Flights can prove confusing when it comes to how much luggage passengers can take with them. Each airline has different rules for baggage allowance and getting it wrong could result in you being forced to pay extra. Budget airlines such as Ryanair and easyJet often have tougher regulations than such carriers as British Airways. It’s always worth checking ahead to make sure you’ve understood the size and weight of the luggage allowed.
Flight and hotel comparison website Skyscanner has revealed the baggage allowances for major airlines.
They looked at the free baggage allowance, extra baggage charges and the maximum size and weight of bags.
Ryanair
No free allowance
£25-£40 per 20kg bag
81cm x 119cm x 119cm, no more than three checked bags at 20kg each
Priority boarding passengers are allowed one small bag (40x20x25cm), plus a larger cabin bag (55x40x20cm) with a maximum weight allowance of 10kg into the cabin.
Those who do not have priority boarding will only be able to bring one small cabin bag on board free of charge.
easyJet
No free allowance
£13-£35 per bag
275cm total, 15-32kg per bag
easyJet was recently hailed the world’s second-best budget airline. Those who are travelling solely with hand baggage are permitted one cabin bag each with no weight limit.
British Airways
Two bags
£65 per overweight bag each way
90x75x43cm, 32kg per bag
British Airways, the UK’s flagship carrier, allows hand luggage customers one piece of baggage, as well as a smaller item, on board.
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 two bags
For hand luggage: “Flybe passengers can carry one standard cabin bag measuring no more than 55 x 35 x 20cm including wheels and handles.
“You can also take a smaller under-seat item such as a laptop or a handbag. Both items must weigh no more than 10kg combined.”
Jet2.com
No free allowance
£10-£45 per bag
No size restriction, 32kg per bag
Jet2 is the third-largest scheduled airline in the UK. As for hand luggage: “You may carry on board one piece of hand luggage free of charge, as long as it weighs no more than 10kg and is no larger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm, including any wheels and handles.
“You can also bring a small, personal item on board (such as a handbag, laptop bag or airport purchase), as long as it is placed underneath the seat in front of you.
Thomas Cook
15kg-20kg free, depending on the route
£15-£90 booked in advance, £10 per kg at airport
158cm, total 15kg-20kg
Thomas Cook’s baggage policy states: “All of our customers flying with Thomas Cook Airlines will receive a complementary hand baggage allowance of eight kgs.
“You can take one piece of hand baggage up to (H) 55cm x (W) 40cm x (D) 20cm in size. In addition to the above, customers can carry an extra piece of hand baggage not exceeding 40 (H) x 30 (W) x 10 (D).”
Virgin Atlantic
One bag free
£65 2nd bag £140 per additional bag
90 x 75 x 43cm, 23kg per bag
Virgin states hand baggage is entitled under all tickets, so long as it follows a simple, single guideline: “You must be able to place your hand baggage in the overhead bins unaided.”
Emirates
First 15kg-35kg free, depending on class and route
Fees depend on the route
300cm total, 15kg-40kg depending on class and route
Emirates customers are privy to “one of the world’s most generous baggage policies” claims the international airline.
The airline states: “Generally, the amount of cabin baggage you may bring depends on which service class you are flying. Economy Class customers are permitted one piece of carry-on baggage that should not exceed 22 by 15 by eight inches and must weigh no more than seven kg.”
Aer Lingus
No free allowance
€20-€85 per bag
No size restriction, 32kg maximum per bag, or 40kg across two bags
Aer Lingus states the maximum weight of a cabin bag is 10kg, with the maximum height of 55cm and width of 40cm. The length also has to amount to 24cm.
The airline states: “You can also bring one small personal item, e.g. small handbag, laptop, duty free or baby changing bag with a maximum size.”
Aeroflot
One free bag (economy) or two bags (all other classes)
£39-£174 per bag (depending on route)
158cm total (length + width + height), 23kg per bag
Economy class and Comfort class passengers can bring one piece of hand luggage up to 10 kg. The maximum dimensions for one carry-on item for all service classes are: length 55 cm, width 40 cm, height 25 cm.
Air France
One bag free
£21-£80 per bag
158cm total (length + width + height), 23kg per bag
In the Economy cabin, you may bring one hand baggage item and one accessory. Your hand baggage must not exceed the following dimensions: 55 x 35 x 25 cm / 21.7 x 13.8 x 9.9 in (including pockets, wheels and handles).
Air Asia
No free baggage allowance
Prices depend on your route
15-40kg (depending on your route)
You’re only allowed one piece of cabin bag onboard which must not exceed 56cm x 36cm x 23cm including handles, wheels and side pockets.
Delta
One bag free – $30 (depending on route)
€23-€85 per bag, depending on the route
157cm total, 23kg per bag
You’re only allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item onboard at no charge. Baggage must meet carry on size limits (approximately 22″ x 14″ x 9″ or 56 x 35 x 23 cm).
Etihad Airways
One-two bags free depending on the route
$70-$120 second bag
$160 third bag $195 extra 32kg bag 20 per cent discount online
207cm total, 23kg per bag
As for Etihad hand luggage: “In addition to your checked baggage allowance, you may bring a small carry-on bag and personal item onboard.”
This breaks down as: “One cabin bag with a maximum weight of seven kg and maximum dimensions of (50cm x 40cm x 25cm) including wheels and handles. One personal item which must fit under the seat in front of you, with a maximum weight of five kg.”
KLM
One-two bags free, depending on the route
From €10.50 per bag online, €55-€300 at airport
158cm total, 23kg per bag
KLM, the Dutch flagship carrier serving routes from the UK to a variety of destinations including Amsterdam, is generous with hand luggage, too.
Its standard allowance permits passengers to take 12kg in the plane cabin – yet this can be boosted to a whopping 18kg should they upgrade.
Lufthansa
One bag free
€75-€350 per extra 23kg, €125-€450 for baggage 23kg-32kg
158cm total, 23kg per bag
You can take one item of hand luggage with you with dimensions a maximum of 55 x 40 x 23 cm.
Norwegian
1 bag free (max 20kg)
£7-£80 per bag, depending on the route
Each bag must not exceed 250x79x112cm, 32kg per bag
You’re allowed one carry-on bag free-of-charge measuring 55 x 40 x 23 cm and one small personal item to be placed under the seat in front of you, measuring 25 x 33 x 20 cm.
Qatar Airways
First 30kg free
$25-$70 per kg
300cm total 30kg per bag
Economy Class customers are allowed to carry one piece of baggage, not to exceed 7kg.
Vueling Airlines
No free allowance
€13-€35 for one bag €40-€70 for two or more bags
No size restriction, 23kg per bag
You can carry one piece of hand luggage no heavier than 10 kg and no larger than 55x40x20 cm.
You can also carry another smaller bag or case measuring no more than 35x20x20 cm and one additional bag containing any purchases made at the airport. They must both fit under the front seat.
Wizz
No free allowance
€16-€120 for one bag. Price depends on, weight, route and season
149 x 119 x 171cm, 32kg per bag
Wizz Air hand luggage is restricted to just a small carry on bag in the cabin for free which must measure no more than 40cm x 30cm x 20cm.
For passengers wanting to take a suitcase onboard with them, they will need to pay for Priority boarding which starts from £5. Otherwise, they must pay to check a bag in, even for a hand-luggage sized bag weighing 10kg. Prices start at £7 with the maximum weight limit of 32kg to be checked in.