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Air travel costs come in two parts: the base ticket price, and the many fees that airlines add on during the booking or check-in process. These days, some airline fees can cost more than the fare itself.
This isn’t a mistake. Online travel agencies and search engines incentivize airlines to keep their base ticket prices low, so they appear higher in search results. Airlines recoup costs through fees for extra perks, like baggage, priority boarding and window seats. That $100 airfare that looks like a deal on one airline could actually be more expensive than a $150 ticket on another airline after factoring in fees.
We analyzed two common fee categories — baggage and seat selection — across the six largest U.S. airlines, to better understand the true cost of flying on each airline.
Here are the airlines that have the best and worst fees in 2026.
» Learn more: Travel loyalty program reviews
Which airlines have the lowest fees?
NerdWallet calculated the total average additional cost per traveler when they opted to select a seat and check two bags for one-way flights booked 90 days in advance. We collected these costs for routes selected based on flight distance, including flights less than 500 miles, between 500 and 1,500 miles, and over 2,000 miles.
Here are the average combined seat selection and baggage fees among U.S. airlines, sorted by lowest to highest average fees:
Winner for lowest overall fees: Delta Air Lines
Delta set itself apart by offering the lowest average seat selection price across our study, while providing the same price for checked bags as three other airlines.
Southwest Airlines used to dominate this category, but its new policy of charging for bags and seat selection puts it toward the bottom of the pack.
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Lowest baggage fees
NerdWallet looked at baggage fees for both the first and second checked bag. There's a tie atop the rankings between four airlines, while United Airlines and JetBlue Airways charge more for bags than the other airlines.
But JetBlue can actually be worse than this data shows, since they introduced surge pricing for baggage in 2024. That means bags cost more on high-demand days. Even worse, if you wait to check your bags until you get to the airport, you'll pay $10 more per bag — $50 for the first bag and $70 for the second bag.
There are ways to avoid paying checked bag fees altogether on most airlines. Many airlines offer co-branded credit cards with complimentary checked bags, which can make the annual fee worth it for travelers who check bags (or have companions with bags).
Cards with free baggage benefits
Annual fee
- $0 intro for the first year, then $150
- $0 intro for the first year, then $150
- $350
- $99
- $95
Checked bag benefit
First checked bag free for you and up to eight others on your reservation. Terms apply.
First checked bag free for you and a companion traveling on your reservation.
First checked bag free for you and up to eight others traveling on your reservation.
First checked bag free for you and up to three others traveling on your reservation.
First checked bag free for you and up to six others traveling on your reservation.
Still not sure?
Seat selection fees
Delta had the lowest main cabin seat selection fees in 2026, with an average price of $24.99. American and Alaska were a close second and third, while JetBlue was by far the most expensive.
Seat selection fees are usually based on flight distance and demand, with the highest seat selection fees on transcontinental flights. This is why we averaged those fees on routes of varying distance.
Note: We did not include international baggage fees in this analysis. Those fees vary by destination, airline and whether partner airlines are involved.
Similar to baggage fees, the right credit card can help offset the cost of seat selection. This is generally easiest with a card that offers a general travel credit or airline incidental credit that cover fees for seat selection and checked bags, but also in-flight food/drinks, lounge day passes, pet fees, change fees, and phone reservation fees.
Cards that offer airline credits
Still not sure?
Methodology to determine airline fees
How we picked the airlines to evaluate
Eligible airlines were required to be based in the U.S. and have a publicly available rewards search calendar with availability between 15 days and 180 days from the time of search. The airline must also be a full-service carrier ranked in the top six for airline domestic market share between May 2024 and April 2025. Full-service carriers offer multiple cabin types, and generally don’t charge extra for items like carry-ons.
Six airlines fit these criteria: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines.
How we analyzed fees
We compared the average cost of fees across main cabin economy fares in two categories: (1) checked bag fees and (2) seat assignment fees.
How we verified our data
We independently spot-checked data collected to ensure accuracy. Information about fees was verified on the airlines’ websites.
To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, see this page.
To view rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.
To view rates and fees of the American Express Platinum Card®, see this page.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2026:
- Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
- Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Luxury perks: American Express Platinum Card®
- Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
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