Aer Lingus Baggage Fees (2026)
Quick summary
Aer Lingus is Ireland's flag carrier, but it operates two quite different products. On short-haul European routes its fares behave like a low-cost carrier — cheaper Saver fares come with only a personal item and a small checked bag, while higher fares bundle in cabin and hold baggage. On long-haul transatlantic routes it is a full-service airline, with cabin baggage and a personal item included on every fare but checked luggage added on the cheapest fares. Fees are quoted in EUR (with USD equivalents on transatlantic routes). Allowances vary by fare and by route — confirm at booking.
The bottom line on Aer Lingus baggage
Aer Lingus is really two airlines: a low-cost operation on short-haul Europe and a full-service one across the Atlantic. The trap is assuming a flag carrier includes hold luggage — a transatlantic Saver gets a cabin bag and personal item but no checked bag (from €75/$100 to add), and a short-haul Saver may only let its cabin bag on board if it is checked into the hold.
The reliable saves are to read exactly what your Saver fare includes before booking, and to add any checked or extra bag online in advance — European excess runs €10 per kilo at the airport, so weighing at home pays off.
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Hidden pitfalls most travelers miss
- Aer Lingus is really two airlines — short-haul Europe behaves like a low-cost carrier, so a flag-carrier reputation doesn't mean hold luggage is included.
- A transatlantic Saver includes a cabin bag and personal item but no checked bag — from €75/$100 to add each way.
- On European flights excess weight is charged at €10 per kilo at the airport, so weighing bags at home before you leave pays off.
Aer Lingusbaggage allowance & fees at a glance
| 🎒 Personal item | One small under-seat item up to 25 x 33 x 20 cm (such as a handbag or laptop bag), included on every fare across both short-haul and transatlantic flights. |
| 🧳 Carry-on allowance | On most Aer Lingus flights, one cabin bag up to 10kg, maximum 55 x 40 x 24 cm, in addition to the personal item. On all transatlantic flights both a carry-on and a personal item are included for every passenger. As of 3 March 2026, Aer Lingus Regional flights (operated by Emerald Airlines) share the same 10kg / 55 x 40 x 24 cm cabin allowance — the previous smaller 7kg regional limit no longer applies. Note: on the cheapest short-haul Saver fare the full cabin bag may not be included on board unless it is checked into the hold (a small on-board fee otherwise applies) — check your fare. |
| 🧳 First checked bag | 10kg checked bag + personal item |
| 🧳 Second checked bag | 1 × 20kg checked bag included |
Aer Lingus checked bag fees
| Short-haul Saver | 10kg checked bag + personal item |
| Short-haul Plus / Advantage / AerSpace | 1 × 20kg checked bag included |
| Transatlantic Saver | No checked bag (cabin bag + personal item only); from €75 to add |
| Transatlantic Smart / Plus / Business | Checked bag(s) included (up to 2 × 23kg on higher fares) |
| Max checked bag size / weight | 158 cm (62 in) linear, up to 32kg per piece |
Excess baggage cost calculator
Estimate what Aer Lingus will actually charge for your bags — one way, typical domestic/regional route.
- Checked bag #1$100
You'd save $56 by flying British Airways for this baggage.
Estimates only. Fees vary by route, fare type, and date — always confirm before booking.
Aer Lingus vs British Airways vs TAP Air Portugal: baggage compared
Head-to-head on the fees that actually decide the cheaper airline for bags.
| Aer Lingus | British Airways | TAP Air Portugal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carry-on included | ✅ Free | ✅ Free | ✅ Free |
| 1st checked bag | $100 | $44 | $49 |
| 2nd checked bag | — | — | — |
| Overweight surcharge | $100 | $100 | — |
| Weight limit | 23 kg | 23 kg | 23 kg |
Flying Aer Lingus abroad?
Aer Lingus is a full-service carrier based in Europe — if this is an international trip, a travel eSIM means you land with data already working, with no roaming bill.
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🔁 Change & cancellation
Change and cancellation rules depend on the fare. Saver fares are the most restrictive and largely non-refundable, with change fees plus any fare difference. Plus, Advantage, AerSpace and transatlantic Business fares allow more flexible (sometimes free) changes. Always review the specific fare conditions at booking.
Aer Lingus flight delayed or cancelled?
Compensation rules follow the route, not the airline — a Europe-departing Aer Lingus flight delayed 3+ hours can be worth up to €600. Checking costs nothing.
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Other common fees
| Transatlantic checked bag (online, Saver) | from €75 / $100 per direction |
| Excess weight — European flights | €10 per extra kg at the airport |
| Overweight bag (23–32kg) — transatlantic | €75 / $100 flat per bag, per direction |
| Seat selection | Paid on lower fares; varies by route and seat type |
What stops you paying these fees on Aer Lingus
- An overweight bag costs +$100 here over 23 kg, each way. A scale costs about $10 — the maths on that →
How to avoid extra fees
- Short-haul Aer Lingus fares behave like a low-cost carrier — read what your Saver fare actually includes before assuming hold luggage is free.
- On transatlantic routes, every fare includes a cabin bag and personal item, but the cheapest Saver fare does not include a checked bag (from €75 to add).
- Add checked or extra bags online before getting to the airport — European excess is €10 per kg at the airport.
- Since 3 March 2026 Aer Lingus Regional (Emerald Airlines) flights use the same 10kg / 55 x 40 x 24 cm cabin allowance as mainline — you no longer need to pack down to the old 7kg regional limit.
- Keep each checked bag under 23kg; bags 23–32kg incur a flat €75/$100 overweight fee, and no bag over 32kg is accepted.
Aer Lingus baggage — FAQ
＋ − Does Aer Lingus include a checked bag on transatlantic flights?
It depends on the fare. The cheapest transatlantic Saver fare includes a cabin bag and personal item but no checked bag (from €75/$100 to add). Smart, Plus and Business fares include one or more checked bags.
＋ − What is the Aer Lingus carry-on allowance?
On most flights, one cabin bag up to 10kg (55 x 40 x 24 cm) plus a small personal item (25 x 33 x 20 cm). Since 3 March 2026 Aer Lingus Regional flights share the same 10kg / 55 x 40 x 24 cm cabin allowance rather than the old smaller 7kg limit.
＋ − How much is excess baggage on Aer Lingus?
On European flights you pay €10 per extra kilogram at the airport. On transatlantic flights an overweight bag (23–32kg) is a flat €75/$100 per bag each way, and an added checked bag starts from €75 online.
Sources & official policy links
Independent guide — not affiliated with Aer Lingus. Figures here reflect Aer Lingus's published Europe fares as of 2026-07-12.