With Air Canada and Southwest Airlines joining the growing list of carriers charging for checked luggage, travelers and consumer advocates are pushing back against what critics call a surge in “junk fees.” At the same time, sales of small carry-on suitcases are booming as passengers try to avoid extra costs.
Standing outside Toronto’s downtown airport, 24-year-old Lauren Alexander called the charges “ridiculous” after shelling out hundreds of dollars in extra fees for her weekend trip from Boston. Like many, she packed light to avoid additional charges.
“It feels like a trick,” she said. “You buy the flight thinking it’s affordable, and suddenly you’re hit with another $200 just to bring a suitcase.”
The trend began in 2006 when British budget airline FlyBe introduced charges for checked bags. Since then, nearly every major airline has followed, including US carriers. American Airlines became the first in the US to charge for a checked bag in 2008, setting a precedent now deeply embedded in the industry.
Airlines have increasingly relied on these fees for revenue. According to federal data, US carriers earned $7.27 billion from baggage charges in 2024 alone, up from $5.76 billion in 2019.
Faced with these costs, passengers are turning to compact luggage that fits into overhead bins. UK luggage brand Antler reported a surge in demand for smaller suitcases. Its new carry-on model, launched in April, “sold like crazy,” said managing director Kirsty Glenn.
Social media has played a major role in this shift. Travel influencers like Chelsea Dickenson have gained large followings by reviewing bags that comply with airlines’ cabin baggage restrictions. “Luggage videos do way better than trip reviews,” she told the BBC.
The global airline industry is expected to rake in $145 billion from extra charges in 2025, according to the International Air Transport Association. That figure represents 14% of total industry revenue, up from $137 billion the previous year.
Lawmakers are starting to take notice. In Washington, some senators have called for tighter regulation of such fees. One senator dubbed them “junk fees” and urged the Department of Transportation to investigate.
Meanwhile, some budget carriers have gone further, now charging for carry-on items. Ryanair, EasyJet, and Wizz Air are among the European airlines that only allow a small bag for free—anything larger comes at an additional cost.
That has triggered a formal complaint from the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC), which argues such fees may violate a 2014 EU court ruling. The ruling held that basic hand luggage should be included in the price of a ticket, provided it meets reasonable standards.
Not all airlines are following the fee-heavy model. IndiGo, India’s largest carrier, still allows checked bags for free. CEO Pieter Eibers said the airline’s policy is designed to speed up boarding and reduce conflict. “We don’t want long lines or gate disputes. We turn planes around in 35 minutes,” he said.
But for many international travelers, especially those flying long-haul or with families, avoiding extra costs remains a challenge as the line between budget and full-service airlines continues to blur.
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