Michael Turner
Free allowance: Standard ticket includes a single small personal item sized up to 40×20×25 cm (fits under the seat). Attempting to board with a second bag without the add-on can trigger a gate fee or refusal to board the extra piece.
Priority option details: The add-on named Priority & 2 Cabin Bags permits an additional cabin suitcase up to 10 kg and 55×40×20 cm. Typical online prices vary widely by route and timing – expect low-season online add-ons from roughly €6–€35, rising at check-in or at the gate to approximately €40–€60.
Hold baggage: Checked bags are available for purchase in weight bands (commonly 10 kg and 20 kg options). Fees depend on route and booking moment; booking a checked piece during the initial reservation or via Manage Booking is usually less expensive than purchasing at the airport.
Practical tips: Use a soft-sided 55×40×20 case to squeeze into the sizer, weigh your cabin case at home, and add the Priority product during booking or before online check-in to minimize charges. If you need more than two pieces, buy a checked bag rather than risking costly gate fees.
Onboard baggage options and purchase recommendation
Buy Priority boarding at booking if you need a full-size cabin bag – Priority grants one small personal item (40×20×25 cm) plus one larger cabin bag 55×40×20 cm up to 10 kg; without Priority only the under-seat item is permitted free of charge.
Add-ons are available during online booking, via Manage Booking, or at the airport; advance online prices commonly range €6–€40 per flight for the larger cabin allowance, while airport/desk fees are frequently €35–€60. Pre-booking almost always costs less than buying at check‑in or the gate.
If your item exceeds the permitted dimensions or weight, staff will require it to be checked into the hold or charge an oversized/overweight fee that may exceed the cost of pre-booked hold baggage. Weigh and measure before travel to avoid extra charges.
Practical tips
- Small personal item dimensions: 40×20×25 cm – fits under the seat and is included with the fare.
- Large cabin bag dimensions allowed with Priority: 55×40×20 cm, max 10 kg.
- Hold baggage: buy online if you need 10 kg/20 kg (or higher) options; prices vary by route and booking date – compare during checkout.
- At the gate, expect stricter enforcement and higher fees; staff may refuse oversized items for the cabin.
- Traveling with a compact stroller? Check this guide for a suitable model: best umbrella stroller compatible chicco.
Quick action plan
- Decide whether you need the 55×40×20 cm bag; if yes, add Priority when booking.
- Measure and weigh items at home; redistribute or upgrade to hold baggage online if overweight.
- Print or screenshot booking confirmation for baggage add-ons to show at check-in if questioned.
Onboard-bag options and exact size & weight limits
Recommendation: Purchase Priority & 2 Cabin Bags when you need a full-size cabin case – that option allows a 55 × 40 × 20 cm item (maximum 10 kg) plus the free small personal item; if you prefer not to pay, bring only the complimentary small bag sized 40 × 20 × 25 cm.
Free small personal item: maximum external dimensions 40 × 20 × 25 cm (≈ 15.7 × 7.9 × 9.8 in). Must fit under the seat in front; no published weight limit but should be reasonable to stow under-seat.
Priority & 2 Cabin Bags (paid): one cabin item up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm (≈ 21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in) with a strict weight limit of 10 kg, plus the free small personal item above. The 55×40×20 bag must fit in the overhead locker.
10 kg cabin-bag add-on (paid, no Priority): if purchased separately, it permits a single 55 × 40 × 20 cm case up to 10 kg; without this add-on non-priority passengers bringing a larger bag risk gate check and fees.
Packing tips: use a compact soft-sided bag to squeeze into overhead lockers, weigh your packed carry-on before the airport to avoid gate charges, and place valuables and essentials in the small personal item that stows under the seat.
How to add a paid cabin bag or Priority 2 Cabin Bags during booking or Manage Booking
Add Priority 2 Cabin Bags or a paid cabin bag while booking to secure the lowest price; adding via Manage Booking or at the airport is usually more expensive.
During booking
On the flight reservation page proceed to the extras/baggage step before final payment, select the option labeled “Priority & 2 Cabin Bags” or the specific paid cabin bag allowance, apply it to each passenger who needs it, and complete the card payment. The system displays the exact fee per passenger and per flight segment before confirmation; prices fluctuate by route and date but are generally lowest when purchased here.
Quick tip: check the price breakdown on the same page–some bookings show the add-on per leg rather than per booking, so total may be higher for multi-leg itineraries.
