Looking for checked baggage allowance information, including luggage size, weight and charges? Find all the facts you need about airline baggage restrictions in this handy table, plus, get tips on avoiding excess baggage charges and checking in online.
Aer Lingus | No free allowance | €20-€85* per bag | No size restriction 32kg max. per bag, or |
Aeroflot | 1 free bag (economy) or 2 bags (all other classes) | £39-£174 per bag (depending on route) | 158cm total (length + width + height) and 23kg per bag |
Air France | 1 bag free | £21-£80 per bag | 158cm total (length + width + height) 23kg per bag |
Air Asia | No free baggage allowance | Prices depend on your route | 15-40kg (depending on your route) |
British Airways | 2 bags | £65 per overweight bag each way | 90 x 75 x 43cm 32kg per bag |
Delta | 1 bag free-$30 (depending on route) | €23-€85 per bag, depending on route | 157cm total 23kg per bag |
easyJet | No free allowance | £13-£35 per bag | 275cm total 15-32kg per bag |
Emirates | First 15kg-35kg free, depending on class and route | Fees depend on route | 300cm total 15kg-40kg depending on class and route |
Etihad Airways | 1-2 bags free depending on route | $70-$120 2nd bag $160 3rd bag $195 extra 32kg bag 20% discount online | 207cm total 23kg per bag |
Flybe | No free allowance | 15kg for £19 23kg for £24 or 46kg split over two bags for £48 | No size restriction 15kg-23kg per bag or 46kg total over 2 bags |
Jet2 | No free allowance | £10-£45 per bag | No size restriction 32kg per bag |
KLM | 1-2 bags free, depending on route | From €10.50 per bag online €55-€300 at airport | 158cm total 23kg per bag |
Lufthansa | 1 bag free | €75-€350 per extra 23kg €125-€450 for baggage 23kg-32kg | 158cm total 23kg per bag |
Norwegian | 1 bag free (max 20kg) | £7-£80 per bag, depending on route | Each bag must not exceed 250 x 79 x 112 cm 32kg per bag |
Qatar Airways | First 30kg free | $25-$70 per kg | 300cm total 30kg per bag |
Ryanair | No free allowance | £25-£40 per 20kg bag | 81cm x 119cm x 119cm </p No more than 3 checked bags at 20kg each |
Thomas Cook Airlines | 15kg-20kg free, depending on route | £15-£90 booked in advance £10 per kg at airport | 158cm total 15kg-20kg |
TUI Airways | 15kg-20kg free on package holidays | From £15 on flight-only deals | No size restriction 15kg-20kg |
Turkish Airlines | 2 bags free | From €5 per kg, depending on route | No size restriction 20kg per bag |
Virgin Atlantic | 1 bag free | £65 2nd bag £140 per additional bag | 90 x 75 x 43cm 23kg per bag |
Vueling Airlines | No free allowance | €13-€35 for 1 bag €40-€70 for 2 or more bags | No size restriction 23kg per bag |
Wizz Air | No free allowance | €16-€120 for 1 bag Price depends on, weight, route and season | 149 x 119 x 171cm 32kg per bag |
Things to remember…
- Buy extra checked baggage online in advance. Higher fees may apply for extra bags or overweight/oversize baggage at the airport.
- Airline baggage allowances stated in this table are based on standard economy flights to and from Europe, and are per person, per flight.
How to check in luggage online
Most airlines allow you to check in and print your boarding pass online before you travel. If you have free checked baggage on your flight, or have purchased checked baggage, you’ll still need to drop any luggage off at the desk, but usually the ‘baggage drop’ is a much quicker option than the full airport check in (and often a shorter queue!) Ryanair, for example, allows passengers with booked seats to check in up to 30 days ahead of departure, or between four days and two hours before if you have unallocated seats. You’ll just need to print out your boarding pass, or download the mobile version to show at the airline’s desk or self-service machines. Then simply swan past to security with your hand luggage. Breezy.
What’s not allowed in check-in luggage?
Airline baggage rules regarding restricted items generally apply to hand luggage only, although the following items are banned or restricted in checked baggage:
- Wrapped gifts might be opened by security if they are in your hold luggage
- Firearms, flares and explosive material, including replicas
- Aerosols, fuels or flammable liquids, including lighter fluid, although one lighter is allowed on your person in the cabin on most airlines
- Turpentine or paint thinner
- Bleach
- Spray paint
Can I take laptops on a plane?
Restrictions on laptops and other large electronic devices in hand luggage have been introduced on some flights from the Middle East and North Africa, and may be extended to flights from the UK to the US, but for now you can still pack these items in your checked baggage. Read the full description on the laptop ban here.
Are there restrictions on liquids in checked luggage?
You’ll be glad to hear that the hand luggage restrictions on liquids do not apply to checked in baggage, so you’re free to bring back jam/honey/your favourite tipple from abroad! Just make sure alcohol is under the following limits: 110 litres of beer, 90 litres of wine and 10 litres of spirits are allowed if you’re coming from within EU, or 16 litres of beer, four litres of wine (not sparkling) and one litre of spirits if travelling from outside the EU. Get the full story on what liquids you can and can’t take in your hand luggage here.
What if my hold luggage is overweight or oversized?
You’ll usually need to pay a fee for overweight or oversized checked baggage. It’s nearly always cheaper to do this online in advance, so if you know you’re going to exceed the checked baggage weight allowance, it might be worth purchasing a few extra kilos in advance. Excess baggage fees start from just £9* per kilo with budget airlines like Norwegian Air, but you can also check what your airline charges for excess luggage in this comprehensive guide.
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Information correct as of 30th January 2019, obtained from //www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions. Please always check the latest guidance at //www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions before booking a trip
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