Baggage Allowance Explained: Cabin, Checked & Excess Fees
Baggage rules are where a cheap fare can quietly get expensive. Here's how cabin, checked and excess allowances work — and how to avoid surprise fees.
The headline fare rarely tells the whole story. Understanding baggage allowances is the difference between a genuine bargain and an expensive surprise at the airport.
Cabin vs checked baggage
Cabin baggage travels with you in the aircraft; checked baggage goes in the hold. Basic fares increasingly include only a small cabin bag, with everything else charged as an extra.
Weight and size limits
Checked bags typically have a weight limit (often around 20–23kg) and a size limit. Go over and you'll pay excess baggage fees, which are among the most expensive charges in travel.
Always add bags at booking
Adding a checked bag when you book is almost always cheaper than adding it later — and dramatically cheaper than paying at the airport. Decide what you need before you pay.
Pro tip: Weigh your bag at home with a cheap luggage scale. A kilo or two over the limit can cost more than the bag's contents.
Sports and special items
Golf clubs, ski gear, musical instruments and pushchairs often have their own rules and fees. Check ahead and book them in advance to avoid being turned away at the gate.
The bottom line
Know what your fare includes, add bags when you book, and stay within weight limits. That's how you keep a cheap flight actually cheap.
