Airline Baggage Policies Compared: Know Before You Book
AirHuntr Editorial
June 18, 2026
Baggage fees are now one of the biggest costs in budget travel — and policies vary enormously between airlines. Here's a comprehensive comparison to help you budget correctly.
Baggage fees are now one of the biggest costs in budget travel — and policies vary enormously between airlines. Here's a comprehensive comparison to help you budget correctly.
Free Allowance Comparison
Airline · Free Personal Bag · Free Cabin Bag · Free Checked Bag
Turkish Airlines · Yes · Yes (8kg) · Yes (23kg, 1 bag)
Emirates Economy · Yes · Yes (7kg) · Yes (25kg)
British Airways · Yes · Yes (23kg total cabin) · No (basic fare)
Ryanair · Yes (small, under-seat) · No · No
EasyJet · Yes (small) · No (Standard fare) · No
Pegasus · Yes (small) · No · No
Wizz Air · Yes (small) · No · No
Norwegian · Yes · No (LowFare) · No
Qatar Airways · Yes · Yes (7kg) · Yes (23kg)
Flydubai Lite · Yes · No · No
Always verify current policies on the airline's website — policies change.
Budget Airline Bag Fees (approximate)
Ryanair:
- Priority boarding + 10kg cabin bag: €6–€29
- 10kg checked bag (at booking): €8–€25
- 20kg checked bag (at booking): €12–€35
- At airport: 2–3x higher
EasyJet:
- Medium cabin bag: £8–£30 (Standard fare)
- Underhold 15kg bag: £13–£50
- Underhold 23kg bag: £16–£55
Wizz Air:
- Medium cabin bag: €14–€32
- 20kg checked bag: €18–€45
- 32kg checked bag: €28–€55
Pegasus:
- 8kg cabin bag: ₺150–₺600 (~€5–€20)
- 15kg checked bag: ₺300–₺900 (~€10–€30)
- 20kg checked bag: ₺450–₺1200 (~€15–€40)
Tips for Beating Baggage Fees
- Pack carry-on only. A quality 40x20x25cm bag for Ryanair, or 40x30x20cm for Wizz Air, avoids ALL bag fees on budget carriers.
- Buy bags at booking time — never at the airport. You'll pay 3–5x more at the airport gate.
- Wear heavy items. Packing extra layers to wear through security is a legitimate strategy.
- Use compression packing cubes. They can reduce volume by 30–40%.
- Compare total prices. Turkish Airlines or Qatar Airways can be genuinely cheaper than Ryanair once bags are added.
The Best Luggage for Budget Airlines
For Ryanair/Wizz/Pegasus:
- Look for bags labelled "Ryanair-approved" or "40x20x25cm" (Ryanair) or "40x30x20cm" (Wizz)
- A good option: Cabin Zero Classic 28L or similar
- Test your bag before the airport — some bags are slightly borderline
For EasyJet:
- The standard cabin bag allowance of 56x45x25cm fits most regular carry-on suitcases
- Only an issue if you're on a Standard or FLEXI fare — check at booking
What Happens If Your Bag Is Oversized?
Ryanair, Wizz Air, and Pegasus all charge gate fees of €50–€100+ for oversized bags discovered at the gate. This is one of the most painful travel experiences. Measure your bag at home before flying.
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