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We know that packing can be one of the most stressful parts of traveling. We've all been there: you arrive at the airport, check in your luggage, and suddenly, the agent tells you your bag is over the weight limit. Now, you're left with two choices: pay extra fees or start layering on all your sweatshirts.
What makes it worse is that every airline has different baggage rules. Some include checked baggage in the ticket price, while others will charge you for breathing if they could (looking at you, Ryanair). To save you from unexpected fees, we’ve put together this ultimate airline baggage guide, with some of the major airlines operating in Europe.
Types of airline baggage: what can you bring?
Airlines typically classify luggage into three main categories, each with different rules and potential fees:
Personal item size
A personal item is the smallest type of baggage, typically included for free with all airlines. It must fit under the seat in front of you and is usually limited to purses, small backpacks, laptop bags, or tote bags.
If you’re flying with a low-cost airline on the cheapest fare, your personal item is all you get unless you pay for extra baggage.
- Typical personal item size: Around 40x30x20 cm
- Weight limit: Often unspecified, but should be light enough to stow easily.
Carry-on luggage size
A carry-on bag (also called hand luggage or cabin baggage) is a larger piece of luggage that you can store in the overhead compartment. While full-service airlines include it for free, budget airlines charge for it unless you buy Priority Boarding or an upgraded fare.
- Typical carry-on bag size: Around 55x40x25 cm
- Weight limit: Usually 7-15 kg, depending on the airline
Checked baggage size
Checked baggage (or hold luggage) is stored in the aircraft’s cargo hold and is not included in most economy fares, except with full-service airlines on long-haul flights. If your luggage is too large or heavy for a carry-on, you’ll need to check it in at the airport (and probably pay for it).
- Typical checked baggage size: max 158 cm (total of length + width + height)
- Weight limit: 15-23 kg for economy tickets, 32 kg for business/first class
Airline-specific baggage allowances
Below, you’ll find detailed baggage policies for some of the major airlines operating in Europe. Prices shown vary depending on route, fare type, and booking time. Remember it's always cheaper to book in advance than to pay for extra baggage fees at the airport.
Ryanair
Baggage type
Size
Weight limit
Cost
Personal item
40x20x25cm
-
Free
Carry-on bag
55x40x20cm
10kg
6€-36€
Includes priority boarding
Checked bag
55x40x20cm
80x120x120cm
10kg
20kg
9.49€-44.99€
39.99€-59.99€
Check Ryanair's baggage policy.
Easyjet
Baggage type
Size
Weight limit
Cost
Personal item
45x36x20cm
15kg
Free
Carry-on bag
56x45x25cm
15kg
From 5.99£
Includes priority boarding
1 Free for Easyjet plus members
Checked bag
Length + width + height = under 275cm
15kg
23kg
32kg
From 6.99£
From 9.49£
Up to 15£ per 3kg
Check Easyjet's baggage policy.
Wizz Air
Baggage type
Size
Weight limit
Cost
Personal item
40x30x20cm
10kg
Free
Carry-on bag
55x40x23cm
10kg
Up to 60€
Includes priority boarding
Checked bag
149x119x171cm
10kg
20kg
26kg
32kg
From 15€
From 20€
From 26€
From 32€
Check Wizz Air's baggage policy.
Lufthansa
Baggage type
Size
Weight limit
Cost
Personal item
40x30x10cm
-
Free
Carry-on bag
55x40x23cm
8kg
1 Free with all Economy fares and Premium Economy
2 Free with Business Class and First Class
Checked bag
Length + width + height = under 158cm
23kg
32kg
1 Free with Economy (except
Economy Light)
2 Free with Premium
Economy
2 Free with Business Class
3 Free with First Class
Check Lufthansa's baggage policy.
KLM
Baggage type
Size
Weight limit
Cost
Personal item
40x30x15cm
-
Free
Carry-on bag
55x35x25cm
12kg
Combined weight for cabin bags
18kg
Combined weight for cabin bags
1 Free with Economy Class
2 Free with Premium Comfort Class
2 Free with Business Class
Checked bag
Length + width + height = under 158cm
23kg
32kg
1 Free with Economy (except
Economy Light)
2 Free with Premium Confort
Class (except with Light
ticket)
1 Free with Business Class
(Light ticket)
2 Free with Business Class
(Standard or Flex ticket)
Check KLM's baggage policy.
