Michael Turner
Actionable steps: measure home carry-on and checked pieces, weigh packed pieces on a household scale, and add baggage allowance to the reservation or mobile app before web check-in. Purchasing online typically yields the lowest rates; counter prices rise, gate purchases are highest.
Size and weight limits: free personal item – 18×14×8 in. Paid cabin bag allowance commonly accepts up to 22×18×10 in; checked pieces must meet a 62‑inch linear limit (length + width + height) and the usual weight ceiling of 40 lb (18 kg). Overweight and oversize surcharges apply when limits are exceeded; very heavy or oversized pieces may be refused or require special handling fees.
Use soft-sided boards or compression cubes to maximize the free personal item space, place valuables and essentials in that item, and consider a baggage bundle that includes seat selection and priority boarding if multiple pieces are needed. For sports equipment, strollers or car seats, consult the carrier’s specific policy pages and add any required permits/fees before arriving at the airport.
Baggage rules for the budget carrier
Bring one complimentary personal item sized up to 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm); any additional carry-on or checked piece requires advance purchase to avoid steep airport charges.
Sizes, weight limits, fees
Personal item: up to 18 x 14 x 8 in free. Carry-on: up to 22 x 18 x 10 in including handles and wheels; typical online add-on fees range roughly $30–$60, while gate/airport charges often reach $60–$100. Checked piece: maximum linear dimensions 62 in (length + width + height = 158 cm). Standard checked weight limit is 40 lb (18 kg) per piece; surcharges apply for overweight items and extremely heavy pieces may be refused. First checked bag fees commonly start around $30 when prepaid; second bag is higher. Exact prices depend on route and booking timing–prepay during reservation for the lowest rates.
Packing guidance and item restrictions
Weigh bags at home with a luggage scale and use soft-sided, compressible cases to maximize space. Disassemble or drain pressurized hobby equipment before travel; CO2 cylinders and other compressed gas canisters are prohibited in both checked and cabin stowage–consider shipping such items or switching to a non-pressurized setup (see best aquarium co2 system). Collapsible, compact rain protection works best as a personal item – a recommended resource: best umbrella for lupus. Declare and properly case firearms if applicable and follow the carrier’s rules for batteries, liquids, and fragile gear to avoid refusals and fines.
Carry-on allowance: exact dimensions, what counts as a carry-on, and how this carrier measures bags
Recommendation: Pack one personal item no larger than 18 x 14 x 8 inches and keep any overhead bag at or below 22 x 18 x 10 inches (all wheels, handles and external pockets included) to avoid gate upcharges and forced gate check.
Exact dimensions
- Personal item (free): maximum 18 x 14 x 8 inches – must fit under the seat in front of the passenger.
- Overhead carry-on (fee required if brought): maximum 22 x 18 x 10 inches – measurement includes wheels, handles, side pockets and any external attachments.
- No published weight limit for carry-on items; however, agents may refuse or require gate-checking if an item is too heavy to stow safely.
What counts as a carry-on and how measurement is done
- Typical items classified as carry-ons: roll-aboard suitcases, backpacks, duffel bags, garment bags and instrument cases when within the stated dimensions.
- Personal item examples: small backpack, briefcase, laptop bag, tote that fits the under-seat size.
- Measurement method used by the carrier:
- Rigid sizer box or bin at the gate or ticket counter – bags must fit fully inside without forcing.
- Agents include wheels, fixed handles and external pockets in the total dimensions; retractable handles should be in the stowed position when measured.
- Flexible soft-sided bags may be compressed into the sizer; hard-shell cases must meet dimensions exactly.
- Consequences of oversized items: mandatory gate-check with associated high fee if the bag fails to fit the sizer; prepaying a carry-on during booking or at kiosk is usually cheaper than a gate upcharge.
- Practical measuring steps at home:
- Place the packed bag on a flat surface; collapse any telescoping handles.
- Measure height (including wheels), width and depth; add any protruding pockets or straps.
- Compare totals to 22 x 18 x 10 and 18 x 14 x 8 thresholds; if totals exceed either, remove items or switch to a smaller bag.
Personal item rules: permitted sizes, common examples, and tricks to ensure it stays free
Recommended maximum external dimensions for a complimentary under-seat bag: 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm); no published weight limit – keep the shape compressible to avoid gate charges.
Typical items that meet the personal-item standard
- Small backpack (soft-sided, slim profile)
- Briefcase or laptop bag (laptop in sleeve to flatten)
- Tote bag or large purse (no rigid boxy frame)
- Compact duffel or gym sack (collapsed when packed)
- Camera bag or small diaper bag (organized to remain flat)
Practical tricks to keep the item free at boarding
- Measure before departure: place the packed bag into a mock sizer (cardboard 18×14×8 in) – include handles and wheels when measuring.
- Choose soft-sided over hard-shell: fabric yields under pressure and slides under the seat more easily.
- Flatten rigid contents: remove rigid cases or use a padded laptop sleeve that compresses.
- Priority placement: lay flat items (documents, tablet, thin book) against the back wall of the bag to reduce height profile.
- Shift bulk onto body: wear the jacket or heavier shoes; place rolled sweater or coat on board instead of inside the bag.
- Pack only essentials for the flight: toiletries, chargers, travel documents – bulky liquids and spare shoes increase risk of oversize.
- Use compression pouches for clothing to reduce volume without obscuring shape.
- At the gate, present the bag to the agent folded and facing flat; if gate staff offers a sizer, test immediately to avoid last-minute fees.
