What are considered checked baggage?

A checked bag is a piece of luggage you hand over to an airline check-in agent at the airport. It'll be placed in the airplane's cargo hold. Bags can get checked for a variety of reasons. They might be too big to be a carry-on or contain items not allowed to be transported in a carry-on.



Checked baggage refers to any luggage that is transported in the aircraft's cargo hold and is not accessible to the passenger during the flight. In 2026, the industry is moving toward a stricter "standard" where any bag exceeding the carry-on limit of 22 x 14 x 9 inches (including wheels and handles) must be checked. This includes large suitcases, duffel bags, and specialized items like strollers, car seats, golf clubs, and skis. Most airlines allow you to check up to 5 or 10 bags for a fee, with a standard weight limit of 50 lbs (23 kg) per bag; exceeding this results in high-value "overweight" surcharges. For 2026 travelers, it is a "pro-move" to note that "Gate-Checked" bags (those taken at the boarding gate because overhead bins are full) are technically checked baggage, but usually don't incur a fee if they meet carry-on size. Always use a TSA-approved lock on checked items, as these are the only bags federal agents are authorized to open and inspect out of your sight.

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It is the luggage in compliance with the airline baggage regulations and delivered to the airline during check-in to be stored in an inaccessible area to the passenger during the flight.

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If your property is physically inspected, TSA will place a notice of baggage inspection inside your bag.

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A carry-on bag goes on the plane with you and must fit in the overhead compartment. Checked luggage is relinquished to the airline at the airport and stored in the plane's cargo hold area, which is inaccessible to you during your flight.

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Also known as cargo or hold luggage, checked baggage is what's transported in the cargo hold of the aircraft. You have to check it at the airport, and pick it up once you land.

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Most airlines allow you to check additional bags for a fee, with each extra bag costing more than the last. Your airline might offer an international flight baggage allowance of two free checked bags, for instance, with a $125 fee for a third bag and $200 for each additional bag after that.

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A standard hold bag is 23kg up to a maximum of 32kg per bag. No single item can weigh more than 32kg, or exceed the maximum total size of 275cm. Baggage can be purchased online, over the phone, or at the airport and the price will depend on the route, season, flight and time of booking.

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Firearms, ammunition, and fireworks are prohibited, as are all knives and safety razors (including pocket knives and Swiss Army knives). Straight razors and replacement blades for straight razors are also not allowed. Most tools also cannot be packed in carry-on luggage, as they have the potential to cause harm.

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Unchecked Baggage means any baggage (carry-on) accompanying the passenger other than checked baggage. Checked Baggage means baggage of which the carrier takes sole custody and for which the carrier issues a baggage identification tag.

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The phrase checked baggage not included typically refers to a specific type of airline ticket or fare where the cost of checking in luggage is not included in the ticket price. This means that if you have this type of ticket, you will need to pay an additional fee to check your baggage.

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Standard economy includes seat selection and a free carry-on. All three economy classes charge for checked bags on domestic flights.

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A carry on bag is your larger, primary bag, which you'll stow in the overhead bin. A backpack can be your carry on if it meets your airline's carry on size limits. A personal item is a smaller, secondary bag, which you'll stow under the seat in front of you.

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Devices containing lithium metal or lithium ion batteries should be carried in carry-on baggage. Most other consumer devices containing batteries are allowed in carry-on and checked baggage. For more information to portable electronic devices, see the FAA regulations.

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It's rare to find U.S. airlines with free checked baggage. Southwest Airlines is the only airline without any bag fees. For other airlines, you'll need to earn elite status or book your tickets with an airline credit card.

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Southwest Checked Baggage Allowance Southwest is the only airline that provides 2 FREE CHECKED BAGS for all fares.

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Each bag should weigh less than 23KG/50LBS. This is an international regulation set for the health and safety of airport workers who have to lift hundreds of bags daily. If your bag weighs more than this, you may be asked to repack, or have it labeled as heavy luggage.

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What is the size of 23kg luggage bag? A suitcase of size M (50 – 80 liters) or L (80 – 100 liters) is suitable for 23 kg of luggage. Choosing the right suitcase size depends on whether you want to pack a lot of light items or a few heavy ones.

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Each bag should weigh less than 23KG/50LBS. This is an international regulation set for the health and safety of airport workers who have to lift hundreds of bags daily.

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That depends if you have several kg overweight and are asking for the price per kg or if you really just only have one single kg extra. For a singe kg above the limit you most probably will not get charged, especially not on a full service airline. There is usually a tolerance in the range of 2–3kg, sometimes up to 5.

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International flights allow one, and often two, pieces of checked luggage per passenger. International luggage allowance is often influenced by whether the flight is intracontinental (within the same continent) or intercontinental (across the ocean or spanning different continents).

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