Airlines with Free Checked Bags: Carriers with Free Baggage

Are you in search of airlines with free checked bags? Rest assured, you are not alone. Many travelers expect their checked bags to travel with them at no extra cost. That expectation is changing. Some airlines still include free checked bags in the ticket price.

Others have shifted to charging for luggage. This article explains which major carriers still offer free checked baggage, and under what conditions. It also highlights recent trends affecting baggage policies globally.

Free checked baggage is valuable. It saves money and reduces stress at the airport. Knowing which airlines offer it helps passengers make smarter choices when booking flights.

This guide focuses on airlines with free checked bags based on current baggage policies and recent changes.

What “Airlines with Free Checked Bags” Means

An airline with free checked bags provides at least one checked luggage allowance included in the base fare or fare type. The free bag may have weight and size limits. In many cases, longer flights and international routes have more generous checked baggage allowances than short domestic flights.

Policies vary. Some airlines include free checked bags on all standard economy tickets. Others only include them on premium fares, loyalty programs, or specific international routes. Even within the same airline, baggage rules can differ based on fare class or market.

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Understanding which carriers offer free checked baggage is more important now than in the past. Many low-cost carriers have unbundled luggage from base seats, charging separately for checked bags.

At the same time, full-service airlines have sometimes maintained a complimentary luggage allowance, especially on international flights.

International Airlines with Free Checked Bags

Many large international carriers still include free checked baggage on standard fares, especially for long-haul travel. These airlines often serve routes where competition and customer expectations require a generous baggage policy.

Emirates

Emirates is known for having one of the more generous free baggage allowances among airlines with free checked bags. Economy passengers receive a checked luggage allowance that typically ranges from 20 kg to 35 kg depending on fare and route. In addition, carry-on baggage is included.

Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways includes free checked bags on most standard economy fares. The allowance generally varies by route and fare type but often lands between 20 kg and 35 kg for economy travelers. Carry-on baggage is also part of the included benefit.

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Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines also falls into the category of airlines with free checked bags for standard economy tickets on most international routes. Baggage limits typically reach around 30 kg for economy fare types beyond the lowest “Lite” tier.

Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways often includes free checked baggage on its standard economy offerings. Weight allowances vary based on the fare class and route, with many international economy fares offering between 23 kg and 35 kg of checked luggage.

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines is another well-known international carrier that includes free checked bags on many of its flights. The allowance normally ranges from about 20 kg to 30 kg on international routes.

Air India

Air India stands out among international carriers. Many international economy itineraries include two free checked bags, each up to 23 kg. This is more generous than many competitors and makes Air India notable in discussions of airlines with free checked bags.

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China Airlines and China Southern

Some Asian carriers also include baggage in standard fares. For example, China Airlines typically includes free checked baggage on most international flights, and China Southern often includes at least one free checked bag on branded fares.

European and Global Carriers with Free Checked Bags

Many European airlines offer free checked luggage on standard economy or non-basic fare types. However, it is important to distinguish between fare types that include bags and “light” or basic tickets that do not.

Air France

Air France generally includes one free checked bag for economy passengers on most international routes, with the exception of its lowest fare level. This makes it part of the list of airlines with free checked bags for standard economy fare holders.

British Airways

British Airways includes a free checked bag on most long-haul and standard economy fares. Basic fares, sometimes called “Basic” or similar, often do not include a free checked bag, so passengers must pay extra if they choose those fares.

Lufthansa and Other Star Alliance Carriers

Lufthansa typically includes one free checked bag on traditional economy fares. “Light” fare classes may not include checked baggage, so passengers should check their ticket class if free bags are important.

KLM and Other European Operators

KLM and some other European airlines similarly include free checked baggage in standard fare classes while excluding it in the very lowest fare levels. Always check the specific fare type.

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North American Airlines and Free Checked Baggage

In the United States and Canada, checked baggage policies changed rapidly in recent years. Many major carriers no longer include free checked bags on their standard domestic economy tickets. However, some exceptions and conditions still apply.

