Updated October 13, 2026. Airline baggage policies and fees can change; always verify the rules for your specific flight before departure.
Knowing your airline’s checked-baggage size, weight limit, and fees before you travel can help you avoid unexpected airport charges. Most major US airlines use a standard checked-bag limit of approximately 62 linear inches (158 cm) and 50 pounds (23 kg) for regular economy baggage, but exceptions apply.
Your actual allowance depends on the airline, route, ticket type, travel class, purchase date, and any eligible loyalty or credit-card benefits. Some fares include a checked bag, while others charge separately for the first, second, or additional bags.
This guide compares checked-bag dimensions, standard weight limits, and baggage fees across major airlines. It also explains how to measure your suitcase, identify overweight charges, and check whether your ticket includes a free bag.
Checked Baggage Size and Weight Limits at a Glance
| Baggage rule | Common standard | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum total dimensions | 62 linear inches (158 cm) | Add length, width, and height |
| Standard economy weight | 50 lb (23 kg) | Check your airline’s exact limit |
| Premium-cabin weight | May be 70 lb (32 kg) | Depends on the airline and route |
| Oversized baggage | Often above 62 linear inches | Additional fees or restrictions may apply |
| Overweight baggage | Often above 50 lb (23 kg) | Charges depend on weight bands and route |
| Wheels and handles | Usually included | Measure the outside dimensions of the packed bag |
These are common reference points, not universal rules. For example, Emirates uses different baggage systems depending on the route, and its published weight-based allowances can differ substantially from US domestic economy allowances.
Quick answer: Before checking a bag, confirm three things in your booking: the permitted number of bags, the maximum dimensions and weight per bag, and the fee for each bag you intend to check.
Checked Bag Size, Weight and Fee Chart by Airline
The following chart provides a practical starting point for comparing major airlines. Prices are in the airline’s stated currency, normally US dollars for the US domestic examples.
Important: The fee examples below are route- and fare-specific, not universal prices for every flight. They describe published policies and representative domestic itineraries, with effective-date qualifications where available. Confirm your exact trip through the linked official airline policy before paying.
| Airline | Common standard size | Standard economy weight | First checked bag | Second checked bag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | 62 linear inches | 50 lb | $45 online / $50 airport for eligible Main Cabin domestic examples | $55 online / $60 airport |
| Delta Air Lines | 62 linear inches | 50 lb | $45 | $55 |
| Southwest Airlines | 62 linear inches | 50 lb | $45 for applicable tickets booked and ticketed on or after April 9, 2026 | $55 under the same applicable rules |
| Alaska Airlines | Confirm the limit for your itinerary | Confirm the limit for your itinerary | $45 for applicable North American flights booked on or after April 10, 2026 | $55 under the same applicable rules |
| JetBlue | Confirm the current route-specific policy | Confirm the current route-specific policy | Standard domestic fares may start at $45 off-peak when added more than 24 hours before departure | Standard domestic fares may start at $59 off-peak under the same conditions |
| United Airlines | Check the airline’s baggage policy | Check the airline’s baggage policy | Use the airline’s trip-specific baggage-fee calculator | Use the airline’s trip-specific baggage-fee calculator |
| Air Canada | 62 linear inches | 50 lb | Depends on route and fare | Depends on route and fare |
| Emirates | Depends on the baggage concept and route | Depends on route and cabin | Depends on the ticket’s allowance | Depends on the ticket’s allowance |
Sources: American Airlines, Delta, Southwest, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, Air Canada, and Emirates official baggage information.
How to read this chart
- American Airlines: The listed prices apply to eligible Main Cabin domestic examples, not every Basic Economy ticket or international route. American’s published fees vary by ticket-issue date and payment method.
- Delta: The $45 first-bag and $55 second-bag examples apply to qualifying domestic Delta Main and Comfort itineraries without the listed card, elite-status, or military exceptions.
- Southwest: The $45 and $55 fees apply to qualifying tickets booked and ticketed on or after April 9, 2026. Certain fare types and eligible travelers have different allowances.
- Alaska Airlines: The listed prices reflect the announced increase for applicable North American flights booked on or after April 10, 2026. Special programs and eligible benefits can change the cost.
- JetBlue: Pricing can vary by peak season, fare type, route, and when the bag is added. The airline’s trip-specific baggage page is the better source for a final price.
- United Airlines: Do not assume a universal first- or second-bag fee. Check the airline’s current calculator using your trip details.
