Michael Turner
Purchase checked baggage during initial booking; online prices usually sit between €10 and €60 per flight segment within Europe, varying by selected weight option (10 kg, 15 kg, 20 kg, 23 kg, 32 kg) and departure airport. Payments at airport counters or the gate commonly cost 2–3× more than prepayment.
Carry-on allowances depend on fare type: one small personal item (example: 40×30×20 cm) is typically complimentary. A main cabin bag up to 55×40×25 cm may appear only in certain bundles; without that inclusion, adding a cabin item at check-in or gate will incur extra fees and can be refused at boarding.
Checked weight tiers match common pricing bands; select the smallest tier that covers your goods. Overweight surcharges apply and often exceed standard checked rates; an overweight piece can approach the price of a second checked item.
Timing impacts cost: paying during booking or via the carrier app before online check-in offers the largest savings. Kiosk and desk transactions are the most expensive route. Keep electronic proof of payment and baggage tags until the end of the trip.
If the itinerary contains a connection with a different carrier, verify baggage inclusion and transfer rules at booking. Separate bookings generally do not include automatic transfer of pieces; consolidate under a single reservation when possible to avoid duplicate fees.
Baggage fees and allowances
Buy checked-bag allowance when booking; online prices are typically 20–50% lower than airport rates.
One small personal item is included with most basic fares; a larger cabin suitcase and checked pieces require purchase or inclusion in an upgraded fare bundle.
Typical cabin allowance: small personal item plus optional cabin bag up to 55×40×25 cm and 10 kg when purchased. Gate checks commonly occur if carry-on exceeds published dimensions.
Checked-bag options follow weight tiers: 10 kg, 15 kg, 20 kg, 23 kg, 25 kg and 30 kg. Online price per flight usually ranges €12–€60; airport add-ons often rise to €35–€80 per piece.
Overweight and oversize surcharges apply; expect penalties starting near €45 and rising per kilogram or charged as a fixed extra. Items exceeding maximum permitted dimensions may be refused or moved to the hold with an additional fee.
Add extras via Manage Booking on the carrier website or mobile app; pre-purchase up to the allowed piece count to avoid higher counter rates. Payment confirmation appears on the booking summary.
Practical tips: weigh bags at home, combine contents into a single checked piece within chosen weight tier, select a fare bundle that includes checked pieces when travelling with multiple bags, and pre-book special equipment such as sporting goods or instruments through the online interface.
Carry-on size and allowance rules
Bring one cabin bag no larger than 55 x 40 x 25 cm with a maximum weight of 10 kg, plus one small personal item no larger than 35 x 20 x 20 cm.
Lowest ticket classes often include only the small personal item; the larger cabin bag must be added via Manage Booking or at checkout with higher fares or add-ons. Buying the cabin-bag option online ahead of travel is usually cheaper than paying at the airport.
Oversized or overweight carry items must be checked at the desk and will incur fees; gate staff use sizers and scales. Weigh bags at home and measure outside pockets and wheels to avoid surprises.
Packing tips
Place liquids in travel-sized containers inside a clear resealable bag and keep them within the carry-on allowance. Precious items and documents should go in the personal item. If transporting wine or cooking liquids, wrap the bottle securely and consider checking it; see a good red wine for cooking.
Final checks
Confirm allowance printed on your booking before arriving at the airport and purchase extra allowance online if needed; this minimizes the risk of gate refusal and higher airport penalties.
Standard checked bag prices on routes
Pre-book a checked bag online to get the lowest rates – expect roughly €15–€45 one-way for a standard 20‑kg hold bag on most European sectors operated by the carrier.
Typical price bands by booking moment
During initial booking: about €15–€30 one-way on short/medium routes. After booking but before online check‑in: roughly €20–€40. At the airport (check‑in desk or gate): typically €35–€65. Prices vary by route, season and flight length; all figures are per flight and per bag.
Weight options, excess and practical tips
Standard options generally center on 20 kg; higher allowances (e.g., 25–32 kg) are available at a premium. Overweight or oversized items incur additional fees or must be purchased as a higher‑weight allowance – expect substantially higher costs than the base band. To save money, add a hold bag while booking, consolidate items into one bag within the allowed weight, and check the carrier’s route-specific fee table before payment.
