What is checked baggage?

Everything you need to know 

Checked baggage – why is that not the same as carry-on baggage? What does excess baggage and free baggage mean? How large can the checked baggage item be and what does it cost? With the many regulations regarding baggage for air travel, it is easy to lose track. What is considered checked baggage , how it differs from carry-on baggage , what costs are associated with checked baggage, and other important information about baggage types can be found in the following article.  

What does checked baggage mean?

Checked baggage refers to pieces of luggage that travelers must drop off at the check-in counter or at designated drop-off points of an airline before the flight. These baggage items are transported in the cargo hold of the airplane and are not accessible to passengers during the flight.

Difference: Checked baggage vs. Carry-on baggage

Here are the key points at a glance, where checked baggage and the smaller carry-on baggage differ:

Traveling with hand luggage is easier in many respects. However, even if you are only traveling with hand luggage, you should check the requirements of your airline regarding hand luggage beforehand. 

Are you wondering when and where you need to go with your luggage at the airport? With our step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process at the airport.

How much checked baggage is allowed?

For size and weight, you can roughly refer to the information in the table above, but you should definitely check the website of your airline. Airlines often offer various suitcase sizes for checked baggage depending on the booked fare and class. For example, in the Economy Class booking class, 23 kg and in Business Class, 32 kg of checked baggage may be allowed. You can find exact details in the requirements of your airline. With some airlines, you also have the option to book additional baggage.

What does excess baggage mean for checked baggage?

If you want to delight your loved ones with souvenirs and gifts from your vacation, you should ensure that you do not exceed the allowed number and permissible amount of weight and size of your checked or hand luggage. This can quickly become expensive. The costs for excess baggage vary depending on the airline, route, and fare and may be charged either per kilogram or per additional piece of luggage. For this reason, you should weigh your luggage again before your departure to avoid an expensive surprise at the airport.

What is special baggage?

Special baggage refers to luggage pieces that cannot be transported

• due to their contents,
• their size,
• their weight, or
• their special nature

as normal checked baggage.

If the total dimensions of the luggage piece - width, length, height - are over 158 cm or if the weight of the suitcase exceeds the maximum weight limit, it is considered special baggage or also as excess baggage. In many cases, special baggage also includes items that are subject to special transport conditions and in some cases must be declared.

Examples of special baggage include: 

• Sports baggage: Bicycle, ski, golf and diving equipment, surfboard
• Musical instruments: Guitar, cello, violin
• Bulky luggage pieces: Stroller, child seat, wheelchair
• Pets: Small cats and dogs in transport boxes (possibly also allowed in the cabin), other small animals (e.g., birds)

Note: The animals are transported in a pet-friendly, air-conditioned section of the cargo hold of the plane in a provided travel box.

Baggage costs with EasyJet, Lufthansa & Condor – What you should know

The costs for your checked baggage vary depending on:

• Airline (e.g. EasyJet, Lufthansa, Condor)

• Fare type

• Destination or route

Is standard baggage included?

• With many airlines, a baggage piece of 20 to 30 kg is already included in the ticket price.

• With cheaper fares like Light or Basic, usually no checked baggage is included.

Additional costs for checked baggage

• For a baggage piece of 20 to 23 kg, additional fees between 15 and 50 € may apply.

• If you add your baggage at the airport counter, you often pay higher prices with some airlines.

Special baggage

• The costs for special baggage range between 30 and 250 €, depending on the airline and destination.

• Especially on intercontinental flights, the fees can also go into the higher three-digit range.

Tip to save: Choose the right suitcase size.

To avoid unnecessary costs, you should choose the appropriate suitcase size for your type and duration of travel.