✓ Policy web-verified 2026-05-31
Aer Lingus baggage rules split two ways in 2026: European flights use a weight concept (fares: Saver, Plus, Advantage, AerSpace) and transatlantic flights use a piece concept (fares: Saver, Smart, Flex, Business). The fare you book — not just the airline — decides what’s free.
Every fare includes a 10 kg cabin bag (55 x 40 x 24 cm) plus a small personal item. The catch: on European routes the cabin bag is only free to check on a Saver fare — bringing it into the cabin costs a fee unless you have a higher fare or AerClub status. Transatlantic and regional fares include it onboard free. A full checked-bag allowance (20 kg in Europe, 23 kg transatlantic) only comes with the higher fare bundles.
Quick facts
| Cabin bag | 55 x 40 x 24 cm, max 10 kg |
| Personal item | 25 x 33 x 20 cm (under seat) |
| Regional cabin bag | 10 kg, 55 x 40 x 24 cm (from 3 Mar 2026) |
| Checked bag (Europe) | 20 kg with Plus/Advantage; Saver = none |
| Checked bag (transatlantic) | 23 kg with Smart/Flex; Saver = none |
| Max bag weight | 32 kg / 70 lb per piece |
| Max bag size | 158 cm / 62 in total |
| Extra bag (transatlantic) | ~€75 / $100 per direction |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal / under-seat item | 25 x 33 x 20 cm. One small item (handbag, laptop bag) that fits under the seat in front. Included free on every fare and every route, including regional. |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 55 x 40 x 24 cm · 10 kg Free to carry on transatlantic & regional flights; on European flights the Saver fare lets you check it free but charges a fee (~€9.99/£9.99) to bring it into the cabin unless you have Plus/Advantage or AerClub status |
Checked baggage & fees
| Checked allowance | Europe: 20 kg with Plus/Advantage/AerSpace (Saver = 0). Transatlantic: 1 x 23 kg with Smart/Flex (Saver = 0); Business = 3 pieces |
| Weight limit | Max 32 kg / 70 lb per single piece |
| Typical fee | Transatlantic extra/second bag ~€75 / $100 per direction; Europe extra weight bought at airport ~€27–€57 by distance, or €10 per excess kg |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saver (Europe) | Included | 10 kg bag + personal item (cabin carriage costs a fee; free to check) | None included |
| Plus (Europe) | Included | 10 kg + personal item, free onboard | 1 x 20 kg |
| Advantage (Europe) | Included | 10 kg + personal item, free onboard | 1 x 20 kg |
| Saver (Transatlantic) | Included | 10 kg + personal item, free onboard | None included |
| Smart (Transatlantic) | Included | 10 kg + personal item | 1 x 23 kg |
| Flex (Transatlantic) | Included | 10 kg + personal item | 1 x 23 kg |
| Business (Transatlantic) | Included | 10 kg + personal item | 3 x 23 kg |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
What you actually get on a cheap Aer Lingus deal fare: nearly every rock-bottom price you see is a Saver fare — no checked bag included. You get a 10 kg cabin bag (55 x 40 x 24 cm) and an under-seat personal item, and that’s it.
The trap differs by route. On European Saver fares the 10 kg bag is free to check but costs a fee to carry into the cabin — so if you’re travelling cabin-only, budget for that fee or accept gate-checking. On transatlantic Saver fares the cabin bag is free onboard, but a checked bag is a paid add-on (roughly €75 / $100 per direction). Add the checked-bag cost to the headline fare before comparing against a fare that bundles it — a Smart/Flex or Plus fare is often cheaper than Saver-plus-bag once you need to check luggage.
Oversize, sports & special items
Regional flights (operated by Emerald Airlines): from 3 March 2026 these match the mainline 10 kg / 55 x 40 x 24 cm cabin allowance (previously 7 kg / 48 x 33 x 20 cm). Saver passengers pay to carry on or check free; Plus/Advantage and AerClub Silver+ get the 10 kg cabin bag free.
Oversize / overweight: any single checked piece over 32 kg / 70 lb or larger than 158 cm / 62 in total is not accepted as standard baggage. European overweight is charged at the airport (~€10 per excess kg); transatlantic overweight (23–32 kg) is ~€75 / $100 per direction.
Sports equipment: generally one item per person, max 23 kg, carried as part of or in place of your baggage allowance; Europe charges ~€40 per item each way, and transatlantic Smart/Flex/Business fares include one piece free.
Musical instruments: small instruments count as cabin baggage; a medium instrument (up to 94 x 58 x 41 cm) can travel in the cabin only if you buy an extra seat, otherwise it goes in the hold under standard rules.
Fees, dimensions and route bands change frequently — always confirm the exact figure for your specific route and fare on aerlingus.com before booking.
Frequently asked questions
Does the cheapest Aer Lingus fare include a checked bag?
No. The cheapest fare is a Saver fare, which includes a 10 kg cabin bag and a personal item but no checked baggage. A checked allowance only comes with Plus/Advantage (Europe) or Smart/Flex (transatlantic), or as a paid add-on.
What is the Aer Lingus cabin bag size and weight in 2026?
One cabin bag up to 10 kg, max 55 x 40 x 24 cm, plus a small personal item up to 25 x 33 x 20 cm that fits under the seat. From 3 March 2026 regional flights use the same 10 kg / 55 x 40 x 24 cm limit.
Is carry-on free on Aer Lingus?
It depends on the route. The 10 kg cabin bag is free onboard on transatlantic and regional flights. On European flights, a Saver passenger can check it free but pays a fee (around €9.99/£9.99) to bring it into the cabin, unless they have a Plus/Advantage fare or AerClub status.
How much does a checked bag cost on Aer Lingus?
On transatlantic routes an extra or second checked bag is roughly €75 / $100 per direction. On European routes you can't pre-buy weight online; extra allowance bought at the airport is about €27–€57 depending on distance, and overweight is around €10 per excess kilo.
What is the maximum checked bag weight and size?
No single checked piece may exceed 32 kg / 70 lb or 158 cm / 62 in in total dimensions. Heavier or larger items must be handled as oversize/cargo and are not accepted as standard baggage.
How many checked bags do Aer Lingus fares include?
European: Saver none, Plus/Advantage/AerSpace one 20 kg bag. Transatlantic: Saver none, Smart/Flex one 23 kg bag, Business three 23 kg bags (up to 69 kg combined).
Can I bring sports equipment or a musical instrument?
Sports gear is usually limited to one item per person up to 23 kg — about €40 per item each way in Europe, and free on transatlantic Smart/Flex/Business fares. Small instruments count as cabin baggage; a medium instrument needs an extra purchased seat to travel in the cabin.
Are Aer Lingus Regional baggage rules different?
From 3 March 2026 Aer Lingus Regional (operated by Emerald Airlines) matches the mainline 10 kg / 55 x 40 x 24 cm cabin allowance, up from the previous 7 kg / 48 x 33 x 20 cm. The personal item and Saver fee/check rules also align with mainline.
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