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How to Add a Suitcase to Your Flight: The Complete Guide to Saving Money and Time
October 23, 2026
To add a suitcase to your flight the cheapest and fastest way, go to the airline's website or app, open the "Manage Booking" section, enter the booking code and your last name, and choose "Add Baggage". It's best to do this at least 24 hours before the flight to save up to 50% of the cost of adding it at the airport.
When and how is it cheapest to add a suitcase to your flight?
The first and most important rule in modern aviation, especially in the age of low-cost flights, is simple: don't wait for the airport. Airlines price baggage services dynamically, and the price goes up as the flight date gets closer. If you buy your baggage allowance when you book the original ticket, you'll pay the lowest price. If you remember later, adding it through the airline's website or app will still be much cheaper than arriving at the check-in counter with a suitcase that wasn't paid for in advance.
Buying baggage at the airport itself, or worse, at the boarding gate, can cost you three or four times the original price. Airlines fine passengers who arrive at the counter with excess baggage amounts that can reach tens or even hundreds of euros per direction. So planning ahead is the key to significant savings in your travel budget.
Step by step: how to add baggage online
Adding a suitcase yourself is a simple process that takes less than five minutes. Follow these steps to make sure you do it right:
- Step 1: find your booking code (PNR). Search your email for the booking confirmation you received from the airline or travel agent. The booking code usually has 6 characters (a mix of letters and numbers).
- Step 2: go to the website or app. Open the official website of the airline you're flying with. Look for the "Manage Booking", "My Trips" or "Check-in" tab.
- Step 3: enter your details. Enter the booking code and the passenger's last name (exactly as it appears in the passport and the booking).
- Step 4: choose the baggage add-on. Within the Manage Booking screen, look for a button or link that says "Add Bags" or "Baggage". The system will show you the available baggage types: a carry-on trolley (up to 10 kg) or a large suitcase for the hold (usually in weights of 10 kg, 20 kg, 23 kg or 32 kg).
- Step 5: pay and confirm. Choose the weight you want for each passenger, go to the secure payment screen, enter your card details and make sure you receive an updated email confirmation showing the newly added baggage.
Comparison: costs and ways of adding a suitcase
To understand the huge price gap between the different options, we've put together a general comparison table showing average price levels by purchase channel:
| Purchase channel | Relative cost | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| When buying the ticket | Cheapest (100%) | Peace of mind, the lowest possible price | Requires an immediate decision at an early stage |
| Online (before check-in) | Medium to low (110% to 130%) | Flexibility, you can decide based on your real need before packing | Slightly more expensive than in the original purchase |
| During online check-in | Medium to high (140% to 160%) | A last chance before arriving at the airport | Prices start climbing as the flight approaches |
| At the airport counter | Very expensive (200% to 300%) | An emergency solution when there's no choice | Long lines, heavy fees and inflated payment |
| At the boarding gate | Most expensive (300%+) | No advantage | Maximum fees, delayed boarding and unnecessary stress |
The baggage rules of the leading low-cost airlines
Many travellers fly with European low-cost airlines, known for their strict baggage policies. Here are key points for the main ones:
Wizz Air
The basic ticket includes only a small backpack that fits under the seat in front of you. To bring a trolley into the cabin (up to 10 kg), you need to buy a service called WIZZ Priority. If you need a large suitcase, the airline lets you add hold bags of 10, 20 or 32 kg. Note that Wizz Air's baggage prices vary dramatically with the season (peak versus off-peak) and the length of the flight.
Ryanair
Like its competitors, Ryanair allows only a small personal bag for free. A 10 kg trolley can be added by buying a Regular fare or a separate Priority add-on. Hold bags are available in weights of 10 kg or 20 kg only. Ryanair is known for very strict enforcement of bag dimensions at the boarding gate using metal sizers.
EasyJet
EasyJet offers a somewhat more relaxed policy on carry-on weight (there's no official weight limit for the trolley, as long as you can lift it into the overhead bin yourself), but the dimensions must be exact. Adding a hold suitcase on easyJet starts at 15 kg and goes up to 23 kg, with the option to buy extra weight in units of 3 kg.
Pro tips: how to save money and avoid surprises at the airport
So you don't find yourself paying a lot of unnecessary money at the airline counter, we've collected a few practical tips from decades of experience in the travel world:
- Weigh the suitcase at home: don't guess. Use a dedicated digital luggage scale before you leave home. Remember that airlines don't round down: going over by half a kilogram may cost you a full excess weight fee.
- Use smart organizing accessories: packing cubes and suitcase organizers don't just keep things tidy, they let you compress clothes more efficiently and use the suitcase's maximum volume without going over the size limit.
- Buy lightweight suitcases: a heavy suitcase "steals" precious kilograms from you before you've put in a single item of clothing. Prefer strong but lightweight suitcases made of advanced materials like polycarbonate or light, durable fabrics.
- Tag your suitcase: adding a quality, durable leather or silicone ID tag, together with a smart tracking device (like an AirTag), means that even if your suitcase gets lost between flights, you can find it quickly and avoid a lot of distress.
Products to help you on your way
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Frequently asked questions
What happens if my suitcase weighs more than the weight I booked?
If you're over the weight, the airline will make you pay a fee for each extra kilogram at the check-in counter, or buy a higher weight tier on the spot. It's best to weigh the suitcase at home and move weight to your hand luggage if needed.
Can I add a suitcase to my flight after I've already checked in?
Yes, on most airlines you can add a suitcase even after online check-in through the website or app, as long as the Manage Booking window is open (usually until 3 to 4 hours before the flight). It will always be cheaper than adding it in person at the airport.
What's the difference between carry-on and checked baggage?
A carry-on bag or trolley boards the plane with you and is stored in the overhead bins or under the seat in front of you. A checked bag is handed in at the check-in counter, goes in the hold and is only returned to you on the baggage carousel at your destination.
Can a couple combine weights between two suitcases?
On the vast majority of airlines (and especially low-cost ones) the policy is per suitcase, not per family. If you bought two 20 kg suitcases and one weighs 25 kg and the other 15 kg, you may be fined for the heavy one even though the total is fine.
How do I know if my ticket already includes a suitcase?
Check the booking confirmation or the electronic ticket (e-ticket). Look for a section called Baggage Allowance or suitcase icons. If it shows 0PC, the ticket doesn't include a suitcase for the hold.