- Air Canada and Emirates: International and cross-border baggage allowances can depend heavily on itinerary, fare, and cabin.
American’s official policy, for example, distinguishes fees by ticket-issue date and fare type, while JetBlue publishes separate pricing for peak and off-peak travel.
US Airlines: Domestic Checked-Baggage Rules
For a domestic US flight, the most useful comparison is not simply the advertised first-bag price. You should also compare the second-bag fee, your ticket’s included allowance, and any restrictions on weight or dimensions.
American Airlines
American Airlines commonly uses a 62-linear-inch size limit and a 50-pound standard economy limit, subject to its applicable policy and exceptions.
For qualifying Main Cabin domestic itineraries covered by its current published schedule, the first checked bag costs $45 when prepaid online or $50 at the airport. The second costs $55 online or $60 at the airport. Basic Economy can cost more, and international routes may follow different pricing rules.
Before paying, verify:
- The fare type on your ticket.
- Whether your route includes a checked bag.
- Whether your AAdvantage status or eligible card provides a baggage benefit.
- Whether the price changes based on your ticket’s issue date.
See the official American Airlines checked-baggage policy.
Delta Air Lines
Delta’s published standard domestic examples list a $45 first checked bag and a $55 second checked bag, each way, for qualifying Delta Main and Comfort customers without applicable exceptions.
The standard size limit is 62 inches total, and the standard weight threshold is 50 pounds. Eligible SkyMiles American Express cardholders and Medallion members may qualify for free-bag benefits under the relevant terms.
Check the official Delta baggage policy for route-specific pricing, exceptions, and overweight or oversized baggage charges.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest’s baggage fees changed in 2026, so the ticket’s booking and ticketing date matters.
For applicable US mainland tickets booked and ticketed on or after April 9, 2026, the published first- and second-bag fees are $45 and $55, respectively, for Basic, Choice, and Choice Preferred fares. Choice Extra includes free checked bags under the published conditions. Eligible Rapid Rewards members and credit-card customers may also qualify for benefits.
Southwest states a standard size limit of 62 linear inches and a weight limit of 50 pounds. Its measurement guidance includes wheels and handles.
Check Southwest’s optional travel charges before booking or adding luggage.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines announced an increase in checked-bag fees for applicable North American flights booked on or after April 10, 2026. Its published announcement lists $45 for the first checked bag and $55 for the second. Eligible Atmos Rewards benefits, airline-card benefits, and Alaska-specific programs can change the cost.
Check Alaska’s official baggage information for your current dimensions, weight restrictions, route, and eligibility.
JetBlue
JetBlue’s baggage pricing varies by fare, destination, season, and payment timing. For standard domestic fares, its published 2026 table shows off-peak prices starting at $45 for the first bag and $59 for the second when added more than 24 hours before departure. Peak periods can be more expensive. Certain premium fares and eligible members receive different allowances.
Because seasonal pricing and fare eligibility can materially affect the total, use JetBlue’s checked-bag policy to calculate the cost for your actual trip.
United Airlines
United’s checked-bag charges depend on itinerary and ticket details. Before comparing its price with another airline, check the current baggage information for your trip rather than assuming the same charge applies to every domestic route.
Also confirm the weight and size limit for your fare and cabin, along with any applicable status or card benefits. The airline’s official site is the appropriate place to verify the final fee.
International Airlines: Size, Weight and Allowance Differences
International baggage rules can be more complicated than US domestic rules. An airline may use a piece concept, which limits the number of bags and the permitted weight of each, or a weight concept, which limits the total weight you may check.
The concept that applies depends on the route and ticket.
Air Canada
Air Canada’s standard checked-bag reference is 62 linear inches (158 cm) and 50 pounds (23 kg) per bag, although premium cabin or eligible loyalty benefits may permit a higher weight or additional allowance.
Its published fees vary by route and fare. The airline provides a baggage calculator and warns that an already-issued ticket may have an allowance different from the amount displayed for a new booking.
Verify your allowance through the Air Canada checked-baggage page.
Emirates
Emirates uses both weight-based and piece-based baggage allowances. Under its weight concept, the total permitted baggage weight depends on the fare and travel class. Under the piece concept, the number of bags and the weight allowed for each bag depend on the itinerary.
Emirates states that individual bags under its weight concept must not exceed 32 kg (70.5 lb), and its published dimension limit for that concept is 203 cm (79.92 inches) in total. Those figures should not be interpreted as a universal free allowance for every traveler.
