Baggage charges

Airlines normally charge you to check in baggage and each airline has different rules and prices. You should check your airline’s policy on charging for baggage before you book a flight.

In general, for short haul flights, cabin baggage is included in your ticket price, but checked in baggage must be paid for. If you want to bring bags into the cabin with you, there is a limit to how many bags you are allowed and the size and weight of them. If you have too many bags, or they are too big or heavy, the airline can charge you extra or charge you to check them in.

Usually it is cheaper to pay for checked in baggage when buying your ticket online than at the airport.

Each airline has rules on how many bags you can check in.

The rules and charges for baggage with the main airlines on short-haul flights operating in Ireland are shown below.

Cabin baggage – what can you bring onto the aircraft with you?

Aer Arann: one item, maximum weight 7kg, not exceeding 43 x 28 x 20cm
Aer Lingus: one item, maximum weight 10kg, maximum dimensions 55 x 40 x 20cm (or 7kg for Aer Lingus regional flights, maximum dimensions 48 x 36 x 21cm). Additional small items (camera, personal stereo, overcoat, handbag or laptop) are allowed
BMI: one item, maximum size 55 x 40 x 23cm, plus one personal item such as a small handbag, purse, small briefcase, laptop or baby-changing bag
Ryanair: one item per passenger (excluding infants) maximum weight 10kg, maximum dimensions 55 x 40 x 20cm. Handbag, laptop, shop purchases, camera etc. must be carried in your one piece of cabin baggage. Extra/oversized cabin baggage will be refused at the boarding gate, or where available, placed in the hold of the aircraft for a fee of €50

Checking in baggage

There are weight restrictions for checked in baggage for short haul flights with the main airlines operating in Ireland:

Aer Arann: 20kg per person on flights where checked in baggage fees are applicable. Infant checked in baggage allowance is 7kg. This allowance excludes the stroller/buggy allowance which is carried free of charge
Aer Lingus: A maximum of three bags with 20kg in total weight of checked in bags per passenger, There is no checked in or hand luggage allowance for infants. However, one fully collapsible pushchair per child may be carried free of charge
BMI: Maximum total weight 20kg per person. For infants, one piece up to 10Kg plus, one fully collapsible stroller
Ryanair: Up to two bags with a maximum weight of either 15kg or 20kg for the first bag and 15kg for the second bag. There is no checked in or hand baggage allowance for infants. However, one fully collapsible pushchair per child may be carried free of charge

Costs of checked in baggage when booking online

In general, the cost of checking in baggage at the airport is far higher than doing so online beforehand.

Aer Arann: €10 per bag where checked in baggage fees apply
Aer Lingus: UK - €15 per bag; Athens, Bourgas, Bucharest, Catania, Fuereventura, Gran Canaria, Izmir, Lanzarote and Tenerife - €20 per bag; and Europe (all other flights) - €15 per bag
BMI: ticket prices include checked baggage allowance
Ryanair:
- High Season Fees: first bag (15kg) - €25; first bag (20kg) - €35; second bag (15kg) - €45.
- Low Season Fees: first bag (15kg) - €15; first bag (20kg) - €25; second bag (15kg) - €35.

High Season runs from June - Sept incl. & 21 Dec 2012 - 4 Jan 2013 incl. Low Season runs from Oct - May (excluding 21 Dec 2012 – 4 Jan 2013).

Note: Higher fees apply in relation to flights to/from Canary Islands and all international Greek routes excluding Thessaloniki (SKG) and all international Cyprus routes

Excess baggage fee

This fee is charged if your checked baggage is over the airline’s weight limit.

Aer Arann - €7 per kg at airport (n/a online)
Aer Lingus - €9 per kg online, €15 per kg at airport
BMI - €12 per kg
Ryanair - €20 per kg at airport (n/a online)

Last updated 17 April 2012