The cost of overweight and extra baggage depends on:

— the airline's policy and the baggage allowance system it uses;

— your destination;

— the passenger's participation in the airline's bonus program and their status within it.

Specific figures should always be checked on the airline's website.

As a rule, you can pay for excess baggage during online check-in on the airline's website or at the airport. Most often, if payment is available on the airline's website, this option will be cheaper.

Overweight baggage under the weight concept

In this case, each kilogram of overweight baggage is paid for. Depending on the airline's policy and the specific flight, the cost of overweight baggage can be calculated:

— based on the highest economy class fare. With this approach, 1 kilogram of overweight baggage costs 1.5% of the fare.

— based on a fixed amount set by the airline. On different flights, this amount may vary, but, as a rule, it ranges from 5 to 15 euros per kilogram.

For example, let's calculate the cost of overweight baggage on a «Turkish Airlines» flight from Moscow to Paris.

The allowed baggage weight in ECONOMY class is 30 kg. The passenger's suitcase weighs 35 kg. Overweight — 5 kg.

On the Moscow — Paris route, the excess baggage fee is 7 euros/kg. Thus, the overweight fee will be 5*7 = 35 euros. 

Overweight baggage under the piece concept

As we mentioned above, in this case, the restriction applies not only to weight but also to the number of baggage pieces. Under the piece concept, payment is made for both extra kilograms and extra baggage pieces.

It's better to consider this with a specific example: an «Aeroflot» flight from Moscow to Rome. The allowed baggage weight on this route is 1 piece weighing up to 23 kg.

Example № 1:

The passenger has one suitcase weighing 29 kg. The excess is only by weight. Under the piece concept, overweight baggage is paid for not per kilogram, but according to a set tariff. In the case of Aeroflot, the surcharge for exceeding from 23 to 32 kg is 100 euros, regardless of the exact number of kilograms you exceeded the limit. Thus, the passenger will pay 100 euros for overweight baggage, according to the airline's tariffs on this route.

Example № 2:

The passenger has two suitcases weighing 19 and 15 kg. In this case, there is an excess in the number of pieces. It is necessary to pay for an additional piece of baggage. Its cost on the Moscow — Rome route is 50 euros.

As you can see, it is more profitable to pay for an additional piece than for extra kilograms.

Just in case, always carry a small bag with you where you can transfer some items if your baggage is overweight. It is much more profitable to pay 50 euros than 100.

Example № 3

The passenger has two suitcases, one weighing 26 kg, the second 15 kg. In this case, there is an excess in both the number of pieces and weight. The passenger will have to pay an additional 100 euros for the weight excess and another 50 euros for the additional piece, i.e., the total payment for overweight baggage will be 150 euros.

In such situations, the best option is to transfer some items from the 26 kg suitcase to the 15 kg suitcase; then you will only have to pay for the additional piece.

Please note that the maximum weight of one piece of baggage cannot exceed 32 kg.

A suitcase weighing more than 32 kg is considered oversized. In many airports, it will either be refused for carriage — and you will have to find an empty bag to transfer some items — or it will be processed as cargo, which will be more expensive than overweight baggage. According to rules in many airports worldwide, a baggage handler cannot lift suitcases weighing more than 32 kg.

Please note one more thing: the carriage of oversized baggage must be agreed upon with the airline in advance. If you have not called the representative office and informed them that you are carrying an oversized suitcase, the carrier has every right to refuse to accept it for carriage.