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Baggage & fees · Verified July 2026

Airline baggage fees compared

Cabin bag, hold luggage, seat selection and change fees for all 28 airlines FlightLogic rates — side by side, so you can see what the headline fare really buys.

Quick Answer

This table compares cabin bag, checked baggage, seat selection, excess baggage and change fee policies for all 28 airlines rated by FlightLogic, verified July 2026. British Airways has the most generous cabin bag weight limit (23 kg); Ryanair and easyJet include only a small underseat bag free and charge for anything larger. Base-fare rules vary by route and fare brand — always confirm on the airline before booking.

Baggage & fee policies — all 28 rated airlines

Policies below apply to the most common economy and business fares; Light, Basic and Saver brands often exclude bags and seat selection, and rules vary by route. Data verified July 2026 — confirm on the airline before booking.

Showing 28 of 28 airlines

Airline Cabin bag Checked — economy Checked — business Seat selection Excess & extra bags Change fee
Qatar Airways QR · oneworld 1 piece, 50 × 37 × 25 cm Max weight: 7 kg Weight concept 25–35 kg by fare; 2 × 23 kg on Americas/Africa routes 40 kg weight concept; 2 × 32 kg on piece-concept routes Free on Classic fares and above; chargeable on lower economy fares Prepaid extra weight discounted online; airport rates higher Varies by fare; flexible fares free, saver fares fee + fare difference
Singapore Airlines SQ · Star Alliance 1 piece, 115 cm combined dimensions Max weight: 7 kg Weight concept 25–30 kg by fare (35 kg premium economy); 2 × 23 kg to US/Canada 40 kg weight concept; 2 × 32 kg to US/Canada Free standard selection on most fares; fee on Lite fares Prepaid extra baggage discounted online; airport rates higher Varies by fare; Lite fares fee + fare difference
Cathay Pacific CX · oneworld 1 piece 56 × 36 × 23 cm + small item 40 × 30 × 15 cm Max weight: 7 kg Light 1 × 23 kg; Essential/Flex 2 × 23 kg 2 × 32 kg (First 3 × 32 kg) Free on Essential/Flex; Light fares pay Prepaid extra baggage discounted online; airport rates higher Varies by fare; flexible fares free, Light fees + fare difference
Emirates EK · Independent 1 piece 55 × 38 × 20 cm Max weight: 7 kg Special 20 kg, Saver 25 kg, Flex 30 kg, Flex+ 35 kg; piece concept 1–2 × 23 kg to Americas/Africa 40 kg weight concept; 2 × 32 kg on piece-concept routes Free on Flex/Flex+; paid on Special/Saver Prepaid extra weight discounted online; airport rates higher Varies by fare; Flex+ free changes, Special/Saver fees + fare difference
ANA All Nippon Airways NH · Star Alliance 55 × 40 × 25 cm + personal item, 10 kg combined Max weight: 10 kg 2 × 23 kg on international routes 2 × 32 kg (First 3 × 32 kg) Free standard selection on most fares Fixed fee per extra piece by zone Varies by fare; flexible fares free, saver fares fee + fare difference
Turkish Airlines TK · Star Alliance 1 piece 55 × 40 × 23 cm, 8 kg + 4 kg personal item Max weight: 8 kg Weight concept 30 kg; piece routes EcoFly none, ExtraFly 1 × 23 kg, FlexFly 2 × 23 kg 40 kg weight concept; 2 × 32 kg on piece routes Free on ExtraFly/FlexFly; EcoFly pays Prepaid extra baggage discounted online; airport rates higher Varies by fare; EcoFly most restrictive
Lufthansa LH · Star Alliance 1 piece 55 × 40 × 23 cm, 8 kg (business 2 × 8 kg) Max weight: 8 kg Light none; Classic/Flex 1 × 23 kg; premium economy 2 × 23 kg 2 × 32 kg Light pays; free on Classic/Flex Prepaid extra bags cheaper online; airport rates higher Light non-changeable; Flex free changes
