With news that US airlines brought in $3.5 Billion USD last year in checked baggage fees we take a look at the charges made by Major carriers when you have more checked baggage than your allowance. Most airlines have 2 options when it comes to paying for your excess baggage, either pre-paid or pay at the airport. It is in your interest to pre-pay for your excess luggage (if available) as the charges are significantly less than what you will pay at check-in.
The other difference is that some airlines will charge per item (over and above your allowed items) and other airlines will charge per kilo that you are over your weight allowance.
Tips to avoid excess baggage fees
1. In Advance, Pay for Baggage Online
If you think you might go over the baggage limits at the Airport, it’s typically much cheaper to book extra luggage in advance.
Airlines encourage customers to book excess baggage allocation in advance. Typically Airlines give large discounts if you book before 24 hours before the flight date.
2. Weigh your Baggage at Home
The night before your flight, weigh your Baggage using your bathroom scales or a small hand scale.
Spread your baggage allowance across travelling family, partners & friends.
4. Get lightweight luggage
Old luggage can have heavy frames which add weight to your baggage. Look to upgrade your luggage to a new modern collection.
Excess Baggage Fees for US Airlines
Air Canada Excess Baggage Fees
These are the rates to check luggage on Air Canada on routes between the United States and Canada.
- FIRST BAG $25
- SECOND BAG $35
- THIRD+ BAG $100
- OVERWEIGHT $75
- OVERSIZED $75
More Air Canada Excess Baggage details: visit the Air Canada website.
Alaska Airlines Excess Baggage Fees
- FIRST BAG $25
- SECOND BAG $25
- THIRD+ BAG $75
- OVERWEIGHT $75
- OVERSIZED $75
For additional information, please visit the Alaska Air Baggage Policy.
American Airlines Excess Baggage Fees
- FIRST BAG $25
- SECOND BAG $35
- THIRD+ BAG $150-200
- OVERWEIGHT $200
- OVERSIZED $75
For additional information, please visit the AA Baggage Policy
British Airways Excess Baggage Fees
- FIRST BAG $0
- SECOND BAG $0-100
- THIRD+ BAG $55-100
- OVERWEIGHT $100
For additional information, please visit the BA Baggage Policy
Delta Excess Baggage Fees Policy
- FIRST BAG $25
- SECOND BAG $35
- THIRD+ BAG $150-200
- OVERWEIGHT $100 -200
- OVERSIZED $200
For additional information, please visit the Delta Baggage Policy
Frontier Airlines Excess Baggage Fees Policy
- FIRST BAG $25-60
- SECOND BAG $40-45
- THIRD+ BAG $75-80
- OVERWEIGHT $75
- OVERSIZED $75
For additional information, please visit the Frontier Airlines Baggage Policy
Hawaiian Airlines Excess Baggage Fees Policy
- FIRST BAG $25
- SECOND BAG $35
- THIRD+ BAG $50-100
- OVERWEIGHT $35-70
- OVERSIZED $50-200
For additional information, please visit the Hawaiian Airlines Baggage Policy
JetBlue Excess Baggage Fees Policy
- FIRST BAG $25
- SECOND BAG $35
- THIRD+ BAG $100
- OVERWEIGHT $100-200
- OVERSIZED $100
For additional information, please visit the JetBlue Baggage Policy
Southwest Excess Baggage Fees Policy
- FIRST BAG $0
- SECOND BAG $0
- THIRD+ BAG $75
- OVERWEIGHT $75
- OVERSIZED $75
Please visit the Southwest Baggage Fees website
Spirit Airlines Baggage Fees Policy
- FIRST BAG $21-100
- SECOND BAG $31-100
- THIRD+ BAG $76-100
- OVERWEIGHT $25-100
- OVERSIZED $75
Please visit the Spirit Excess Baggage Fees website.
