Overweight Baggage fees by airline

Last verified: 2025-12-24
This fee category is where airlines monetize confusion. Do not judge the fare in isolation; price the trip as fare plus likely add-ons.
Use this page for: This page should help users decide when to repack, split the load, or switch bag strategy before the airport becomes the most expensive place to solve the problem.
Quick check: Use the airline page after this hub to verify how the rule behaves on your fare class and route.
Common way to avoid the fee: The best loophole is usually not cleverness. It is choosing a fare or airline that does not need rescuing.
What to watch: Watch route carve-outs, fare-family differences, and whether the fee is really a disguised upsell.

Overweight-bag math is usually fixed before the airport scale, so compare Southwest, Frontier, and Spirit, then use carry-on strictness by airline and Sizer rules if repacking into a cabin-first strategy is still realistic.

Published rows on this page: 75

Common situations

Overweight fees are often the fastest way to turn a normal trip into a bad one
The jump from a normal checked bag to a 51-pound bag is often more painful than the original bag fee itself.
The right move is often weight-splitting, not fee acceptance
Southwest, Alaska, and other airlines make it obvious that shifting weight between bags is often cheaper than paying an overweight penalty.
Carry-on strategy can prevent the whole problem
If the traveler can stay in a strict but workable personal-item or cabin-bag setup, the overweight conversation disappears before check-in.

Airline pages to compare next

Southwest matters because the free-bag benchmark makes overweight penalties feel especially irrational.
Delta is a good legacy benchmark for the standard 51-70 and 71-100 pound pain ladder.
Frontier shows how overweight charges stack on top of already fragile bag math.
Spirit is useful because the bag can go from cheap trip to fee stack the moment weight control breaks.

Published fee rows (source-linked)