Delta Air Lines DL · SkyTeam 56 × 35 × 23 cm + personal item; no weight limit No published weight limit Transatlantic Main Cabin 1 × 23 kg included; Basic first bag from ~$60; domestic first bag from ~$40 Delta One 2 × 32 kg Basic assigned at check-in; free standard seats in Main Cabin Second bag ~$100 transatlantic; overweight fees apply No change fee on most fares; Basic Economy restricted
British Airways BA · oneworld 56 × 45 × 25 cm up to 23 kg + handbag 40 × 30 × 15 cm Max weight: 23 kg Basic none; standard economy 1 × 23 kg; premium economy 2 × 23 kg Club World 2 × 32 kg; First 3 × 32 kg Free from 24 h before departure; paid from ~£8 in Basic Overweight ~£65; extra bag from £60 online / £75 at airport Varies by fare; flexible fares free, Basic fees + fare difference
Qantas QF · oneworld 1 piece 56 × 36 × 23 cm Max weight: 7 kg Weight concept 30 kg on most international routes; piece concept to Americas 40 kg weight concept; 2 × 32 kg to Americas Free standard selection on most fares Prepaid extra baggage discounted online; airport rates higher Varies by fare; flexible fares free, saver fares fee + fare difference
JetBlue Airways B6 · Independent 22 × 14 × 9 in + personal item on all fares; no weight limit No published weight limit Domestic first bag $35 off-peak / up to $50 peak; transatlantic first bag $60 prepaid Mint 2 × 32 kg included Free on Blue and above; Blue Basic pays Extra bags from ~$45 domestic; overweight fees apply Free on most fares; Blue Basic from ~$100 + fare difference
Virgin Atlantic Airways VS · SkyTeam 1 piece 56 × 36 × 23 cm, 10 kg (Upper Class 2 bags, 16 kg combined) Max weight: 10 kg Light none; Classic/Delight 1 × 23 kg; Premium 2 × 23 kg Upper Class 2 × 32 kg Free in Classic/Delight; Light pays until check-in Extra or overweight bag ~$100; Light adds a bag for ~$100 Varies by fare; flexible fares free, Light restricted
Air France AF · SkyTeam 55 × 35 × 25 cm + accessory 40 × 30 × 15 cm, 12 kg combined (premium cabins 18 kg) Max weight: 12 kg Light none; Standard 1 × 23 kg 2 × 32 kg Free on Standard/Flex; Light pays Prepaid extra bags cheaper online; airport rates higher Varies by fare; Flex free changes
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines KL · SkyTeam 55 × 35 × 25 cm + accessory 40 × 30 × 15 cm, 12 kg combined Max weight: 12 kg Basic/Light none; Standard/Flex 1 × 23 kg; Premium Comfort 2 × 23 kg 2 × 32 kg Free on Standard/Flex; Basic/Light pays Prepaid extra bags cheaper online; airport rates higher Varies by fare; Flex free changes
Japan Airlines JL · oneworld 55 × 40 × 25 cm + personal item, 10 kg combined Max weight: 10 kg 2 × 23 kg on international routes 3 × 32 kg (First 3 × 32 kg) Free standard selection on most fares Fixed fee per extra piece by zone Varies by fare; flexible fares free, saver fares fee + fare difference
Air Canada AC · Star Alliance 55 × 40 × 23 cm + personal item; no weight limit (Basic fares post-Jan 2025 exclude carry-on) No published weight limit Basic first bag ~$35 + tax; transatlantic standard economy 1 × 23 kg 2 × 32 kg Basic assigned at check-in; free standard seats on other fares Extra/overweight bags charged; cheaper prepaid Varies by fare; Basic non-changeable
United Airlines UA · Star Alliance 22 × 14 × 9 in + personal item; no weight limit No published weight limit Domestic first bag from ~$45; transatlantic Basic first bag ~$75, standard economy 1 × 23 kg included Polaris 2 × 32 kg Basic assigned at check-in; free standard seats in Economy Extra bags from ~$100 transatlantic; overweight fees apply No change fee on most fares; Basic Economy restricted
