Michael Turner
Recommendation: Keep each hold bag at or below 23 kg (50 lb) on most economy tickets; business or first class commonly allow 32 kg (70 lb) per piece.
IATA guidance lists 23 kg as standard allowance; many international carriers accept up to 32 kg but require special handling above that. Low-cost operators often cap pieces at 15–20 kg; domestic US carriers typically state 50 lb (23 kg) or 70 lb (32 kg) limits depending on fare.
Linear size cap usually 158 cm (62 in) when length + width + height are added, wheels and handles included. Exceed that dimension and bag may receive oversized tagging plus surcharge USD 50–300 depending on route and carrier policy.
Overweight charges vary: common ranges USD 50–150 on short-haul when piece falls between 23 kg and 32 kg, with long-haul surcharges often USD 100–400. Pieces above 32 kg may be refused at airport counter and processed as air cargo, which brings additional paperwork and higher fees.
Practical steps: weigh bags at home using a handheld scale; split dense items across two pieces; put fragile or valuable items in carry-on; prepay excess online where available to reduce cost; verify each carrier’s allowance shown on ticket or website ahead of departure.
Hold bag limits by airline and fare class
Pack each hold bag at or below 23 kg (50 lb) on economy fares; upgrade to premium cabin or business class when possible to gain 32 kg (70 lb) per piece and often an extra piece allowance on long-haul routes.
US legacy carriers
American, Delta, United typically apply a piece concept on many routes: paid economy usually allows 1–2 pieces with a 23 kg (50 lb) cap per piece. Overlimit items between 23.1–32 kg (51–70 lb) trigger overweight surcharges (roughly USD 100–200 depending on carrier and route); amounts above 32 kg (70 lb) are commonly rejected from hold and must be shipped as air cargo or freight.
European, Middle Eastern and Asian carriers
British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France-KLM often mix piece and kilogram systems: standard economy frequently permits 23 kg per piece, premium economy/business usually permit 32 kg per piece with business/first allowing two such pieces. Emirates, Qatar, Singapore Airlines and others commonly use kilogram-based allowances (examples: 30–40 kg on premium long-haul). Low-cost and basic fares may offer zero hold pieces, or a single 23 kg allowance only when a checked piece option is purchased.
Practical steps: weigh bags at home using a reliable scale; redistribute heavy items across multiple pieces or travel companions; pre-purchase extra piece allowance online during check-in to save on airport surcharges; if bags exceed carrier limits, consider courier shipment or airline cargo booking.
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Verify hold bag allowance before travel
Confirm allowance via airline website and booking confirmation; record mass limit per piece, included piece count, and allowed dimensions.
Open airline mobile app then locate “Baggage” or “Extra baggage” section; enter route and fare class to load accurate allowance data.
If website ambiguity exists, contact customer service via phone or social media chat and request written confirmation referencing booking number.
Save screenshot showing allowance, displayed mass limit, and any fee schedule; include this screenshot within boarding pass app or printed itinerary.
Weigh bags at home using digital hanging scale or bathroom scale: first weigh empty suitcase to get tare; then weigh packed case and subtract tare to calculate packed mass.
If measured mass approaches published limit, shift items into carry-on, wear heavy outer layers, or redistribute between pieces to avoid excess fees.
At airport check-in, ask agent to verify mass on official scale and request receipt showing measured mass and applicable charge; keep receipt until trip end.
If fare includes extra allowances via loyalty status or credit card benefit, confirm exact per-piece mass and applicable fee tiers before arrival.
Common reference numbers: many US carriers publish 23 kg (50 lb) per economy piece and 32 kg (70 lb) per higher-cabin piece; low-cost carriers may list 15 kg or per-piece flat fees.
If still uncertain, check regulator rules at departure country aviation authority website; some airports enforce stricter scale checks at gate.
Overage charges: fee structure and how airlines calculate them
Always weigh bags at home and prepay overage online to save up to 60% versus airport rates.
