When flying between the United States and Europe, you probably know that it’s best to pack light. After all, the less luggage you have to haul around town, the better.
For Cheapos, there’s one more obvious reason to keep the amount of luggage to a minimum: checked-baggage charges.
Pre-“Great Recession,” many transatlantic carriers allowed you to check two bags for free on international flights. After years of financial turbulence in the airline industry, however, most airlines have implemented new baggage policies intended to lighten their load while cashing in on new fees.
We’ve just updated the following chart to reflect baggage policies and charges as of April 2024. It’s amazing how things have changed since we first published this piece in 2011.
US to Europe Flights: Baggage fees
Here’s a quick overview of baggage policies for the major airlines flying between the United States and Europe. Prices have gone up quite a bit since we last updated this list, and they keep increasing by the day, even with oil prices now dropping. Some airlines have also made it come complicated to calculate baggage charges, so you might have to dig deep into their websites for the information. But we discovered that in some cases fees have doubled or more in just a couple of years!
Please note that the following charges are one-way.
Note that the prices below are for standard tickets purchased on the airline. Many of these airlines offer a checked bag for free for qualifying members of their frequent flyer programs, for tickets purchased with an airline-connected credit card, or those booking in a class higher than economy. See notes below, and check with your airline or credit card for details.
Click the airline names for more details about their policies.
Winners and losers
We’ve highlighted what we think are the airlines with the best “Cheapo-friendly” baggage policies. This is assuming that most US-based travelers to Europe will be checking in at least one suitcase. Policies that we feel are a good deal are highlighted in green, while those that aren’t budget-friendly are in red.
Most big-name and legacy carriers used to permit one free checked bag for US to Europe passengers with any Economy fare. However, those days are long gone. Although most fare types will give you one bag for free, the cheapest option on almost all airlines (usually called Light or Basic Economy, etc) now charge for checked baggage. Our advice: Read the fine print and check the baggage policy twice. Things can change at a moments notice.
<td”>€80-€90 online, €160-€170 at the airport<td”>€160-170 online, €210-€220 at the airport€120-€440
| Carrier | 1st checked bag: to 50 lbs (23 kg) |
2nd checked bag: to 50 lbs (23 kg) |
3rd checked bag: to 50 lbs (23 kg) |
Extra weight: 51-70 lbs (24-32 kg) |
| Aer Lingus | Free (except for Saver fare) | $100 / €75 / £65 | $100 / €75 / £65 | $100 / €75 / £65 |
| Aeroflot | Free (except for Light fare) | $100 / €94 | $200 / €188 | $200 / €200 |
| Air Canada | $75 CAD | $100 CAD | $225 | $100 |
| Air France | Free (except Light fare) | $100 | $285 | $100 |
| American | $75 | $100 | $200 | $100 |
| Austrian | Free (except Economy Light fare) | $90 online; $180 at the airport | $185 online; $240 at the airport | $140 to $370 |
| British Airways | Free (except Basic fare) | $90-100 | $170-200 | $100 |
| Delta | $75 (free with Main Cabin ticket) | $100 | $200 | $100 |
| Finnair | Free (except for Light fare) | €90/$100 | €180/$200 | €110/$121 |
| Iberia | Free (except Basic fare) | $80-$90 | $150-$180 | €75/$100 or €12-€15/kilo |
| Icelandair | Free (except Economy Light) | $130 | $130 | $110/€85 |
| ITA Airways | Free (except Light fare) | $85-$250 or €75-€230 | $200-$280 or €180-€250 | $75-$125 or €60-€100 |
| KLM | Free (except Light fare) | €85/$100 | €240/$285 | €85-€250 or $100-$300 |
| LOT Polish Airlines | Free | $55-$380 | $55-$380 | $120-$240 |
| Lufthansa | Free (ski bag can count as a free item) | $90 | $185-$285 | $140-$505 |
| Olympic Air | Free (except Economy Light, Flex & Family fares) | €20-€70 | €20-€70 | €20-€65 |
| Swiss Airlines | Free (except Light fare) | €80-€90 online or €160-€170 at the airport | €160-170 online or €210-€220 at the airport | €120-€440 |
| TAP Portugal | Free (except Discount fare) | $70-$225 | $80-$300 | $70-$440 |
| United Airlines | Free (except Basic Economy) | $100 | $200 | $200 |
| Virgin Atlantic | Free (except Economy Light) | $100 / £65 | $200 / £140 | $100-$300/£65-£200 |
Aer Lingus
Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.
- First checked bag: Free up to 50 lbs (23 kg); the exception is Saver fare which will cost $49.99-$64.99
- Second checked bag: $100, €75 or £65
- Third checked bag: $100, €75 or £65
- Excess weight: 50-70 lbs (23 kg-32 kg): $100, €75 or £65
- More information on Aer Lingus’ checked baggage policy.
- Carry-on: One piece, up to 22 lbs (10 kg), along with one small personal item.
- More information on Aer Lingus’ carry-on policy.