Air France
Baggage type
Size
Weight limit
Cost
Personal item
40x30x15cm
-
Free
Carry-on bag
55x35x25cm
12kg
Combined weight for cabin bags
18kg
Combined weight for cabin bags
1 Free with Economy
2 Free with Premium
2 Free with Business and La
Première
Checked bag
Length + width + height = under 158cm
23kg
32kg
0-2 Free with Economy and Premium (depending on ticket fare)
1-2 Free with Business (depending on ticket fare) 3 Free with La Première
Check Air France's baggage policy.
Vueling
Baggage type
Size
Weight limit
Cost
Personal item
40x30x20cm
-
Free
Carry-on bag
55x40x20cm
10kg
10€-59€
Included with Fly bundles
Checked bag
Length + width + height = under 158cm
15kg
20kg
25kg
30kg
10€-95€
14€-96€
18€-99€
Included with Fly bundles
25€-120€
Check Vueling's baggage policy.
Volotea
Baggage type
Size
Weight limit
Cost
Personal item
40x30x20cm
-
Free
Carry-on bag
55x40x20cm
10kg
From 10€
Includes priority boarding
1 Free with Megavolotea
Checked bag
-
10kg
20kg
25kg
From 9€
From 14€
From 19€
Check Volotea's baggage policy.
Transavia
Baggage type
Size
Weight limit
Cost
Personal item
40x30x20cm
-
Free
Carry-on bag
55x35x25cm
10kg
Combined weight for cabin bags
14€-39€
Includes priority boarding
1 Free with Max fare
Checked bag
70x60x30cm
15kg
20kg
25kg
30kg
40kg
The maximum weight per piece of luggage is 32 kg
50kg
The maximum weight per piece of luggage is 32 kg
From 30€
From 33€
From 35€
From 47€
From 64€
From 87€
Check Transavia's baggage policy.
British Airways
Baggage type
Size
Weight limit
Cost
Personal item
40x30x15cm
23kg
Free
Carry-on bag
56x45x25cm
23kg
Free
Checked bag
70x60x30cm
23kg
32kg
1 Free with Economy (except
Basic Economy)
2 Free with Premium
Economy
2 Free with Business Class
3 Free with First Class
Iberia
Baggage type
Size
Weight limit
Cost
Personal item
30x40x15cm
-
Free
Carry-on bag
56x40x25cm
10kg
14kg
1 Free with Economy and Premium Economy
1-2 Free with Business Class and Business Plus
Checked bag
Length + width + height = under 158cm
23kg
32kg
Free depending on fare and flight route
Free with Business Class and Business Plus
Check Iberia's baggage policy.
Austrian Airlines
Baggage type
Size
Weight limit
Cost
Personal item
40x30x10cm
-
Free
Carry-on bag
55x40x23cm
8kg
1 Free with Economy and Premium Economy
2 Free with Bussiness Class
Checked bag
Length + width + height = under 158cm
23kg
32kg
Free depending on fare and flight route
Free with Business Class
American Airlines
Baggage type
Size
Weight limit
Cost
Personal item
45x35x20cm
-
Free
Carry-on bag
56x36x23cm
-
Checked bag
Length + width + height = under 158cm
23kg
32kg
35$-75$
1-3 Free with specific fares
and flight routes
1-3 Free with Business Class
and First Class for specific
flight routes
SWISS
Baggage type
Size
Weight limit
Cost
Personal item
40x30x15cm
-
Free
Carry-on bag
55x40x23cm
8kg
Checked bag
Length + width + height = under 158cm
23kg
32kg
1 Free with Go Smart, Plus Smart, and Go Bonus
2 Free with Plus Pro and Plus Bonus
2 Free with Business and Business Bonus
Check Swiss' baggage policy.
Scandinavian Airlines
Baggage type
Size
Weight limit
Cost
Personal item
40x30x15cm
-
Free
Carry-on bag
55x40x23cm
8kg
Checked bag
Length + width + height = under 158cm
23kg
32kg
1 Free with Go Smart, Plus Smart, and Go Bonus
2 Free with Plus Pro and Plus Bonus
2 Free with Business and Business Bonus
TAP Air Portugal
Baggage type
Size
Weight limit
Cost
Personal item
40x30x15cm
2kg
Free
Carry-on bag
55x40x25cm
10kg
Checked bag
Length + width + height = under 158cm
23kg
32kg
1 Free for specific fares
and routes
2 Free for specific fares
and routes
2 Free with Top Executive
and Executive
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