Airline Baggage Allowance Guide: Carry-On, Checked, Fees

Published 25 Jul 2026 · Updated 21 Aug 2026 · FlyLemo

Your allowance is set by the fare, not just the airline

Two people on the same flight can have different baggage rules because they bought different fare buckets. Basic and light fares often carry nothing but a small personal item; standard fares usually add a full carry-on; long-haul fares usually add a checked bag. On FlyLemo the results card states what the fare includes, and a booking agent checks it against your trip before ticketing.

Carry-on: size versus weight

• US airlines mostly police carry-on size, not weight. Many airlines elsewhere set a weight cap as well, and they weigh bags at the gate on full flights.
• A personal item is the bag that goes under the seat in front. On basic fares it is often the only free bag.
• Measure your bag with wheels and handles included; that is how the sizer at the gate treats it.

Checked bags: what costs extra and when

• If a checked bag is not in your fare, add it when you book or on the airline's site before travel. The same bag bought at the airport counter costs more.
• Weigh the bag at home. An overweight fee is typically far more than a second bag would have been.
• On a one-stop ticket, the first airline's rules usually apply to the whole journey; on two separate tickets you may pay twice and re-check in between.
• Sports equipment, musical instruments and infant gear have their own rules; ask before you book rather than at the desk.

Before you fly

Take the airline PNR from your confirmation email, open the carrier's manage-booking page, and read the baggage line for your fare. It takes two minutes and it is the only version that counts at the gate. If the allowance is not what you expected, call; an agent can explain it or add a bag with the airline.

Frequently asked questions

Does a cheap fare include a carry-on bag?

Not always. Basic and light fares often include only a personal item. The results card on FlyLemo states what each fare includes; read it before you compare prices.

How do I add a checked bag after booking?

Use your airline PNR on the carrier's manage-booking page, or call and an agent will add it with the airline. Do it before the airport; counter prices are higher.

Which baggage rules apply on a connecting flight?

On a single ticket, generally the first operating airline's allowance applies throughout. On two separate tickets each airline applies its own rules and you usually collect and re-check the bag.

What happens if my bag is over the weight limit?

You pay an excess fee at the counter, and on some airlines you may be asked to move items into a carry-on. Weighing the bag at home avoids both.