Checked baggage on UK airlines -- the suitcase that goes in the hold -- is where airlines make a large chunk of their ancillary revenue. Understanding how checked baggage fees work, and when to pay versus when to avoid, can save you real money on every trip from a UK airport.
What is checked baggage?
Checked baggage is any luggage handed over at the check-in desk or bag drop and loaded into the aircraft hold. It travels separately from you, is collected at the baggage carousel on arrival, and is subject to weight and size limits set by the airline.
It's distinct from cabin (hand) luggage, which stays with you in the aircraft. For a comparison of the two, see our UK airline baggage allowance guide.
Hold luggage allowances by airline
| Airline | Is Hold Bag Included? | Standard Weight Limit | Extra Bag Cost (pre-book) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | No (basic fares) | 10kg or 20kg options | From ~£9 |
| easyJet | No (basic fares) | 15kg or 23kg options | From ~£7 |
| Wizz Air | No (basic fares) | 20kg or 32kg options | From ~£12 |
| British Airways | Yes (most fares) | 23kg | £65 for additional bag |
| Jet2 | Yes (most fares) | 22kg | From ~£20 |
| TUI | Yes (package fares) | 15-20kg | From ~£20 |
| Virgin Atlantic | Yes (Economy Classic and above) | 23kg | From £65 additional |
All pre-booking fees are approximate and vary significantly by route, season, and timing. Always check the airline's website for exact figures before booking.
Budget airline hold baggage pricing
Budget airlines price their hold baggage dynamically -- the same bag on the same route can cost £9 booked months in advance or £40 added a week before departure. The pricing tiers for Ryanair and easyJet broadly follow this pattern:
Cheapest: Book hold luggage at exactly the same time as your flight tickets. This is the lowest price point on both airlines.
Mid-range: Add baggage online after booking but before the airport. Still cheaper than airport pricing, but higher than booking-time prices.
Most expensive: Add at the airport check-in desk or at the bag drop -- typically significantly above online rates.
Very expensive: Show up at the gate with a bag that needs to go in the hold. Ryanair charges approximately £70-£75 and easyJet approximately £48 for this. There's no good reason to be in this situation.
Weight limits and overage charges
Most UK airlines allow a maximum checked bag weight of 23kg on standard hold baggage. Ryanair's lowest option is 10kg, which is lighter than many people expect.
Overage fees (for bags over the stated limit) typically run at around £10-£12 per kilogram on full-service carriers, and can be even higher on budget airlines when paid at the airport.
Practical ways to stay within the weight limit:
- Weigh your bag before leaving home (bathroom scales work -- step on holding the bag, then subtract your own weight)
- Wear your heaviest items (boots, thick jumper, heavy jacket) rather than packing them
- Move items to your cabin bag if the hold bag is approaching the limit -- weight limits apply per bag, not per person
10kg vs 20kg hold bag: which should you book?
On Ryanair, the choice is between 10kg and 20kg hold options. The 10kg bag is surprisingly limiting -- a medium suitcase typically weighs 5-6kg empty, leaving only 4-5kg of clothes and toiletries. Most travellers staying more than a couple of nights will find 10kg insufficient for a standard suitcase.
For a week or longer, book the 20kg option. For a 3-4 night trip where you're packing efficiently, 10kg is workable.
On easyJet, the 15kg option is available as an intermediate choice -- more practical than 10kg for a short break with a medium suitcase.
Size limits for hold luggage
Most airlines do not publish strict dimension limits for hold bags, but impose practical restrictions. Standard checked suitcases are accepted on all carriers. Oversize items (golf bags, bike boxes, ski equipment, large musical instruments) are handled differently -- usually as sports equipment with a specific fee.
For the rules on sports equipment, see our guide to travelling with sports equipment on UK flights.
What can't go in hold luggage?
Some items are prohibited in checked baggage and must travel in the cabin, or cannot be carried at all:
Must go in cabin only:
- Lithium batteries and power banks
- Spare batteries for cameras and other electronics
- E-cigarettes and vaping devices
Not permitted on the aircraft at all:
- Flammable liquids (fuel, lighter fluid in large quantities)
- Aerosols above certain quantities (personal care aerosols up to 500ml are generally permitted)
- Fireworks, explosives
Restricted items to declare:
- Firearms (permitted on some airlines with pre-declaration and in a locked hard case)
- Some medical equipment -- see your airline's specific medical policy
For full guidance on batteries and electronics, see our power banks and battery rules guide.
Is it worth travelling without hold luggage?
For short trips (2-4 nights), absolutely. Travelling cabin-only has real practical advantages:
- No check-in queue -- straight to security
- No baggage carousel wait (typically 20-40 minutes at European airports)
- No risk of delayed or lost luggage
- Significant cost saving on budget airlines (£10-£30 per person per sector)
For a week or more, particularly with children or specific kit (sports equipment, formal wear), checked baggage becomes more practical.
If you're committed to travelling cabin-only, choosing the right bag makes all the difference. The Cabin Max Metz backpack (B0C9QNYJD8) is sized for Ryanair's free underseat allowance and can be packed efficiently for 3-4 nights. For a full comparison of cabin bags, see our best cabin baggage guide.
For more strategies on avoiding hold luggage costs, see our guide to how to avoid excess baggage fees on UK flights.
FAQ
Do I need to weigh my suitcase before flying from the UK? Yes -- it's worth doing. Even full-service airlines that include hold luggage charge steep overage fees for bags over the weight limit. A simple bathroom scale check at home takes 30 seconds and can save £30+.
What happens if my checked bag is overweight at the airport? You'll be charged an overage fee, typically calculated per kilogram over the limit. On budget carriers this can be £10-£20 per kilogram, payable at the check-in desk. You can also remove items and transfer them to your cabin bag or a companion's bag.
Can I split heavy items between multiple people's baggage allowances? Yes. If you're travelling with other people, you can distribute weight across multiple bags to keep each one under the limit. Airlines don't combine individual passengers' allowances, but nothing stops you from packing across bags strategically.
How early do I need to check in my hold luggage at the airport? Bag drop closing times vary by airline. Ryanair and easyJet typically close bag drop 40 minutes before departure on short-haul flights. Missing bag drop means your bag doesn't fly with you. Always check your booking confirmation for the specific closing time.
For the complete comparison of all UK airline allowances (cabin and hold), see our UK airline baggage allowance guide.