Airline baggage calculator

This depends on the airline and flight class. Some airlines include up to 23kg within the ticket price, but this isn’t always the case. Often you will need to pay for hold luggage on top of your ticket. On average, most airlines will allow around  90cm x 75cm x 43cm for hold luggage. It’s always a good idea to check this with your chosen airline first.

For cabin baggage, also known as hand luggage or carry-on luggage, the rules are different. Overhead luggage will usually come at an extra cost, whilst bags you can fit under your seat are generally free.

Under seat bags are usually a large handbag or a backpack. Different airlines have different rules for the maximum size these bags can be. But they should be small enough to go under the seat during the flight.

For larger cabin bags, many airlines will give you the option of buying this as an extra service. The average dimensions are 55cm x 45cm x 25cm for overhead luggage, but this can depend on the airline.

Luggage that can fit under your seat usually comes with the cost of the flight. But if your hand luggage goes over the weight or size limit, you may have to pay more.

As well as being mindful of your airline’s baggage restrictions, it’s also worth looking into protecting your belongings. Getting travel insurance can be a great way to protect your personal belongings should they get lost or stolen. We can help you compare travel insurance quotes, to find the right policy for you. 

A standard travel insurance policy will include baggage cover, which is a great way to give yourself peace of mind while away.

If you’re bringing expensive items, you might want to take out individual policies to cover them. Travel insurance usually comes with some form of gadget cover, but it can be limited. For electronic items, you could consider a gadget insurance add on. This comes at an extra cost but can be a great way to protect electronics like smartphones, laptops, and tablets.

It’s a good idea to make note of all the items in your luggage in case they get lost or delayed by your airline. If you need to report lost luggage to your airline, you’ll be asked to describe the luggage contents in as much detail as possible. 

Here are some other ways you can keep your luggage secure:

• Make it distinct. It’s a good idea to mark your bags with something easy to recognise. You could tie a ribbon to the handle, or add a distinctive sticker so it’s easy to spot.


• Use a padlock. Using a padlock is a good way to give your luggage that extra bit of security. This can give you peace of mind when you’re travelling, and they’re fairly cheap to buy.


• Attach a QR code to your luggage. With our QR code generator you can get a custom QR code to put on your belongings in case they go walkabout.

Your airline is liable for any hold luggage that gets lost or delayed, but you’ll have to wait 21 days until it’s officially classified as ‘lost.’ Before this point, your luggage is technically just ‘delayed,’ which can be a stressful and worrying time. You’ll need to go to the airline’s baggage desk and fill out a Property Irregularity Report (PIR). This is where you’ll need to describe the contents of your luggage in as much detail as you can. 

For damaged items you’ll need to make a claim within 7 days, describing the damage.

Airlines should reimburse lost and delayed luggage, but it’ll be a flat amount. This means it won’t take into account any high-value items. The maximum you can be reimbursed can also be much lower than you can expect from travel insurance.