Overweight & oversized baggage: exact fees and smart actions
Pre-pay overweight or oversize fees online whenever possible; online purchase typically reduces the fee compared with airport payment and gate transactions.
Fee structures usually split into weight-based and size-based categories. Weight rules: small excess (1–5 kg) typically triggers a fixed over-weight fee; medium excess (6–15 kg) often requires adding a separate checked piece; extreme excess (commonly above 32 kg) may be refused or moved to cargo with substantially higher costs. Size rules: many carriers use a 158 cm linear limit (length + width + height); items exceeding that limit are billed as bulky pieces or handled under special-item tariffs.
Timing and method of payment matter: online pre-purchase is cheapest, airport check-in prices are higher, and gate/desk payments are the most expensive. Advance booking of oversized sports gear (bicycles, surfboards, skis) normally yields lower fixed fees than same-day airport handling.
At check-in agents will weigh and measure each piece; options on detection often include repacking, purchasing an additional piece, or paying the assessed fee. Staff may refuse acceptance of a single piece above the carrier’s absolute weight limit, in which case cargo routing or return of the item to the passenger’s control can occur.
Practical ways to reduce extra fees: redistribute items across multiple permitted pieces, use a soft-sided bag that compresses into the size template, ship heavy items by courier when total cost is lower, wear bulky garments, and reserve an extra checked bag online rather than paying an overweight penalty at the desk. If carrying a large collapsible umbrella, select compact wide-canopy models such as those reviewed at best umbrella large diameter.
Always confirm applicable weight and dimension limits and the exact fee table on the booking confirmation and the carrier’s official site before travel; fees and absolute weight caps differ by route and fare type, so planning a quick re-balance at home often saves substantial expense at the airport.
Price differences by purchase moment
Purchase checked baggage during initial booking or via the airline website/app ahead of departure to secure the lowest fees.
- At booking (lowest): typical ranges – short-haul: €12–€30 per 15–20 kg piece; medium/long-haul: €20–€45 per piece.
- Online at web check-in (mid): short-haul: €18–€35; medium/long-haul: €30–€60.
- Airport desk (highest): short-haul: €40–€60; medium/long-haul: €50–€85; rates often charged per piece and per flight leg.
Price gap between initial booking and airport purchase can reach 2–3×; typical savings when buying ahead range 30–60% depending on route and season.
Timing and process details:
- Additions normally allowed until the online check-in window closes; that deadline varies by route and fare class.
- Managing the booking via the website or app usually shows full price breakdown per segment and weight option.
- Pre-paid pieces are frequently non-refundable and non-transferable; upgrades to heavier allowances often cheaper when purchased online than at the desk.
Practical recommendations:
- Weigh bags at home and buy the exact weight allowance needed during booking or via Manage Booking.
- If itinerary includes multiple carriers or code-share sectors, check each segment’s policy and prices in the booking summary.
- Use the mobile app or website to compare add-on costs by weight band (10/15/20/23/32 kg options), then pay online to avoid high airport rates.
How to add, change or cancel baggage to an existing booking
Add extra hold items online via the airline website or mobile app in the “Manage booking” area using your booking reference and surname – do this at least 2 hours prior to scheduled departure to secure the lowest online rate.
To add: log in to Manage booking → select the flight and passenger → choose “Add baggage” → pick the available options (piece-based or weight-based) → complete payment with card or saved method → save and keep the confirmation email and updated itinerary.
To change an existing allowance: open Manage booking, select the purchased item, choose a larger piece or higher weight option and pay the difference. Changes can normally be made up to 2 hours before the flight; decreasing an allowance rarely results in a refund.
To cancel an add-on: attempt removal via Manage booking first; if the website does not permit removal, contact customer support quoting booking reference and payment receipt. Refunds are uncommon; limited refunds may be processed within 24 hours of purchase depending on the carrier’s policy.
Timing and on-the-day handling: airport check-in and bag-drop desks accept purchases but at substantially higher rates and with restricted availability; gate staff cannot add hold items once doors close. Bring the purchase confirmation to the desk to avoid disputes.
Practical tips: weigh and measure bags at home to match the selected allowance (common checked-piece weights fall between 20–23 kg); buy online early to save money; keep screenshots or printed confirmations with the booking reference; if you expect overweight items, pre-purchase a higher weight band rather than risk high excess fees at the airport.