AirlineAmountApplies toRegion / routeTimingConditionsSourceLast verifiedShortcut
Aeroméxico (AM)Varies USDAll faresAll routesat airportChecked bags weighing more than standard allowance and up to maximum limits incur overweight fees; bags above maximum weight are not acceptedSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Air Astana (KC)Varies USDAll faresAll routesat airportChecked bags exceeding standard weight limits incur overweight charges; single bag maximum weight appliesSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Air Canada (AC)From 100 to 225 CADAll faresDomestic, transborder, internationalat airportOverweight checked bag (23-32 kg); fee varies by route; bags over 32 kg are not acceptedSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Air China (CA)Varies CNYAll faresAll routesat airportOverweight baggage fees apply when exceeding allowance up to 32 kg; fees depend on route and baggage conceptSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Air France (AF)Varies EURAll faresAll routes (Air France-operated flights)at airportOverweight Baggage option applies to bags heavier than the allowance in the ticket up to 32 kg; price depends on itinerary and must be paid at the airport; bags over 32 kg must be handled via cargoSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Air India (AI)Varies INRAll faresAll routesat airportOverweight baggage fees apply when exceeding allowance up to 32 kg; fees depend on route and excess weightSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Air New Zealand (NZ)Varies NZDAll faresAll routesat airportOverweight baggage applies to bags exceeding allowance up to 32 kg; fees vary by route; bags over 32 kg must be shipped as cargoSource2025-12-24Fee guide
AirAsia (AK)Varies USDAll faresAll routesat booking / manage bookingSingle checked bag may not exceed 32 kg; excess weight must be purchased in advance as additional baggage weightSource2025-12-24Fee guide
AIX Connect (I5)Varies INRAll faresAll routesat airportChecked bags exceeding standard weight limits incur overweight charges; maximum per-bag weight appliesSource2025-12-24Fee guide
All Nippon Airways (NH)Varies JPYAll faresAll routesat airportChecked bags weighing more than 23 kg and up to 32 kg incur an overweight fee; bags exceeding 32 kg are not accepted as checked baggageSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Asiana Airlines (OZ)Varies KRWAll faresAll routesat airportOverweight baggage fees apply when exceeding allowance up to 32 kg; fees depend on route and baggage conceptSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Avianca (AV)Varies USDAll faresAll routesat airportOverweight baggage fees apply for bags exceeding the allowance up to 32 kg; pricing depends on routeSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Batik Air (ID)Varies IDRAll faresAll routesat airportOverweight baggage fees apply when exceeding allowance up to 32 kg; fees depend on routeSource2025-12-24Fee guide
British Airways (BA)Not permittedAll faresAll routesat airportSingle checked bag must not exceed 32 kg; bags over 32 kg are not accepted as checked baggageSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Cathay Pacific (CX)Varies HKDAll faresAll routesat airportChecked bags exceeding standard weight limits incur overweight charges; maximum accepted weight per bag is 32 kgSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Cebu Pacific (5J)Varies USDAll faresAll routesat airportChecked baggage exceeding purchased allowance is charged per kilo at airport rates; single bag maximum weight limits applySource2025-12-24Fee guide
China Airlines (CI)Varies TWDAll faresAll routesat airportOverweight baggage fees apply when exceeding allowance up to 32 kg; fees depend on route and baggage conceptSource2025-12-24Fee guide
China Eastern Airlines (MU)Varies CNYAll faresAll routesat airportOverweight baggage fees apply when exceeding allowance up to 32 kg; fees depend on route and baggage conceptSource2025-12-24Fee guide
China Southern Airlines (CZ)Varies CNYAll faresAll routesat airportOverweight baggage fees apply when exceeding allowance up to 32 kg; fees depend on route and baggage conceptSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Copa Airlines (CM)Varies USDAll faresAll routesat airportOverweight baggage fees apply for bags exceeding the allowance up to 32 kg; pricing depends on routeSource2025-12-24Fee guide
EgyptAir (MS)Varies USDAll faresAll routesat airportChecked bags exceeding standard weight limits incur overweight charges; single bag maximum weight appliesSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Emirates (EK)Varies AEDAll faresAll routesat airportChecked bags exceeding standard weight limits incur overweight charges; maximum accepted weight per bag is 32 kgSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Ethiopian Airlines (ET)Varies USDAll faresAll routesat airportOverweight baggage applies when exceeding allowance; maximum single bag weight 32 kg; fees depend on route and baggage conceptSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Etihad Airways (EY)Varies USDAll faresAll routesat airportOverweight baggage fees apply when exceeding the ticketed allowance; maximum single bag weight is 32 kg; fees depend on route and baggage conceptSource2025-12-24Fee guide
EVA Air (BR)Varies TWDAll faresAll routesat airportOverweight baggage fees apply when exceeding allowance up to 32 kg; fees depend on route and baggage conceptSource2025-12-24Fee guide
