Several Airlines Still Include Free Checked Baggage with Economy Tickets

Checked baggage fees have become nearly universal in commercial air travel, with most airlines charging passengers unless they hold elite status, use a co-branded credit card, or fly premium cabins. The trend began in 2006 when British airline Flybe pioneered charging for checked bags, initially £2 if booked in advance or £4 at the airport. This practice quickly spread to low-cost carriers and eventually to traditional airlines worldwide. American Airlines was the first U.S. carrier to impose such fees in 2008, charging $15 per bag.

Today, no Israeli commercial airline offers free checked baggage to standard economy passengers without qualifying for elite status or other exceptions. However, several international airlines still include at least one free checked bag with economy tickets, especially on domestic or regional routes. Examples include Air India, which offers free checked baggage on all ticket types with varying weight limits; Australian regional carrier Airnorth; New Zealand’s Barrier Air; EgyptAir; Emirates, which allocates free baggage by weight or number of bags depending on class; Ethiopian Airlines; Scotland’s Loganair; Qatar Airways; Singapore Airlines; and Turkish Airlines. In many cases, baggage allowances depend on the ticket class and destination.

While the number of airlines providing free checked baggage is shrinking, these carriers maintain the practice as part of the ticket price, offering passengers a glimpse of how air travel once included checked luggage without extra fees. The article suggests this list may continue to diminish but currently provides options for travelers seeking to avoid baggage charges.