✓ Policy web-verified 2026-05-31
TAP Air Portugal sells five economy fare tiers (Discount, Basic, Classic, Plus and Prime) plus Business, and your baggage depends entirely on which one you book. Everyone gets the same generous carry-on, but the cheapest Discount fare is hand-baggage-only with no checked bag included. The most important catch: on short-haul Europe and Morocco routes, even the Basic fare includes no checked bag — only Plus and Classic do — whereas on intercontinental flights Basic, Classic and Plus all include one checked bag.
All figures below are verified against TAP’s official baggage pages for 2026. Fees vary by route and season, so always check the price shown for your specific itinerary at booking; adding a bag online is consistently cheaper than at the airport gate.
Quick facts
| Personal item | 40 x 30 x 15 cm, max 2 kg — fits under the seat |
| Carry-on (cabin bag) | 55 x 40 x 25 cm, max 10 kg |
| Checked bag (Economy) | Max 23 kg, up to 158 cm (total of 3 dimensions) |
| Checked bag (Business) | Max 32 kg, up to 158 cm |
| Cheapest fare (Discount) | Carry-on + personal item only — no checked bag |
| Extra checked bag (prepaid) | From ~30 EUR / 37 USD / 49 CAD, varies by route |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal / under-seat item | 40 x 30 x 15 cm (16 x 12 x 5 in), max 2 kg. One per passenger, all fares including Discount. Must fit under the seat in front. |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 55 x 40 x 25 cm (22 x 16 x 10 in) · 10 kg Included in all fares (1 piece in Economy; Business gets 2 on Europe/Africa/South America/domestic, 1 on North America routes) |
Checked baggage & fees
| Checked allowance | 1 bag in Basic/Classic/Plus on intercontinental (Plus = 2); on Europe/Morocco short-haul only Classic/Plus include a bag. Discount = none. |
| Weight limit | 23 kg Economy / 32 kg Business |
| Typical fee | Extra/added bags from ~30 EUR (37 USD / 49 CAD) prepaid; higher at airport and on intercontinental routes |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discount | 40x30x15 cm, 2 kg | 55x40x25 cm, 10 kg | None included |
| Basic | 40x30x15 cm, 2 kg | 55x40x25 cm, 10 kg | 1 x 23 kg intercontinental; NONE on Europe/Morocco short-haul |
| Classic | 40x30x15 cm, 2 kg | 55x40x25 cm, 10 kg | 1 x 23 kg |
| Plus | 40x30x15 cm, 2 kg | 55x40x25 cm, 10 kg | 2 x 23 kg intercontinental; 1 x 23 kg on Europe/Morocco |
| Business (Executive) | 40x30x15 cm, 2 kg | 55x40x25 cm, 10 kg x2 (1 on North America) | 2 x 32 kg |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
What TAP’s cheapest fare actually gives you: the Discount fare you’ll see on most deal listings includes only your 10 kg cabin bag (55 x 40 x 25 cm) plus a small under-seat personal item — no checked bag at all.
If a deal headline shows TAP at a rock-bottom price, assume it’s Discount and budget for a checked bag if you need one. On short-haul Europe/Morocco routes, watch out: even the next tier up (Basic) still includes no checked bag — you have to reach Classic to get one. Booking Classic upfront is usually cheaper than Discount-plus-bag, so price both before you commit.
Oversize, sports & special items
Overweight & oversize: Economy bags over 23 kg (up to 32 kg max) or exceeding 158 cm incur surcharges that vary widely by season and route, commonly in the ~60 EUR range on Europe/North Africa and substantially higher on intercontinental sectors. A bag forced into the hold at the gate attracts a steep gate fee — far more than prepaying online.
Sports & special baggage: golf bags, bikes, surfboards and skis are treated as special baggage (fees roughly 45–100+ EUR by item and route) and should be registered at least 24 hours ahead via the TAP Contact Center. A golf bag counts as one piece at the 158 cm hold limit. Bicycles must have handlebars turned and pedals removed (or be boxed). Small instruments (violin, ukulele) can travel as your cabin bag if within 55 x 40 x 25 cm / 10 kg; larger instruments (guitar, cello) need an extra cabin seat or go in the hold within your allowance.
Frequently asked questions
Does TAP Air Portugal's cheapest fare include a checked bag?
No. The Discount fare is carry-on only on every route — you get a 10 kg cabin bag (55 x 40 x 25 cm) and a 2 kg personal item, but no checked bag. You must buy one separately or book a higher fare.
What is TAP Air Portugal's carry-on size and weight limit?
One cabin bag up to 55 x 40 x 25 cm and 10 kg, plus one personal item up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm and 2 kg that fits under the seat. This applies to all fares, including Discount.
How much does a checked bag weigh on TAP?
Checked bags are limited to 23 kg in Economy and 32 kg in Business, with maximum dimensions of 158 cm (total of height + length + width).
Does the Basic fare include a checked bag?
It depends on the route. On intercontinental flights, Basic includes 1 checked bag of 23 kg. On short-haul Europe and Morocco routes, Basic includes NO checked bag — only Classic and Plus do.
How much does it cost to add a checked bag to a TAP flight?
Prepaid extra bags start from around 30 EUR (37 USD / 49 CAD) and rise by route, with intercontinental sectors costing more. Paying at the airport is more expensive, and a gate-checked bag costs the most.
How many bags does TAP Plus fare include?
The Plus fare includes 2 checked bags of 23 kg each on intercontinental flights, and 1 checked bag of 23 kg on Europe/Morocco routes. It is still an Economy fare but with more flexibility.
Can I bring a guitar or musical instrument on TAP?
Small instruments like violins or ukuleles can be carried as your cabin bag if they fit 55 x 40 x 25 cm and 10 kg. Larger instruments such as guitars or cellos need a purchased extra cabin seat, or can be checked within your hold allowance.
What are TAP's overweight baggage fees?
Bags between 23 kg and 32 kg in Economy incur an overweight charge — roughly 60 EUR on Europe/North Africa routes and higher on intercontinental flights. Fees vary by season and route, so check at booking.
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