Michael Turner
Typical patterns for U.S. carriers: low‑fare families often permit a single personal item only and may restrict carry‑on on the most basic tickets; major legacy carriers commonly allow a carry‑on on standard economy but still charge for checked pieces on non‑elite, non‑cardholders. Expect first checked‑bag charges around $30–$35 and second bag $40–$45 on domestic itineraries; regional variations apply on international routes.
Standard size and weight rules most commonly enforced: 62 linear inches (length+width+height) and 50 lb (23 kg) per checked piece. Overweight and oversize surcharges typically start near $100 for 51–70 lb or pieces exceeding 62 inches, rising to roughly $200 for 71–100 lb; very heavy items may be refused or require cargo routing.
Practical checklist: compare fare families on the carrier’s purchase page, add bags during booking to see the lowest prepaid price, link your frequent‑flyer number and use a co‑branded card if available, weigh and measure at home, consolidate items to avoid a second bag fee, and check sport/instrument rules before booking. For multi‑segment trips, verify baggage rules for each carrier on the itinerary and the carrier of the first checked segment.
Which carrier covers checked and carry-on bags?
Recommendation: buy a fare or add the airline-branded credit card that expressly waives the first checked bag if you want that benefit; for single-bag travel prepay online rather than at the airport to save money.
Fees snapshot (typical domestic amounts)
First checked bag – Atlanta-based legacy carrier: about US$30; New York low-cost carrier: about US$35. Second checked bag – roughly US$40 vs US$45. Overweight (51–70 lb / 23–32 kg): ~US$100; very heavy/oversize (over 70 lb or over 62 linear inches / 158 cm): ~US$200. Carry-on policy for most paid main fares: one cabin bag + one personal item. Entry-level/Basic fares commonly restrict cabin-bag access to a single personal item only. Common size limits: cabin bag ~22 x 14 x 9 in (56 x 35 x 23 cm); checked-bag weight limit ~50 lb (23 kg).
Practical steps to minimize charges
1) Compare total cost at booking (fare + bag fees) before selecting a carrier. 2) Prepay checked bags online – savings typically US$10–30 versus airport purchases. 3) Use a co-branded credit card or elite status to remove first-bag fees for the cardholder and often travel companions. 4) Measure and weigh your items at home; redistribute to avoid overweight or oversize penalties. 5) If you need guaranteed overhead-bin space, buy a fare bundle with priority boarding or purchase boarding priority separately.
Which fares provide a free carry-on on B6 vs DL?
Buy a Main Cabin / standard fare or hold elite status to get one full-size carry-on free; the lowest Basic fares restrict passengers to a personal item only.
B6 (B6 code)
- Basic (lowest) – personal item only; a standard overhead carry-on is not permitted unless you pay to upgrade or purchase a higher fare.
- Main Cabin and higher – one standard carry-on plus one personal item; standard carry-on maximum dimensions: 22 x 14 x 9 in (56 x 35 x 23 cm).
- Premium cabins and Mosaic members – standard carry-on allowance applies; Mosaic status generally waives Basic-fare carry-on restriction.
DL (DL code)
- Basic Economy – personal item only; standard overhead carry-on not allowed for Basic Economy travelers unless holding Medallion status or active-duty military ID.
- Main Cabin, Comfort+, Premium Select, First/One – one standard carry-on plus one personal item; carry-on size guideline: 22 x 14 x 9 in (56 x 35 x 23 cm).
- SkyMiles Medallion members – permitted to bring a standard carry-on even on Basic Economy fares.
Practical steps: 1) Book a Main Cabin/standard fare if a carry-on is required; 2) use elite status or relevant co-branded card benefits to retain carry-on privileges on restricted fares; 3) if already booked on a Basic fare, purchase an upgrade or add a carry-on during online check-in to avoid higher gate charges.
When is the first checked bag covered by fare class and route?
Purchase a premium-cabin or a fare-bundle that explicitly grants a checked-bag allowance, or use elite status / a qualifying co-branded card – those options most reliably cover the first checked piece. For most standard domestic economy fares the first checked bag is a paid add-on (commonly about $30 each way); for many long-haul international fares and for premium cabins the first checked bag is usually waived.
