Basic Economy carry-on rules: US airlines compared
Which US airlines let you bring a carry-on bag on the cheapest fare, and which charge for it.
The short answer
Of the big US airlines, only United keeps the carry-on out of its cheapest fare on most trips. On Delta, American, Alaska, JetBlue and Southwest the pages we read say one carry-on bag and one personal item are allowed. The airlines that charge for the carry-on on the base fare are the budget ones: Frontier, Sun Country, Breeze and Avelo.
That makes the cheapest ticket on United or a budget airline a poor deal if you travel with a roller bag. Check the total price with the bag before you compare fares.
Basic Economy carry-on rules by airline
One row per airline, from each airline's own baggage pages, read on 5 November 2026. Sizes of the standard carry-on are on the US airline carry-on sizes page.
| Airline | Fare | Carry-on bag on the cheapest fare? | Personal item size | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United | Basic Economy | No on most trips. Allowed to South America and across the Atlantic and Pacific. | 9 x 10 x 17 in (22 x 25 x 43 cm) | Free carry-on for MileagePlus Premier members, people travelling with one, primary holders of a qualifying MileagePlus card and Star Alliance Gold members. Bags that must be checked cost from $45 prepaid, $50 in the lobby or $75 at the gate for tickets bought on or after 3 April 2026. |
| Delta | Delta Main Basic (Basic Economy) | Yes: one carry-on and one personal item, free for each passenger. | Must fit under the seat | Delta's Main Basic page lists the restrictions (no priority boarding, seat assigned after check-in, no upgrades); a carry-on bag is not on the list. |
| American | Cheapest fare | Yes: one carry-on and one personal item. | 18 x 14 x 8 in (45 x 35 x 20 cm) | American's carry-on page states no fare-based exception. Regional flights on American Eagle planes may require a valet (gate-check) bag at no charge. |
| Alaska | Cheapest fare | Yes: one carry-on bag plus one personal item. | No size published | Alaska's carry-on page states no fare-based exception. |
| JetBlue | Blue Basic | Yes: one carry-on and one personal item on all fares. | 17 x 13 x 8 in (43.2 x 33 x 20.3 cm) | No carry-on weight limit as long as you can lift the bag into the bin. |
| Southwest | Cheapest fare | Yes: one carry-on bag plus one personal item. | No size published | Southwest's policy page states no fare-based difference. |
| Frontier | Base fare | No. The carry-on is a paid add-on. | 18 x 14 x 8 in (45.7 x 35.6 x 20.3 cm), up to 35 lb | Carry-on (24 x 16 x 10 in, up to 35 lb) is included in the Economy, Premium and Business bundles and for Elite Gold, Platinum and Diamond members. Overweight and oversized bag charges apply. |
| Sun Country | Base fare | No. The overhead bag is a paid add-on. | 17 x 13 x 9 in | Cheapest when added with the booking and dearer at the airport. Active US military: one overhead carry-on free. |
| Breeze | Base fare | No. Sold separately or included in some bundles. | 17 x 13 x 8 in | A bag added by airport staff is $75 each way. |
| Avelo | Base fare | No. The carry-on is paid, from $54 to $75. | 17 x 13 x 9 in | Extra fees apply if not bought with the booking. Active-duty military with ID: one carry-on free. |
United Basic Economy: the one big US airline that restricts the carry-on
United says that for most trips you can only bring one personal item in Basic Economy and that a carry-on is allowed only if you are flying to South America, across the Atlantic or across the Pacific. If you bring a carry-on that does not qualify, it has to be checked and the bag fee applies. The personal item must fit under the seat: 9 x 10 x 17 inches (22 x 25 x 43 cm).
You can bring one free carry-on in Basic Economy if you are a MileagePlus Premier member, are travelling with a Premier member, are the primary card member of a qualifying MileagePlus credit card, or are a Star Alliance Gold member. United says the United Gateway Card and the United MileagePlus Select Card do not qualify.
On United Express flights operated by CommutAir, United says you are only allowed one personal item. Other United Express carriers allow carry-on bags but have limited space, so bags are often gate-checked.
Delta, American, Alaska, JetBlue and Southwest
These airlines' carry-on pages say each passenger can bring one carry-on bag and one personal item. None of the pages we read lists a lower-fare exception. Delta renamed Basic Economy as Delta Main Basic and lists its restrictions separately; a carry-on bag is not among them. JetBlue says one carry-on and one personal item on all fares. Bin space can still run out, and a bag may then be gate-checked.
Budget airlines: the personal item is the free bag
On Frontier, Sun Country, Breeze and Avelo the free allowance is the personal item that fits under the seat. A carry-on in the overhead bin is an add-on, cheapest when bought with the booking and more expensive at the airport. See each airline's page in the table for sizes, and the US airline baggage fees page for checked bags.
How to avoid a gate fee
- Read the fare name on the booking page before you pay: "Basic" or the base fare is where the carry-on rule changes.
- Add the carry-on when you book if your airline charges for it; the price rises later.
- If you only have a personal item, measure it against the airline's limit; a backpack that fits one airline can be too big for another.
- Keep power banks, medication and valuables in the personal item in case a bag is gate-checked. Power bank rules.
Sources: United, Delta, American, Alaska, JetBlue and Frontier carry-on and fare pages read on 5 November 2026; Southwest, Sun Country, Breeze and Avelo from the airline pages recorded on this site. Airlines change fares and fees; check your fare rules before you fly.
Frequently asked questions
Does Basic Economy include a carry-on?
It depends on the airline. On United, Basic Economy allows only a personal item on most trips. Delta, American, Alaska, JetBlue and Southwest say one carry-on and one personal item are allowed; Frontier, Sun Country, Breeze and Avelo charge for the carry-on.
Can I bring a carry-on in United Basic Economy?
Not on most trips. United allows a carry-on in Basic Economy on flights to South America and across the Atlantic or Pacific, and for MileagePlus Premier members, people travelling with one, primary holders of qualifying MileagePlus cards and Star Alliance Gold members.
What happens if I bring a carry-on in United Basic Economy?
It has to be checked and the bag fee applies: from $45 prepaid, $50 in the lobby or $75 at the gate for tickets bought on or after 3 April 2026.
Does Delta Main Basic allow a carry-on?
Delta says each passenger can bring one carry-on bag and one personal item free. Its Main Basic page lists restrictions such as no priority boarding and no upgrades, but not a carry-on limit.
Does JetBlue Blue Basic include a carry-on?
JetBlue says it lets you bring one carry-on and one personal item on all fares.
Is the carry-on free on Frontier?
No. Every Frontier ticket includes a personal item; the carry-on is added when you book, or comes with the Economy, Premium or Business bundles and with Elite Gold, Platinum and Diamond status.