American Airlines AA · oneworld 22 × 14 × 9 in + personal item on all fares; no weight limit No published weight limit Domestic first bag from $35; transatlantic Basic first bag $75–85, Main Cabin 1 × 23 kg included 2 × 32 kg Basic assigned at check-in; free standard seats in Main Cabin Extra/overweight bags charged; cheaper prepaid No change fee on most fares; Basic Economy non-changeable
Etihad Airways EY · Independent 1 piece 56 × 36 × 23 cm, 7 kg (premium cabins 2 bags 12 kg + 5 kg personal item) Max weight: 7 kg US/Canada 2 × 23 kg (Basic none); other routes vary by fare and weight/piece concept 2 × 32 kg to US/Canada; weight concept elsewhere by route Free on higher economy fares; lowest fare pays Prepaid extra baggage discounted online; airport rates higher Varies by fare; flexible fares free, saver fares fee + fare difference
Korean Air KE · SkyTeam 1 piece 10 kg + personal item Max weight: 10 kg 1 × 23 kg (2 × 23 kg to/from the Americas) Prestige 2 × 32 kg (First 3 × 32 kg) Free standard selection on most fares Fixed fee per extra piece by zone Varies by fare; flexible fares free, saver fares fee + fare difference
Swiss International Air Lines LX · Star Alliance 1 piece 55 × 40 × 23 cm, 8 kg + personal item Max weight: 8 kg Light none; Classic 1 × 23 kg 2 × 32 kg Light pays; free on Classic/Flex Prepaid extra bags cheaper online; airport rates higher Varies by fare; Flex free changes
Iberia IB · oneworld 56 × 40 × 25 cm, 10 kg (business 14 kg) + accessory 40 × 30 × 15 cm Max weight: 10 kg Basic fares may exclude a checked bag; standard economy 1 × 23 kg 2 × 32 kg Basic pays; free on standard fares Prepaid extra bags cheaper online; airport rates higher Varies by fare; flexible fares free, Basic fees + fare difference
Finnair AY · oneworld 1 piece 55 × 40 × 23 cm, 8 kg + small item 40 × 30 × 15 cm Max weight: 8 kg Light none; Classic 1 × 23 kg 2 × 32 kg Light pays; free on Classic/Flex Prepaid extra bags cheaper online; airport rates higher Varies by fare; Flex free changes
Thai Airways TG · Star Alliance 1 piece 56 × 45 × 25 cm Max weight: 7 kg Weight concept: Saver 20 kg, Flexi 30 kg, Full Flexi 35 kg Royal Silk 40 kg; Royal First 50 kg Free standard selection on most fares Prepaid extra weight discounted online; airport rates higher Varies by fare; flexible fares free, saver fares fee + fare difference
Aer Lingus EI · Independent 55 × 40 × 24 cm, 10 kg + small item 25 × 33 × 20 cm; Saver ~£/€9.99 to carry aboard or checks it free Max weight: 10 kg Transatlantic Saver none; Smart/Flex 1 × 23 kg Business: up to 3 bags, 69 kg combined, max 32 kg each (source uncertain — verify before publishing) Saver pays; free on Smart/Flex Prepaid extra bags cheaper online; airport rates higher Varies by fare; flexible fares free, Saver fees + fare difference
Ryanair FR · Independent Free small bag 40 × 30 × 20 cm (enlarged 2025, no weight limit); Priority (£/€12–36) adds 10 kg 55 × 40 × 20 cm No published weight limit Up to 3 × 20 kg bags, £/€18.99–59.99 each None — single-class airline Paid from ~£4.50; free random allocation Excess weight charged per kg at airport rates From £45 + fare difference
easyJet U2 · Independent Free underseat bag 45 × 36 × 20 cm (15 kg); large 56 × 45 × 25 cm paid £5.99–32.99 or included with Up Front/Extra Legroom/Plus Max weight: 15 kg 15 kg from £6.99 or 23 kg from £9.49; max 3 hold bags None — single-class airline Paid for advance selection; free random allocation Excess weight charged per kg at airport rates From £25 + fare difference (free within 24 h of booking)
Jet2 LS · Independent 1 piece 56 × 45 × 25 cm, 10 kg + small personal item, included Max weight: 10 kg 22 kg bags paid on flight-only (~£8–45 each, up to 3); included with Jet2holidays None — single-class airline Paid for advance selection on flight-only bookings Excess weight charged per kg at airport rates From £35 + fare difference

