US FederalCan the airline charge me to check a bag?
Yes, airlines in the U.S. may charge fees to check bags, as federal law does not prohibit such fees and treats them as part of the airline's pricing discretion.
What the Law Says
Federal law does not prohibit airlines from charging fees for checked baggage. Instead, it focuses on preventing unfair or deceptive practices — meaning bag fees are allowed if clearly disclosed and not misleading.
Under the Airline Deregulation Act, the federal government removed most price controls from airlines in 1978. Since then, carriers have broad authority to set their own fares and ancillary fees — including baggage fees — as long as those practices are not unfair or deceptive.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) enforces this standard. It requires airlines to disclose all fees — including checked bag fees — prominently on their websites and at the time of booking. Failure to do so could violate the law.
Statutory TextA person may not engage in an unfair or deceptive act or practice in air transportation or the sale of air transportation.
— 49 U.S.C. § 41712 — Unfair and deceptive practices and unfair methods of competition
Statutory TextA person may not engage in an unfair method of competition in air transportation or the sale of air transportation.
— 49 U.S.C. § 41712 — Unfair and deceptive practices and unfair methods of competition
What to Do
Check the airline’s website before booking to review current baggage fees.
Look for fee disclosures during online booking — they must appear before payment.
If a fee was hidden or misrepresented, file a complaint with the DOT at www.airconsumer.gov.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.