A guide to airline checked baggage allowances
The number of bags you can take with you a flight, and their weight, will depend on the airline you’re flying with, where you’re going, and the type of ticket you have. Get it wrong and you’ll end up with an extra unwelcome charge to pay.
Key takeaways:
You may have to pay an extra fee if you arrive at the airport and your suitcase exceeds the weight limit.
How much you can take with you depends on the airline, where you’re flying, and the type of ticket you have.
Travel insurance can protect your baggage when you’re away if it’s lost, stolen or damaged.
What are the different baggage options?
There are several different baggage options and different airlines use different terms for them. Your checked luggage is the items that go in the hold, and hand luggage comes into the cabin with you.
Hand luggage
The term ‘hand luggage’ refers to anything you might bring onto a plane, from a backpack to a suitcase.
Cabin bag
This is the main bag or suitcase you bring on board, which needs to fit in an overhead locker or under the seat in front. Some airlines include a cabin bag automatically with tickets while others require you to pay extra to bring one on board. There will also be restrictions over the size and weight of the bag too.
Under seat bag
This usually describes a small item such as a handbag, laptop, or backpack which can comfortably fit under the seat in front of you. With some airlines this is the only hand luggage you can bring with you without paying extra.
Checked bag
A checked bag refers to the luggage you have put in the hold of the airline. This is usually a bigger suitcase which can’t fit into the cabin. There will be rules over the size and weight of anything in the hold, so always check before you get to the airport.
Infant allowance
If you’re travelling with small children, you can usually bring a number of items on a flight for free. This includes collapsible pushchairs, travel cots, and car seats although there may be a maximum overall weight allowance. If these items aren’t allowed into the cabin, you’ll usually need to check them in the hold.
Checked bag rules by airline
There isn’t one standard rule when it comes to what you can check into the hold. If your bag is overweight, you’ll usually be charged for every kilo over the limit it is, and you’ll pay a lot more than booking excess baggage in advance.
Here we look at how some of the major airlines work. Many airlines charge different amounts depending on the ticket you have and where you’re flying but here we’ve included the basic allowance. Always check with your airline first though as these rules can change.
Airline | Free allowance | Extra baggage fee | Maximum baggage size |
|---|---|---|---|
Aer Lingus | 20kg bag (none on Saver tickets) | £24 - £75 | 32kg and 158cm |
Air France | Up to two bags (depending on ticket) | €55 - €285 | 23kg and 158cm |
Air Asia | None | Varies by ticket | 32kg and 119x81x119cm |
British Airways | One bag (not on Economy Basic tickets) | £65 - £95 | 23kg and 90x75x43cm |
Delta | Depends on route and ticket | $35 | 23kg and 158cm |
easyJet | None | Depends on size | 23kg and 275cm |
Emirates | First 20kg – 35kg free, depending on ticket | Depends on route | 32kg and 300cm |
Jet2 | None | £45 | 22kg |
KLM | Up to two bags, depending on route | €20 - €240 | 23kg and 158cm |
Norwegian | One (none on LowFare tickets) | £14 -£70 | 23kg and 250x79x112cm |
Ryanair | None | £18.99 - £59.99 | 20kg and 80x120x120cm |
TUI Airways | 20kg on package holidays | £55 - £75 | 20kg and no size restriction |
Virgin Atlantic | One bag (apart from Economy Light tickets) | £65 | 23kg and 90x75x43cm |
Correct as of March 2025
32kg tends to be the maximum checked baggage weight. Up to two bags is the maximum free allowance.
How to buy extra baggage
If you know you’re going to need more bags than the allowance you have, you can pay for extra baggage in advance. You can do this via the airline’s website. It’s usually cheaper to do this in advance rather than when you arrive at the airport.
What is standard baggage allowance?
There is no standard baggage allowance as every airline applies its own rules. However, usually most passengers can check a suitcase of up to 20 to 23kg in weight. If you’re travelling in a group you may be able to pool your total allowance.
What is the maximum size of case I can have as checked luggage?
The maximum size of a checked bag will depend on the airline but the average is a case measuring no more than 158cm. Always check what your airline allows before you get to the airport to avoid paying an excess fee.
Can I take 2 bags as checked luggage?
You may be able to check two bags but this will depend on a few different things including the airline, the ticket you have, and where you’re flying. There is usually a larger allowance for international flights.
What is not allowed in a luggage bag?
There are strict rules about what you can bring with you on a flight, both in your checked bags and in your hand luggage. Banned items usually includes explosives, acids and some batteries so always check with your airline in advance.
Can I put a phone charger in checked luggage?
You can put phone chargers into checked luggage although your airline might ask you to keep them in your hand luggage if they have a lithium-ion battery.
What electronics are not allowed in checked luggage?
If any of your electronics contain lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries, they need to be in your hand luggage which you take into the cabin. This applies to most gadgets such as laptops, mobile phones and tablets.