How to avoid baggage fees

  1. Measure and weigh at home — including wheels and handles. Gate sizers count every centimetre, and a bag that is 2 cm over can cost more to check at the gate than your seat did. Our carry-on checker tests your bag against all 28 airlines in seconds.
  2. Do the fare-brand maths before adding bags. On BA, Virgin, Lufthansa and Air France-KLM, upgrading from a Light/Basic fare to the next brand is frequently cheaper than paying for a checked bag separately — and usually includes seat selection too.
  3. Always prepay hold luggage online. Airport and gate rates are the most expensive way to pay on every carrier in this table — on Ryanair and easyJet they can be several times the online price.
  4. Pick one soft-sided bag around 55 × 40 × 20 cm for multi-airline trips. It fits the tightest mainstream limits (Emirates, Singapore, Korean Air), squishes into sizers, and keeps you legal if a connection switches you onto a stricter partner airline.

Baggage fees FAQ

Which airline has the most generous cabin bag allowance?

Of the 28 airlines FlightLogic rates, British Airways allows the heaviest cabin bag: 56 × 45 × 25 cm up to 23 kg, plus a handbag or laptop bag. easyJet permits 15 kg on its free underseat bag, and the Japanese carriers (ANA and JAL) allow 10 kg combined. Most Gulf and Asian full-service airlines cap cabin bags at 7 kg.

Which airlines include a free checked bag in economy?

Most full-service carriers include at least one 23 kg checked bag on standard economy fares — including BA, Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa, Air France-KLM, Emirates, Qatar Airways and the US majors on transatlantic routes. Watch for Light and Basic fares, which strip the bag out: BA Basic, Lufthansa Light, Air France/KLM Light, Virgin Light, Aer Lingus Saver and US carriers’ Basic Economy all charge extra. Ryanair, easyJet and Jet2 charge for all hold luggage on standard fares (Jet2 includes 22 kg with Jet2holidays packages).

Do Ryanair and easyJet really charge for cabin bags?

Yes, for anything beyond a small underseat bag. Ryanair’s free allowance is one 40 × 30 × 20 cm bag; a 10 kg cabin bag up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm requires Priority & 2 Cabin Bags (roughly £/€12–36). easyJet’s free allowance is one 45 × 36 × 20 cm underseat bag (up to 15 kg); a larger 56 × 45 × 25 cm cabin bag costs extra unless you book an Up Front or Extra Legroom seat.

Is it cheaper to pay for extra baggage in advance?

Almost always. Every airline in this table prices prepaid online bags below airport rates — in some cases the airport price is double. BA, for example, charges from £60 online versus £75 at the airport for an extra bag, and excess weight bought at the gate is the most expensive way to pay on Ryanair and easyJet.

How do I check whether my cabin bag fits a specific airline?

Use FlightLogic’s free carry-on checker at /tools/carry-on-checker — enter your bag’s height, width, depth and weight, pick an airline, and it compares your bag against the published limit for all 28 rated carriers. Remember sizers at the gate include wheels and handles.