As summer approaches, many are gearing up for vacations, with millions of travelers looking forward to exploring new destinations. However, amidst the excitement, it’s crucial to be aware of the baggage policies of your chosen airline to avoid unexpected fees. Understanding what you can take for free and the costs associated with additional luggage can make a significant difference to your travel experience.
In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the baggage allowances of various airlines, ensuring that you are well-informed before you pack your bags. Whether you're flying with a budget carrier or a full-service airline, knowing the regulations can help you pack efficiently and keep additional charges at bay.
From carry-on limits to checked baggage fees, we cover everything you need to know to ensure a smooth travel experience. By familiarizing yourself with the policies of popular airlines, you can enjoy your holiday without the stress of unexpected costs.
What You Will Learn
- Understanding free baggage allowances across major airlines.
- Key fees for additional and oversized luggage.
- Tips to avoid excess baggage charges.
- How to pack efficiently based on airline policies.
It's the time of year to bag a bargain for UK summer holidays, and with that comes millions of Brits dreaming of jetting off to Europe and beyond. When planning your holiday, it’s vital to be clear about the baggage allowance you’re entitled to. This ensures you can pack efficiently and avoid hefty charges when you arrive at the airport. There's little worse than thinking you’ve bagged yourself a bargain break only to be stuck with an eye-watering bill while checking in because your luggage doesn’t fit under your seat.
To avoid sacrificing your new summer threads and reading material, here is what you’re entitled to when flying with the world’s most popular airlines, from carry-on allowances to the price of checking in bags, as well as gate fees for excess luggage.
Aer Lingus
What can I take for free?
Some fares (though importantly, not all economy fares) include a 10kg check-in bag; you can check here if that applies to you. If it doesn’t, you can pay £9.99 to book a carry-on bag and priority boarding. If you have not booked either of these, you may have to pay a £35 fee to put your luggage in the hold.
How much does it cost to take more?
Checked bags are included in some premium fares, but options include a 20kg, 25kg, or 40kg bag. These can be added for £24, £28, and £60, respectively, for shorter routes, increasing up to £49, £53, and £75 for longer routes. More information can be found on the Aer Lingus website.
What are the fees for oversized or overweight baggage?
The fee for additional bags includes an original fee for the first 20kg (see above) and then a fee of €10 per kilogram of extra weight. Excess baggage – for all bags weighing 23kg to 32kg – costs £68.
Alaska Airlines
What can I take for free?
The American airline allows “one personal item” such as a purse, briefcase, or laptop bag and one piece of carry-on luggage no larger than 55cm x 35cm x 22cm. There is no mention of a weight limit.
How much does it cost to take more?
For bags up to 23kg, the fee is $30 for the first bag, $40 for the second bag, and $150 for each additional bag thereafter.
What are the fees for oversized or overweight baggage?
There is a flat fee of $100 for any baggage over 23kg. No single piece of checked-in luggage may weigh over 45kg (it will not be allowed on the flight at all). Check the airline website for destination-specific baggage rules.
All Nippon Airways
What can I take for free?
Passengers can take on one personal item and one piece of carry-on luggage not exceeding 55cm x 40cm x 25cm. Both items may not exceed 10kg.
How much does it cost to take more?
Most economy flights include one piece of check-in luggage not exceeding 23kg. You can only take more baggage you pay using airmiles from the ANA Mileage Club.
What are the fees for oversized or overweight baggage?
If your baggage is over the size or weight limit, the fee is either $60 if it’s under 32kg or $200 if it is either oversized or up to 45kg. Anything over 45kg will be refused. If you bring extra items (for example an extra piece of check-in luggage), the fee is $200 for international flights and $100 for domestic flights.
Air Canada
What can I take for free?
Regardless of your destination, you can take one personal item and one standard piece of luggage measuring 55cm x 40cm x 23cm; no weight limit applies, though it must be able to fit under the seat in front of you. Most flights also include one checked bag per customer, which is not allowed to exceed 23kg or 158cm in linear dimensions.
How much does it cost to take more?
A second checked-in bag costs $100, and each bag after that costs $225. The same weight and size measurements apply.
What are the fees for oversized or overweight baggage?
There is a fee of $100 for bags that are over the weight or size limit when checking in; anything over 32kg will be refused.
Air China
What can I take for free?
Economy passengers can take on one piece of hand luggage that cannot exceed 5kg or 55cm x 40cm x 20cm. Passengers on first or business class can take on two pieces, each weighing up to 8kg. Customers on international flights also receive one piece of checked-in luggage for free, which may not exceed linear dimensions of 158cm. The weight cannot exceed 32kg.
How much does it cost to take more?
There is no option to purchase more luggage other than through the use of airmiles.
What are the fees for oversized or overweight baggage?
For baggage up to 28kg, the fee is $60, while it is $150 for baggage that weighs up to 32kg. If the luggage is oversized, the cost is also $150; if the bag is both oversized and overweight, you’ll have to pay $220. The fee for excess pieces of luggage is $215 for one piece, $310 for two pieces, and $460 for three pieces or more. These prices can vary according to route and destination, so check the Air China website.
Air France
What can I take for free?
In Economy, Air France allows passengers one personal item and one piece of hand luggage that cannot exceed dimensions of 55cm x 35cm x 25cm or a weight of 12kg. The personal item has to be under 40cm x 30cm x 15cm. In addition, passengers may receive up to two pieces of checked baggage depending on their chosen fare, which has a maximum weight limit of 23kg.
How much does it cost to take more?
Fares for extra checked baggage range according to destination; for reference, on an Economy flight from London to Montreal, an extra bag would cost €68.
What are the fees for oversized or overweight baggage?
According to the airline’s website, fees for oversized and overweight baggage vary according to route. Fees range from €55 to €100 for an extra piece or overweight luggage (each additional piece thereafter costs between €200 and €285) and are anywhere between €20 and €300 for oversized luggage.
Air India
What can I take for free?
All Air India passengers can bring
Ancient Humans With Small Brains: Rethinking Evolution And Intelligence
Sam Smith Stuns At The Brit Awards In A Bold Black Latex Outfit
Steve Winwood's Star-Studded Performance At The Coronation Concert
