There are significant differences among airlines when it comes to luggage allowances and fees for air travel. According to a study released on Friday by the passenger rights portal AirHelp, the price difference for checked baggage between the cheapest and most expensive European airline amounts to 123 euros. Allowances and fees for hand luggage also vary widely, and additional charges can be particularly high for overweight baggage.
Unsurprisingly, a recent survey found that many travelers consider the topic of luggage stressful and confusing. The study found that passengers pay an average of 38 euros for one piece of checked baggage. Turkish Airlines tops the list at 140 euros, followed by ITA Airways at 70 euros and British Airways at 50 euros. Airlines in the lower third include SAS, TAP Air, Air Europa, Lufthansa, and Air Dolomiti, all charging around 30 euros. Norwegian, Volotea, and Pegasus are the most affordable options.
However, these figures are only approximations. Luggage fees often vary depending on the length of the flight and the time of booking, and weight limits can differ. According to AirHelp, the averages are based on “simulated booking processes” and “may differ from the information provided on the airlines’ official websites.”
For hand luggage, nearly half of the 25 airlines examined charge a fee in addition to a personal item. These extra fees range from 16 euros with Finnair and SAS to 40.13 euros with Eurowings. Hand luggage sizes also vary: airlines such as Condor, Volotea, TUI, Pegasus, and Ryanair allow significantly smaller bags than British Airways, EasyJet, or Jet2.
Overweight checked baggage can be especially costly. Some airlines charge per bag, with TAP leading the way at 110 euros for a short-haul flight. On long-haul flights, TAP charges up to 235 euros per bag. Most airlines, however, calculate overweight fees by the kilogram, with rates ranging from five euros per kilogram with Pegasus to 16 euros per kilogram with Jet2.
According to an AirHelp survey, 83% of participants consider luggage rules at least somewhat stressful. 42% of respondents reported having to pay extra fees at the airport because they did not understand the airline’s regulations. 65% of travelers worry about weight restrictions, and more than half (54%) fear additional charges.
“Many travelers do not fully understand their airline’s baggage policies – this is very clear from our survey,” said Nina Staub, passenger rights expert at AirHelp. The survey was conducted at the end of September with 1,000 people via the Pollfish portal. However, the survey is not representative.
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