Traveling is an exhilarating experience that transforms us and broadens our horizons and perspectives. However, when planning our ideal trip, packing is a crucial part of the preparation process.
A big concern that travelers tend to have is how much luggage they are allowed to bring on their flights, as well as the additional fees that often come hand in hand with extra baggage.
Since each airline has its own specific policies regarding extra baggage costs, we have rounded up a list of the most well-known airlines and their imposed fees on extra baggage.
But before jumping to that part let’s see which factors affect these fees, to help you be prepared beforehand so that you know how to minimize and even avoid these fees if possible.
Without further ado, let’s get started!
What Are Extra Baggage Fees and Which Factors Affect Them?
Excess baggage fees are additional charges set by airlines for any items of baggage heavier or larger than your flight’s outlined allowance.
These fees can be significant and can vary depending on several factors, including the weight of the bag, the number of bags, the route, and the class of travel.
Let’s take a closer look at these factors below, to aid you in more efficiently managing your travel expenses.
The factors that usually affect extra baggage fees are:
Factor #1: Number of bags
Most airlines tend to have a specific allowance for the number of checked bags, meaning that if you exceed this number you will face extra fees.
The fee can also increase with each additional bag.
Factor #2: Weight and size of bags
Airlines impose weight and size limits for checked and carry-on baggage.
So, in case a bag exceeds these limits, additional fees apply.
Factor #3: Class of travel
Passengers who opt for flying in higher travel classes (such as first or business class) usually are granted higher baggage allowances compared to those in economy class.
Factor #4: Route and destination
Baggage fees can vary based on the route and destination.
This means that if you opt for an international flight, then you might expect different baggage policies compared to domestic flights.
That being said, long-haul international flights often offer higher baggage allowances, but may also charge higher fees for excess weight.
On the other hand, short domestic flights tend to have more restrictive baggage allowances.
Moving on, let’s take a closer look at how much extra baggage costs for different airlines.
How Much Does Extra Baggage Cost per Kg (For Each Airline)
As previously mentioned, each airline has its own policy regarding prices for excess baggage, charging you either per bag or for every kilo your luggage is over the specified weight limit.
Here’s a breakdown of the cost of extra baggage per kg for different airlines:
Aegean Airlines
When traveling with Aegean Airlines, the cost of extra baggage depends on factors such as your fare class, destination, and duration of the flight.
For domestic flights, the charges for extra baggage are as follows:
Over 23 kg and up to 32 kg:
- Additional €10 – €40 (prepayment)
- Additional €25 – €50 (payment at the airport)
- Additional 40€ (payment at the gate)
For international flights, the charges for extra baggage are as follows:
Over 23 kg and up to 32 kg:
- Additional €20 – €65 (prepayment)
- Additional €30 – €65 (payment at the airport)
- Additional 50€ – 70€ (payment at the gate)
EasyJet
EasyJet charges £12 per kilogram for excess baggage weight.
This fee is applied for hold items weighing more than the pre-booked weight. The maximum weight per hold item this airline accepts is 32kg.
So in case your checked-in hold luggage exceeds the pre-arranged weight limit, you’ll be then charged this fee for each additional kilo.
British Airways
According to British Airways’ site, overweight bags (23-32 kg) will face a fee of £65 per bag. Anything heavier will have to be shipped separately as cargo.
Delta Airlines
Here’s a breakdown of the excess baggage fees for Delta Airlines:
Excess baggage within the U.S:
- 3rd checked bag: $150
- Bags 4 to 10: $200 each
- Overweight bag: 51-70 lbs (23 kg – 31.75 kg) – $100, 71-100 lbs (32 kg – 45.36 kg) – $200. Bags exceeding 100 lbs (45.36 kg) are not permitted
- Overweight bag: 161-203cm: $200. Bags larger than 203cm are not permitted
Excess baggage on international flights:
If you are bringing excess baggage on international flights, depending on the destination, you should expect to pay between $150 – $200 for a 3rd checked bag and for 3 to 10 bags around $200 – $285 each.
If you’re bringing overweight bags on international flights, depending on the destination, you should expect to pay between $100 – $150 for bags that weigh between 51-70 lbs (23 kg – 31.75 kg).
Turkish Airlines
The fee for purchasing extra baggage within the last 2 hours before the flight will be 60 TRY (1.72 Euro) per kilogram for Turkish Airlines domestic direct flights and 90 TRY (2.57 Euro) per kilogram for Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus direct flights.
This fee will be 70 TRY (2 Euro) for Turkish Airlines domestic connecting flights and 105 TRY (3 Euro) for Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus connecting flights (excluding AnadoluJet flights).
Emirates
If you choose Emirates as your preferred airline, you should expect to pay between $15-$50 per kilo, depending on the route.
Ryanair
According to Ryanair, excess baggage can be purchased online up to 2 hours before departure for €/£9 per extra kilo.
The price at the airport/call center/kiosk is €/£11 per extra kilo.
American Airlines
According to American Airlines, 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.
The same $30 fee applies for checked bags over 62 in / 158 cm up to 65 in / 165 cm.
Frontier Airlines
According to Frontier Airlines, for tickets purchased on or after May 11, 2023, bags weighing 41-50 pounds will be charged $75 per bag, per direction.
Bags weighing 51-100 pounds will be charged $100 per bag, per direction and bags in excess of 100 pounds will not be accepted.
Also, oversized checked baggage costs $75 per bag, per direction. Bags in excess of 110 linear inches will not be accepted.
Norwegian
If you choose Norwegian, then you should take into account that excess baggage charges apply to any additional pieces over the 2 checked bags and 1 small checked bag limit.
Excess baggage charges also apply to any checked bag weighing over 23kg – 12 GBP per kilo, per leg. Any small bag weighing over 10kg will be considered as a regular checked bag and charged accordingly.
Now that we covered some crucial details regarding the amount of money you need to pay for extra baggage according to different airlines, let’s jump to the next section of our guide which is 5 tips to avoid or minimize extra baggage fees.
5 Tips to Avoid or Minimize Extra Baggage Fees
Here are some tips to avoid or minimize extra baggage fees when flying:
Tip #1: Pack light
It is essential to be mindful of what you pack and if possible to only bring with you essential items to avoid exceeding weight limits.
Tip #2: Check airline policies and weigh your bags beforehand
Moreover, it is advised to research the baggage policies of the specific airline you’re flying with beforehand and use a luggage scale to weigh your bags before heading to the airport so that you can adjust the contents if needed.
Tip #3: Share luggage
What more efficient and simple way to minimize extra baggage fees than sharing a checked bag to distribute the weight evenly?
Next time you’re traveling with your friends or family, you can follow this tactic if not already.
Tip #4: Prepay online for extra Bags
If you are sure that you’ll need additional bags, then you can prepay for them online before the time of your flight.
After all, it’s usually cheaper than paying at the airport or the gate.
Tip #5: Join loyalty programs
You can consider enrolling in frequent flier programs or loyalty clubs.
In some cases, some airlines offer additional baggage allowances or discounts to their members.
In a Nutshell
Packing efficiently and doing some proper research on each airline’s policy is essential to avoid any unexpected extra baggage fees.
However, apart from knowing how much extra baggage will cost you, an equally important aspect of your trip preparation is knowing how and where to store these bags and precious belongings once landing at your destination.
Enter: Stasher
Here at Stasher, we’ve helped millions of people to easily store their luggage so they don’t have to carry it around during their travels.
You can find over 5.400 locations to store your luggage in just a few minutes through our website, or by downloading our app on Android or iOS.
And you’re all set to enjoy your travels luggage-free!
