Your suitcase often decides whether a flight stays cheap. The lowest fare frequently includes no checked baggage at all, and paying at the desk costs more. Keep a few figures in mind and you will pack right.
How much baggage does your fare include?
That depends on the fare, not the route. In Europe there are usually several levels: no suitcase at all, one suitcase, and flexible fares with more extras. 20 or 23 kg for one case in economy class is typical. In business class it is often two pieces of 32 kg each.
On long-haul flights a suitcase is almost always included. Many airlines count pieces there, allowing for example one or two cases of 23 kg each. On other routes the total weight counts, however many pieces it is spread over.
How big can the suitcase be?
For size there is usually a simple rule: length, width and height together may add up to no more than 158 cm. A typical large case of 75 × 50 × 30 cm comes to 155 cm and is just under. Larger pieces count as oversized baggage and cost extra.
There is a firm upper limit for weight. Almost no airline accepts more than 32 kg per piece, not even for a fee. The reason is the health and safety of the people who load the baggage.
What does excess weight cost?
If your case weighs more than you booked, the airline charges a fee. Some charge per kilogram, others in bands, for example up to 32 kg. At the desk this quickly adds up to more than the fare itself.
How to avoid it:
- Weigh at home. A luggage scale costs little and fits in any bag, so you can weigh before the flight home too.
- Spread heavy items. Books and shoes can go in your hand luggage, as long as its limit is kept.
- Wear heavy things. The thick jacket and walking boots are best worn on the plane.
- Leave room for the way back. Souvenirs are often heavier than you think.
Sports and special baggage
Bikes, golf bags, surfboards or diving gear travel as sports baggage. You almost always have to register and pay for it in advance, because space in the hold is limited. With some airlines, light sports equipment counts towards the normal allowance.
Prams, buggies and car seats for children, on the other hand, are usually free. Wheelchairs and other mobility aids are always carried free of charge. Register them in advance anyway, so that everything is ready at the airport.
What must not go in your case
Some things never belong in checked baggage:
- Power banks and spare batteries. They are only allowed in hand luggage.
- E-cigarettes and lighters. These also belong in the cabin or on you.
- Valuables, keys and medicines. If the case goes missing, you still have what matters most.
- Important documents. Passport, residence permit, driving licence and booking papers always travel with you.
Small tracking tags with a button cell battery, on the other hand, may go in your case. They show on your phone where your baggage is. That helps if it does not appear on the belt.
Packed well, found quickly
A bright luggage strap or a colourful tag makes your case easy to spot on the belt. Remove old baggage labels so nothing gets mixed up during loading. Put a note inside with your name and phone number. Outside, your name and mobile number are enough, your home address does not need to be on it.
flug-123.de editorial team, updated 10 November 2026. We review our guides regularly. Rules can change. If in doubt, the details in your booking apply.