Typical rules by fare family and route
| Fare family | Domestic U.S. | Short international (Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, Canada) | Long-haul international (Transatlantic / Transpacific) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic / Basic Economy | First checked bag normally charged (typical fee: ~$30 each way); limited seat/boarding rules also apply. | Often charged; some markets/carriers waive on select promos–assume a paid bag unless the ticket states otherwise. | Less common to be waived; verify fare rules–fees and allowances vary by carrier and routing. |
| Main / Standard Economy | First checked bag usually a fee (~$30 each way) unless the fare explicitly lists a bag allowance. | Many carriers include one checked bag on published economy fares for these routes, but not all–check the ticket. | Frequently includes one 23 kg / 50 lb checked bag on many carriers’ economy fares on long-haul itineraries. |
| Premium Economy | Commonly grants at least one free checked bag; weight limits often 23–32 kg depending on carrier. | Typically grants one or two free bags; rules vary by market. | Usually grants one or two free bags with higher weight allowance than regular economy. |
| Business / First / Premium business | One or more free checked bags with higher per-piece weight (often 32 kg / 70 lb). | Two or more free checked bags are common. | Two or more free checked bags with relaxed weight/size limits are typical. |
| Codeshare / Marketed vs. Operated flights | Follow the ticketing (marketing) carrier’s baggage rules unless the operating carrier specifies otherwise; always check the fare rules. | Same – marketing carrier rules usually govern allowances; check both carriers for discrepancies. | Marketing carrier’s fare class normally dictates allowance; long-haul rules often more generous. |
Practical recommendations to avoid unexpected fees
Always read the fare rules at purchase: the presence of “one checked bag” or a named baggage allowance in the itinerary is definitive. Add the checked piece during online booking to save versus airport counter rates. Use a co-branded airline credit card or elite status to get the first checked bag waived for the primary traveler (and sometimes companions on the same reservation). For international travel, verify per-piece weight and dimension limits (common limits: 23 kg / 50 lb for economy, 32 kg / 70 lb for premium cabins) and make sure connections or codeshares don’t impose a different policy.
How to add or pay for checked baggage online, at check‑in, or at the airport
Recommendation: Buy checked bags through the carrier website or mobile app before arriving at the airport–online purchase 24+ hours ahead usually offers the lowest fees (common savings $10–30 per bag) and speeds up processing.
Online / Manage booking / Mobile app: Log into the airline site or app → open Manage Booking / My Trips → enter confirmation number and last name → select your reservation → choose “Add bags” or “Extras” → pick quantity and any special services (oversize, sports equipment) → pay by card or stored payment method → save the updated e‑ticket and receipt (screenshot or print). Additions made during online check‑in (typically opens 24 hours before departure) follow the same flow and will attach tags at bag drop.
Self‑service kiosks at the airport: Use the kiosk if you did not prepay. Scan boarding pass or enter confirmation → select Add Bags → weigh or estimate weight if prompted → pay with card or contactless wallet → kiosk prints bag tags. After tagging, either leave bags at the automated bag drop lane (if available) or proceed to the airline counter for drop off.
Ticket counter and bag drop: If you pre‑paid online, go to the bag drop lane with your mobile or printed receipt and a photo ID; agents will verify and attach final tags. If you need to pay at the counter, expect slightly higher fees than online; provide booking confirmation and pay by card. For last‑minute purchases, counters accept cash and cards but gate purchases are the most expensive option.
Gate purchases and rules: Adding a checked bag at the gate is allowed in many cases but often costs substantially more than kiosk/counter rates and may be denied on full flights or tight connections. If boarding has already begun, a checked bag may be refused or routed as air cargo.
Weight and size limits, and excess fees: Standard checked bag allowance typically limits weight to 50 lb (23 kg) and size to 62 linear inches / 158 cm (length+width+height). Overweight fees commonly apply: 50–70 lb (23–32 kg) ~$75; 71–100 lb (32–45 kg) $150–200+; oversize (over 62 linear inches) usually $100–200. Bring a home scale and measure dimensions to avoid surprise charges.
Payment methods and receipts: Most channels accept major cards, contactless wallets, and frequent‑flyer miles for bag fees or bundled fare upgrades; some carriers allow fee waivers for elite status or certain credit cards. Always keep the payment confirmation and updated boarding pass – the receipt must be presented at bag drop if requested.
Time and efficiency tips: Add bags when you complete seat selection or at the time of booking to lock the lowest published fee; check‑in online 24 hours before departure and print or save the updated boarding pass to use the expedited bag drop lane; weigh and compress items at home, and consolidate to avoid a second checked piece charge.
Size, weight limits and overweight/oversize fees for each airline
Recommendation: weigh and measure checked pieces at home and purchase any excess-weight/oversize allowance online before arriving at the airport to save money and avoid last-minute refusal.
B6 (carrier code B6) – standard checked-bag measurements: 62 linear inches (157 cm) maximum (length + width + height). Standard weight limit: 50 lb (23 kg). Overweight surcharges (domestic U.S. examples): 51–70 lb (23–32 kg) – $100; 71–100 lb (32–45 kg) – $200. Bags over 100 lb are not accepted as standard checked pieces and must be shipped via cargo or freight. Oversize surcharges: pieces measuring more than 62 linear inches are assessed an oversize fee (typically $150–$200 depending on route); maximum accepted linear dimension varies by aircraft but generally capped around 115 linear inches for special-handling acceptance. Paying online usually reduces the fee compared with airport rates; if a piece crosses both overweight and oversize thresholds, both surcharges will apply.
