Trying to avoid hefty luggage fees when using a budget airline can be challenging. We have looked at three major budget airlines, easyJet, Ryanair and Monarch. Take a look at our guide to help you avoid unwanted additional charges when you get to the airport.
easyJet
If you wish to take hand luggage, easyJet is probably your best option. There is no weight limit, but a maximum of one piece per person, no larger than 56 x 45 x 25 cm. If you bring more than 1 item of hand luggage, you will have to pay £25 at check-in or £40 at the gate.
Hold luggage is another matter however. Pay £33 per person and this allows you to check in a 20kg bag. If you are travelling with another person who has also paid for a 20kg allowance, this can be pooled, giving you a collective baggage limit of 40kg. Should you exceed this limit; £10 per kilo will be charged. Extra baggage allowance and bags can be purchased at the time of booking for an additional fee.
For simplicity, you could purchase a flexi-fare flight which is more expensive, but includes; speedy boarding, any date amendments, seat selection, all admin or credit card fees and the hold luggage fee. Remember, no individual bag can weigh more than 32kg due to health and safety restrictions.
Luggage limits – Ryanair
The hand luggage limits for Ryanair are stricter than that of easyJet. Again, only 1 piece may be taken aboard subject to a weight limit of 10kg and to a maximum size of 55 x 40 x 20 cm. Any items that exceed either limit will be charged at £50 and placed in the aircraft hold.
Should you choose to pay for hold luggage, you are permitted to check in a maximum of two pieces per person. You can purchase an allowance of either 15 or 20kg from between £15 – £50 each way depending on the destination and time of year that you are flying. It is important to note that the baggage weight limit is restricted to one person only and cannot be shared. If you exceed the limit, you will be charged £20 for each extra kilo. They also carry a limit of 32kg for one bag.
Monarch
Hand luggage rules for Monarch are fairly straightforward, you can check in a maximum of 1 piece of luggage, weighing no more than 10kg, and measuring a maximum of 56 x 45 x 25 cm. You will be charged £50 for exceeding this limit, as these items will have to be placed in the hold.
When booking a Monarch flight, you can add a luggage allowance to a standard fare, which costs from £11.99 – £18.99 each way for 1 bag. Extra bags and an increased weight limit can also be added to your booking for an additional cost. If you choose either the essentials or the extras pack, a hold baggage allowance is included as standard, although this is at a higher cost.
Your baggage allowance may also be pooled with those that you are travelling with, as with easyJet. You can pre-book excess baggage online, charged at £10 for 3kg. Extra kilos after this will be charged at £7.50 per kilo.
Follow the above luggage limits to avoid additional baggage fees being levied. This will ensure that you have a happy stress-free holiday and guarantee more spending money for your trip.