Aeroflot
Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.
- First checked bag: Free, up to 50 lbs (23 kg); the exception is if you have a Light fare ticket
- Second checked bag: $100 or €94 (20% off if you pay in advance online)
- Third checked bag: $200 or €188 (20% off if you pay in advance online)
- Excess weight: 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg): Up to $200 or €200 (more information on excess baggage fees)
- More information on Aeroflot’s checked baggage policy
- Carry-on: 1 piece, weighing up to 22 lbs (10 kg), plus a small personal item.
- More information on Aeroflot’s carry-on policy.
Air Canada
Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.
- First checked bag: $75 CAD up to 50 lbs (23 kg) with an Economy Basic fare
- Second checked bag: $100 CAD
- Third checked bag: $225
- Excess baggage: 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg): $100 (more information on excess baggage fees)
- More information on Air Canada’s checked baggage policy.
- Carry-on: 1 piece (no weight limit, but you must be able to store it in the overhead bins yourself), plus one smaller personal item
- More information on Air Canada’s carry-on policy.
Air France
Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.
- First checked bag: Free, up to 50 lbs (23 kg), unless you have a Light Fare tickets, then it costs $80 (online) or $100 (at the airport)
- Second checked bag: $100
- Third checked bag: $285
- Excess weight: 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg): Varies based on destination
- Tip: Pay for additional bags online in advance and pay up to 20% less.
- More information on Air France’s checked baggage policy.
- Carry-on: 1 bag and one personal item. Total weight for the two items must not exceed 26.5 lbs (12 kg).
- More information on Air France’s carry-on baggage policy.
American Airlines
Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, Basic Economy class.
- First checked bag: $75 up to 50 lbs (23 kg)
- Second checked bag: $100
- Third checked bag: $200
- Excess weight: 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg): $100
- Carry-on: One piece and one personal item are allowed.
- More information on American Airlines checked and carry-on baggage policy.
Austrian Airlines
Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.
- First checked bag: Free, up to 50 lbs (23 kg); the exception is Economy Light fare
- Second checked bag: $90 online; $180 at the airport
- Third checked bag: $185 online; $240 at the airport
- Excess weight: 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg): $140 to $370
- More information on Austrian Airlines’ checked-baggage policy, or use the luggage fee calculator.
- Carry-on: One piece weighing up to 17.5 lbs (8 kg), plus one personal item.
- More information on Austrian Airlines’ carry-on baggage policy.
British Airways
Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.
- First checked bag: Free, up to 50 lbs (23 kgs); the exception is Basic fare ticket
- Second checked bags: prices range from $90 – 100 (depending on ticket type, destination and when you purchase)
- Third checked bag: $170-200
- Excess weight: 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg): $100
- Carry-on: One piece no more than 50 lbs (23kg), plus one laptop-sized bag or handbag.
- More information on British Airway’s checked and carry-on baggage policies.
Delta
Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, Basic Economy class.
- First checked bag: $75, up to 50 lbs (23 kg) (free for Main Cabin and Delta Comfort tickets)
- Second checked bag: $100
- Third checked bag: $200
- Excess weight: 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg): $100 (more information on Delta’s excess weight policy)
- Carry-on: One piece, plus one small personal item.
- More information on Delta’s checked and carry-on bag policies.
Finnair
Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.
- First checked bag: Free, up to 50 lbs (23 kg); the exception is a Light fare ticket which is €65/$70 when paid online
- Second checked bag: €90/$100
- Third checked bag: €180/$200
- Excess weight: 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg): €110/$121 online or €80/$90 at the airport (more information on Finnair’s excess weight policy)
- More information on Finnair’s checked-baggage policy.
- Carry-on: One bag, up to 17.5 lbs plus a small personal item for a combined weight of 8 kg.
- More information on Finnair’s carry-on baggage policy.
Iberia
Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.
- First checked bag: Free, up to 50 lbs (23 kg); the exception is Basic fare
- Second checked bag: usually about $90 at the airport ($80 online in advance), but varies by destination and ticket purchase date
- Third checked bag: $180 at the airport ($150 online in advance), but varies by destination and ticket purchase date
- Excess weight: 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg): €75/$100 or €12 to €15/kilo
- More information on Iberia’s checked-baggage policy.
- Carry-on: One item, plus one personal item.
- More information on Iberia’s carry-on baggage policy.
Icelandair
Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.
- First checked bag: Free, up to 50 lbs (23 kg); the exception is an Economy Light ticket
- Second checked bag: $130 per extra bag (depending on destination) up to 50 lbs (23 kg)
- Third checked bag: $130 per extra bag (depending on destination) up to 50 lbs (23 kg)
- Excess weight: 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg): $110/€85 (more information on Icelandair’s excess weight policy)
- Carry-on: One piece, weighing up to 22 lbs (10 kg), plus one small personal item.
- More information on Icelandair’s checked and carry-on baggage policies.
ITA Airways
Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.
