Airline Baggage Charges Skyrocket, But Travelers Are Finding Innovative Ways to Avoid Rising Costs by Opting for Smaller Luggage and Packing Tips

Friday, June 6, 2025

Airline baggage charges have skyrocketed in recent years, forcing many passengers to rethink their travel strategies. As checked and carry-on baggage fees continue to rise, travelers are finding innovative ways to avoid these growing costs. By opting for smaller luggage that fits within carry-on size limits and utilizing clever packing tips, passengers are adapting to the new norm of high airline fees, seeking solutions that allow them to travel without the added financial burden.

The practice of airlines charging for checked luggage has become a hot-button issue, drawing widespread criticism from both passengers and policymakers. With airlines like Air Canada and Southwest now charging for checked bags, the soaring costs of these ancillary fees—often referred to as “junk fees”—are fueling frustration among travelers. This trend has led to a surge in demand for smaller carry-on suitcases that meet airline size limits, as passengers seek ways to avoid additional charges.

Many travelers, like those passing through airports in major cities, feel that these fees are unfair. One traveler, visiting from Boston, described the charges as “ridiculous” and explained that a seemingly affordable ticket suddenly becomes much more expensive when the baggage fees are added. To avoid the $200 surcharge for checked luggage, she chose to travel with only a small backpack as her carry-on.

In the past, checked bags, seat selection, and meals were all included in the cost of a flight, but this changed with the rise of budget airlines. In 2006, UK-based budget carrier FlyBe became one of the first airlines to introduce a fee for checked luggage, charging £2 for pre-booked bags. This practice quickly spread to other low-cost carriers and, eventually, to traditional airlines, especially on shorter flights.

American Airlines became the first major U.S. airline to introduce baggage fees in 2008, charging $15 for the first checked bag on domestic routes. Aviation consultant Jay Sorensen explains that traditional airlines, realizing they were losing market share to low-cost carriers, felt they had no choice but to follow suit and introduce similar fees.

Fast forward to today, and U.S. airlines alone generated $7.27 billion from baggage fees in 2024, marking a sharp increase from previous years. In response, many travelers have opted for carry-on luggage as a way to avoid these additional charges. The demand for small suitcases that meet airline size restrictions has grown significantly. Kirsty Glenn, managing director of UK luggage company Antler, reports a significant increase in online searches for compact luggage. She points to the success of their recently launched small suitcase, which sold out quickly, as evidence of this growing trend.

Social media has also played a key role in shaping how passengers approach baggage fees. Influencers and travel experts, such as Chelsea Dickenson, have created viral content focused on packing tips and luggage that complies with carry-on size restrictions. Dickenson, whose social media following has reached nearly a million, notes that her videos featuring luggage tests are some of her most popular content. “It blows my mind,” she says, explaining how simple suitcase reviews have garnered more views than lengthy trip planning videos.

Globally, the total cost of airline ancillary fees—including charges for luggage, seat selection, Wi-Fi, food and drinks, and upgrades—is projected to reach $145 billion this year, accounting for 14% of the airline industry’s total revenue. This figure represents a significant increase from last year’s $137 billion, drawing attention from both consumer advocacy groups and government officials.

In the U.S., some politicians are pushing for a closer examination of these fees, with the term “junk fees” being used to describe the growing list of add-ons. A senator has even suggested that the federal government should investigate these charges and consider fining airlines that impose excessive fees. However, the U.S. Department of Transportation has yet to respond to these calls for action.

Meanwhile, a new wave of airlines is now charging for hand luggage. Ryanair, for example, allows passengers to carry a small bag that fits under the seat for free, but charges a fee for larger carry-ons that are placed in the overhead bin. Other European carriers, including EasyJet, Norwegian Airlines, and Transavia, have introduced similar fees for hand luggage.

This shift has led to complaints from consumer organizations, including Becu (The European Consumer Organisation), which recently filed a complaint with the European Commission. The complaint cites a 2014 EU Court of Justice ruling that prohibits airlines from charging for hand baggage as long as it meets reasonable size and weight requirements. However, there remains uncertainty about what constitutes “reasonable requirements,” as the ruling has yet to be fully clarified.

Some airlines are opting for a different approach. For example, Indian airline IndiGo has resisted the trend of charging for checked luggage. CEO Pieter Eibers explains that IndiGo’s philosophy focuses on providing a seamless travel experience without the need for long lines or disputes over baggage weight. This efficiency has allowed the airline to turn around flights in as little as 35 minutes, further simplifying the travel process.

As airline baggage charges skyrocket, travelers are finding innovative ways to avoid rising costs by opting for smaller luggage and utilizing clever packing tips, allowing them to dodge extra fees and travel more efficiently.

As airlines continue to introduce baggage-related fees and passengers look for ways to avoid them, the debate over “junk fees” is likely to intensify. Whether policymakers will take action to regulate these charges remains to be seen. In the meantime, passengers are finding ways to adapt by opting for smaller carry-on luggage and discovering travel hacks to minimize the impact of these escalating costs.