Fee structures typically use one of three methods: per-piece, per-unit-mass, flat heavy-bag. Per-piece charges are fixed amounts charged when a piece exceeds carrier allowance; typical ranges USD 50–200 per piece depending on route and fare. Per-unit-mass charges apply a rate per kg or per lb for each unit above allowance, commonly USD 10–30/kg or USD 5–15/lb. Flat heavy-bag fees apply a single surcharge when a piece surpasses a heavy threshold (common thresholds 32 kg / 70 lb), typical range USD 100–400.
Calculation rules used by carriers:
| Fee type | Typical charge (USD) | How charge is calculated | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per-piece overage | 50–200 | Flat fee per piece once piece exceeds allowed mass or piece count | One over-limit piece on short-haul economy → USD 75 |
| Per-unit-mass | 10–30/kg (5–15/lb) | Excess mass × unit rate; carriers usually round up to next whole kg or lb | Bag mass 28 kg, allowance 23 kg, rate 15/kg → (28−23)×15 = USD 75 |
| Flat heavy-bag | 100–400 | Single surcharge when mass exceeds heavy threshold (often 32 kg / 70 lb) | Bag mass 35 kg → flat heavy fee USD 150 |
| Oversize (dimensional) | 75–200 | Sum of length+width+height used to assess size surcharge, billed separately from mass overage | Dimensions 160–300 cm total → oversize fee USD 100 |
Measurement, rounding and currency details
Most carriers measure mass on airport scales and then round up to nearest whole kg or lb; some convert kg↔lb using factor 2.20462 then round. Currency differences matter on international sectors: fees often set in local currency and converted at day-of-sale rate; online prepay may use cheaper conversion or fixed promotional rate. Dimensional surcharges and per-unit-mass surcharges rarely combine into a single discount; expect both to apply when both thresholds are exceeded.
Practical steps to reduce overage fees
Weigh bags on a certified home scale, redistribute items into carry-on if carry-on allowance permits, remove nonessential items such as spare shoes or heavy liquids. Prepay excess online where available; many carriers show per-piece and per-unit-mass rates during online payment. If mass sits near a common threshold (23 kg, 25 kg, 32 kg or 50 lb, 70 lb), repack to next lower bracket rather than accept rounding up at airport scale.
Practical ways to reduce suitcase mass at home
Remove duplicate garments and aim to shave 1–3 kg per suitcase before leaving home.
Weigh packed bag using kitchen scale or digital hanging scale; note reading, then remove items until target mass reached. Example targets: 18 kg → 15 kg (remove 3 kg via one pair heavy boots ~1.2 kg, two jeans ~0.7 kg each, one hardcover guide ~0.5 kg).
Swap heavy clothing for light alternatives: denim jeans 600–800 g versus synthetic travel pants 180–300 g (save 300–600 g per pair). Limit shoes to two pairs: replace trekking boots 1.2 kg with trail sneakers 450 g (save ~750 g).
Toiletries: decant liquids into 100 ml bottles; use solid shampoo bar (~40 g) instead of 250 ml bottle (~280 g) to save ~240 g. Replace full-size sunscreen 200 ml (~340 g) with travel tube 50 ml (~90 g) to save ~250 g.
Discard original retail packaging and excess boxes: perfume boxes, bulky shampoo shells, and excess packing typically add 200–700 g. Remove multi-pack items and keep single usable unit only.
Electronics: carry single multiport charger (~200–300 g) instead of two separate chargers (~400–600 g combined). Replace printed guidebooks (~400–800 g each) with smartphone PDFs or tablet reader (device weight 200–500 g but replaces multiple books).
Wear heaviest outerwear and footwear during transit to transfer 800–1,200 g from bag to body. Pack one versatile jacket that doubles as windbreaker and light insulation (200–400 g) rather than two specialist coats.
Use compression cubes and vacuum bags to free space, enabling removal of one extra clothing item. Note: compression reduces volume, not mass, but practical space gains often let you leave behind 200–800 g.
Plan laundry: packing 4–6 core garments with mid-trip washing reduces clothing mass by 30–50% compared with packing for every day. Bring quick-dry fabrics that wash and dry overnight to minimize spare items.