flydubai (FZ)Varies USDAll faresAll routesat airportSingle checked bag may not exceed 32 kg; excess weight beyond purchased allowance charged at airport ratesSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Garuda Indonesia (GA)Varies IDRAll faresAll routesat airportOverweight baggage fees apply when exceeding allowance up to 32 kg; fees depend on route and baggage conceptSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Gulf Air (GF)Varies USDAll faresAll routesat airportChecked bags exceeding standard weight limits incur overweight charges; single bag maximum weight appliesSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Hainan Airlines (HU)Varies CNYAll faresAll routesat airportOverweight baggage applies when exceeding allowance up to 32 kg; fees depend on route and baggage conceptSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Hong Kong Airlines (HX)Varies HKDAll faresAll routesat airportOverweight baggage fees apply when exceeding allowance up to 32 kg; fees depend on routeSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Iberia (IB)Varies EURAll faresAll routesat airportChecked bags weighing more than 23 kg and up to 32 kg incur an overweight fee; bags over 32 kg are not acceptedSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Iberia Express (I2)Varies EURAll faresAll routesat airportChecked bags weighing more than 23 kg and up to 32 kg incur an overweight fee; bags over 32 kg are not acceptedSource2025-12-24Fee guide
IndiGo (6E)Varies INRAll faresAll routesat airportOverweight baggage fees apply when exceeding allowance; fees depend on route and excess weightSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Japan Airlines (JL)Varies JPYAll faresAll routesat airportChecked bags weighing more than 23 kg and up to 32 kg incur an overweight fee; bags exceeding 32 kg are not accepted as checked baggageSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Kenya Airways (KQ)Varies USDAll faresAll routesat airportChecked bags exceeding standard weight limits incur overweight charges; single bag maximum weight appliesSource2025-12-24Fee guide
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL)Varies EURAll faresAll routesat airportOverweight baggage applies to bags heavier than the ticketed allowance up to 32 kg; price depends on route; bags over 32 kg must be shipped as cargoSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Korean Air (KE)Varies KRWAll faresAll routesat airportChecked bags exceeding standard weight limits incur overweight charges; maximum accepted weight per bag is 32 kgSource2025-12-24Fee guide
LATAM Airlines (LA)Varies USDAll faresAll routesat airportChecked bags weighing more than 23 kg and up to 32 kg incur an overweight fee; bags over 32 kg are not acceptedSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Lufthansa (LH)Varies EUREconomy / Premium EconomyAll routeseach wayIn Economy/Premium Economy, a checked bag is considered excess when it weighs more than 23 kg (up to max 32 kg); excess baggage fees apply as published and vary by routeSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Lufthansa (LH)Not permittedAll faresAll routesat airportMaximum travel weight per checked bag is 32 kg; items exceeding this weight are not accepted as travel baggageSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Malaysia Airlines (MH)Varies MYRAll faresAll routesat airportOverweight baggage fees apply when exceeding allowance up to 32 kg; fees depend on route and baggage conceptSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Oman Air (WY)Varies USDAll faresAll routesat airportSingle checked bag must not exceed 32 kg; overweight charges apply for bags exceeding standard limitsSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Philippine Airlines (PR)Varies PHPAll faresAll routesat airportOverweight baggage fees apply when exceeding allowance up to 32 kg; fees depend on route and baggage conceptSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Qantas Airways (QF)60 AUDAll passengersDomestic Australiaat airportAirport heavy bag charge for each piece weighing over 23kg (50lbs) on Australian domestic flightsSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Qatar Airways (QR)Varies QARAll faresAll routesat airportChecked bags exceeding standard weight limits incur overweight charges; maximum accepted weight per bag is 32 kgSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Royal Air Maroc (AT)Varies USDAll faresAll routesat airportChecked bags exceeding standard weight limits incur overweight charges; maximum per-bag weight appliesSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines) (SV)Varies USDAll faresAll routesat airportOverweight baggage applies when exceeding allowance; maximum single bag weight 32 kg; fees depend on route and baggage conceptSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Scoot (TR)Varies USDAll faresAll routesat airportSingle checked bag must not exceed 32 kg; excess weight beyond purchased allowance charged at airport ratesSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Singapore Airlines (SQ)Varies SGDAll faresAll routesat airportChecked bags exceeding standard weight limits incur overweight charges; maximum accepted weight per bag is 32 kgSource2025-12-24Fee guide
