When it comes to planning a trip, one of the most important factors to consider is which airline offers the best checked baggage allowance, as it has a huge impact on both the convenience and the cost of the trip. To choose an airline, multiple factors have to be compared like ticket prices, in-flight, amenities, and most importantly baggage allowances. The baggage policies can be extremely different with different airlines like some airlines have generous free allowances whilst others charge hefty fees for bags. In this article, we will take a look at and try to find which airline offers the best checked baggage allowance, free and paid, and provide comparison of their policies to help individuals make better decisions for their next trip.
Which Airline Offers Free Baggage Allowance?
Many airlines have free checked baggage in their ticket prices, especially for international flights. Let us take a look at some airlines that are known for their free baggage allowances:
Economy class passengers can check in one bag, which can weigh up to 30 KG for free. On the premium economy passengers can bring two bags up to 35 KG each.
They offer free baggage allowance of up to 20 KG to 35 KG depending on the class and the route.
They provide 20 KG to 30 KG of free checked baggage for economy class, but it depends on the route.
They give economy class passengers the allowance to bring one bag which can weigh up to 25 KG for almost all routes.
KLM and Air France
They typically allow one free check bag, which can go up to 23 KG in weight for economy class on international flights.
These airlines are extremely convenient because of their competitive free baggage allowances, which make them beneficial for long haul flights.
Which Airline Has The Most Generous Baggage Allowance?
For people who require more than what the standard allowance is, there are certain airlines that stand out with their generous baggage policies:
Depending upon the fare type, economy class passengers are allowed to check into bags that can be up to 23 KG each, while first class members are allowed to bring three bags which can be up to 32 KG each.
They offer up to two bags at 23 KG each for economy and more for higher classes.
For specific routes, they allow up to 30 KG to 35 KG in economy class.
They have certain routes which allow up to 30 KG in economy class only.
Economy passengers that are allowed to check two bags to 23 each for international flights.
With their allowance of more luggage, these airlines are the ideal option for extended trips or relocations.
Which Airline Has The Best Value Paid Baggage Allowance?
if the airline that you have chosen does not include free baggage in the fair, there are some airlines that offer reasonably priced options for adding checked bags:
They charge around $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second on most route options.
They are one of the more unique options, which offer two free checked bags on all routes, which make them perfect for domestic travel within the US.
They provide competitive rates which typically start from $15 for short haul flights.
They are well known for their low base fares, as they charge for bags, but with sales that reduced the price as low as $12 for a 20 KG bag.
They charged depending on the route and weight, which starts at approximately $15 for a 15 KG bag.
Airline | Free Baggage Allowance (kg) | Pre-booked Cost (one way) |
Singapore Airlines | 30 kg | $35 per additional kg |
Emirates | 20-35 kg | $50-$150 depending on route |
Qatar Airways | 25 kg | $50 per additional kg |
Turkish Airlines | 20-30 kg | $45 per additional kg |
KLM | 23 kg | $30-$50 depending on route |
Air France | 23 kg | $30-$50 depending on route |
British Airways | 23 kg | $65 for an additional bag |
JetBlue | 0 | $35 for the first bag |
Southwest Airlines | 2 bags (23 kg each) | Free |
Norwegian Air | 0 | $15-$50 depending on route |
Ryanair | 0 | $12-$50 depending on route |
easyJet | 0 | $15-$40 depending on route |
Etihad Airways | 23 kg | $50 per additional kg |
Air India | 23 kg (per piece concept) | Varies by route |
Lufthansa | 23 kg | $50-$100 depending on route |
United Airlines | 0 | $35 for the first bag |
Delta Air Lines | 0 | $30 for the first bag |
American Airlines | 0 | $30 for the first bag |
Virgin Atlantic | 23 kg | $60 for an additional bag |
Aer Lingus | 0 | $25-$40 depending on route |
These airlines provide a huge value for the travelers who are willing to pay slightly extra for the convenience of checked luggage.
Baggage Allowance For Package Holidays
Which holidays are often available with their own baggage policies, which are more often than not more generous than the flight only bookings. Let us take a look at some of the examples:
They typically include a free checked bag, which can go up to 20 KG for package holiday bookings.
They allow one free checked bag which goes up to 22 KG in weight for package holiday bookings.
They usually allow a 23 KG checked baggage allowance for package holiday bookings.
They often include one checked bag, which can go up to 23 KG in weight for package deals.
These package deals can offer a better value for people which includes checked baggage in the overall price.
Is It Fair To Charge For A Bag?
The debate for whether airlines should charge for checked baggage is an extensive one, with a lot of opinions. Some people argue that it allows for lower base fares and a pay-as-you-use model, which provides a lot of flexibility for them. Others claim that the hidden cost and stress are unappealing, especially when these policies are not clearly communicated to them at the start.
Final Thoughts
Finding an airline with the best checked baggage allowance can help individuals save a lot of money and hustle while traveling. While there are some airlines that have generous, fair allowances, others provide a lot of valuable options for additional paid baggage. Package holidays often include checking baggage, which makes them a very cost-effective option for people who are traveling. Ultimately, whether it is fair to charge for baggage allowance depends on the perspective of the individual person, but remaining informed about the policies can help individuals avoid any unexpected charges and fees, and travel in a more comfortable way.
