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Baggage allowance is one of those things we often take for granted. We book our flight and head to the airport without giving this matter due consideration. This is not advisable! You should always be fully aware of what baggage allowance an airline provides. By arming yourself with information, you can avoid any mishaps at the airport and any unexpected fees. 
Which Airline has the most baggage allowance?
We have gathered a list of major airlines and their baggage allowance. We have included how many free bags they allow together with weight restrictions and cost. The price and allowance may vary for international flights or domestic routes – always check the airline’s website for clarification:
Free Baggage Allowance
First, we must look at the actual free baggage allowance. This is the basic allowance that is given when you book your flight. Some airlines allow you to check hold luggage for free, others may not offer this service at all, especially on economy class routes or shorter flights. The following is a list of popular airlines together with their free baggage allowance (if any): Aer Lingus – Zero free allowance Air France – 1 free piece of luggage Air Asia – Zero free allowance British Airways – 2 free pieces of luggage Delta – 1 free piece of luggage EasyJet – Zero free allowanceEmirates – 1 free piece of luggage Etihad Airways – 1 or 2 free pieces of luggage depending on the route Flybe – Zero free allowance Jet2 - Zero free allowance KLM – 1 or 2 free pieces of luggage depending on the route Lufthansa – 1 free piece of luggage Norwegian Airlines – 1 free piece of luggage Qatar Airways – 1 free piece of luggage up to 30kg Ryanair - Zero free allowance TUI Airways - 1 free piece of luggage up to 20kg Turkish Airlines – 2 free pieces of luggage Virgin Atlantic – 1 free piece of luggage Vueling Airlines - Zero free allowance Read more: Best carry on luggage with wheels 
Weight and size of baggage
Size and weight allowed is another important consideration when looking at which airline has the most baggage allowance. An airline might allow you to bring carry-on luggage, but the size could be really small. It is always prudent to be aware of weight restrictions and size limitations. There is nothing worse than checking in at an airport only to find that your luggage is classed as oversized, and you have to pay a hefty charge! Aer Lingus – No restriction on size / 32kg maximum weight per bag / 40kg combined for 2x bags Air France – 158cm overall dimension / 23kg maximum weight per bag Air Asia – 15kg – 40kg maximum weight per bag depending on the route British Airways - 90x75x43cm / 32kg maximum weight per bag Delta – 157cm overall dimension / 23kg maximum weight per bag EasyJet – 275cm overall dimension / 15kg - 32kg maximum weight per bag depending on the route Emirates – 300mm overall dimension / 15kg - 40kg maximum weight per bag depending on the route Etihad Airways – 207cm overall dimension / 23kg maximum weight per bag Flybe – No restriction on size / 23kg maximum weight per bag Jet2 – No restriction on size / 32kg maximum weight per bag KLM – 158cm overall dimension / 23kg maximum weight per bag Lufthansa - 158cm overall dimension / 23kg maximum weight per bag Norwegian Airlines -250x79x112cm / 32kg maximum weight per bag Qatar Airways – 300cm overall dimension / 30kg maximum weight per bag Ryanair – 81x119x119cm / 20kg maximum weight per bag (3 bags max) Thomas Cook Airlines – 158cm overall dimension / 20kg maximum weight per bag TUI Airways – No restriction on size / 20kg maximum weight per bag Turkish Airlines - No restriction on size / 20kg maximum weight per bag Virgin Atlantic – 90x75x43cm / 23kg maximum weight per bag Vueling Airlines - No restriction on size / 23kg maximum weight per bag Be sure to check the size of your additional baggage beforehand! Compare this with the airline guidelines and you should experience no issues. Remember that check-in luggage will differ to checked luggage and airline usually have separate classifications for both. Read more: Can You Take a Pen on a Plane? 
Charges for additional bags
Finally, when considering which airline offers the best baggage allowance, we should consider the price. An airline could, for example, allow you to check multiple bags, but there could be a hefty price tag too. The following is a list of the current price for additional bags, always remember that in some cases restrictions apply: Aer Lingus - €20 – €85 per bag depending on the route Air France - £21 - £80 per bag depending on the route Air Asia – Varying depending on the route – check the website British Airways - £65 per bag Delta - €23 - €85 per bag depending on the route EasyJet - £13 - £35 per bag Emirates – Varying depending on the route – check the website Etihad Airways – Increasing costs for every subsequently checked bag Flybe – 15kg = £19 / 23kg = £24 / 46kg = £48 Jet2 - £10 - £45 per bag KLM - €10.50 online / €55-300 at the airport Lufthansa - €75 - €350 for 23kg / €125 - €450 over 23kg Norwegian Airlines - €7 - €80 per bag depending on the route Qatar Airways - $25 - $70 per kg Ryanair - £25 - £40 per bag depending on the route Thomas Cook Airlines - £15 - £90 online / £10 per kg at the airport TUI Airways – On-flight only deals Turkish Airlines - €5 per kg depending on class and route Virgin Atlantic - £65 for second bag / £140 for each additional bag Vueling Airlines - €35 for first bag / €70 for 2nd and subsequent bags Read more: Best Place to Buy Luggage 
Free Baggage allowance
British Airways certainly have a fantastic baggage allowance and is one of the best out of the major airlines. Turkish Airlines also has a similar offering, and many of the Asian operators such as Etihad also have favorable free bags with minimal restrictions. Read more: Is Turkish airlines safe to fly?
Weight allowance
In terms of weight restrictions, many of the airlines allow bags up to 32kg in weight – this should be more than enough. The average traveler will only use around 20kg of weight allowance per bag.
Additional allowance charges
Budget airlines such as EasyJet, Jet2, and Flybe generally have the cheapest additional bag charges whereas larger international airlines cost more – this is usually offset by their free baggage allowance, however. For example, British Airways charges £65 per bag, but you get 2x free bags to start with anyway. When choosing an airline, always consider baggage allowance. You do not want to be limited in what you can take on your travels and if you can get a large free baggage allowance then it will make your trip that much more enjoyable!
Last updated: April 2026
Frequently asked questions
Which airlines usually include the most free baggage?
Full-service international carriers often include one or two checked bags on long-haul tickets, while many budget airlines charge per bag. Always read the fare rules for your exact ticket.
How can I avoid excess baggage fees?
Weigh bags at home, share weight across travelers when allowed, and pre-purchase extra allowance online if you know you will need it.
Do baggage rules differ by route and aircraft?
Yes. Partner airlines and regional jets can have different limits, so confirm the operating carrier’s policy before you fly.