DL (carrier code DL) – standard checked-bag dimensions: 62 linear inches (157 cm). Standard weight limit: 50 lb (23 kg) for most fare types; premium cabins or elite status may permit heavier pieces per fare rules. Overweight fees (domestic U.S. samples): 51–70 lb (23–32 kg) – $100; 71–100 lb (32–45 kg) – $200; items above 100 lb must travel via cargo. Oversize fee: pieces over 62 linear inches typically incur a $200 oversize charge for domestic flights up to the carrier’s maximum allowable size (special-handling limits apply). Sporting equipment and musical instruments follow separate dimensional/weight rules and may carry different surcharges.
Practical actions: redistribute contents between bags to stay at or under 50 lb; use a cheap luggage scale and a tape measure; prepay excess fees online to lower cost; if a heavy/large item is unavoidable, compare the carrier’s excess-fee total with third-party freight or parcel services. For unrelated home-care purchases that help protect garments and equipment during washing before travel, see best hard water filter for washing machine.
How elite status and co-branded credit cards affect baggage allowance
Recommendation: Hold the airline’s mid‑tier co‑branded card for an immediate waived first checked‑bag fee; pursue mid‑level status (or both together) if you need a second free checked bag and higher weight limits.
How benefits stack and who gets covered
Co‑branded consumer cards normally waive the first checked‑bag fee for the primary cardmember and for companions on the same reservation; business variants or higher‑tier cards sometimes extend the benefit to more companions. Elite programs typically waive one or more checked‑bag fees for the member, and higher tiers add additional free pieces or increased per‑bag weight limits. When both card and status apply, the more generous allowance governs the reservation – that often means two free checked pieces for the traveler and at least one companion.
Practical companion rules (typical): one issuer’s consumer card covers the cardmember + up to 3 companions; the larger network carrier’s AmEx cards often cover the cardmember + up to 8 companions on the same booking. Verify the issuer’s terms before booking if you travel with a group.
Weight, quantity and fee ranges you can expect
Standard checked‑bag policies on U.S. itineraries: 50 lb (23 kg) per bag for economy class; premium cabins or elite perks commonly permit 70 lb (32 kg). Typical excess‑weight fee bands: $100 for 51–70 lb (23–32 kg), ~$200 for 71–100 lb (32–45 kg); bags over ~100 lb are often refused or require freight handling. Elite members at top tiers sometimes gain higher weight limits or an extra free piece before overweight surcharges apply.
Carry‑on allowances rarely change with status or card – instead they depend on fare class. However, both benefits frequently add priority boarding, which increases the chance of overhead space for a carry‑on and avoids paying for a checked bag at the gate.
Which option to choose: fly >15–20 segments/year on the same carrier: target mid‑level status (one or two free checked pieces plus priority). Fly less frequently but want predictable savings: pick the mid‑tier co‑branded card (instant first‑bag waiver and priority boarding). Combine both if you check bulky or heavy gear regularly.
If you want to avoid checked fees entirely while carrying bulky items, consider a roomy, compliant carry solution – for long alpine trips see the best alpine touring backpack, and for family travel the best large diaper bag backpack.
FAQ:
Do JetBlue or Delta include a checked bag in a standard economy ticket for U.S. domestic flights?
Most basic economy and standard economy fares on both airlines do not include a free checked bag. Delta commonly charges around $30 for a first checked bag on domestic routes, while JetBlue’s fee for the first checked bag is often about $35. Exceptions include premium cabins (first class, business), certain bundled fare types that explicitly list a checked bag, and passengers with qualifying elite status or a co‑branded credit card that grants baggage perks. Airline fees and rules change, so verify the specific fare rules for your route before booking.
Are carry‑on and personal items allowed for free on JetBlue and Delta?
Yes — for most fare types both airlines allow one personal item plus one standard carry‑on at no extra charge. Some of the lowest fares or special basic/limited economy tickets can restrict the carry‑on to a smaller personal item only, while still permitting one personal item. Size and weight limits for carry‑on and personal items vary, so check the airline’s baggage size pages or the booking summary to confirm what is permitted for your fare.
How do international flights, premium cabins, and elite status affect luggage allowances on JetBlue and Delta?
International itineraries and premium class tickets typically include at least one or two checked bags, with higher weight limits for premium cabins. For example, many international economy fares include one checked bag up to a specified weight (commonly 23 kg / 50 lb), while business/first class often allow heavier or more numerous bags (often 32 kg / 70 lb per piece). Airline loyalty tier members and holders of certain airline credit cards frequently receive free checked bags as a perk. Overweight, oversized, and extra checked bags incur additional charges. Because allowance rules depend on route, cabin, ticket code and status, consult the baggage rules for your specific reservation before travel.
What’s the fastest way to confirm whether my ticket price includes luggage before I buy or after I’ve booked?
During booking, review the fare comparison or baggage section on the payment/summary page — airlines usually list whether checked bags are included. After purchase, check the confirmation email or the booking details in the airline app or website; there is often a baggage allowance section. You can also enter your reservation number on the airline’s baggage information page or contact customer service. If you hold an eligible credit card or elite status, check that benefit in your account, since it may add free checked bags to the reservation. Adding checked bags online before arriving at the airport is generally cheaper than paying at the counter.