Check the official Emirates checked-baggage rules and the allowance attached to your booking.
Why international allowances need individual checks
For international travel, do not rely on a generic “one 23 kg bag” rule. The number of included bags, their individual weight limits, and any additional fees can change with your destination, fare, cabin, and ticket conditions. If multiple airlines operate the itinerary, verify which baggage rules apply to each part of the journey.
How to Measure Checked Luggage Correctly
The easiest way to avoid an oversized-bag surprise is to measure your packed suitcase before leaving home.
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Step 1: Measure length, width, and height
Measure the outside of the suitcase at its widest points:
- Length: The longest side of the suitcase.
- Width: The side-to-side measurement.
- Height: The measurement from the bottom to the top, including protruding wheels and handles where required by the airline.
Do not measure only the suitcase shell if wheels, handles, or other parts extend beyond it. Southwest and Air Canada explicitly include wheels and handles in their published checked-bag measurement guidance.
Step 2: Calculate linear inches
The formula is:
\[ \text{Linear inches} = L + W + H \]
For example, imagine your packed suitcase measures:
- Length: 28 inches
- Width: 18 inches
- Height: 12 inches
The total is:
\[ 28 + 18 + 12 = 58\text{ inches} \]
This bag measures 58 linear inches, which is below a 62-inch total-dimension limit. However, you must also check any separate side-length restrictions and the airline’s actual policy.
Step 3: Convert inches to centimeters if necessary
Multiply the measurement in inches by 2.54.
\[ 62 \times 2.54 = 157.48\text{ cm} \]
That is approximately 157.5 cm, commonly rounded to 158 cm in airline baggage policies.
Remember: A suitcase advertised as “28 inches” is not automatically acceptable. The advertised number may describe the case body rather than the full outside measurement.
Overweight and Oversized Baggage Fees
An overweight bag and an oversized bag are different problems. A suitcase can meet the dimension limit but exceed the weight limit, or fit within the weight allowance while being too large.
Some airlines charge separate fees for baggage quantity, weight, and size. Delta explicitly notes that more than one charge can apply to the same bag when it exceeds multiple limits.
| Baggage situation | What it means | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Standard bag | Meets the airline’s size and weight limits | Included allowance and regular bag fee |
| Overweight bag | Exceeds the permitted weight | Applicable weight band and maximum accepted weight |
| Oversized bag | Exceeds the permitted dimensions | Size thresholds, extra fees, or restrictions |
| Extra bag | Exceeds the included number of bags | Additional-piece fee and route restrictions |
| Both overweight and oversized | Exceeds both limits | Whether the airline charges separately for each excess |
What happens if your checked bag is overweight?
The airline may charge an additional fee, require you to redistribute items, or refuse the bag if it exceeds the permitted maximum. The exact outcome depends on the carrier, route, and applicable restrictions.
If your bag is close to the limit, weigh it at home with a luggage scale. Leave a small margin for differences between your home scale and the airport scale.
What happens if your suitcase is oversized?
A bag that exceeds the normal dimension limit may incur an oversized-baggage charge or be subject to special handling. Certain items and routes have different restrictions, and an oversized suitcase is not guaranteed to be accepted just because you are willing to pay an additional fee.
Before traveling with a large suitcase, sports equipment, or other unusual luggage, check the airline’s oversized-baggage policy and any destination-specific restrictions.
Which Airlines Include Free Checked Bags?
There is no single answer that applies to every ticket. Free baggage depends on the airline, fare, destination, cabin, loyalty status, and qualifying credit-card benefits.
Common situations in which a checked bag may be included are:
- Premium-cabin tickets: Some business- and first-class fares include additional baggage.
- Eligible airline-card benefits: Certain co-branded cards offer a free checked bag when the booking meets the card’s conditions.
- Frequent-flyer status: Qualifying elite members may receive an additional baggage allowance.
- Specific fares or routes: Some tickets include checked luggage in the fare.
- Military or other eligible programs: Certain airlines provide benefits under specific conditions.
For example, Delta publishes free-bag benefits for eligible cardholders and Medallion members, while American Airlines describes free-bag benefits for eligible AAdvantage members and cardholders. These benefits have terms and eligibility requirements.
Should you get an airline credit card to avoid baggage fees?
Compare the baggage fees you realistically expect to pay with the card’s annual fee and other benefits you would actually use. Also check the conditions: some benefits apply only to the primary cardholder, eligible companions, specific routes, or reservations made under certain requirements.
