10 Airlines With the Most Free Stuff & 10 That Don't Provide Anything
What Counts as “Free Stuff,” Anyway?
It's funny to talk about "free stuff" when you paid $800 for a plane ticket. Still, some airlines are more stingy than others when determining what's included in that fare. For this list, “free stuff” means the extras that are included in a standard economy-style fare without making you pay again for every little thing, like snacks, drinks, entertainment, Wi-Fi, carry-on bags, or even checked bags. On the flip side, the airlines in the second half aren’t literally giving you nothing at all, but they do tend to strip things down so much that you feel like your fare bought you a seat and not much else. Here are 10 airlines that include a surprising amount of complimentary items and 10 that don't really bother.
1. JetBlue
JetBlue is one of the easiest picks here because it includes free snacks and drinks, free high-speed Wi-Fi, and seatback entertainment with live TV and movies. Even its Blue Basic product now includes a complimentary carry-on bag, which is a big deal in a world where basic fares often keep shrinking. When you add in JetBlue’s roomy coach reputation, it feels like one of the few airlines that still want you to enjoy the ride a little.
2. Delta
Delta’s entry-level fare still includes complimentary snacks, nonalcoholic drinks, in-flight entertainment, and Wi-Fi access for SkyMiles members. That means even when you buy down to its lowest cabin product, you’re not suddenly cut off from all the onboard basics. Compared with airlines that make you reach for your wallet the second you want anything beyond a seat, Delta comes off as generous
3. Southwest
Southwest no longer has the across-the-board “two bags fly free” magic it was famous for, but it still offers free in-flight entertainment, snacks, and drinks, and some fare types still include checked-bag benefits. That keeps it ahead of a lot of ultra-low-cost rivals that charge for nearly every add-on. It’s not the old Southwest free-for-all, but you can still get more included here than on many bargain carriers.
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4. Alaska Airlines
Alaska’s Saver fare is notable because it still comes with the same Main Cabin in-flight amenities, including complimentary snacks and drinks, plus free movies, TV shows, and texting. You also still get a free carry-on, which immediately makes the fare feel more usable than a lot of bottom-tier tickets elsewhere.
5. United
United’s Basic Economy keeps most of the same in-flight services as standard Economy, including drinks, snacks, and entertainment. On most flights, it also allows one carry-on bag and one personal item for free, which helps it avoid the truly stripped-down feel some rivals have embraced.
6. Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian stands out because it advertises complimentary island-inspired meals and drinks, along with entertainment as part of its in-flight service. That kind of customization alone puts it in a different category and makes it seem like they still care about providing passengers with a unique experience beyond just getting you from A to B as cheaply as possible.
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7. Air Canada
Air Canada announced complimentary beer, wine, and snacks for economy customers on all flights, including routes to Mexico and the Caribbean. That’s a surprisingly strong inclusion these days, especially since many North American airlines are still pretty stingy with booze unless you’re in a premium cabin. It doesn’t erase every fare restriction, but it does make regular economy feel more complete.
8. Emirates
Emirates economy includes multicourse meals, complimentary drinks, and its well-known entertainment system with thousands of channels. Skywards members can also get complimentary Wi-Fi access on selected routes, which gives the experience another nice bonus. It’s one of those airlines where economy still feels like a full-service product.
9. Turkish Airlines
Turkish includes standard seats free of charge in economy on the page describing seat selection rights, and on international flights, it also provides amenities like headphones and travel kits on available routes. For U.S. routes, economy passengers also get a checked baggage allowance, which is something many travelers now treat like a luxury perk. Put it together, and Turkish feels refreshingly old-school.
10. ANA
ANA’s economy offering includes meals and drinks, plus Wi-Fi and entertainment options on international flights. That may sound basic, but in the current airline landscape built on upselling, having those features clearly baked into the experience still matters.
Now that we've covered the airlines that still offer plenty of complimentary items that can make the flight feel actually enjoyable, let's talk about the ones that are more of a no-frills experience.
1. Spirit
Spirit’s own materials make the model pretty plain: the cheapest experience is for people who want to keep it simple and buy bags, seats, and other options separately. A free personal item is included, but carry-ons, checked bags, snacks, drinks, and Wi-Fi are tied to pricier options or add-ons.
2. Frontier
Frontier's fares include one personal item, and then it encourages you to add seats, bags, and more if you want the full experience. Carry-on bags cost extra, checked bags cost extra, and the airline’s whole pricing setup is designed around bundling only what you decide to pay for. That can work if you travel very light, but it’s not the airline to pick when you want a bunch of built-in perks.
3. Allegiant
Allegiant says outright that it offers many à la carte services for a fee in order to keep fares as low as possible. Seat selection can cost extra, and its snacks and drinks are sold onboard rather than included as a standard perk. If you buy the fare expecting the airline to throw in a little hospitality, Allegiant will quickly remind you what business model you signed up for.
4. Ryanair
Ryanair's CEO made headlines a few years back when he announced the company was considering selling standing room on planes for a discounted price. He was joking, of course, but what you get with Ryanair fares is honestly not that far off. Every little thing on Ryanair costs extra, which works for truly budget backpackers, but it's frustrating for everyone else.
5. Wizz Air
Wizz Air says its Basic fare includes a free carry-on bag and online check-in, but checked baggage is not included, and onboard food is part of its café service rather than a complimentary offering. In other words, the ticket gets you transportation for a period.
6. easyJet
easyJet’s fare structure centers on a small underseat cabin bag, while larger cabin bags and better seating benefits show up in pricier products like Inclusive Plus. Its onboard menu is also very much a buy-it-if-you-want-it setup, not a complimentary snack situation. So while it can be convenient and affordable, it’s not trying to win anyone over with free extras.
7. Viva
Viva says its Zero fare doesn't include a carry-on bag, though all fares do include one personal item. Once you move beyond that, you’re adding baggage through higher fares or paid extras rather than enjoying things that come standard. It’s a straightforward low-cost setup, which is fine, but nobody’s leaving the plane talking about all the goodies they got for free.
8. Pegasus
Pegasus says its Light package for international and North Cyprus flights includes no cabin baggage and no checked baggage beyond one underseat bag. Meals are available through Pegasus Cafe for a fee unless you buy into a more inclusive bundle. That makes the airline useful for bargain hunters, but not especially charming for anyone hoping the fare includes a little more than the absolute basics.
9. Norse Atlantic
Norse describes its economy product as customizable, with Economy Light built around paying only for what you need. Food and drinks are available for purchase unless your fare specifically includes them. Its only redeeming quality is that the prices really can be a steal, so for budget transatlantic travelers, it's worth it.
10. Volaris
Volaris says its baggage policies depend on the fare, and its lower-tier fares are built around traveling without checked bags, with add-ons available if you want more. You can get cabin baggage with certain fare types, but the overall vibe is clearly buy what you need instead of expecting it to be included.
