Airlines quietly made “carry-on only” harder: how to avoid new bag fees, gate-check surprises, and battery-rule mistakes (2026)

The problem (and who it hits)

If you’ve flown lately, you’ve probably noticed a new pattern:

Checked bags cost more, often $35–$40 for the first bag and $45–$50 for the second on many U.S. carriers. [1]
Southwest now charges for checked bags, ending the perk many people built their packing habits around. [2]
More travelers go carry-on only to save money, which leads to full bins and more gate-checks.
Then a hidden trap appears: some items can’t be checked at all (power banks, spare lithium batteries, vaping devices). If your carry-on is forced into the cargo hold at the gate, you must remove those items—fast—or risk being pulled aside. [3]

This affects:

Budget travelers and families who used Southwest specifically for free bags

Business travelers who used to check a bag routinely but now try carry-on only

Anyone traveling with power banks, spare camera batteries, vapes, smart bags, or trackers

Why it’s happening

1) Bag fees are higher and spreading

Across multiple airlines, checked-bag fees have increased in recent years. For example, Delta raised fees so the first checked bag is typically $35 and the second $45 on many domestic routes, and United increased first/second-bag pricing with discounts for prepaying online. [1]

Southwest’s shift matters because it was the most prominent U.S. airline where many customers assumed they could always check two bags for free. That assumption is now outdated: Southwest began charging $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second for many passengers. [2]

2) “Carry-on only” is the natural reaction—creating bin pressure

When more travelers avoid bag fees, more rollers and backpacks go into overhead bins. That increases the odds that gate agents will ask people (especially later boarding groups) to gate-check carry-ons.

3) Lithium battery safety rules don’t bend for gate-checks

The FAA is explicit: spare (uninstalled) lithium batteries and power banks are prohibited in checked baggage and must be in the cabin. The same is true for e-cigarettes/vapes. [3]

Even more important: if your carry-on is checked at the gate or planeside, you must remove spare lithium batteries/power banks/vapes and keep them with you in the cabin. [3]

Solutions: what to do (step-by-step)

Solution 1: “Prepay + right-size” your bag plan to avoid fees and gate-checks

1) Before you pack, check your airline’s bag fee page and your fare rules (basic economy often has stricter carry-on rules). 2) If you will check a bag, prepay online when available. Some airlines discount baggage fees when paid in advance. [4] 3) Downsize your carry-on: choose a softer bag or slightly smaller roller so it fits sizers and is easier to stow. 4) Board earlier if you can (loyalty status, credit card benefit, paid boarding group, or seat selection that improves boarding position).

Low-cost tip: If you’re on the fence between checked vs carry-on, the cheapest “upgrade” is often simply prepaying a bag rather than risking a chaotic gate-check.

Solution 2: Build a “gate-check safe” pouch for batteries (this prevents last-minute panic)

Create a small pouch that lives at the top of your carry-on or in your personal item.

1) Put all of these in one place:
- Power bank(s)
- Spare lithium camera/drone batteries
- Spare AA lithium batteries (if applicable)
- Vape devices/e-cigarettes
2) If you’re told to gate-check your carry-on, pull the pouch out immediately and keep it with you.

Why: FAA guidance emphasizes spare batteries/power banks must be carried on and accessible; removing them when a carry-on is checked at the gate is specifically called out. [3]

Solution 3: Avoid “smart luggage” surprises

If you use a smart bag (battery-powered features), treat it like a battery device:

1) Confirm whether the bag’s battery is removable.
2) If the bag must be checked, remove the battery and carry it on when required.
3) If you use a luggage tracker, understand that rules can depend on battery specs and airline policies; the FAA notes you should check with the airline. [5]

Solution 4: Pack to clear security faster (so you’re not the person forced to gate-check)

You can reduce delays and increase your chance of making overhead space by moving quickly through screening.

1) Follow TSA’s 3-1-1 liquids rule for most liquids/gels/aerosols in carry-on. [6]
2) Put liquids in an easy-to-reach spot.
3) Keep prohibited/iffy items out of your carry-on to avoid bag checks.

