How much do you pay for extra baggage UK?

65 GBP / 75 EUR / 100 USD / 100 CAD per overweight bag and one-way journey. If you are leaving from a country that uses a different local currency, the GBP amount will be converted to the local currency.



In the UK in 2026, the cost for extra baggage varies wildly between "low-cost" and "legacy" carriers. For budget airlines like Ryanair or easyJet, adding a 20kg checked bag at the airport can cost as much as £50 to £70, which is often more than the flight ticket itself. However, if you "pre-book" the bag online at least 24 hours in advance, the price usually drops to £25 to £40. For legacy carriers like British Airways, an extra bag typically costs around £60 to £75 for a one-way trip, though "Executive Club" members often get an extra allowance for free. If your bag is "overweight" (exceeding 23kg but under 32kg), you will likely be charged a "Heavy Bag" fee of around £65 per piece. The "pro-tip" for 2026 is to always use the airline's mobile app to add luggage before you reach the terminal, as "at-the-counter" prices are designed to be punitive to encourage faster boarding and more predictable weight and balance for the aircraft.

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Excess baggage charges for BA apply to luggage weighing between 23-32kg (51-70lb). Each bag costs £65/$100/€75. Bags over 32kg must be shipped separately as cargo.

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Before you check into your flight, you can buy an additional bag to put in the hold. This is a costly option that gets more expensive the closer to your date of departure and even costlier if added on at the airport. There are still weight limitations and not every airline will allow you to book an extra suitcase.

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If your bag is over 50 lbs (23 kg), or if its length, width, and height added together are over 62 inches (157 cm), you may be charged an additional fee, on top of the normal bag fee.

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It's nearly always cheaper to book extra hold luggage in advance rather than paying excess baggage fees at the airport. Airlines know that keeping within weight/size limits is not always possible, so they encourage you to plan ahead by selling extra weight online.

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You can take extra bags with you for a charge. In most circumstances you can save money by buying your extra allowance online in advance. If your bag is larger or heavier than the free baggage allowance you may be charged extra.

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Can I increase my baggage allowance and pay for excess baggage? Yes. You can increase your baggage allowance on 20kg bags when you check in for your flight online. Passengers can add up to 3kg in excess baggage to each 20kg Check-in Bag for a fee when checking in online, up to 2 hours before departure.

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What if my luggage is 0.5 kg overweight? It's over the limit so assume you will be charged. There must be something in your hand luggage you can put in your pocket to get it under. Wear a coat with big pockets.

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How to avoid paying checked baggage fees
  1. Know the fees. ...
  2. Use the right credit card. ...
  3. Book first or business class. ...
  4. Get elite status or fly with someone who has it. ...
  5. Use a military discount. ...
  6. Check your bag at the gate. ...
  7. Pack light.


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There are generally two things you can do if your suitcase is over the weight limit: you can either pay the fee for the extra weight or take some things out so that the weight is then within the allowed limit. You should always take out smaller and heavier stuff since you can put them in your carry-on instead.

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Cough up and pay the excess Depending on how many kilos over your suitcase is, you might have a few extra kilos spare where you can pay a fee to let your suitcase go through. Sometimes just being ready to hand over your credit card without protest will make ground crew waive the fee.

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On all flights, except to and from the United States, each passenger can purchase a checked luggage weight allowance of 20 kg, 25 kg, 30 kg, or 40 kg. It doesn't matter how many bags the total weight is split into, but no bag can be over 32 kg (70 lbs) in weight and 319 cm (126 inches) in total dimensions.

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Before you check into your flight, you can buy an additional bag to put in the hold. This is a costly option that gets more expensive the closer to your date of departure and even costlier if added on at the airport. There are still weight limitations and not every airline will allow you to book an extra suitcase.

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Sticking a foot under a luggage scale to get bags under the limit is becoming a viral travel hack. People on TikTok say they've tried this trick and gotten away with bringing a heavy bag on board. Others say using this travel hack could endanger airline staff and one's fellow passengers.

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Keep reading for our top tips for packing lighter.
  1. Pack for a week (or less) and plan to do laundry.
  2. Pack around one basic color.
  3. Don't pack any more than three pairs of shoes.
  4. Use a wardrobe planner.
  5. Pack visually.
  6. Know what to roll and what to fold.
  7. Use compression cubes and bags.


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