If you have flown recently and felt like baggage fees were higher than you remembered, you are not imagining it. In early 2026, four of the biggest airlines in North America raised their checked bag fees, and millions of travellers are now paying more every time they fly. The increases happened quickly and quietly, and most travellers had no idea until they were at the checkout screen.
We tracked down every increase, verified the exact new amounts directly from airline sources, and put it all in one place so you know exactly what you are dealing with before your next trip.
Here is the full picture of what changed, when it changed, and exactly how much more you are now paying.
| Airline | Effective Date | 1st Bag: Was | 1st Bag: Now | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | April 9, 2026 | $35 USD | $45 USD | +$10 |
| United Airlines | April 3, 2026 | $35 USD | $45 USD | +$10 |
| Southwest Airlines | April 9, 2026 | FREE | $45 USD | No longer free |
| JetBlue | March 30, 2026 | $35 USD | $39+ USD | +$4 to +$14 |
| Delta Air Lines | No change | $35 USD | $35 USD | No change |
| Air Canada | No change | $42 CAD | $42 CAD | No change |
| WestJet | No change | $38 CAD | $38 CAD | No change |
Here is everything you need to know about each airline that changed their fees, including the exact new amounts for first bags, second bags, and what happens if you pay at the airport instead of online.
American was one of the last major US carriers to raise fees, but the increase was significant. The second bag fee jumped by $15, not $10, which caught many frequent flyers off guard. Always prepay online to save $5 per bag.
United kicked off the wave of increases in early April. The fees apply to flights within the US, Canada, Mexico, and Latin America. United MileagePlus credit card holders may still qualify for a free first bag depending on their card tier.
This is the biggest news of 2026 for travellers. Southwest Airlines built its entire brand around two free checked bags for every passenger on every fare. That policy is now gone for tickets booked on or after April 9, 2026. For families and frequent flyers this is a massive change that fundamentally alters the cost comparison between Southwest and every other airline.
JetBlue was the first to move in this wave of increases, raising fees at the end of March. Their peak vs off-peak pricing structure means summer and holiday travellers pay more. Paying within 24 hours of departure costs an additional $10 on top of that.
While four airlines made headlines with increases, several others held their fees steady. Here is the good news for Canadian travellers in particular.
If you are a Canadian flying to the United States on a US carrier, you will now pay significantly more for checked bags than you did even a month ago. Here is a real example of what a family trip to Florida now costs in bag fees alone.
| Scenario: Toronto to Miami, Family of 4, Round Trip, 1 Bag Each | Before April 2026 | After April 2026 | Extra Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | $280 USD | $360 USD | +$80 USD |
| United Airlines | $280 USD | $360 USD | +$80 USD |
| Southwest Airlines | FREE | $360 USD | +$360 USD |
| Air Canada | $168 CAD | $168 CAD | No change |
The Southwest number is particularly striking. A family that chose Southwest specifically for the free bag policy is now paying $360 USD more per round trip than they expected. That is a significant hit that many families will not see coming if they booked before April 9 and are travelling later this year.
Both United and American offer co-branded credit cards that include a free first checked bag for the cardholder and sometimes companions. The annual fee on these cards is often less than the cost of two round trips with a bag.
Every airline still allows one free personal item under the seat. If you can fit your trip into a slim backpack or tote bag using packing cubes, you pay nothing regardless of which airline raised fees.
Every airline charges more if you add your bag at the airport or within 24 hours of departure. Prepaying at the time of booking saves $5 to $10 per bag per flight every single time.
For flights between Canada and the US, consider flying on a Canadian carrier instead of a US airline. Air Canada and WestJet have not raised fees in 2026 and their rates are currently more competitive than American and United.
On many airlines, upgrading from Basic Economy to the next fare tier costs $30 to $50 but includes a free checked bag. With first bag fees now at $45 USD, upgrading your fare is often the smarter financial move.
For longer trips, services like Luggage Forward or ShipGo can ship your bags door to door for less than two checked bag fees on some routes. Worth comparing if you are checking multiple large bags.
American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and JetBlue all raised checked bag fees between March and April 2026. All four cited rising jet fuel costs as the reason for the increases.
Yes. For tickets purchased on or after April 9, 2026, Southwest charges $45 USD for a first checked bag and $55 USD for a second. This ends the two free bags policy that Southwest had maintained for decades and was a core part of their brand identity.
As of April 30, 2026, neither Air Canada nor WestJet has announced a bag fee increase. Air Canada's first bag fee remains at $42 CAD and WestJet's remains at $38 CAD. We will update this article immediately if that changes.
For Canadian domestic travel, WestJet at $38 CAD is the lowest first bag fee. For Canada to US travel, Air Canada at $42 CAD is now more competitive than American or United at $45 USD. For US domestic travel, Delta at $35 USD has not raised fees and is currently the most affordable major option.
It is possible. When one major carrier raises fees, others often follow within weeks. We are monitoring all major airlines and will update this page as soon as any new increases are announced. Use our free calculator to always see current verified fees.
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