You’ve found it: a jaw-droppingly cheap flight to your dream destination. You rush to book it, but as you click through the checkout pages, the price starts to climb. A fee for a checked bag, a fee for a carry-on… suddenly, your incredible bargain has vanished, replaced by the frustrating reality of modern airline pricing.
If you’re tired of this bait-and-switch, you’re not alone. The search for cheap flights with no baggage fees has become the holy grail for budget-savvy travelers.
The good news is that it is absolutely possible to fly without paying for luggage. This up-to-date guide will show you which airlines offer the best policies and the key strategies you need to know to find a great deal and avoid surprise fees on your next trip.
The Hard Truth: The “Free” Checked Bag is (Almost) Extinct
First, it’s important to set a realistic expectation. For domestic flights within the United States, the era of getting a free checked bag with the cheapest economy ticket is largely over. The “unbundled” fare model, led by Basic Economy tickets, means that airlines now advertise the bare-bones price and charge extra for everything else.
Therefore, the goal isn’t to find a magical airline that has no fees at all, but rather to either choose the one airline that still includes bags or to use smart strategies to bypass the fees on other carriers.
The Champion of “No Baggage Fees”: Southwest Airlines
There is one major US airline that stands out from the rest and is the most direct answer to this search.
Southwest Airlines is the only major U.S. airline where every single passenger can check TWO bags for FREE.
This isn’t a temporary promotion or a perk for elite members; it’s their core business model, famously known as “Bags Fly Free.” This policy applies to all of their fare types, from the cheapest “Wanna Get Away” tickets to their premium “Business Select” fares. On top of the two free checked bags, every passenger is also allowed one full-sized carry-on and one personal item.
The Bottom Line: If you know you need to check one or two bags, Southwest should be the first airline you search. Even if its base fare looks $40 more expensive than a competitor’s, it’s almost always the cheaper option overall once you factor in the $70+ you’d have to pay for a round-trip checked bag elsewhere.
Strategies for Flying on Other Airlines Without Fees
If Southwest doesn’t fly your route or another airline has an unbeatable base fare, you still have options. Here’s how to create your own “no baggage fee” experience.
1. Master the Art of the Carry-On
This is the most powerful strategy in your toolkit. Most major airlines—including Delta, American Airlines, Alaska, and JetBlue—still allow you one free full-sized carry-on bag and one free personal item, even on their most restrictive Basic Economy fares.
By learning to pack efficiently into a regulation-sized carry-on, you effectively make baggage fees irrelevant. This is the core philosophy of the No Baggage Challenge and the key to true travel freedom.
- Critical Exception: Be aware of the ultra-low-cost carriers like Spirit and Frontier, as well as United Airlines’ Basic Economy tickets. On these specific fares, your free allowance is only one small personal item that fits under your seat. A full-sized carry-on will cost you extra.
2. Get an Airline Co-Branded Credit Card
If you travel several times a year and have loyalty to a specific airline, a co-branded credit card is often a fantastic investment. Cards like the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, the United℠ Explorer Card, or the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® card typically offer the first checked bag free for you and at least one companion on the same reservation. The annual fee for the card (usually around $95-$100) can easily pay for itself after just two round trips.
3. Earn Frequent Flyer Status
For the road warriors, earning elite status with an airline (e.g., Silver, Gold, Platinum) is the best way to get consistent perks. Even the lowest tier of elite status usually comes with at least one complimentary checked bag on all flights.
A Quick Airline Comparison (Fall 2025 Baggage Policies)
Here’s a simple breakdown of what to expect from major US carriers for their cheapest economy fares:
- Southwest: ✅ 2 Free Checked Bags | ✅ 1 Free Carry-on | ✅ 1 Free Personal Item
- Delta, American, Alaska, JetBlue: ❌ No Free Checked Bags (Approx. $35-$40) | ✅ 1 Free Carry-on | ✅ 1 Free Personal Item
- United (Basic Economy): ❌ No Free Checked Bags | ❌ No Free Carry-on | ✅ 1 Free Personal Item Only
- Spirit, Frontier: ❌ No Free Checked Bags | ❌ No Free Carry-on | ✅ 1 Free Personal Item Only
Conclusion: The Smartest Way to Fly Cheap
The hunt for cheap flights with no baggage fees in 2025 leads to two clear strategies: fly Southwest if you need to check bags, or master the art of carry-on packing for all other airlines.
The savvy traveler knows that the headline price of a ticket is rarely the final price. By considering the total cost of your journey, including any potential fees, you can make an informed decision. The ultimate power in budget travel is knowing how to avoid the extra costs, and by packing light and choosing your airline wisely, you can make that amazing flight deal a reality.
