Summary
- Southwest Airlines, the world’s largest low-cost carrier, believes that if passengers are entitled to free checked bags, this may lead to them spending more onboard for seat selection, food, and drinks.
- Many regional carriers continue to include checked baggage as part of their base-level fares.
- Airlines offer different allowances subject to the fare level booked.
When it comes to flying, one of our most complex decisions is how much to pack. For many airlines, we are lured into a bargain and opt for no checked bags to save a buck. However, a growing list of nonlegacy carriers includes a free checked bag (or multiple) as part of their standard offering. This list will investigate how much we are offered for free and where you could be flying.
Checked baggage is bags given to the airline at check-in, placed into the hold of the aircraft (in the belly or tail most commonly), and returned with you at the baggage carousel at your final destination. If you are transiting on the same ticket, your bags are usually checked through, and there is no need to claim them at your transit point (unless you are clearing customs into a foreign country and then connecting from there).
Photo: Loganair
Each airline has various restrictions on checked baggage, including size and weight, usually outlined on the airline ticket and reservation. Be wary, as some airlines can charge an arm and a leg for excess baggage, while others can be very relaxed and not even blink an eyelid that you’re well over your entitled limit.
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1
Southwest Airlines
Free checked bag allowance: Two x 50lbs
The world’s largest low-cost carrier is renowned for its generous checked baggage allowance, which entitles savvy travelers to two bags of up to 50 pounds each to be checked into the aircraft hold. You can check your bags digitally before or after arriving at the airport; each bag can be up to 62 inches in dimension. Golf bags, skis, and snowboards are counted as part of the checked baggage allowance, so your extras will be covered if you’re heading to the mountains or on a golf vacation.
Some may wonder why a low-cost carrier would opt for such a generous baggage allowance compared to other US legacy carriers, which charge even just for one bag. However, the airline believes that customers love this benefit, and the airline makes up for lost revenue by spending onboard for extras like seat selection, food, and beverages. Another suggestion is that if passengers check in their bags, they will travel with less hand luggage into the aircraft cabin, making it quicker for passengers to board and disembark, allowing for speedier turn-around times at the airport.
2
Loganair
Free checked bag allowance: 33lbs
The largest regional carrier in the United Kingdom, by passenger numbers and fleet size, entices passengers with a free checked baggage allowance of 15 kg (33 lbs), which is standard. Those in FLY class, the base-level fare, are also entitled to 7kg (15 lbs) as checked-in baggage. Those in Fly Flex can check in 23kg (50 lbs), and Fly Flex + gets 30kg (66 lbs).
Loganair has a fleet of 31 aircraft and serves several domestic and international destinations from its operating bases in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Derry, Inverness, Isle of Man, and Newcastle upon Tyne. The airline is also famous for operating the shortest flight in the world; the iconic flight between Westray and Papa Westray in the Orkney Islands is the shortest recognized by the Guinness World Records and covers a mere 1.7 miles.
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3
Blue Islands:
Free checked baggage allowance: 50lbs
Serving the Channel Islands, Blue Islands operates from Guernsey and Jersey Airport, connecting passengers to the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Europe. Its modest fleet of five ATR 72-500 can seat between 68 and 72 passengers. Each passenger is entitled to at least one checked bag of 23kg (50 lbs) for Blue Fly ticket holders, while Blue Plus passengers have their allowance doubled to two x 23 kgs (2 x 50 lbs).
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4
Barrier Air
Free checked baggage allowance: 44lbs
This small, unknown New Zealand airline connects Auckland to the Great Barrier Island and other destinations in the top half of the North Island. Its fleet has five Cessna 208B caravans, each with five passengers. The airline will soon launch a new route to Kerikeri Bay of Islands Airport (KKE) from August 4th.
Travelers destined for flights to Great Barrier Island, North Shore, Tauranga, and Whitianga are entitled to 20 kg (44lbs) of free checked baggage each. Otherwise, if you’re headed to Kaitaia and Kerikeri, you are allowed 23 kg (50lbs) per person.
5
Airnorth
Free checked baggage allowance: 33lbs
Capiteq Pty Limited, which operates as Airnorth, is a regional airline serving Australia’s Northern Territory. Based at Darwin International Airport (DRW), it serves 21 destinations, including one international service to Dili, East Timor, with a fleet of four Embraer 120 Brasilia, three Embraer 170, and three Embraer 190.
Traveling onboard the E120, passengers are entitled to a free checked bag of 15 kg (33 lbs), while those booked on the E170 and 190 can opt for 20 kg (44 lbs). If you’re traveling with children, an additional allowance of two bags of 10kgs (22lbs) each.
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