✓ Policy web-verified 2026-06-20
Book the cheapest Bulgaria Air fare — the Economy Hand Baggage Only bundle — and you get exactly what the name promises: one cabin bag up to 10 kg (55 x 40 x 23 cm) plus a small personal item under the seat. Nothing goes in the hold. That is the entire deal. If you turn up at the gate expecting to check a 23 kg suitcase for free because Bulgaria Air is a flag carrier and not a budget airline, you will be paying at the desk.
The good news is that the cabin allowance is genuinely usable — a real 10 kg trolley case plus a laptop/handbag, not the personal-item-only stinginess of Ryanair or Wizz. A free checked bag only appears once you move up to Economy Saver, Economy Plus or Business, which all bundle a 23 kg checked piece. So the question on a cheap Bulgaria Air deal is simple: can you travel for your whole trip on 10 kg of cabin baggage, or do you need to buy the bag?
Quick facts
| Cheapest fare | Economy Hand Baggage Only — cabin bag, no hold bag |
| Free personal item | approx. 40 x 30 x 10 cm, under the seat |
| Cabin bag | 55 x 40 x 23 cm, up to 10 kg (Economy) |
| Free checked bag | Only on Saver / Plus / Business (23 kg) |
| Checked bag fee | approx. EUR 30-70 to add, varies by route |
| Overweight 23-32 kg | approx. EUR 50 (intl) / EUR 20 (domestic) |
| Max checked piece | 32 kg, 158 cm total dimensions |
| Business cabin | 2 pieces up to 15 kg total |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal item | approx. 40 x 30 x 10 cm, under the seat — included on every fare including the cheapest |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 55 x 40 x 23 cm, up to 10 kg in Economy (Business: 2 pieces, 15 kg total) — included on all fares |
Checked baggage & fees
| Free allowance | None on Economy Hand Baggage Only; 1 x 23 kg on Saver / Plus; 2 x 23 kg in Business |
| Weight limit per piece | Max 23 kg per free piece; bags up to 32 kg / 158 cm permitted with overweight fee |
| Add a checked bag | approx. EUR 30-70 one-way, varies by route and how early you pay |
| Overweight 23-32 kg | approx. EUR 50 international / EUR 20 domestic |
| Over 32 kg | Not accepted as a single piece |
Baggage by region & route
Checked-bag inclusion on the cheapest fare can depend on where you fly, not just the fare name. Here is what the lowest fare includes by route:
| Route / region | Cheapest fare includes |
|---|---|
| Europe (Sofia hub network) | No checked bag (Economy Hand Baggage Only) |
| Middle East (Tel Aviv, Beirut, Amman, etc.) | No checked bag (Economy Hand Baggage Only) |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy Hand Baggage Only | Yes | 55 x 40 x 23 cm, 10 kg | None |
| Economy Saver | Yes | 55 x 40 x 23 cm, 10 kg | 1 x 23 kg |
| Economy Plus | Yes | 55 x 40 x 23 cm, 10 kg | 1 x 23 kg |
| Business | Yes | 2 pcs, 15 kg total | 2 x 23 kg |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
On a cheap Bulgaria Air deal fare you are almost always on Economy Hand Baggage Only — so budget for the hold bag separately. What the cheapest fare strips is the entire checked allowance; what it keeps is a proper 10 kg cabin bag and a personal item, which is more generous than the European low-cost carriers. For a long weekend that 10 kg is plenty and you pay nothing extra.
If you need the hold, you have two routes. Either book up to Economy Saver at purchase, which folds a 23 kg bag in (often cheaper than adding it later), or add a checked bag to the Hand Baggage fare for roughly EUR 30-70 one-way depending on route and timing. Add it online and early — paying at the airport desk is the most expensive option. Compare the all-in price of Saver-plus-bag against the cheap fare-plus-paid-bag before you click; on short European hops the Saver upgrade frequently wins.
Oversize, sports & special items
Sports gear is carried for around EUR 50 one-way (max 23 kg, under 203 cm total) — but one set of skis or a snowboard rides free as your checked piece. Bicycles need prior approval and run roughly EUR 70 international / EUR 30 domestic. Strollers, car seats and travel cots fly free. Note that an infant under 2 only gets a free 10 kg checked allowance if the accompanying adult is on a fare that already includes a checked bag.
Like most of the EU, Bulgaria Air’s cabin-bag picture has been shaped by the 2025-2026 push toward a common European cabin-baggage baseline.
Frequently asked questions
Does the cheapest Bulgaria Air fare include a checked bag?
No. The Economy Hand Baggage Only fare includes a 10 kg cabin bag and a personal item but nothing in the hold. You must buy a checked bag separately or book up to Economy Saver.
How big and heavy can my Bulgaria Air cabin bag be?
In Economy, one cabin bag up to 55 x 40 x 23 cm and 10 kg, plus a small personal item of roughly 40 x 30 x 10 cm under the seat. Business gets two pieces up to 15 kg total.
Which Bulgaria Air fares include free checked baggage?
Economy Saver and Economy Plus each include one free 23 kg checked bag, and Business includes two 23 kg pieces. Economy Hand Baggage Only includes none.
How much does it cost to add a checked bag to Bulgaria Air?
Roughly EUR 30-70 one-way, varying by route and how early you pay. Add it online in advance — paying at the airport is the most expensive option.
What is the overweight fee on Bulgaria Air?
A bag between 23 kg and 32 kg costs about EUR 50 on international routes (around EUR 20 domestic). Single pieces over 32 kg are not accepted.
Can I bring skis or sports equipment on Bulgaria Air?
Yes. Sports equipment is about EUR 50 one-way (max 23 kg, under 203 cm), but one set of skis or a snowboard travels free as your checked piece. Bicycles need approval and cost roughly EUR 70 international / EUR 30 domestic.
Is a personal item free on the cheapest fare?
Yes. Every Bulgaria Air fare, including Economy Hand Baggage Only, includes a free under-seat personal item (handbag or laptop bag) alongside the cabin bag.
Is it cheaper to upgrade the fare or pay for a bag?
Often the Economy Saver fare, which bundles a 23 kg bag, is cheaper than the Hand Baggage fare plus a paid bag — especially on short European routes. Compare the all-in totals before booking.
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