✓ Policy web-verified 2026-05-31
Austrian Airlines, the Lufthansa Group’s Vienna-based flag carrier, uses the same Economy fare-bundle structure as the rest of the group: Economy Light, Economy Classic and Economy Flex. The single most important thing to know for 2026 is that the cheapest fare — Economy Light — includes no checked bag at all. You get a full-size carry-on plus a personal item, and that’s it. If you book a cheap deal fare, assume it’s Light and budget a bag fee on top.
Hand baggage is generous and consistent across cabins: one cabin bag up to 8 kg at 55 x 40 x 23 cm, plus a free under-seat personal item at 40 x 30 x 10 cm. Checked allowance, weight and fees vary by fare and by route (intra-Europe vs intercontinental, and especially flights to/from the USA), so the figures below note where they differ.
Quick facts
| Personal item | 40 x 30 x 10 cm — free, all fares, fits under the seat |
| Carry-on | 55 x 40 x 23 cm, max 8 kg — 1 piece (2 in Business) |
| Checked — Economy Light | None included — buy separately |
| Checked — Economy Classic / Flex | 1 piece up to 23 kg |
| Checked — Premium Economy | 2 pieces up to 23 kg each |
| Checked — Business | 2 pieces up to 32 kg each |
| Prepaid bag fee — Europe | from ~€25 / $30 (Light, one-way, online) |
| Prepaid bag fee — US/Canada | from ~€65 / $75 (Light, one-way) |
| Airport (late) bag fee | ~€50 / $60 — cheaper to prepay online |
| Max checked weight per bag | 32 kg (bags over 32 kg refused); max size 158 cm total |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal / under-seat item | 40 x 30 x 10 cm. Free for all passengers on every fare, including Economy Light. Must fit under the seat in front of you. |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 55 x 40 x 23 cm · 8 kg Free (1 piece; 2 in Business) |
Checked baggage & fees
| Checked allowance | 0 pieces on Economy Light; 1 x 23 kg on Classic/Flex; 2 on Premium Economy/Business |
| Weight limit | 23 kg (Economy/Premium); 32 kg (Business). Max size 158 cm total (L+W+H). Bags over 32 kg are refused. |
| Typical fee | Light: from ~€25/$30 (Europe) or ~€65/$75 (US/Canada) prepaid one-way; ~€50/$60 if added at the airport |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy Light | 1 (40x30x10 cm) | 1 x 8 kg (55x40x23 cm) | None included |
| Economy Classic | 1 | 1 x 8 kg | 1 x 23 kg |
| Economy Flex | 1 | 1 x 8 kg | 1 x 23 kg |
| Premium Economy | 1 | 1 x 8 kg | 2 x 23 kg |
| Business | 1 | 2 x 8 kg | 2 x 32 kg |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
What you actually get at deal prices: almost every cheap Austrian Airlines fare you’ll find is Economy Light. That includes your 8 kg cabin bag and a free personal item — but no checked bag whatsoever. If your deal headline looks unbeatable, the math only holds if you can travel cabin-only.
Adding a checked bag to a Light fare costs from ~€25/$30 one-way within Europe, and noticeably more on long-haul — from ~€65/$75 each way on US/Canada routes. Always prepay online; adding the bag at the airport typically jumps to ~€50/$60. For two travellers each needing a bag on a transatlantic round-trip, that’s easily €200+ in fees, so compare the all-in Light+bag price against a Classic fare before booking — Classic sometimes works out cheaper once a bag is included.
Frequently asked questions
Does Austrian Airlines Economy Light include a checked bag?
No. Economy Light — the cheapest fare and the one behind most deal prices — includes only a 8 kg cabin bag and a free personal item. A checked bag must be purchased separately, from about €25/$30 within Europe or €65/$75 on US/Canada routes, one-way.
What are the Austrian Airlines carry-on size and weight limits?
One cabin bag up to 55 x 40 x 23 cm and 8 kg, plus one free personal item up to 40 x 30 x 10 cm that fits under the seat. Business Class passengers may take two cabin bags. These limits are the same on every fare, including Economy Light.
How much does a checked bag cost on Austrian Airlines?
On Economy Light, a first checked bag costs from roughly €25/$30 one-way within Europe and from about €65/$75 on flights to/from the USA and Canada when prepaid online. Adding it at the airport is more expensive, around €50/$60. Extra bags beyond your allowance cost from €30 in Europe and from €60 long-haul.
What is the checked baggage weight limit on Austrian Airlines?
23 kg per bag in Economy and Premium Economy, and 32 kg per bag in Business. The maximum total size is 158 cm (length + width + height). Any bag over 32 kg will not be accepted at check-in and must be shipped as cargo.
How many checked bags do I get on Austrian Airlines?
Economy Light: none. Economy Classic and Flex: one bag up to 23 kg. Premium Economy: two bags up to 23 kg each. Business: two bags up to 32 kg each. First Class (where offered) allows three bags up to 32 kg each.
What does Austrian Airlines charge for overweight, oversize and sports baggage?
Bags over the weight or size limit incur excess fees ranging from about €50/$60 within Europe to €120-300+ on intercontinental routes, depending on the overage. Sports equipment costs from about €70 (domestic) up to around €250 (long-haul). Skis/snowboards travel free on most fares, but not on short/medium-haul Economy Light/Basic or on USA/Mexico/Central America routes. Bicycles must be in a proper case, and large sports/musical items should be registered with the airline in advance.
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