United States Carriers

Major U.S. carriers such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines generally do not include free checked bags on the lowest fare types for domestic flights. Free bags are more common on international flights or when traveling in premium classes.

A major shift occurred in 2025 when Southwest Airlines ended its longstanding “bags fly free” policy for most passengers. The carrier had been notable as one of the few U.S. airlines to include two free checked bags for all standard economy passengers.

Starting in May 2025, Southwest began charging for checked bags in most cases, aligning it with other domestic airlines. Some travelers with loyalty status or premium fares still receive free checked bags, but the general rule of two free bags no longer applies.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines may include free checked bags on certain international flights or for customers with loyalty status. This includes at least one free checked bag for some fare types, although policies vary by ticket and route.

Other Airlines Around the World with Free Checked Bags

Beyond major international and North American carriers, several other airlines include free checked baggage in their standard fares.

Avianca

Avianca often includes one free checked bag on its standard economy tickets, making it part of the list of airlines with free checked bags. This option, however, isn’t guaranteed on every standard fare; you must check your specific fare family.

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Copa Airlines

Copa Airlines typically allows one free checked bag on all flights, including economy, as part of its included baggage allowance, though Basic may require a checked-bag fee.

South African Airways

South African Airways generally includes one checked bag in economy class. Higher classes often provide more than one.

SriLankan Airlines

SriLankan Airlines includes a free checked baggage allowance on economy tickets, often around 30 kg for international flights.

Fare Types and Loyalty Programs Affect Free Baggage

A key aspect of airlines with free checked bags is that baggage policies often depend on fare type and customer status:

Basic or “Lite” Fares: Many carriers exclude free checked bags in their cheapest fare categories. These seats are attractive for price-conscious travelers but do not include bags.
Standard Economy Fares: This is the fare level most likely to include free checked bags among full-service carriers. Even here, what is included depends on the airline and route.
Premium and Business Class: Higher fare classes commonly include more generous free baggage allowances.
Frequent Flyer Status: Many airlines award free checked bags to customers with elite loyalty status, even if their purchased fare does not include it. This benefit often extends to companions on the same booking.

Trends in Free Checked Baggage Policies

Several trends influence how airlines with free checked bags structure their policies:

Fees vs. Inclusions

In the past, many airlines included checked bags by default in all economy fares. Today, budget pressures and competition have led carriers to unbundle fees. Lower-tier economy tickets increasingly exclude checked bags.

International vs. Domestic Routes

International flights are more likely to include free checked baggage than domestic flights on the same carrier. Full-service airlines maintain this as a competitive advantage on long-haul routes.

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Promotions and Temporary Offers

Some carriers may run promotions including free checked bags on select routes or dates. These offers can temporarily place an airline among the list of airlines with free checked bags.

How to Know if Your Ticket Includes Free Checked Baggage

Because policies vary by route, fare, and airline, always check your specific ticket’s baggage allowance before you book. Look for clearly stated luggage limits in your booking confirmation. If you don’t see it, consult the airline’s official policy page or contact customer service.

Summary: Airlines with Free Checked Bags Today

Airlines that still include free checked baggage often fall into these categories:

International Full-Service Carriers with Free Bags

Emirates
Qatar Airways
Singapore Airlines
Etihad Airways
Turkish Airlines
Air India

European Carriers with Free Bags (standard fares)

Air France
British Airways
Lufthansa
KLM

Other Carriers

Copa Airlines
Avianca
South African Airways
SriLankan Airlines

In contrast, many low-cost carriers and some major U.S. airlines no longer automatically include free checked baggage on all economy tickets.

Conclusion

In traveling endeavours, where baggage fees are common, knowing which airlines with free checked bags still exist helps you plan smarter and avoid surprises at the airport.

While many full-service international carriers include checked luggage in standard fares, domestic and low-cost airlines may charge extra or only offer free bags in select fare classes.

Always check the specific baggage allowance before booking, and consider fare types, elite status, and route differences to understand what’s truly included. With the right information, you can choose flights that match both your travel needs and your luggage expectations.

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