On American, Delta, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue and Hawaiian, the lowest fare still includes a carry-on bag. United’s Basic Economy doesn’t on most routes, and Frontier, Allegiant, Sun Country, Breeze and Avelo charge for one.
Your airline
Bags on the lowest fare
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Where basic economy still includes a carry-on
American, Delta, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue and Hawaiian include one carry-on bag and one personal item on their lowest fare. None of them includes a free checked bag on it for flights within the US.
American boards Basic Economy last and says overhead bin space is usually full by then, so plan for the carry-on to be checked at the gate.
Where it doesn’t
United, Basic Economy: 1 personal item only; a carry-on bag must be checked for a fee, except on flights to South America, across the Atlantic or across the Pacific, and for Premier members, Star Alliance Gold members and qualifying cardmembers.
Frontier, Fare with no bundle: 1 personal item only; a carry-on bag and checked bags cost extra.
Allegiant, every fare: 1 personal item; a carry-on bag and checked bags can be bought.
Sun Country, every fare: 1 under-seat item; a carry-on bag and checked bags are bag options you pay for.
Breeze, No Flex Fare: 1 personal item; everything else is added.
Avelo, every fare: 1 personal item; a carry-on bag and checked bags cost extra.
On those fares, a bag that fits the personal item size goes free. Anything bigger is a paid carry-on or a checked bag.
Common questions
Can you bring a carry-on on Delta Main Basic?
Yes, Delta says each passenger can bring 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item free of charge, and its Main Basic page lists no carry-on limit.
Does United Basic Economy allow a carry-on?
United allows one only on flights to South America, across the Atlantic or across the Pacific, or for Premier members, Star Alliance Gold members and qualifying cardmembers. Otherwise it's one personal item.
Fares and what they include come from each airline’s own fare and baggage pages, read in October 2026. Checked against published data from American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and JetBlue (plus 7 more).
See all 25 sources
American Airlines, Carry-on bags (aa.com)
American Airlines, Checked bag policy (aa.com)
American Airlines, Basic Economy (aa.com)
Delta Air Lines, Carry-On Baggage (delta.com)
Delta Air Lines, Baggage Policy and Fees (delta.com)
Delta Air Lines, Delta Main Basic (Basic Economy) (delta.com)
Hawaiian Airlines, Checked baggage fees and policies (hawaiianairlines.com)
Avelo Airlines, Carry-on bags (aveloair.com)
Avelo Airlines, Optional services (aveloair.com)
General guidance from airline, TSA and FAA rules, checked on the date shown. Rules change, and the airline and security officers decide on the day: check your airline before you fly.