How much checked luggage can I bring on a plane?
Even if you’re paying to check bags, carriers limit the number of total bags you can check, and checked bags are subject to weight and size restrictions.
Checked baggage allowances, both free and paid, can vary greatly by carrier, route, fare class or cabin, and airline loyalty program status. Typically you can check one to two bags up to 50 pounds each before you start encountering excess baggage fees (though standard baggage fees may apply). Most airlines will not allow a passenger to bring more than ten pieces of checked baggage on a plane.
What is considered excess baggage?
If a checked item exceeds a passenger’s standard luggage allowance by quantity, weight, or size measurement, it’s generally deemed excess baggage.
Specific number, weight, and dimension restrictions differ based on carrier, route, fare class or cabin, season, and airline loyalty program status. These bags are subject to extra charges beyond standard checked luggage prices. Details about each airline’s excess baggage policy can be found on the airline’s website or by calling the reservations desk.
How much do airlines charge for excess baggage?
Each airline has their own policies when it comes to excess baggage rates. Expect to pay a lot more for bags that exceed your airline’s standard luggage allowance than you would for bags that fall within the allowance, regardless of their size.
For example, Delta Air Lines allows allows each Main Cabin economy passenger traveling between the US and Europe to check one bag for free. The second bag is $100. Once you get to bag number three, it’s considered excess baggage and the price goes up to $285 per bag. A passenger cannot check more than ten bags, and the excess baggage is only accepted if there’s space (if not, it’ll be put on the next available flight).
Excess baggage isn’t only based on the number of bags, but on the size and weight as well.
Going back to the Delta example, regardless of the number of bags you check, you’ll pay an additional $100 per bag for bags weighing between 51 and 70 pounds (bags exceeding 70lbs are not accepted) and an additional $300 for bags measuring 63-80 inches in combined length, width, and height (bags larger than 80 inches are not allowed).
How much do you have to pay if your luggage is over 50 pounds?
While specific policies differ, most legacy airlines limit checked luggage to 50 pounds. That means that if your checked bag weighs more than 50 pounds, your airline will charge you a set fee on top of their standard baggage rate. Most airlines also have a weight limit, usually 70-80 pounds, after which they don’t accept bags, even for an extra fee.
Information about overweight bag policies can be found on your airline’s website or by calling the reservations desk. Many airlines have exceptions for medical equipment and other special items, so make sure to investigate ahead of time if you’re planning to check something that falls into that category.
Are baggage fees charged each way?
Most airlines charge passengers one price to check their bags from their original departure location to their final destination, regardless of layovers or plane changes in between (granted each segment of your trip is on the same airline or alliance partner).
However, some budget carriers like TAP do charge passengers a separate luggage fee for each leg of their trip, so every layover or plane change incurs its own separate fee. Make sure to research your airline’s policy before you book, as these extra charges can add up quickly if you’re embarking on a multi-leg journey.
Going members get amazingly cheap flights delivered right to their inboxes.
FAQs
On a plane journey, excess baggage is luggage that is larger or weighs more than your ticket allows, so that you have to pay extra to take it on board.
What is considered excess baggage? ›
excess baggage | Business English
bags that weigh more than the allowed amount for each passenger, or the money you are charged so they can be taken onto a plane: He was charged $40 for excess baggage.
What is considered excess luggage? ›
If a checked item exceeds a passenger's standard luggage allowance by quantity, weight, or size measurement, it's generally deemed excess baggage. Specific number, weight, and dimension restrictions differ based on carrier, route, fare class or cabin, season, and airline loyalty program status.
What are excess baggage charges? ›
Excess baggage charges. India. INR 650 per kg. Tax rates are applicable on the value reflected on Excess Baggage Tickets (EBTs) issued in India, except those from tax-exempted airports.
Does excess baggage mean another bag? ›
Excess baggage charges apply at the airport for any baggage exceeding the total amount of your included checked baggage allowance, Frequent Flyer tier allowance and any pre-purchased additional baggage. Note: carriage of excess and pre-purchased additional baggage is subject to space being available on the aircraft.
How much do you get charged if your suitcase is overweight? ›
Excess baggage fees for popular airlines
| Airline | Cost of excess baggage |
|---|
| British Airways | £65 per bag |
| Delta | $100-$200 per bag depending on weight, size and flight route |
| easyJet | £12 per kilo |
| Emirates | $15-$50 per kilo, depending on flight route |
13 more rowsMar 4, 2024
Excess Baggage Within the U.S.
| Type of Bag | Fees and Rules (Each Way) |
| 3rd CHECKED BAG | $150 USD |
| BAGS 4 TO 10 | $200 USD each |
| OVERWEIGHT BAG | 51-70 lbs. (23 kg – 31.75 kg) - $100 USD/CAD* 71-100 lbs. (32 kg – 45.36 kg) - $200 USD/CAD* Bags exceeding 100 lbs. (45.36 kg) are not permitted |
4 more rowsalso excess luggage. 1. uncountable noun. On an aeroplane journey, excess baggage is luggage that is larger or weighs more than your ticket allows, so that you have to pay extra to take it on board.
How much is excess baggage allowance? ›
Excess baggage charges apply for any additional baggage (between $70 and $175 per extra piece) or any items found to be overweight (between $20 and $80 per extra kilogram). A 'Heavy Charge' is also applicable for items over your specified weight limit. Heavy charges range from $50 to $80 for each piece over 23kgs.
What happens if you have excess baggage? ›
If your luggage exceeds the weight limit at an airport, don't panic. Here's what typically happens: 1> Excess Baggage Fees: Most airlines have a policy where they charge fees for luggage that exceeds the weight limit. The fees can vary depending on the airline and how much overweight your bag is.
Any excess bags will be charged the overweight fee over 50 lbs / 23 kgs to 70 lbs / 32 kgs.
What is the meaning of too much baggage? ›
uncountable noun. You can use excess baggage to talk about problems or events from someone's past which you think still worry them, especially when you think these things make it difficult for the person to cope or develop.
What is the meaning of excess baggage ticket? ›
Excess Baggage Ticket means a document issued by the Carrier for carriage of Baggage in excess of the applicable free Baggage allowance specified by the Carriage.
What is another word for excess baggage? ›
What is another word for excess baggage?
| load | worry |
|---|
| burden | cross |
| encumbrance | liability |
| strain | tax |
| weight | drag |
42 more rowsExcess Baggage Fee Chart. Airlines are under financial pressure to offset the cost of rising fuel prices and many now charge excess baggage fees for checking one or more piece of luggage. Some are are even charging for carry-ons. The following chart displays checked baggage allowances and fees for major airlines.
What if my checked bag is over 50 lbs? ›
For travel on / after April 17, 2024, a $30 fee applies for checked bags over 50 lbs / 23 kgs up to 53 lbs / 24 kgs. There is no change to overweight fees for travel on / before April 16, 2024. We don't accept checked bags over 100 lbs / 45 kgs on American Airlines operated flights.
What qualifies as oversized baggage? ›
If your bag exceeds 50 lbs. (23 kg) or 62 linear inches (157 cm) (length + width + height) If you bring equipment for medical assistance, children's items, musical instruments or sporting gear.
What happens if my checked bag is 1 inch too big? ›
You put the baggage on a scale and measurement. If it exceeds a permitted number, you pay an extra amount of fee. It's that simple!