A card that waives a baggage fee is not automatically the lowest-cost choice for every traveler. Compare the total trip cost before making a decision.
For related travel planning, see FinanceGate’s guides to American Airlines AAdvantage credit cards and how to use airline miles.
How to Avoid Extra Checked-Baggage Fees
You do not need a complicated strategy to reduce the chance of unexpected luggage costs. A few checks before booking and departure can make a difference.
- Check the exact fare. Confirm whether your ticket includes any checked bags before comparing airline prices.
- Measure your packed suitcase. Include wheels and handles when the airline’s rules require it.
- Weigh your bag at home. Check the permitted weight for your route and cabin.
- Compare the total cost. Include the first bag, second bag, and any likely excess charges.
- Check online payment options. Some airlines charge different amounts depending on when or where you pay.
- Review card and loyalty benefits. Confirm that you qualify and that the benefit applies to your itinerary.
- Check international rules separately. Do not assume that a domestic allowance applies to an international flight.
- Review connecting flights. If your journey uses multiple airlines, verify which baggage policy applies.
- Recheck before departure. Confirm your baggage allowance in the booking or airline app, especially if you booked well in advance.
The US Department of Transportation explains that airlines provide baggage-fee information through their websites and fare-quotation processes, and notes that overweight and oversized restrictions may generate additional charges.
For more travel-cost context, FinanceGate also publishes a European carry-on size guide. Carry-on rules differ from checked-baggage rules, so use the guide that matches the type of luggage you plan to bring.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard checked-bag size for most airlines?
A common limit is 62 linear inches (158 cm), calculated by adding the bag’s length, width, and height. Airlines can have different limits and exceptions, so check the policy for your specific flight.
How much can a checked bag weigh on a flight?
Many US domestic economy allowances use 50 pounds (23 kg) per bag. Some premium-cabin tickets allow 70 pounds (32 kg), and international allowances may use different weight or piece-based rules.
Is a 28-inch suitcase allowed as checked baggage?
Often, but not automatically. A 28-inch suitcase may fall within an airline’s checked-baggage limit, but the full outside dimensions—including wheels and handles—determine whether it qualifies. Check its total linear dimensions and the airline’s individual restrictions.
Do airlines measure checked luggage including wheels and handles?
Many airlines include wheels and handles in the outside measurement. Southwest and Air Canada explicitly say to include them. Always follow the wording of your carrier’s policy.
Is 23 kg the same as 50 pounds?
Not exactly. Twenty-three kilograms is approximately 50.7 pounds, while 50 pounds is approximately 22.7 kilograms. Airlines may display the common limits as 23 kg and 50 lb, but you should follow the exact allowance and rounding rules shown by your airline.
Can I check a bag weighing more than 50 pounds?
Sometimes. Some airlines accept bags above 50 pounds with an overweight fee, subject to a higher maximum weight. Others have restrictions depending on the route, cabin, or baggage type. Confirm the applicable weight bands and maximum acceptance limit before traveling.
How much does a second checked bag cost?
It depends on the airline, route, fare, ticket date, and payment method. Published examples for qualifying US domestic itineraries can range from about $55 to $60 for some carriers, while other airlines use seasonal or trip-specific pricing. Always verify the current price for your booking.
Are checked-baggage fees different for international flights?
Yes. International routes may have different fees, included-bag allowances, weight limits, and piece-based rules. Your ticket’s baggage allowance and the operating airline’s policy are the best sources for your specific itinerary.
Can an airline charge both overweight and oversized fees?
Yes, some airlines may charge separately for the number of bags, excess weight, and excess dimensions. Delta explicitly describes separate charges for these categories. Other airlines may apply different fee structures, so review the applicable policy.
Final Checklist Before You Check Your Bag
Before heading to the airport, confirm the following:
- Your ticket’s included checked-bag allowance.
- Your suitcase’s full outside dimensions.
- Your packed bag’s weight.
- The first- and second-bag charges, if applicable.
- Any overweight or oversized restrictions.
- Whether your route or fare has special rules.
- Whether your credit card or loyalty status qualifies for baggage benefits.
- The latest policy in your airline’s official booking information.
For broader financial and travel-planning resources, explore FinanceGate. Comparing the full cost of a flight—including checked baggage—can help you make a more informed travel decision.
Disclaimer: Airline fees and baggage allowances change. This guide is for general informational purposes, not a guarantee of acceptance or a quote for a particular booking. Your airline’s current policy and ticket confirmation take precedence.
Muhammad Bilal 