Manage Booking and mobile app
Open the carrier website’s Manage Booking (or the mobile app), enter the booking reference and lead passenger email, select the relevant flight, choose “Add baggage” or “Add Priority & 2 Cabin Bags,” assign the add-on to the required passengers, and pay. The purchase is attached to the PNR and you will receive an updated confirmation email. The app follows the same flow under “My bookings” → select flight → add extras.
Timing and fees: most carriers allow online additions up to about 2 hours before departure; airport purchases are accepted but typically cost significantly more. Add-ons are non-refundable and must be purchased separately for each traveler on the reservation.
For bookings made through third-party agents use the carrier booking reference (PNR) to add extras on the carrier site or contact the agent if the PNR is unavailable. After purchase verify the Priority label or cabin bag allowance appears on the boarding pass or in the booking summary; if it does not appear within 24 hours, present the payment confirmation to customer service.
How the carrier charges for cabin baggage: fees by route, booking time, and online vs terminal prices
Recommendation: purchase Priority & 2 Cabin Bags during the initial booking – that option is almost always the cheapest way to secure a larger hand bag allowance; adding later or at the terminal typically costs several times more.
Fees by route and demand
Typical price bands for Priority & 2 Cabin Bags on short European sectors:
– low-demand off-peak routes: €6–€18 (≈ £5–£15) when added at booking;
– medium-demand routes or weekend travel: €15–€30 (≈ £13–£26);
– high-demand routes or peak-season travel: €25–€45 (≈ £22–£40) during booking.
Peak dates (school holidays, long weekends) commonly push rates toward the upper end. Regional variations exist: flights from major hubs or popular city pairs often show higher base fees than secondary-airports pairs.
Booking time: initial purchase, Manage Booking, and terminal prices
Price progression you can expect:
– At initial booking: lowest published rate for Priority and paid cabin options.
– Via Manage Booking (after purchase, before check‑in): prices usually rise by €5–€20 compared with booking prices and can be dynamic based on remaining inventory.
– At the terminal (desk/boarding): add-on fees commonly jump to €40–€70 or more; some services are not available at the gate and will be refused if capacity limits reached.
Practical tip: if you know you need the larger bag, add it immediately during purchase. If you missed it, add via Manage Booking at least 24–48 hours before departure to avoid the steep terminal surcharge. Using the carrier’s app or website to add baggage during pre-flight check-in often still costs less than paying at the desk.
Quick checklist: buy Priority during booking for best price; if you must add later, use Manage Booking well before departure; expect terminal purchases to be 3–5× pricier and sometimes unavailable.
Gate procedures and penalties for oversized or overweight cabin baggage and practical avoidance tips
Weigh and measure your onboard bag before leaving for the airport; if staff at the gate find it too large or heavy, the most common outcome is forced transfer to the hold with an immediate surcharge – prepare to pay roughly €50–€120 or be asked to remove items on the spot.
Gate inspection and typical outcomes
Gate agents use a metal sizing frame and a scale. If the bag does not fit the frame or exceeds the permitted weight, one of these actions will happen:
| Infraction | Gate action | Estimated immediate fee (EUR) | Short-term remedy at gate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Too large for cabin dimensions | Bag tagged and placed in hold | €55–€110 | Move items to personal item; accept checked-in surcharge |
| Overweight for permitted onboard weight | Forced check-in as hold baggage | €50–€120 (or converted to checked-bag rate) | Shift heavy items to another bag or onto your person |
| Unpaid larger cabin item (no priority/paid add-on) | Refused in cabin; charged higher gate fee | €60–€150 | Show receipt of pre-paid item or pay gate price |
| Prohibited or unmanaged liquids/gear | Removal, disposal, or hold check | Variable (no single fee; may cause delay) | Transfer to checked bag or discard prohibited item |
Practical avoidance tips with precise actions
Home prep: set a luggage scale to the expected limit plus 0.5–1.0 kg margin; use a cheap tape measure and confirm external dimensions (record them on a sticker inside the bag).
Packing tricks: use compression cubes, move dense items (chargers, shoes, liquids in sealed pouch) into your personal item or worn pockets; place non-essential soft items into a foldable tote that meets personal-item dimensions.
At the airport before the gate: weigh your bag at a public scale or restroom bench; if overweight by 0.5–2 kg, redistribute rather than pay gate surcharges – moving a pair of shoes and a charger can avoid a €60+ fee.
If staff insist on gate check: request a receipt and printed tag, keep valuables and essentials on you, and compress the checked bag if allowed; take photos of the bag and tag number for claims.
If you travel with pet care or grooming items, clean and dry soft items before packing to avoid odors or stains when moved between bags – see how to clean cats chin for a related example of prep for pet items.