- First checked bag: Free, up to 50 lbs (23 kg); the exception is a Light fare ticket which costs $75 to $170 or €60 to €150
- Second checked bag: $85 to $250 or €75 to €230
- Third checked bag: $200 to $280 or €180 to €250
- Excess weight: 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg): $75 to $125 or €60 to €100
- Note: Save more when purchasing extra baggage allowance online more than 8 days before your trip.
- More information on ITA’s checked-baggage policy.
- Carry-on bag: One piece, up to 17.6 lbs (8 kg).
KLM
Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.
- First checked bag: Free, up to 50 lbs (23 kg); the exception is a Light fare ticket
- Second checked bag: €85/$100
- Third checked bag: €240/$285
- Note: Save 20-50% on additional bags when you pay for them in advance online. Details.
- More information on KLM’s checked-baggage policy.
- Excess weight: 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg): €85-€250 or $100-$300
- More information on KLM’s excess weight policy.
- Carry-on: One piece and one small personal item, with a combined weight up to 26 lbs (12 kg).
- More information on KLM’s carry-on baggage policy.
LOT
Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.
- First checked bag: Free, up to 50 lbs (23 kg), except for Economy Saver tickets
- Second checked bag: $55 to $380 per extra bag, depending on travel dates
- Third checked bag: $55 to $380 per extra bag, depending on travel dates
- Excess weight: 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg): $120-$240
- Tip: Pay online early to save up to 20%
- Carry-on: One piece up to 17.5 lbs (8 kg), along with one small personal item.
- More information on LOT’s checked and carry-on baggage policies.
Lufthansa
Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.
- First checked bag: Free, up to 50 lbs (23 kg)
- Second checked bag: $90
- Third checked bag: $185 to $230 online, $230 to $285 at the airport
- More information on Lufthansa’s checked-baggage policy
- Excess weight: 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg) $140-$505
- Tip: You can opt to take your ski bag as part of your free baggage allowance
- Carry-on: One piece up to 17.5 lbs (8 kg), along with one small personal item.
- More information on Lufthansa’s baggage policies.
Olympic Air
Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.
- First checked bag: Free, up to 50 lbs (23 kg); the exception is Economy Light, Flex & Family fares
- Second checked bag: €20-€60 (pre-purchase) or €30-€70 at the airport
- Third checked bag: €20-€60 (pre-purchase) or €30-€70 at the airport
- Excess weight: 46-70 lbs (21-32 kg): €20-€65 (pre-purchase) or €30-€65 at the airport
- Carry-on: One piece up to 17.5 lbs (8 kg).
- More information on Olympic Air’s baggage policies.
Swiss Airlines
Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.
- First checked bag: Free, up to 50 lbs (23 kg); the exception is a Light fare ticket
- Second checked bag: €80-€90 online or €160-€170 at the airport
- Third checked bag: €160-170 online or €210-€220 at the airport
- More information on Swiss Air’s checked-baggage policy.
- Excess weight: 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg): €120-€440
- Carry-on: One piece, up to 17.5 lbs (8 kg), and a small personal item.
- More information on Swiss Air’s carry-on baggage policy.
TAP Portugal
Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.
- First checked bag: Free, up to 50 lbs (23 kg); the exception is Discount fare
- Second checked bag: $70-$225, depending on travel dates and destination
- Third checked bag: $80-$300
- Excess weight: $70-$440
- More information on TAP’s checked-baggage policy.
- Carry-on: One item, weighing up to 17.5 lbs (8 kg).
- More information on TAP’s carry-on policy.
United Airlines
Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.
- First checked bag: Free, up to 50 lbs (23 kg); the exception is Basic Economy which costs $60
- Second checked bag: $100
- Third checked bag: $200
- More information on United Airline’s checked-baggage policy.
- Excess weight: 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg) $200
- Carry-on: One bag, plus one personal item.
- More information on United Airline’s carry-on baggage policy.
Virgin Atlantic
Notes: All information is for US to Europe flights, economy class.
- First checked bag: Free, up to 50 lbs (23 kg), except for Economy Light which costs $75/£65
- Second checked bag: $100 / £65 at the airport
- Third checked bag: $200 / £140 at the airpor
- More information on Virgin Atlantic’s checked-baggage policy.
- Excess-weight: 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg) $100 to $300/£65 to £200
- Carry-on: One piece, up to 22 lbs (10 kg), along with one personal item.
- More information on Virgin Atlantic’s carry-on baggage policy.
Want more info on airline baggage fees and policies?
To view even more information on airline baggage policies among domestic carriers, have a look at this handy baggage fee guide from airfarewatchdog.com. Or if you’re looking to research airline fees beyond the world of luggage, try this comprehensive airline fee guide from SmarterTravel.com.
Once you’re ready to research airlines routes within Europe, try our guide to cheap flights in Europe and also be sure to use WhichBudget.com’s helpful cheap flights search engine.
The post Airline baggage fees for US to Europe carriers appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.
Source: Euro Cheapo