Excess Baggage on a Plane

Souvenirs, food, gifts for friends from a trip — and suddenly your suitcase goes from ten kilograms to twenty-five. To avoid paying extra to the carrier or to prepare for financial expenses in advance, you need to know what requirements airlines have for baggage allowance.

In this article, we will tell you what transportation nuances you need to consider if you want to travel without extra costs, and how much to pay for overweight baggage on a plane.

Baggage Parameters

What you need to consider before carrying baggage:

• number of baggage items. As a rule, airlines operate on a 1 suitcase = 1 person scheme. If you have two suitcases, you will be asked to pay a fixed amount for the second baggage item.
• weight. If the weight of one suitcase exceeds the norm, you will also need to pay.
• dimensions. Baggage that you check in at the counter must not exceed 203 cm in the sum of 3 dimensions.

Here are two examples.

• Example No. 1

You are carrying two small suitcases. The first weighs 10 kg, the second 13 kg. The airline allows checking in items up to 23 kg, so that’s fine. However, the requirements limit not only the weight but also the number of baggage items: you have two. This means you will have to pay extra for the second suitcase.

• Example No. 2

You brought one suitcase weighing 27 kg to the airport. Hooray: you definitely didn’t exceed the number of baggage items. However, the allowed norm for suitcase weight allowed on a plane is 23 kg. For the extra 4 kg, you will face an additional charge.

Airlines may allow a passenger to carry two checked baggage items if they purchased tickets at a higher fare: for example, business or comfort class. In this case, it is also allowed to take heavier baggage on the plane — up to 32 kg.

So if you want to put more souvenirs in your suitcase — before booking tickets, check if you can afford a more expensive fare. Sometimes the difference is small, but you will have the option to check in two suitcases or one heavy one.

What else is important: a suitcase weighing more than 32 kg is oversized. Airports may refuse to transport it: then you will have to buy another one to put some of your belongings there. Or they will transport it as cargo, which is much more expensive than regular transportation. Many airports have a rule that prohibits loaders from lifting heavy suitcases.

Transportation of an oversized suitcase must be arranged with the airline in advance — call and find out exactly how they can transport your belongings. If you do not notify them that your suitcase is oversized, you will most likely face refusal.

How much does overweight baggage cost

The cost of overweight baggage is determined by the airline. Sometimes it depends on the destination you have chosen. To ensure the amount at the airport doesn’t come as a surprise, you should check online in advance how much the consequences of shopping and gifts for friends will cost — especially if you already understand that the weight may exceed the norm. Sometimes check-in staff are lenient with 1–2 extra kilograms in a suitcase. But if the rules of the airline are very strict, you will have to pay.

If you have overweight baggage

If the baggage weight exceeds the established limits, you will need to pay extra for each additional kilogram. How the cost of overweight baggage is calculated:

• from the economy fare price. Often 1 kilogram of overweight baggage is 1.5% of its cost.
• but more often — based on a fixed amount set by the airline. Amounts vary: for example, in Europe, the fixed cost is about 10–15 euros per kilogram.

If you have more baggage than allowed

Problems arise not only with heavy suitcases but also with their quantity. If you have many belongings, or you are traveling with a large family — this is a common situation. You are also asked to pay for extra baggage items.

Let’s return to the examples. Suppose we have several passengers who are going to fly on an international flight.

• Example No. 1

Alexey has one suitcase with him. It weighs 28 kg, but the norm for the economy class chosen by Alexey is 23 kg. This means the weight is exceeded. According to the airline’s requirements, a fixed amount must be paid for overweight baggage. In this case, the excess is small, but the set price is not small at all — the additional charge for overweight baggage from 23 to 32 kg will cost a full 100 euros. Therefore, even if the passenger wanted to check in a suitcase that weighed only 24 kg, he would still have to pay this amount.

Result: Alexey will pay a fixed amount of 100 euros for exceeding the baggage weight.

• Example No. 2

Maria is going to take two suitcases on the plane. One weighs 19 kg, the other is 15 kg. However, her fare allows only one baggage item. According to the airline’s rules, the additional charge for the second suitcase will be 65 euros.

Result: Maria will pay 65 euros for the extra baggage item.

Sometimes it is more profitable to pay for a second suitcase than for extra kilograms.

If you feel that you might face a surprise in the form of overweight baggage at the check-in counter, bring a bag or backpack with you — you can transfer some items there. Check-in agents will most likely allow you to take the bag into the cabin.

• Example No. 3

Roman has two suitcases, one weighing 28 kg, the other — 11 kg. This means he will have to pay 100 euros for the weight excess and another 65 euros for an additional suitcase on the plane — totaling 165 euros.

To avoid paying a lot, Roman can put some items from the heavy suitcase into the lighter one. Then he will only face a charge for the second baggage item.

Result: Roman can redistribute items and pay 65 euros. Or not redistribute — and pay 165.

How to avoid overweight baggage

• If you travel frequently and carry many items, we recommend purchasing hand luggage scales. This will help you understand in advance how much your baggage weighs, and distribute items among bags so you don’t overpay for extra kilograms.
• Carry a lightweight suitcase. Some suitcases can weigh up to 8–9 kg on their own. As a result, you might not put many items inside, but still pay for overweight baggage.
• Another way is to buy higher-priced tickets. Airlines often sell comfort-class tickets: these tickets allow carrying two baggage items, each weighing up to 23 kg. Or choose business class, where free transportation standards are expanded even further — 2 pieces of 32 kg each. Yes, business class is expensive, but unfortunately, sometimes expensive tickets for a plane turn out cheaper than the additional charge for overweight baggage.
• Compare offers from different airlines. You can often reach the same city with several airlines. Choose the conditions that seem most favorable to you.
• Pay attention to airline bonus programs. Passengers with silver or gold status can often bring additional suitcases on a flight.
• Carry a bag and a backpack with you — if needed, you can quickly transfer items there.

Where do you pay for overweight baggage?

It varies. Usually, payment is made at a special excess baggage payment counter. Sometimes you can do it directly at the baggage drop-off counter or at a self-check-in kiosk. If you are unsure how much to pay for overweight baggage on a plane — an airline employee will tell you the required amount. And often, they might even overlook an extra 2–3 kg.

And here’s a life hack: it’s often cheaper to pay online than at the airport. If you realize that you couldn’t resist and put more items in your suitcase than planned, it’s better to arrange the additional payment on the website to avoid standing in queues.

As for what to do in case of overweight hand luggage, we’ve already covered it here.