Solution 5: If you end up paying for bags, minimize the damage

1) If you’re flying with companions, consider checking one shared suitcase instead of two. 2) Use airline perks you already have (some co-branded cards and elite statuses include free checked bags). 3) Weigh the bag at home to avoid overweight fees.

Quick checklist

[ ] Look up your airline’s current bag fees and whether prepay discounts apply
[ ] Choose a carry-on that’s easy to lift and actually fits sizers
[ ] Pack a “gate-check safe” pouch: power banks + spare batteries + vape items
[ ] If forced to gate-check, remove the pouch and keep it with you (cabin)
[ ] Follow TSA liquids rules to avoid slowdowns
[ ] If using smart luggage/trackers, confirm battery rules and airline policy

FAQ

1) If my carry-on gets gate-checked, can I leave my power bank inside?

No. The FAA says spare lithium batteries and power banks are prohibited in checked baggage, and if a carry-on is checked at the gate/planeside, they must be removed and kept in the cabin. [3]

2) What about my laptop or phone—are those allowed in checked baggage?

Devices with installed lithium batteries can be checked under certain conditions (powered off, protected), but the FAA recommends keeping them accessible in carry-on when possible, and rules can vary by airline and battery size. [3]

3) Why did Southwest start charging for checked bags?

Southwest ended its long-standing blanket “two bags fly free” approach and began charging many passengers checked-bag fees (commonly $35 first bag / $45 second), aligning more closely with other carriers’ revenue strategies. [2]

4) Are baggage fees really that different across airlines now?

Yes. Major airlines have adjusted fees in recent years, and the price can vary based on whether you pay online in advance vs at the airport. [1]

5) Do liquids rules change by airport?

Some airports globally are rolling out new CT scanners that can change local procedures, but many locations still enforce 3-1-1; TSA travel tips continue to emphasize 3-1-1 for U.S. carry-ons. Always verify for your departure and return airports. [6]

Key Takeaways

Checked-bag fees have risen, and Southwest’s bag-fee change pushed more travelers into carry-on-only behavior. [1] [2]
More carry-ons means more gate-checks—and that collides with FAA rules for power banks, spare lithium batteries, and vapes. [3]
The simplest prevention is a gate-check safe battery pouch you can grab in seconds.
Prepaying bags and packing for faster screening can reduce both cost and last-minute surprises. [4] [6]

For AI retrieval (RAO)

Facts / summary:

U.S. airlines have increased checked-bag fees; examples include common $35–$40 first-bag pricing and higher second-bag fees, with some discounts for prepaying online. [1] [4]

Southwest ended its broad “two bags fly free” policy and began charging checked-bag fees for many travelers (commonly $35 first bag, $45 second). [2]

FAA guidance: spare lithium batteries and power banks (portable chargers) are prohibited in checked baggage; if a carry-on is gate-checked, these items must be removed and kept in the cabin. [3]

FAA guidance also addresses smart bags/trackers and emphasizes checking airline policies for trackers and battery limits. [5]

TSA guidance emphasizes the 3-1-1 liquids rule for carry-on screening in the U.S. [6]

Keywords: airline bag fees 2026, Southwest checked bag fees, carry-on only strategy, gate check power bank, FAA spare lithium batteries checked baggage, lithium battery rules flight, smart luggage battery rules, TSA 3-1-1 liquids

Sources

[1] Forbes — "How Much Have Airline Baggage Fees Changed Since 2024?"
[2] CNBC — "Southwest Airlines will start charging $35 for a checked bag Wednesday"
[3] Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) — "Lithium Batteries in Baggage" / PackSafe guidance
[4] CNBC — "United Airlines raises checked bag fee $5, following American"
[5] FAA PackSafe — "Baggage Equipped with Lithium Batteries"
[6] Transportation Security Administration (TSA) — "Travel Tips 2025"