The Most Popular Airline Baggage Fees Outlined
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Let’s face it, figuring out baggage fees can be complicated.
We’re willing to bet a large majority of people show up at the airport without a clue as to what their baggage is going to cost. It’s a tad simpler if you’re consistently flying one carrier but for those travelers who fly multiple carriers, it’s easy to get your lines crossed!
Why does it have to be so difficult?
Well, to start, each airline has a slightly different baggage policy based on a multitude of parameters including dates of travel, class of travel, route of travel, etc. Add on excess fees for additional baggage, overweight and oversized pieces and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.
The stress of purchasing tickets and getting through the airport can be lessened (significantly) if you’re prepared. That’s why we’ve collected baggage fee guidelines for 40 of the most popular airlines worldwide.
Baggage Fee Guidelines by Airline
- AeroMexico
- Air Canada
- Air France / KLM
- Air New Zealand
- Alaska Airlines
- Alitalia
- Allegiant Air
- American Airlines
- ANA (All Nippon Airways)
- Asiana Airlines
- Austrian Airlines
- Avianca / TACA
- British Airways
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- China Southern
- Delta Air Lines
- easyJet
- El Al (Israel Airlines)
- Emirates
- Etihad Airways
- EVA Air
- Frontier Airlines
- Garuda Indonesia
- Hainan Airlines
- Hawaiian Air
- Iberia
- Japan Airlines
- JetBlue Airways
- Korean Air
- Lufthansa
- Norwegian Air
- RyanAir
- Singapore Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
- Swiss International Air Lines
- Thai Airways
- Turkish Airlines
- United Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
We’ve also included a brief section on exclusions, waivers, and tips on avoiding these fees. For example, have mileage status or a co-branded credit card? You may be in luck…
Lastly, it’s important to remember baggage fees are subject to change at any time and many airlines update their policies frequently. That being said, we do our best to present you with the most up-to-date information we can.
Hi Erin, A group of 8 are flying from Vancouver to Mexico City and will be taking medical supplies with us as well as reusable items for girls when they have their periods (Days For Girls products that are being sewn). Is it possible to get 2 pieces of luggage on the plane for free? All items will be left at medical clinics in Guatemala.
Thanks for your consideration in this important matter.
Hi Heather, as you’ve posted this comment on the general baggage fee landing page, I’m unsure which airline you’re referring to?
Some airlines make special exceptions for service types of trips but some don’t. I suggest calling the customer service phone number for whichever airline you’re flying with… hope this helps!
I’m confused. Norwegian air from Roma to Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Is the baggage wt. Limit 20 or 32 kg?
Hi Debbie,
All routes with Norwegian have a maximum weight allowance of 20kg for an individual piece of baggage (whether included in your fare type or purchased separately).
32kg is the maximum weight Norwegian will allow for a single piece if you are paying excess charges for overweight baggage.
Hope this helps!
I am flying Norweign Air. If the carry on and hand held items combined exceed the weight limit, can I pay the excess weight fee or must I check the bags in?
Hi Julie,
Here’s what Norwegian has to say about that:
“If your carry-on exceeds the limits according to your ticket type, you will need to check it into the aircraft hold for an extra charge. Checked baggage is charged per item, per one way.
Direct flights
Domestic: 75 USD
International: 120 USD
Connecting flights
Domestic/domestic: 150 USD
Domestic/international: 195 USD
International/international: 240 USD
If you’ve already checked in two items of baggage, then you will be charged for excess baggage – 15 USD per kilo, per leg.”
I was told that on Delta flights if you give up your luggage at the gate you are eligible to board with group 2. Is this true and do other airlines have this same policy.
Hi Jerry. When a flight is full and the gate agent wants to speed up boarding, they can an offer an early boarding incentive to gate check your bag. It is not offered on every flight and do not know of an airline that has it as their policy. Thanks for the question.
I have to take some paintings in a tube,the length is 130 cm and the diameter is15 cm.can I have it as a checked baggage.
Thank you
Hi Nancy,
This would depend on the maximum linear dimensions of the airline you’re traveling with as this can vary with each airline. You would need to check what this and make sure the tube does not exceed this, if it does then you may be liable for oversize excess charges.
Hi, i’m flying from Barcelona to Singapore connecting Davao City phil. How much can cost of my excess baggage about 10 kilos? Thank you this page is very helpful but i’m just confused about the prices of excess baggage. Hope you can read my comment. Thank you
Hi Younieh, what airline are you flying with? And did you book both flights on 1 ticket?
I have accumulated 4189 miles and was wondering if I can redeem my miles for excess baggage. I will be flying from New York to Dar-es – Salaam. Thank you!
Hi Winnie,
Unfortunately, you cannot use your miles for excess baggage. But keep saving your miles and before you know it you will have enough for a free trip! Thanks for reading!
I am currently in Chiang Mai and travelling to Bangkok on Saturday 17/08m flight no: 105 and on to Phuket on flight number 215. We return from Phuket to Bangkok on 29/08m flight number 216. I will be carrying less than 15kg of luggage but have purchased a golf club that is boxed with outside dimensions of 1300mm x 170mm x 140mm. Weight 2kg. This box will obviously require transport as oversized luggage. Please advise if there is likely to be any additional costs?.
Thanking you in anticipation
Geoff
Hi Geoff,
I assume you’re referring to Thai Airways here. If that’s the case, then the airline does not specify a maximum size for checked luggage. We spoke to them this year and they stated that the size or number of pieces does not matter, but the maximum weight allowance must not be exceeded.
As we’re not Thai Airways we can’t confirm this for you 100% and recommend you contact the airline directly if you’re looking for confirmation before you travel.
Why is a checked bag only allowed to weight up to 40lbs? If my bag is 5 lbs over, how much will I have to pay?
Hi Dorothy, are you referring to Spirit Airlines here?
When traveling Southwest I understand a person gets two free pieces of luggage to check in. Limits each being less than 60″ and less than 50 lbs. Can a person use a regular strong well wrapped/packed box within the required limits above IN PLACE of using actual luggage? And if so, does a person bring these two boxes to same check in counter as the normal luggage would go?
Hi Nancy,
You shouldn’t have a problem checking in a box in place of a suitcase as long as it still fits into the weight and size requirements. You would check it in the same as a suitcase.