Prepay checked bags online to secure the lowest rates
Add checked baggage during booking or via Manage Travel on the carrier website or mobile app; that option typically yields the cheapest charges. Typical domestic ranges: first checked bag $30–$65 when added at booking, second checked bag $40–$85. Prices rise when added later: online check-in (opens 24 hours before departure) commonly shows first-bag fees around $45–$75; airport counter and gate purchases often cost $60–$150. International sectors usually add $10–$40 per bag to these ranges. Fare type and route affect exact amounts.
How to prepay online – quick steps
1) During booking: select checked baggage option and pay with the booking. 2) After booking: go to Manage Travel, enter confirmation, add bag(s) and complete payment. 3) Mobile app: same workflow as Manage Travel; save the confirmation screenshot or PDF. 4) Online check-in window: available 24 hours before scheduled departure – adding bag(s) inside that window is possible but often pricier than booking. Electronic receipts contain barcodes used at the counter.
Weight, size limits, extra charges and practical tips
Standard checked-bag allowance: up to 62 linear inches (length + width + height) and up to 40 lb (18 kg). Overweight fees commonly apply: 41–50 lb ≈ $100–$200; items over 50 lb may be refused or charged a higher fee (often $150–$200). Oversize fees for 63–80 linear inches typically run $100–$200; items exceeding ~80 inches may be refused. Recommended actions: weigh and measure baggage at home with a luggage scale and tape measure; add bags during booking to avoid steep airport surcharges; pack heavy, dense items in personal carry items when allowed. A compact under-seat backpack is a reliable way to keep essentials out of checked pieces – consider models such as best tennis backpack women for under-seat compliance and comfort.
Oversize, overweight and special items: fees, weight limits, and how to prepare or ship bulky items
Prepay oversize and overweight charges online and ship very bulky pieces via ground freight instead of presenting them at the ticket counter.
Oversize is generally defined as combined length + width + height greater than 62 linear inches (157 cm); overweight commonly begins at 50 lb (23 kg). Many low-cost carriers will accept oversized or overweight items for a surcharge; items exceeding 100 lb (45 kg) or extreme dimensions are usually refused and must be freighted.
Concrete fee and limit examples
| Item type | Typical size/weight threshold | Typical fee range (USD) | Recommended handling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oversize checked bag (>62 in / 157 cm) | >62 linear inches | $75–$200 per segment (online cheaper than airport) | Prepay online; soft packing to compress where possible; arrive early if counter drop required |
| Overweight bag (50–100 lb / 23–45 kg) | 50–100 lb (23–45 kg) | $75–$150 | Redistribute weight across multiple pieces; use a scale at home and prepay |
| Excessive weight (>100 lb / >45 kg) | >100 lb (45 kg) | Usually not accepted as checked; freight required | Book ground freight or parcel carrier; declare value and insure |
| Sporting equipment (bikes, surfboards) | Varies – bikes often double normal size; surfboards long) | $50–$200 depending on item and route | Partially disassemble, place in padded bike bag or board sock; carry documentation for lithium batteries |
| Strollers/wheelchairs | Usually accepted free or with special handling | $0–$50 for non-household transport; policies differ | Gate-check collapsible models; cushion moving parts and tape loose pieces |
Packing and shipping recommendations
Measure items with tape measure and weigh on a home scale; round up to the nearest whole inch and pound when comparing to allowance. For oversized pieces, disassemble frames, remove protruding handles, and pad sharp corners with foam or bubble wrap. Use reinforced boxes or hard cases for fragile bulky gear and secure loose parts in labeled bags.
If total fees exceed one-way parcel service rates, ship via a reputable carrier (ground freight or economy parcel). For bikes and large sports gear, compare boxed parcel rates versus airline oversize fees; include insurance for items valued >$200. Retain tracking numbers and photos taken before handing off.
At the airport, present preprinted receipts for prepaid oversize/overweight purchases. If counter staff require repacking, allow extra time and keep essential tools (allen keys, strap, tape) in a personal carry item.
At the gate: oversized bags, gate-check procedure, and avoiding last-minute charges
Prepay checked-bag allowance during booking or online check-in; gate fees are almost always the highest option.
How gate staff handle oversize baggage
Staff use a rigid sizer at the gate that measures external dimensions including wheels, handles and any straps; common carry-on maximum used by many carriers is 22 x 18 x 10 inches (56 x 46 x 25 cm). If the item won’t fit, it receives a gate-check tag and is routed to the aircraft hold.
Gate-checked items are inaccessible during flight and are either returned at the jet bridge on arrival (small airports/short flights) or delivered to the main baggage claim. Tags display flight and tag number for tracking; retain boarding pass or receipt until retrieval.
Remove valuables, medications and fragile electronics before the bag is handed off. Spare lithium batteries, power banks and loose electronic cells are prohibited in checked or gate-checked baggage and must travel in a cabin-side item.
Steps to avoid last-minute gate charges
Measure the bag at home using a tape measure and include wheels and handles; if the item marginally exceeds allowed size, replace it with a soft-sided bag that compresses into the sizer.
Keep essentials in an under-seat personal item and place heavy or bulky items (books, shoes, liquids) into that personal item or wear them–pocketing a jacket, boots or belt-weight reduces external dimensions.
Carry a small foldable duffel in checked baggage or a pocket to transfer overflow at the gate quickly; transfer of a few garments can often avoid an extra fee.
Buy allowance online before arriving at the airport and complete web check-in early; boarding-group upgrades or carrier subscription plans may include at least one free carry or checked allowance–compare that cost versus potential gate charges.
If confronted at the gate, request that an agent recheck the bag at the ticket counter (may incur the same fee) or accept gate-check tagging and immediately remove prohibited items. If damage or loss occurs after gate-check, file a baggage-irregularity report at the arrival desk with tag number and boarding pass.
