The excitement is building for many families as the prime holiday season draws nearer. However, before jetting off to all four corners of the globe, it's important to keep on top of all the various rules that are put in place by your airline of choice ahead of flying with them.
One aspect of flying that perhaps provides the most stress is sending luggage along with your flight. Plenty of research needs to be undertaken in order to be fully aware of the number of bags/cases permitted, the maximum size and weight allowances and the price associated with each additional item taken.
There are numerous regulations associated with both cabin and hand luggage that should be brushed up on prior to heading to the airport this summer. These are the rules for five of the UK's biggest airlines when it comes to luggage.
British Airways
Flying with BA allows passengers to take one piece of hand luggage and one small item (handbag, laptop) on board. The hand luggage shouldn't exceed 56cm x 45cm x 25cm and the small item should be no bigger than 40cm x 30cm x 15cm while both can weigh up to 23kg each.
Depending on your booking, the amount of checked baggage each customer is allowed varies based on the route, fare and ticket type. Each piece of luggage mustn’t be bigger than 90cm x 75cm x 43cm and weigh less than either 23kg or 32kg depending on your ticket.
Up to 10 pieces of luggage per flight can be checked in by each passenger per flight, including the allocated checked baggage allowance that comes with the flights. Prices range from £36 to £120 per piece of luggage when booked online and £40 to £140 when booked at the airport. In certain circumstances, BA may even carry heavier items, up to 45kg and 190cm x 75cm x 65cm.
EasyJet
With easyJet, everyone can bring one small cabin bag per person on board for free, although its dimensions are slightly smaller than BA's, at 45cm x 36cm x 20cm, while their weight is limited to 15kg. The option to bring a large cabin bag on board (56cm x 45cm x 25cm) is available by selecting an Up Front or Extra Legroom seat or by booking a large cabin bag for your flight.
EasyJet Plus cardholders or customers, who have booked a FLEXI fare, can also bring a large cabin bag on board in addition to their smaller cabin bag, as long as it fits in an overhead locker. As for the hold luggage, each customer can buy up to three hold bags.
A standard hold bag is 23kg, although you can buy extra weight in 3kg units, up to a maximum of 32kg per bag. The maximum total size (length + width + height) must also be less than 275cm. Extra things can also be brought into the cabin, such as an umbrella, overcoat, crutches and a walking stick.
TUI
TUI's rules vary depending on whether you’ve booked a package holiday or have got a flight-only booking. Flying with TUI means that you’re entitled to a 15kg luggage allowance on package holidays, while certain types of holiday come with a bigger allowance of 20kg.
Excluding under-two-year-olds, one piece of 10kg hand luggage can be carried as hand baggage per person with a maximum dimension of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm. Things like laptops and handbags must fit within your hand luggage. Infants get a 10kg luggage allowance, with a pushchair able to be carried on board free of charge.
If your luggage is heavier than your luggage allowance when you check in, an excess luggage charge will need to be paid under the following rules: £13/kg for short-haul flights, £15/kg for mid-haul flights and £18/kg for long-haul flights. Additional rules can also be found on their website for sports, diving and musical equipment.
Ryanair
A small personal bag, stipulated as 40cm x 25cm x 20cm which must fit under the seat in front of you, is included in all passenger fare types when flying with Ryanair. If you’re in need of more room, there are additional bag options for purchase.
Priority 1 & 2 Cabin Bags gives customers the benefit of boarding the plane via the Priority Queue and allows occupants to add a 10kg wheelie bag (55cm x 40cm x 20cm, which will be stored in the overhead locker) to their small personal bag on board. Priced between £8 and £32, this will mean you won't need to wait for your bag at the destination’s terminal.
A 10kg Check-in Bag can also be purchased with Ryanair, offering a cheaper checked bag option. Its website states that “customers can also pack more liquids into a 10kg checked wheelie bag and walk to the boarding gate 'hands free'.” Customers will check in their 10kg wheelie bag at the bag drop desk before entering security.
In need of further baggage space and the company's 20kg Check-in Bag may be more suitable, with each passenger able to purchase up to three checked bags of 20 kilos. There are additional rules for items such as sports and musical equipment and certain items could be carried in the hold of the aircraft in addition to your personal baggage allowance.
Smaller musical items such as a guitar or violin, which exceeds the cabin baggage dimensions, may be carried in the cabin if a seat has been reserved for it and the appropriate fare paid. Subject to pre-clearance by their Special Assistance team, passengers with medical equipment can still bring these items on board free of charge while two items of baby equipment can be carried for free per child.
Read more: The two Welsh seaside hotels named among the 25 best in the UK
Jet2
On Jet2, passengers are permitted to take one piece of hand luggage on board their flight, with a maximum weight of 10kg and a size of 56cm x 45cm x 25cm. Any bigger than these dimensions and it will be checked in as hold baggage for which there will be an extra charge.
A small additional item, such as a handbag or laptop bag, could also be brought on board. Up to three 22kg pieces of checked-in luggage can be checked in per passenger, while oversized and overweight luggage will face extra charges, although no single item may weigh more than 32kg.
The price of baggage varies depending on your destination and whether you book via the Jet2 website, over the phone or at the airport, with prices starting at around £10, although it's on average £21 each way, per bag. It’s up to 50% cheaper to buy online than at the airport.
If you haven’t pre-booked all of your hold baggage, a fee of £45 per item will be charged. Excess baggage charges will be applied at a rate of £12 per kilo if your hold bag exceeds the weight allowance of 22kg.