South African Airways (SA)Varies USDAll faresAll routesat airportChecked bags exceeding standard weight limits incur overweight charges; single bag maximum weight appliesSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Southwest Airlines (WN)100 USDAll faresAll routesone-wayOverweight item: 51–70 lbs; charge is in addition to the standard checked bag feeSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Southwest Airlines (WN)200 USDAll faresAll routesone-wayOverweight item: 71–100 lbs; charge is in addition to the standard checked bag feeSource2025-12-24Fee guide
SpiceJet (SG)Varies INRAll faresAll routesat airportChecked bags exceeding standard weight limits incur overweight charges; maximum per-bag weight appliesSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Spirit Airlines (NK)Varies USDAll faresAll routeseach wayOverweight bag fees apply for bags exceeding standard weight limits; maximum accepted weight is 100 lbsSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Spring Airlines (9C)Varies CNYAll faresAll routesat airportChecked bags exceeding purchased allowance incur overweight charges; maximum per-bag weight limits applySource2025-12-24Fee guide
SriLankan Airlines (UL)Varies USDAll faresAll routesat airportOverweight baggage fees apply when exceeding allowance up to 32 kg; fees depend on route and baggage conceptSource2025-12-24Fee guide
TAP Air Portugal (TP)Varies EURAll faresAll routesat airportChecked bags weighing more than 23 kg and up to 32 kg incur an overweight fee; bags over 32 kg are not acceptedSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Thai Airways (TG)Varies THBAll faresAll routesat airportOverweight baggage fees apply when exceeding allowance up to 32 kg; fees depend on route and baggage conceptSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Turkish Airlines (TK)Varies USDAll faresAll routesat airportChecked bags exceeding standard weight limits incur overweight charges; maximum accepted weight per bag is 32 kgSource2025-12-24Fee guide
VietJet Air (VJ)Varies USDAll faresAll routesat airportSingle checked bag must not exceed 32 kg; excess weight beyond purchased allowance charged per kilogram at airport ratesSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Vietnam Airlines (VN)Varies VNDAll faresAll routesat airportOverweight baggage fees apply when exceeding allowance up to 32 kg; fees depend on route and baggage conceptSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Virgin Australia (VA)Varies AUDAll faresAll routesat airportChecked bags exceeding standard weight limits may incur an overweight fee; maximum weight limits applySource2025-12-24Fee guide
Vistara (UK)Varies INRAll faresAll routesat airportChecked bags exceeding standard weight limits incur overweight charges; single bag maximum weight appliesSource2025-12-24Fee guide
Viva Aerobus (VB)Varies USDAll faresAll routesat airportChecked bags exceeding standard weight allowance incur overweight charges; maximum per-bag weight limits applySource2025-12-24Fee guide
Volaris (Y4)Varies USDAll faresAll routesat airportChecked bags exceeding weight allowance incur overweight fees; single bag maximum weight limits applySource2025-12-24Fee guide
WestJet (WS)From 100 to 150 CADAll faresDomestic, transborder, internationalat airportOverweight checked bag (23–32 kg); bags over 32 kg are not acceptedSource2025-12-24Fee guide
XiamenAir (MF)Varies CNYAll faresAll routesat airportOverweight baggage fees apply when exceeding allowance up to 32 kg; fees depend on route and excess weightSource2025-12-24Fee guide
ZIPAIR Tokyo (ZG)Varies JPYAll faresAll routesat airportSingle checked bag must not exceed 32 kg; excess weight beyond purchased allowance charged at airport ratesSource2025-12-24Fee guide
American Airlines (AA)100 USDAll faresMost routeseach wayBags weighing 51–70 lbs (23–32 kg)Source2025-12-22Fee guide
American Airlines (AA)200 USDAll faresMost routeseach wayBags weighing 71–100 lbs (32–45 kg); bags over 100 lbs are not acceptedSource2025-12-22Fee guide
Delta Air Lines (DL)100 USDAll faresMost routeseach wayBags weighing 51–70 lbs (23–32 kg)Source2025-12-22Fee guide
Delta Air Lines (DL)200 USDAll faresMost routeseach wayBags weighing 71–100 lbs (32–45 kg); bags over 100 lbs not acceptedSource2025-12-22Fee guide
Frontier Airlines (F9)75 USDAll faresAll routeseach wayBags weighing 41–50 lbs (19–23 kg)Source2025-12-22Fee guide
Frontier Airlines (F9)100 USDAll faresAll routeseach wayBags weighing 51–100 lbs (23–45 kg); bags over 100 lbs not acceptedSource2025-12-22Fee guide
JetBlue (B6)150 USDAll faresMost routeseach wayBags weighing 51-99 lbs (23-45 kg); bags weighing 100 lbs or more are not acceptedSource2025-12-22Fee guide
Use the Fee guide column if you want the airline-specific page that explains how this fee usually shows up in a real trip.

Overweight-bag math is usually fixed before the airport scale, so compare Southwest, Frontier, and Spirit, then use carry-on strictness by airline and Sizer rules if repacking into a cabin-first strategy is still realistic.

Related references

After the overweight-baggage page, the most useful next step is usually the airline page or carry-on guide, because the best solution often happens before the scale, not after it.
The card tool matters when the traveler decides checked-bag math is unavoidable and wants to lower the recurring cost of the first bag.
The cleanest way to avoid overweight fees is often to avoid checking a bag at all when the airline's carry-on reality allows it.
Strictness and bag shape determine whether a lighter carry-on strategy is realistic before the airport.