Pack too much and you’ll face a heavy charge

RYANAIR

CABIN: One piece of cabin luggage no more than 35 x 20 x 20 centimetres in size can be taken on board for free. Another larger item no more than 55 x 40 x 20cm and weighing up to ten kilograms can also be taken on board if you pay £5.

HOLD: Suitcases no larger than 119 x 119 x 81cm can be put in the hold. You can take up to three 20kg bags per person but must pay £25 to £35 per bag for each leg of the journey depending on the season and destination. You must book online to avoid paying £40 per bag if you turn up at the airport. Above 20kg there is a penalty charge of £10 per kilo. No single piece of luggage can exceed 32kg.

EASYJET

CABIN: A single cabin bag no bigger than 56 x 45 x 25cm can be taken on board for free. Those paying at least £9.49 for an extra legroom seat can also take a further bag measuring up to 45 x 36 x 20cm for free.

HOLD: A suitcase must have dimensions that total less than 275cm. You can take up to three suitcases. The baggage allowance is 20kg for all bookings made before November 15, 2017, and 23kg for those made after this date. On top of this you can pay £12 for every extra 3kg up to 32kg. The minimum cost per bag for a single trip pre-booked is £8.99 – the fee depends on the journey and season. It is £37 if you wait to book and pay for the baggage at the airport. No single suitcase can exceed 32kg.

FLYBE

CABIN: Two pieces of cabin luggage can be taken for free. The largest item must measure no more than 55 x 35 x 20cm and the two together should weigh no more than 10kg. The smaller item must fit under a seat.

HOLD: For a standard ‘Just Fly’ ticket it costs £19 for a 15kg bag on a single journey – £24 for luggage weighing from 15kg to 23kg if booked online. The charge is £40 per bag if you book luggage at the airport. You can take a maximum of two suitcases. The excess baggage fee is £15 a kilo.

WIZZ AIR

CABIN: One piece of hand luggage no more than 55 x 40 x 23cm and weighing up to 10kg can go for free. A further bag of no more than 40 x 30 x 18cm is allowed if a ‘Wizz Priority’ fee of between £4.50 and £9 has been paid.

HOLD: Suitcases up to 171 x 149 x 119cm and weighing up to 20kg or 32kg depending on the flight can be taken. There is a maximum of six bags each. Costs range from £14.50 to £50 per 20kg bag for a single journey booked online – depending on route and season. Booking in the same 20kg bag at the airport costs from £56. Cost is £19 to £61.50 for a 32kg bag – from £109 if booked at the airport. Above 20kg, excess is £9 a kilo. No bags can exceed 32kg.

JET2.COM

CABIN: One piece of hand luggage no bigger than 56 x 45 x 25cm that weighs under 10kg is allowed on board at no cost.

HOLD: The charge on each bag varies depending on travel destination and period of travel. Typically you pay £22 per bag. The baggage allowance is 22kg and you can book up to three bags. The excess charge is £12 per kilo. No single bag can be more than 32kg.

BRITISH AIRWAYS

CABIN: Two pieces of cabin luggage can be brought on board for free. This includes a 40 x 30 x 15cm bag weighing no more than 23kg. You can also bring a 56 x 45 x 25cm bag weighing no more than 23kg at no extra charge.

HOLD: Baggage must not exceed 90 x 75 x 43cm with the maximum weight usually 23kg. The number of bags allowed varies on fare type and route.

Some deals charge between £20 and £40 per bag for online booking. Checking them in at the airport can cost £65. If you break the baggage allowance there is a £65 levy.