Are All Airlines Charging For Carry-On Bags? | Yes And No

Carry‑on rules aren’t uniform. Some airlines welcome an overhead‑bin bag on every economy ticket. Others sell the space above your seat like any other add‑on. Basic fares can be the swing factor. One carrier’s “basic” keeps the bin closed, while a rival’s “basic” lets you bring a roller for free. Knowing who charges for carry‑ons, and when, saves both cash and time at the gate.

U.S. Airlines At A Glance: Carry‑On Fees And Fine Print

Here’s a quick map of the current landscape across major U.S. airlines. Policies can vary by route, aircraft, and fare bundle, so always check your exact flight before you buy.

Which Airlines Charge For Carry‑On Bags Today?

Ultra‑low‑cost carriers treat overhead space as a product. That includes Spirit, Frontier, Allegiant, Sun Country, Avelo, and Breeze. A small under‑seat item still rides free, but a true carry‑on usually costs less when you add it during booking. Waiting until check‑in—or the gate—pushes the price up. These airlines also cap size, and some set a weight limit for cabin bags, so measure before you roll to the airport.

Most full‑service U.S. airlines include a carry‑on in economy. American, Delta, Alaska, JetBlue, and Southwest all let you bring a roller and a personal item with a regular economy ticket. Basic fares are the wrinkle, which brings us to the next section.

Do All Airlines Charge For Carry‑On Luggage On Every Fare?

No. The pattern depends on fare type and route. Here’s how the big names handle it right now.

United: Basic Economy Often Means Personal‑Item Only

On many domestic and nearby international routes, United’s Basic Economy allows just a personal item that fits under the seat. Bring a full‑size carry‑on to the gate and you’ll be asked to check it and pay the checked‑bag fee, plus a service charge in some cases. Buy a standard Economy fare and you get the familiar overhead bag inclusion back. Exceptions exist on select long‑haul trips where a carry‑on is permitted even on Basic Economy.

JetBlue: Blue Basic Now Includes A Carry‑On

JetBlue flipped the script in September 2024. Blue Basic, its entry‑level fare, now comes with a free overhead bag in addition to a personal item. That brings JetBlue in line with American, Delta, Alaska, and Southwest on carry‑on inclusion, while keeping other Blue Basic trade‑offs like last‑group boarding and tighter change rules.

American, Delta, Alaska: Carry‑On Included Across Economy

These three continue to include one overhead bag and one personal item on economy tickets, including their basic‑branded fares. You still board later with the cheapest fare and overhead space can run out, so earlier boarding from status or a co‑branded card helps secure bin space on busy flights.

Southwest: Carry‑On Still Free, Even As Checked‑Bag Rules Shift

Southwest kept the cabin simple: one carry‑on and one personal item are free. In 2025 the airline reworked its checked‑bag policy and introduced new fare names, but it still lists a $0 price for the first carry‑on and personal item. If the bins fill, gate agents will check bags down the jet bridge at no charge.

Carry‑On Size And What Actually Fits

Most U.S. airlines use the same box: 22 × 14 × 9 inches, wheels and handles included. Some LCCs allow a taller 24‑inch bag but cap weight, often at 35 pounds. European budget lines like Ryanair sell overhead access as a Priority add‑on and limit the free personal item to a small under‑seat bag. Liquids in the cabin follow the TSA’s 3‑1‑1 rule, so keep bottles small and move big ones to checked bags.

When Paying A Carry‑On Fee Makes Sense

Sometimes a paid carry‑on is the smarter play. If a low fare from an LCC undercuts legacy airlines by a wide margin, add the cost of your cabin bag and compare the total. If you’re picking between a bundled fare that includes both a carry‑on and a checked bag versus buying items piecemeal, do the math for your trip length and packing style. It’s common to find that prepaying saves money over paying at check‑in or the gate.

Two other levers can tilt the decision. First, boarding order. Later groups face empty bins, which means a free gate‑check and a wait at baggage claim. Paying for a carry‑on plus early boarding—or holding a card or status that moves you up—keeps your bag with you. Second, aircraft size. On regional jets, a standard roller may need a valet tag even when carry‑ons are “included,” because the bins just won’t take 22‑inch wheels‑out bags.

Basic Vs Standard Economy: Carry‑On Rules By Airline

Here’s a deeper look at how basic‑branded fares compare with standard economy on carry‑on inclusion.

How To Avoid Surprise Charges

Match The Fare To Your Bag

Start with what you’re bringing. If you need an overhead bag, filter out fares that restrict it. On United, that means skipping Basic Economy on most North America routes. On an LCC, buy the carry‑on up front or choose a bundle that includes it. If you can live with a small under‑seat bag, stick with the absolute cheapest fare and keep your footprint tiny.

Price The Trip, Not The Ticket

Search engines sometimes show a great base fare that explodes after you add a carry‑on. Price the full plan: fare, seat, and bags. Airlines post those charges clearly on their sites, and consumer pages from the U.S. Department of Transportation explain your rights around fee disclosure and refunds.

Board Early If You Can

Earlier groups get the bins. You can move up with airline status, a co‑branded card, or a fare that includes priority boarding. If you’re in the last group on a full flight, plan for a courtesy gate‑check even when a carry‑on is “included.”

Know The Limits

Stick to the size box your airline posts, and weigh bags if an LCC caps cabin weight. European carriers often enforce under‑seat size for the free item and sell overhead access as a Priority upgrade. U.S. carriers tend to align on the 22 × 14 × 9 template, but aircraft with small bins still force valet tags for rollers.

Common Edge Cases That Trigger Fees

Gate Bags That Don’t Fit

If your bag doesn’t pass the sizer, agents will tag it for the hold. On airlines that charge for carry‑ons, that tag can convert into a paid fee. On airlines that include carry‑ons, you’ll usually gate‑check for free, then pick up the bag at the carousel.

Basic Economy With A Twist

Some long‑haul routes treat Basic Economy differently. A carry‑on might be allowed on Basic for transoceanic trips even if it isn’t on a short hop. Read the fare rules on your itinerary page.

Promo Bundles

Frontier and Breeze run promos that throw in a carry‑on or checked bag when you enter a code at booking. Those offers change often. If you see one, compare the total cost to a legacy fare that includes a carry‑on by default.

What About International Airlines?

Outside the U.S., many network carriers include a cabin bag. Plenty of budget lines don’t. In Europe, Ryanair sells overhead access through its Priority option while keeping the free allowance to a small under‑seat bag. That model mirrors the LCC approach in the U.S., so plan on paying for the bin if you’re flying a budget brand.

Packing Tips That Keep You Clear Of Fees

• Use a 20–22 inch hard‑side roller and a soft under‑seat bag; that combo fits most U.S. bins and seats.
• Pack liquids with the TSA 3‑1‑1 rule in mind so you don’t get stopped at security and forced to reshuffle at the gate.
• Wear your heaviest layers and shoes on the plane to reduce bag volume and weight.
• Use compression cubes for clothing and keep tech in the personal item for quick screening.

Quick Picks If You Want A Free Overhead Bag

Choose American, Delta, Alaska, JetBlue, or Southwest on a regular economy fare. Choose United’s standard Economy instead of Basic Economy on most short‑haul routes. If the cheapest fare on an LCC wins by a mile, add the carry‑on during booking and keep your total price under control.