Excess Baggage Charges: Airline Fees, Limits & Travel Guide

Traveling with extra luggage can be convenient, especially when you need to bring more clothes, souvenirs, or personal belongings. However, if your baggage exceeds the airline’s allowed weight, size, or number of pieces, you may need to pay excess baggage charges. These fees can vary depending on the airline, flight route, cabin class, and how much additional baggage you carry. 

When Do You Need to Pay for Excess Baggage?

You may need to pay excess baggage charges when your luggage exceeds the baggage allowance included in your flight ticket. The airline usually checks your baggage during check-in and determines whether additional fees apply.

Here are the most common situations when you may need to pay:

1. Your Baggage Exceeds the Weight Limit

If your ticket includes a 20 kg baggage allowance but your checked luggage weighs 25 kg, the extra 5 kg may be charged as excess baggage.

2. You Bring More Bags Than Allowed

Some tickets include one checked bag, while others may include two. If you bring additional bags beyond your allowance, you may need to pay an additional baggage fee.

3. Your Baggage Exceeds the Size Limit

Airlines also have maximum dimensions for checked baggage. A bag that is too large may be subject to an oversized baggage fee, even if it is within the permitted weight.

4. You Have No Checked Baggage Included

Some low-cost or promotional fares may not include checked baggage. If you want to check in a suitcase, you may need to purchase baggage allowance separately.

5. You Add Extra Baggage to Your Booking

If you know in advance that you will be carrying more luggage than your ticket allows, you can usually purchase additional baggage before your flight. Depending on the airline, buying it online in advance may be cheaper than paying at the airport.

How Much Does Excess Baggage Cost?

The cost of excess baggage varies depending on the airline and the type of excess baggage you have. There is no single standard fee, as airlines use different pricing systems based on factors such as weight, number of bags, baggage size, flight route, and cabin class.

1. Charges Based on Weight

Some airlines charge passengers for every additional kilogram above their baggage allowance.

Example:
If your baggage allowance is 20 kg and your luggage weighs 25 kg, you may need to pay an excess baggage fee for the additional 5 kg.

2. Charges Based on Number of Bags

If your ticket allows one checked bag but you want to bring a second bag, the airline may charge an additional baggage fee for that extra piece.

The price may depend on your route and whether you purchase the additional baggage online or at the airport.

3. Oversized Baggage Fees

Baggage can also incur additional charges if it exceeds the airline's maximum dimensions, even when the weight is within the allowed limit. This is commonly referred to as an oversized baggage fee.

4. Fees Depend on the Flight Route

Excess baggage charges can differ between:

• Domestic flights
• International flights
• Short-haul routes
• Long-haul routes

International and long-haul flights may use different baggage pricing systems from domestic services.

5. Your Cabin Class and Fare Type Matter

Passengers travelling in Economy, Premium Economy, Business, or First Class may have different baggage allowances. Similarly, different fare types can include different amounts of checked baggage.

6. Paying in Advance May Be Cheaper

Many airlines allow passengers to purchase additional baggage through their website or app before departure. In some cases, this can be cheaper than paying for excess baggage at the airport.

How Are Excess Baggage Fees Calculated?

Excess baggage fees are calculated based on how much your luggage exceeds the baggage allowance provided with your ticket. The calculation method varies by airline, flight route, fare type, and whether the excess involves weight, number of bags, or size.

1. By Excess Weight

Some airlines charge based on the number of kilograms above your allowance.

Example:

• Baggage allowance: 20 kg
• Actual baggage weight: 25 kg
• Excess baggage: 5 kg
• If the airline charges a fee per kilogram, the total fee is calculated based on those additional 5 kg.

2. By Additional Piece

Some airlines use a piece-based system rather than charging by kilogram.

For example, if your ticket includes 1 checked bag but you want to bring 2 bags, the second bag may be charged as an additional piece of baggage.

3. By Baggage Size

If your luggage exceeds the airline's permitted dimensions, an oversized baggage fee may apply. This can be charged separately from any excess weight fee.

4. Based on Flight Route

The fee can also depend on your destination and route. Airlines may have different rates for domestic, regional, and international flights.

5. Based on Fare and Cabin Class

Your baggage allowance depends on your ticket type and cabin class. For example, a Business Class ticket may include a larger baggage allowance than an Economy Class ticket.

6. Based on When You Purchase Additional Baggage

Some airlines offer different prices depending on when you add baggage. Purchasing additional baggage online before departure may be cheaper than paying for excess baggage at the airport.

Simple Formula

For airlines that charge by weight, you can think of the calculation as:

Excess Baggage Fee = Excess Weight × Fee per kg

However, this is only a general example. Some airlines use fixed charges for additional pieces or oversized baggage instead.

How to Check Your Baggage Allowance

Before packing for your flight, it is important to check your baggage allowance to find out how much luggage you can bring without paying additional fees. Your allowance may vary depending on the airline, flight route, fare type, and cabin class.

Here are several ways to check your baggage allowance:

1. Check Your Flight Ticket

Look at your e-ticket or booking confirmation for baggage information. The allowance may be shown as a specific weight, such as 20 kg, or as a number of pieces, such as 1PC or 2PC.

2. Check the Airline's Website

Visit the airline's official website and look for its Baggage Allowance or Baggage Policy page. You can usually find information about:

• Checked baggage allowance
• Cabin baggage allowance
• Maximum baggage weight
• Maximum baggage dimensions
• Additional baggage fees
• Oversized and overweight baggage rules

3. Check Your Booking Through the Airline App

If you booked your flight through an airline's website or app, log in to Manage My Booking or a similar section. Your baggage allowance may be displayed together with your flight details.

4. Check Your Fare Type

Different fares can come with different baggage allowances. For example, a Basic Economy ticket may include little or no checked baggage, while higher fare types may include a larger allowance.

5. Check Your Cabin Class

Your baggage allowance can also depend on whether you are travelling in Economy, Premium Economy, Business, or First Class. Always check the allowance specifically attached to your ticket.

6. Contact the Airline

If your baggage allowance is unclear, contact the airline's customer service before your departure. This is particularly useful when travelling on codeshare flights, where baggage rules may depend on the operating airline.

How to Pay for Excess Baggage

If your luggage exceeds the baggage allowance included in your ticket, you may need to purchase additional baggage or pay an excess baggage fee. Depending on the airline, you may be able to pay before your flight or at the airport.

1. Pay Online Before Your Flight

Many airlines allow passengers to purchase additional baggage through their website.

Generally, you can:

1. Visit the airline's website.
2. Open Manage Booking or a similar section.
3. Enter your booking reference and passenger details.
4. Select Additional Baggage or Extra Baggage.
5. Choose the additional weight or number of bags you need.
6. Complete the payment online.

Purchasing baggage in advance may be more convenient and, depending on the airline, can be cheaper than paying at the airport.

2. Pay Through the Airline App

If the airline offers a mobile app, you may be able to add baggage directly through your booking. The available options and prices will depend on your flight.

3. Pay at the Airport

If you discover that your baggage exceeds the allowance during check-in, the airline may require you to pay the excess baggage fee at the airport counter.

You may be asked to:

• Weigh your luggage.
• Confirm the excess weight or additional baggage.
• Pay the applicable fee.
• Collect your payment receipt before proceeding with check-in.

4. Choose an Available Payment Method

Airlines may accept different payment methods, such as:

• Credit or debit cards
• Online payment
• Mobile or digital payment
• Cash at selected airport counters

Payment options vary by airline and airport, so it is best to check in advance.

Excess Baggage by Airline