The almanac catalogs routes, not operators. But the patterns of routing, baggage, and price-shape repeat by category. Use this register as a quick reference; the authoritative source for any specific bundle is the comparison-search partner's checkout page at the moment you book.
Single cabin · two free checked bags · open seating
The friendliest baggage regime in the US market. One cabin, no assigned seats until check-in, two free checked bags in every fare. The trade-off is a smaller route map and limited connection partners. Best for travelers who want to skip the bag-fee math entirely.
Three or four sub-fares per cabin · paid bags after carry-on · global alliance partners
Hub-and-spoke route maps with multiple cabins, paid baggage, and large global alliances. Basic economy strips out carry-on overhead and seat selection; main cabin includes them. Most domestic main-cabin tickets dropped change fees in 2020. Refundable buckets exist at a 2-3x premium.
Lowest base fare · everything paid (carry-on, checked, seat) · narrowest schedules
ULCCs sell the lowest base fare and unbundle every other product. Carry-on overhead is paid, checked bags are paid, seat selection is paid. The all-in price after baggage and seat selection sometimes beats the network alternative; sometimes it does not. Always compute the all-in math.
Single cabin or small premium block · free or low-cost first checked bag · limited frequency
Scheduled-and-charter mixes to leisure markets, often from secondary airports. Frequency is low (sometimes 2-3 days a week per route); price is competitive on the routes they run. Best for leisure travelers with date flexibility.
Free first or two checked bags · multiple cabins including premium economy and business · global routings
International economy fares typically include one or two free checked bags. Premium-economy and business fares include two or three. The product is at its strongest on overnight transatlantic and transpacific flights. The operator's own website is the authoritative source for international bag rules.
Operates on behalf of a network operator · single cabin · partner-branded service
Smaller regional jets serve short hops under a code-share partnership with a larger carrier. They follow the larger carrier's bundle rules and inherit the partner's mileage program and baggage policy. The IATA carrier code printed on the ticket is the regional operator's code, not the partnering carrier's.
How to use the register. Use the categories above to scope which operator type fits your travel pattern (free baggage matters for big trips; lowest base fare matters for short ones). Then click through to a comparison-search partner from any route card and let the partner show you which specific operator is selling at the best all-in price for your dates. The almanac never claims affiliation with, or endorsement by, any airline, alliance, or operator.