and fees have been updated as of May 18, 2026.” aa.com, read Oct 29, 2026
Delta Air Lines
Domestic flights within the U.S., Delta Main and Delta Comfort
Delta Main / Comfort
| Purchase date | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th+ |
|---|
| Ticketed on/after Apr 8, 2026 | $45 | $55 | $200 | $200 |
|---|
| Ticketed before Apr 8, 2026 | $35 | $45 | $200 | $200 |
|---|
- Delta publishes one price (no online discount). Its 'previous fees' page says the 1st bag rose from $35 to $45 and the 2nd from $45 to $55 for tickets bought on/after April 8, 2026.
- 3rd bag and bags 4–10: $200 each within the U.S. Overweight 51–70 lb: $100; 71–<100 lb: $200; oversize 63–80 in: $200.
- First bag free for Medallion members and eligible Delta SkyMiles Amex Basic Card Members; Delta says Basic Card Members can also check a second bag free on domestic Delta flights from June 4, 2026.
“$45 USD For your first standard checked bag under 50 lbs. (23 kg), each way” delta.com, read Oct 29, 2026 · page 2 · page 3
United Airlines
Domestic flights (and short U.S.–Canada/Mexico/Caribbean/Latin America flights)
Economy / Basic Economy · Prepaid 24h+ before / At the airport
| Purchase date | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th+ |
|---|
| Tickets purchased on/after Apr 3, 2026 | $45 / $50 | n/p | n/p | n/p |
|---|
| Tickets purchased before Apr 3, 2026 | $35 / $40 | n/p | n/p | n/p |
|---|
- United's pages state the first-bag price only ('bag fees start at $45 if you prepay, $50 in the lobby and $75 at the gate' for tickets bought on/after April 3, 2026). Second and later bag prices are only shown in United's interactive bag fee calculator, which we could not read as text, so we leave them blank instead of guessing.
- The prepay discount needs payment at least 24 hours before the flight and a U.S. billing address.
- Basic Economy: no full-size carry-on on most domestic flights; a bag that doesn't fit under the seat is checked at the gate for $75.
“For tickets purchased on or after April 3, 2026, bag fees start at $45 if you prepay, $50 in the lobby and $75 at the gate.” united.com, read Oct 29, 2026 · page 2 · page 3 · United's bag calculator
Southwest Airlines
U.S. mainland travel
Basic / Choice / Choice Preferred
| Purchase date | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th+ |
|---|
| Booked (or changed) on/after Apr 9, 2026 | $45 | $55 | $150 | $150 |
|---|
| Booked and ticketed before Apr 9, 2026 | $35 | $45 | $150 | $150 |
|---|
Choice Extra
| Purchase date | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th+ |
|---|
| Booked (or changed) on/after Apr 9, 2026 | Free | Free | $150 | $150 |
|---|
| Booked and ticketed before Apr 9, 2026 | Free | Free | $150 | $150 |
|---|
Within Hawaii (non-residents): from Apr 9, 2026: $30 / $40 / $50; through Apr 8, 2026: $15 / $20 / $50 (1st / 2nd / 3rd bag).
- Southwest's fee page has two tables: travel booked and ticketed before April 9, 2026, and travel booked, ticketed and/or changed on/after April 9, 2026. A voluntary change moves you to the new prices.
- Choice Extra fares and A-List Preferred members get two free checked bags; A-List members and Rapid Rewards credit cardmembers get the first bag free.
- A carry-on and a personal item are free on every fare. 3rd+ bag $150; overweight 51–70 lb +$100, 71–100 lb +$200; oversize 63–80 in +$200.
“For U.S. Mainland travel booked and ticketed and/or changed on or after April 9, 2026 … 1st Checked Bag $45, 2nd Checked Bag $55” southwest.com, read Oct 29, 2026
Alaska Airlines & Hawaiian Airlines
North America (includes Central America and Hawaii), Main Cabin and Saver
Main Cabin / Saver · Prepaid online / Standard
| Purchase date | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th+ |
|---|
| Ticketed on/after Apr 10, 2026 | $45 | $55 | $200 | $200 |
|---|
| Ticketed on/before Apr 9, 2026 | $35 / $40 | $45 | $150 | $150 |
|---|
Wholly within Hawaii: all dates: $30 / $40 / $50 (1st / 2nd / 3rd bag).
- Alaska and Hawaiian share one checked-bag page: 'Checked baggage fees and policies - Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines'. The old hawaiianairlines.com baggage URL now redirects there.
- For tickets issued on/before April 9, 2026 the $35 first-bag price applies only to prepayment made online between 24 and 4 hours before departure.
- Atmos Rewards Visa cardholders, Atmos status holders and active-duty U.S. military get free bags; Club 49 and Huaka'i residents' programs have their own allowances.
“Main Cabin and Saver guests traveling in North America … 1st Checked Bag $45 USD … 2nd Checked Bag $55 USD” alaskaair.com, read Oct 29, 2026
JetBlue
Within the U.S., Latin America, Caribbean and Canada; Main and EvenMore fares (incl. Base)
Main / EvenMore (incl. Base) · Added 24h+ before / Within 24h / at airport
| Purchase date | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th+ |
|---|
| Current fees (JetBlue does not date these by purchase) (off-peak) | $45 / $49 | $59 / $69 | $200 | $200 |
|---|
| Peak travel dates | $49 / $59 | $69 / $79 | $200 | $200 |
|---|
Peak travel dates listed by JetBlue: Oct 10, 2026–Oct 14, 2026; Nov 19, 2026–Nov 30, 2026; Dec 17, 2026–Dec 31, 2026; Jan 1, 2027–Jan 18, 2027; Feb 11, 2027–Feb 22, 2027; Apr 1, 2027–Apr 26, 2027; May 20, 2027–May 31, 2027; Jun 1, 2027–Sep 8, 2027.
- JetBlue prices checked bags by travel date: higher 'peak' prices apply on the dates it lists (for example Nov 19–30 and Dec 17–31, 2026).
- JetBlue lists the price for adding bags more than 24 hours before departure and says it 'includes' a saving (off-peak 1st bag: $4; all other first/second bags: $10). The 'within 24 hours' prices here are that price plus the stated saving.
- 3rd+ bag: $200. BlueFirst Base and Mint Base include one bag; BlueFirst and Mint include two. Mosaic members and eligible JetBlue cardmembers get the first bag included.
“Off-Peak … 1st Bag: $45 (incl $4 savings) 2nd Bag: $59 (incl $10 savings)” jetblue.com, read Oct 29, 2026 · page 2