If transporting outdoor power tools or large garden items, choose compact models with low empty mass; example reference: best husqvarna backpack blower.
Oversized & special-item rules: sports gear & musical instruments
Declare oversized or special items at booking and again at bag drop; prepay fees and reserve space when linear dimensions exceed 158 cm or mass exceeds 23 kg (50 lb).
Booking, fees & airport steps
- Pre-book special handling online when available; carriers charge typical fees: sports bags $30–$150 domestic, oversize piece $100–$300, musical-instrument seat purchase often equals normal fare for that extra seat.
- Linear-dimension rule: common industry threshold = length + width + height > 158 cm triggers oversize classification; pieces up to ~203 cm may be accepted only as cargo or with a purchased seat.
- Gate procedures: arrive 45–60 minutes earlier than usual; request gate-check only if cabin storage unavailable; tag item as fragile and confirm routing to aircraft hold with agent.
- Baggage liability: declared carrier liability may be limited to international treaty amounts (measured in SDRs) or carrier tariffs; declare high value at check-in and buy third-party transit insurance when replacement cost exceeds carrier limits.
Packing, protection & hazardous-item rules
- Use ATA 300-spec hard cases for instruments; add internal straps, foam blocks, and a hygrometer plus case humidifier for wooden instruments.
- Remove or secure detachable parts: bridges, bows, shoulder rests, endpins; pack small parts in padded internal compartments or carry-on pouch.
- Lithium-ion battery rules: batteries ≤100 Wh may travel in cabin carry-on; 100–160 Wh require airline approval and quantity limits; batteries >160 Wh are prohibited on passenger flights. Do not place lithium batteries in aircraft hold.
- Inflatable sports equipment: deflate to reduce linear dimensions and prevent pressure-related damage.
- Label: attach durable ID and “FRAGILE – DO NOT STACK” stickers; include copy of purchase/valuation paperwork inside case.
When instrument dimensions exceed cabin limits, consider three options: buy an adjacent seat and bring instrument into cabin, ship via specialized musical-instrument courier (door-to-door with climate control), or contract airline cargo service with advance booking. Choose based on replacement value, fragility, and schedule flexibility.
- Measure length + width + height; if total >158 cm, contact carrier to confirm acceptance method.
- Confirm battery compliance and pack batteries in cabin carry-on with terminals taped and original packaging when possible.
- Purchase supplemental insurance when declared value exceeds carrier liability; keep proof of appraisal and serial numbers.
- At airport, request a fragile tag and photo condition at drop-off; note tag number on your phone.
For oversized sports items with rigid frames (bicycles, surfboards, kayaks): partially disassemble, pad sharp edges, protect drivetrain, and secure loose parts in labeled bags; check rotor and hydraulic brake manufacturer guidance before transport to avoid damage.
At check-in: options if bag exceeds permitted mass
Move heavy items into carry-on or companion’s case, then ask agent to reweigh and quote fee or extra-piece price; if mass exceeds 23 kg, prioritize redistribution or purchase of extra allowance.
Typical counter fee ranges: small overages up to 5 kg – USD 50–75; moderate overages 6–15 kg – USD 100–200; large overages above 15 kg – USD 200–400 or refusal of acceptance, with requirement to send excess via air cargo. Exact tariff varies by carrier and fare class, so request carrier’s table at kiosk or desk.
Practical counter actions: 1) redistribute dense items into cabin bag (common cabin allowance 7–10 kg, plus dimension limits); 2) buy extra piece online before arrival when possible (online rates often lower than airport); 3) at counter ask about upgrading to higher allowance via paid add-on; 4) shift items into companion’s checked case with consent; 5) if gate agent denies acceptance, arrange airport courier or air cargo drop.
Rapid packing tricks to avoid hefty fees: remove shoes and bulky coat, decant toiletries into small bottles, use packing cubes or vacuum bags, swap heavy case for lighter shell, place fragile or valuable items into hand carry. To move bulky personal items into cabin carry, consider a tote such as best travel tote with trolly sleeve for men and wear heavier clothing through security if needed.
