Airline Baggage Fees on the Rise: How Much Will Travelers Pay in 2024?

This month, the news that American Airlines was bumping its baggage fees was just another string of increases that North American consumers will have to endure when they start planning travel this year.

While frequent travelers tend to stick with carry-ons, a practice that might be on the way out if you believe some consumer publications, airlines are still bringing in tons via baggage fees. According to a report from IdeaWorksCompany, a consultancy for airline ancillary revenues, and car rental firm CarTrawler. That number could increase even more with just the increases announced so far.

Here’s an airline-by-airline breakdown of just how much travelers might pay for checked baggage on some of the major North American carriers:  

Air Canada
For travel within Canada or between Canada and the U.S., those checking bags with basic and standard fare tickets will pay between $30 and $36 for their first bag, and $50 and $60 for their second bag. Latitude fare ticket holders get two bags free.

For travel between Canada and Mexico or the Caribbean, those checking bags will bag $50 for the first bag and $50 for their second bag, except if they are booked on a Comfort or Flex fare. Those with Comfort or Flex fares get their first bag for free and their second bag for $50. Latitude fare ticket holders on these routes also get two bags free.

Finally, those traveling elsewhere internationally will pay based on the route selected and the date the ticket was issued. A first bag fee of $75.00 applies to Economy Basic fares and Aeroplan Standard Rewards. The second bag on those tickets costs $100.

Full details can be found on the Air Canada baggage fee website.

Alaska Airlines
Alaska was the first of the major carriers to announce a 2024 baggage fee price hike.

Alaska now charges $35 for the first bag and $45 for the second bag for all standard tickets. Just like most other major carriers, Alaska allows branded credit card holders or Elite level Mileage Plan members, to have free checked bags.

American Airlines  
American Airlines was the second major U.S. carrier in 2024 to increase bag fees, an announcement it made at the same time that it revealed its AAdvantage preferred agency change.

For traveling within the U.S., the first checked bag is $40 and the second is $35. American does offer a $5 discount on the first checked bag if paid in advance.

For travel to/from Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and Guyana, the first checked bag is $35 and the second is $40.

American’s other international bag fees depend on the destination. Transatlantic and transpacific flight tickets, excluding those in basic economy, get one bag for free. The second bag on those flights is $75.

Those traveling to South America, except Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Suriname, will pay nothing for the first bag and $60 for the second.

Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines quietly bumped its checked baggage fees in March, joining other major carriers who have done the same this year.

“Beginning March 5, Delta will increase fees for first and second checked bags by $5 for most U.S.-originating domestic and short-haul international routes,” Delta said in a statement to TMR.

The first checked bag for most passengers will now be $35, up from $30 and the second will be $45, up from $40. The increase is for new tickets—anyone previously booked will pay the old prices even if their flights are scheduled for after March 5.

JetBlue
How much you pay on JetBlue flights largely depends on what type of fare your ticket is on.

For JetBlue’s Blue Basic, Blue, and Blue Extra, the first checked bag is $35 if booked in advance, and $45 if booked within 24 hours of departure. The second is $50 or $60 if booked within 24 hours of departure.

Blue Plus, Mint, and Mosaic ticketholders get their first bags for free. For Blue Plus, the second bag is $50 if booked in advance or $60 if booked within 24 hours of departure. Mosaic and Mint ticket holders get their second bag for free, too.

Southwest
Southwest does not charge for the first or second checked bags unless the bags are overweight (51 pounds or above). If bags are above 50 pounds, Southwest charges $100 per bag. If bags are above 70 pounds, that charge goes up to $125.

United Airlines 
All passengers on new bookings with United will be charged an extra $5 for their first and second checked bags—the first checked bag for United economy passengers on domestic flights will cost $40 while the second checked bag will cost $45 when paid in advance, and $50 when paid at the airport.

Similar to American, certain United loyalty program or credit card members can get their first checked bag for free, including United Chase credit card holders and MileagePlus Premier members. Those with premium cabin tickets can also check a bag for free.

United has a bag fee calculator on its website for passengers to see exactly how much it would cost ahead of time.

WestJet  
Like others, WestJet changes bag fees depending on whether or not a passenger prepays, and what region a passenger is flying to.

For travel in the U.S. and Canada, along with travel to/from Latin America and the Caribbean, WestJet charges between $35 and $42 for the first checked bag and $55 and $65 for the second if prepaid. Those not prepaying, and instead using self-serve check-in will pay $45 to $54 for the first checked bag and $65 and $77 for the second. And for those using airport check-in, the range goes from $55 to $65 for the first checked bag, and $75 and $89 for the second.

EconoFlex members get the first checked bag for free while Premium, PremiumFlex, Business, or BuisnessFlex members all get the first and second checked bag for free.

For travel to or from Europe, WestJet charges basic ticket holders between $75 and $89 for the first checked bag and $105 to $124 for the second. Those using self-serve check-in will pay between $85 and $101 for the first and $115 and $136 for the second. Those using airport check-in will pay between $95 to $113 for the first and $125 and $148 for the second.

Just like for flights within North America, EconoFlex members get the first checked bag for free while Premium, PremiumFlex, Business, or BuisnessFlex members all get the first and second checked bag for free.