✓ Policy web-verified 2026-05-31
The single most important thing to know about TUI Airways baggage is how you booked. A TUI package holiday bundles checked baggage (15kg to 25kg per person depending on the holiday type); a flight-only booking includes no checked baggage at all — you must buy it as a paid add-on before you fly. The cabin allowance, however, is the same for both: every passenger aged 2+ gets one 10kg cabin bag plus a small under-seat personal item, free.
This guide covers TUI Airways (the UK carrier, operator code BY), which is distinct from the continental TUI fly airlines in Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands and Germany — those have introduced a separate paid-cabin-bag rule from May 2026 (covered below). Figures verified against TUI’s published policy and current 2026 fee tables. Where a fee varies by route or season, we say so rather than quoting a single number.
Quick facts
| Personal item (under seat) | 40 x 30 x 20 cm | Free — handbag, laptop bag or small backpack |
| Cabin bag | 55 x 40 x 20 cm, 10 kg | Free on TUI Airways UK flights (all fares) |
| Checked bag — package holiday | 15-25 kg | Included free (weight depends on holiday type) |
| Checked bag — flight-only | 15 / 20 / 25 kg | Paid add-on; from ~£40, typically £55-80 per 15kg |
| Infant (under 2) | 10 kg hold | Included |
| Single-piece max weight | 25 kg | No single bag over 25kg accepted |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal / under-seat item | 40 x 30 x 20 cm. One small personal item that fits under the seat in front — handbag, laptop bag or small backpack. Free for every passenger and not affected by the 2026 continental TUI fly cabin-bag change. |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 55 x 40 x 20 cm · 10 kg Free on TUI Airways (UK) flights for all passengers aged 2 and over |
Checked baggage & fees
| Checked allowance | Package holiday: 15-25 kg included. Flight-only: nothing included — add 15, 20 or 25 kg as a paid extra |
| Weight limit | Up to 25 kg per single piece (no piece over 25kg accepted) |
| Typical fee | Flight-only: from ~£40 if pre-booked online, typically £55-£60 / €70 per 15kg short/mid-haul; £75-£80 / €90 per 15kg long-haul. Excess from ~£14-£18 (or €20) per extra kg. Varies by route and season. |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight-only (Standard) | 40x30x20 cm under-seat item — free | 55x40x20 cm, 10 kg — free | Not included — paid add-on (15/20/25 kg) |
| Package holiday | 40x30x20 cm under-seat item — free | 55x40x20 cm, 10 kg — free | 15 kg standard package; 20 kg most packages since May 2024; 25 kg on TUI BLUE, Sensatori, Holiday Village, A La Carte, River Cruise and Wedding packages |
| Fly Deluxe | Included | Includes one piece of larger hand luggage plus priority | Per booking type — buy hold bags if flight-only |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
What you actually get on a cheap TUI Airways flight-only deal: the headline fare is genuinely cabin-only. You take a 10kg cabin bag (55 x 40 x 20 cm) and an under-seat personal item for free — that’s better than most low-cost carriers, which now charge for any overhead bag. But checked baggage is never included on a flight-only fare.
Budget for the hold bag separately: realistically £40-£60 per 15kg short/mid-haul and £75-£80 per 15kg long-haul, cheapest when pre-booked online at the time of booking. If you only need a TUI deal price compared like-for-like with a package, remember the package version bundles 15-25kg of checked baggage — so a flight-only price that looks cheaper may not be once you add a bag.
Oversize, sports & special items
The May 2026 continental TUI fly change (not TUI Airways UK): For TUI fly Belgium/Spain (and the continental TUI fly carriers more broadly), flights departing from 1 May 2026 — or booked after 30 March 2026 — include only the small under-seat personal item for free. A larger 55 x 40 x 20 cm / 10kg cabin bag becomes a paid add-on on those airlines, unless you’re on a package holiday or have booked a Fly Deluxe fare. This is a different airline from TUI Airways UK; if your flight is operated by TUI Airways (UK, code BY) the free 10kg cabin bag still applies.
Excess and oversize: additional weight is charged per kilo (roughly £14-£18, or €20, per extra kg), and no single piece over 25kg is accepted — split heavy loads across separate bags. Sports and outsize items (skis, golf clubs, bikes, large instruments) must be pre-booked, sometimes weeks ahead, or TUI can refuse them at the airport.
Tip: always add and pay for hold baggage online before you travel. Adding it at the airport costs significantly more, and cabin bags are actively weighed and sized at the gate.
✈️ Compare airlines: TUI fly vs Jet2 (2026): Which Should You Actually Book?
🧳 Related baggage guides: Jet2 baggage
Frequently asked questions
Does TUI Airways include a free cabin bag in 2026?
Yes. On TUI Airways (the UK carrier, code BY), every passenger aged 2 and over still gets one free 10kg cabin bag up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm, plus a small under-seat personal item (40 x 30 x 20 cm). The widely reported May 2026 paid-cabin-bag change applies to the continental TUI fly airlines (Belgium, Spain, Netherlands, Germany), not to TUI Airways UK flights.
Is checked baggage included on a TUI Airways flight-only booking?
No. Flight-only bookings include no checked baggage. You must add a 15kg, 20kg or 25kg hold bag as a paid extra before you travel. Only one checked bag per person can be added, and no single bag over 25kg is accepted.
How much does a checked bag cost on TUI Airways?
It varies by route, season and how early you book. Pre-booking online is cheapest, from around £40 for 15kg. Typical standard fees are about £55-£60 (or €70) per 15kg on short and mid-haul routes, and £75-£80 (or €90) per 15kg on long-haul routes such as Cape Verde, Egypt, Gambia, Senegal and the Caribbean/Florida. Always pre-book; airport rates are higher.
What checked baggage is included on a TUI package holiday?
Standard TUI package holidays include 15kg, with 20kg per person on most packages since May 2024. Premium packages (TUI BLUE, Sensatori, Holiday Village, A La Carte, TUI River Cruise and Wedding Packages) include 25kg per person.
Does TUI weigh cabin bags at the gate?
Yes. TUI weighs and sizes cabin bags at check-in and the gate, especially on busy departures. The 10kg / 55 x 40 x 20 cm limit is enforced. If your bag is over, you'll be asked to move items to a hold bag or pay to check it in, which is more expensive at the airport.
How do I take skis, golf clubs or a bike on TUI Airways?
Sports equipment must be pre-booked, ideally well in advance (skis at least 8 weeks before departure). Ski carriage starts from around £60 per set; ski boots are not included and go in your normal hold allowance. Golf clubs and bicycles must also be pre-booked by phone, with space not guaranteed. If unbooked, TUI may refuse to carry the item at the airport.
Can I take a musical instrument as hand luggage on TUI?
Yes, if it fits the cabin allowance of 55 x 40 x 20 cm and 10kg it travels free as your cabin bag. If it's larger it must be checked into the hold for an additional fee, or you can buy a seat for larger instruments. Pre-book in either case.
What is the TUI Airways baggage allowance for infants and diving gear?
Infants under 2 get a 10kg hold baggage allowance. Divers who show a valid diving certificate at check-in get an extra 5kg of hold allowance free, with no pre-booking required.
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