United Airlines Baggage Fees Policy
- FIRST BAG $25
- SECOND BAG $35
- THIRD+ BAG $150
- OVERWEIGHT $100-200
- OVERSIZED $200
For additional information, please visit the United Excess Baggage Fees
Excess Baggage Fees for European Airlines
| AIRLINE | EXCESS BAGGAGE FEES |
|---|---|
| Aer Lingus Excess Baggage Fees | €10 per kilo, €75 per bag on long haul flights |
| Air France Excess Baggage Fees | €75-€250 per bag |
| British Airways Excess Baggage Fees | £36-£65 per bag depending on route and travel class |
| Delta Excess Baggage Fees | €100-200 per bag depending on weight and route of travel |
| easyJet Excess Baggage Fees | £10 per kg |
| Emirates Excess Baggage Fees | From £26 per kg |
| Etihad Excess Baggage Fees | From £14 per kg |
| Flybe Excess Baggage Fees | £15 per kg** |
| Jet2 Excess Baggage Fees | £12 per kg |
| KLM Excess Baggage Fees | €55-$75 per bag depending on route and travel class |
| Lufthansa Excess Baggage Fees | €50-€150 depending on route and travel class |
| Norwegian Excess Baggage Fees | £9 per kg, per leg |
| Qatar Airways Excess Baggage Fees | $25-$55 per kg online
$30-$70 at airport |
| Ryanair Excess Baggage Fees | £11 per kg |
| Thomas Cook Airlines Excess Baggage Fees | £10-£16 per kg at the airport, depending on route
£20 for additional 5kg online |
| TUI Excess Baggage Fees | £13-£18 per kg |
| Turkish Airlines Excess Baggage Fees | From €4-€32 per kg depending on route |
| Virgin Atlantic Excess Baggage Fees | £65 if overweight
£40 if oversized |
| Vueling Airlines Excess Baggage Fees | £11 per kg |
| Wizz Air Excess Baggage Fees | Fees depend on route and season
€10/kg charge for every bag over the six bag allowance (If bag weighs between 20kg-3 |
Excess Baggage Fees for Asia Pacific Airline
Qantas Excess Baggage
Qantas have a sliding scale charge per kilo (or per 5 kilo if pre-paid) depending where you are travelling to, starting at $20 per kilo ($70 per 5 kilo if pre-paid) for New Zealand rising to $80 per kilo ($280 per 5 kilo if pre-paid) for Europe and South Africa. For flights to the Americas the charge is per piece (up to 32kg), this fee is $175 or $123 pre-paid. Note: a heavy charge of $75 may be applicable if the weight exceeds your standard per piece allowance.
Qantas Excess Baggage details: Qantas Baggage Policy
Virgin Australia Excess Baggage
Virgin Australia charge per piece rather than the weight of the item. For pre-paid items this is $35 for the first item or $70 for 2 items. If you pay at the airport this charge is increased to $70 for the first item or $90 for 2 items.
Virgin Australia Excess Baggage details: Virginaustralia Baggage Policy
Singapore Airlines Excess Baggage
Singapore Airlines charge per kilo for flights from Australia (except if you are travelling to the Americas), this is also on a sliding scale starting at $30 per kilo for destinations in Asia , going up to $70 for Europe. If you are travelling to the Americas then the per-piece charge is $225.
Singapore Airlnes Excess Baggage details here: Singaporeair Baggage Policy
Etihad Excess Baggage
Etihad have a simple fee system which is per kilo for most flights. Basically flights from Australia to the Middle East, Indian sub-continent, Japan and Korea incur a $58 fee and everywhere else(excluding the Americas)is $81. For flights to the Americas you can take an extra bag up to 23kg for $175 or a 32kg bag for $225.
Ethihad Excess Baggage details here: Etihad Baggage Policy
Emirates Excess Baggage
Emirates use a handy Baggage Allowance Calculator to allow you to work out the exact charges. We put in a sample trip from Sydney to London and the charges were $329AUD for 5 kilos pre-paid or $94AUD per kilo if paid at the airport. Discounts apply for Skywards members.
All charges are listed in USD unless otherwise stated.
Emirates Excess Baggage details here: Emirates Baggage Allowance Calculator