20kg is 44lbs: Baggage Allowances

Flying these days can be a bit of a pain, especially as far as luggage goes. While travelers want to carry as much baggage as possible, security concerns mean checks are getting stricter and there's an increasing number of restrictions on what you can and can't take with you on flights.

20kg limit

When flying to and from Europe, or on domestic flights within Europe and surrounding areas such as North Africa and the Middle East, most airlines provide you with a strict upper limit on checked hold baggage of 20kg (20 kilograms or kilogrammes). That's 44lbs (44 pounds). Depending on the airline there might also be restrictions on the number of individual items you can check in, e.g. 2 items of up to 20kg. Some airlines have lower limits, e.g. Ryanair allows only 15kg.

Note that some low-cost carries such as Ryanair also have extra charges per item of baggage, regardless of weight.

It is of course usually possible to check in more luggage provided you pay an excess baggage fee. How much and to what conditions depends on the individual airline.

Carry-on baggage

Currently, EU regulations restrict carry-on baggage (cabin baggage) to one item per passenger of not more than 55cm x 40cm x 20cm (ca. 23in x 16.5in x 8in). If in doubt, most airlines provide a metal frame at check-in which you can place your bag in to see if it is the right size.

There are strict regulations on what you can put in your carry-on baggage. As well as the usual dangerous items (ranging from guns and ammunition through to nail clippers), liquids and gels of all kinds may only be carried in transparent containers of 100ml up to a total of 1 liter, and must be placed in a transparent plastic bag.

Items purchased at the airport's duty free or airside shops are excluded from these restrictions and may be carried on separately.

Airline Information

Links to airlines' websites with baggage allowance information. (Note: these links can change quickly and may become outdated).

• Air Berlin: What is the free baggage allowance?
• British Airways: Hand and checked baggage - general information
• EasyJet: Baggage
• Lufthansa: Baggage Guide
• Ryanair: Checked Baggage