✓ Policy web-verified 2026-06-20
T’way Air’s cheapest fare is the EVENT fare — the one those rock-bottom Seoul-to-Bangkok and Osaka deals are usually built on — and it gives you a cabin bag and zero free checked baggage on every international route except Guam and Saipan. You get one carry-on up to 10 kg (55 x 40 x 20 cm) plus one small under-seat personal item, and that’s it. If you’re flying EVENT and you have a suitcase to put in the hold, you are paying extra, full stop.
Step up to the SMART or GENERAL fare and T’way includes one checked bag up to 15 kg on standard international routes — which is on the stingy side for a checked allowance (most full-service carriers give you 23 kg). Domestic Korean flights also get 15 kg free. The two genuinely generous routes are Guam and Saipan, where every fare includes 23 kg. Everywhere else, read your fare class before you assume the bag is in there.
Quick facts
| Cheapest fare | EVENT — cabin bag only, no free checked |
| Free personal item | 1 small under-seat item |
| Cabin bag | 10 kg, 55 x 40 x 20 cm |
| Checked (SMART/GENERAL) | 15 kg on standard routes |
| Checked (EVENT) | None — buy it |
| Guam / Saipan routes | 23 kg, all fares |
| Max weight per checked piece | 32 kg |
| Excess baggage | Cheapest prepaid online; ~US$24-30/kg at airport |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal item | One small item (handbag, laptop bag, small backpack) that fits under the seat. Counts within the total cabin weight. |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 1 piece up to 10 kg combined, max 55 x 40 x 20 cm. Included on all fares including EVENT. |
Checked baggage & fees
| EVENT fare (international) | No free checked allowance — must be purchased |
| SMART / GENERAL fare (international) | 1 piece up to 15 kg free |
| Domestic Korea | 1 piece up to 15 kg free |
| Guam / Saipan | 1 piece up to 23 kg free, all fares |
| Max weight per piece | 32 kg (single-piece handler limit) |
| Max size | Total dimensions up to 203 cm (80 in) |
| Excess / extra bag fee | Varies by route zone, per kg or per piece; prepaying online is far cheaper than airport (~US$24-30/kg reported at the counter) |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| EVENT | 1 under-seat item | 10 kg / 55x40x20 cm | None (international); 23 kg to Guam/Saipan |
| SMART | 1 under-seat item | 10 kg / 55x40x20 cm | 15 kg (23 kg Guam/Saipan) |
| GENERAL | 1 under-seat item | 10 kg / 55x40x20 cm | 15 kg (23 kg Guam/Saipan) |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
On a cheap T’way deal fare you should assume you get carry-on only. Those headline prices are almost always EVENT fares, which means 10 kg in the cabin and a personal item — and nothing in the hold on a normal international route. If you can travel out of a 10 kg cabin bag, the deal is exactly as cheap as it looks. If you can’t, budget for the bag before you compare it against a full-service ticket.
To add a hold bag, your cheapest move is to prepay online (up to 24 hours before departure) — paying at the airport is brutal, with reports of roughly US$24-30 per kilo. On routes where SMART/GENERAL include 15 kg, sometimes the upfare costs less than buying baggage onto an EVENT ticket, so price both before you book.
Oversize, sports & special items
Single checked pieces are capped at 32 kg and total dimensions of 203 cm; anything heavier or larger is handled as oversize/overweight at additional cost and may need to be arranged in advance. Sports equipment, musical instruments and similar bulky items are accepted as checked baggage subject to the weight/size limits and excess fees, or — for fragile instruments — by buying an extra seat; declare them ahead of time rather than at the counter.
2025/2026 note: T’way’s fare-based structure (EVENT / SMART / GENERAL) means the free checked allowance is tied to the fare bundle, not the route alone — a trap on the cheapest tickets. As T’way expands its long-haul widebody network (A330/long-haul services to Europe and beyond), confirm the checked allowance on the specific booking, since long-haul and Guam/Saipan routes carry different allowances from short-haul Asia.
Frequently asked questions
Does the cheapest T'way fare include a checked bag?
No. The EVENT fare — the one most deal prices are built on — includes a 10 kg cabin bag and a personal item but no free checked baggage on standard international routes. You buy the hold bag separately.
How much cabin baggage can I bring on T'way Air?
One carry-on up to 10 kg with maximum dimensions of 55 x 40 x 20 cm, plus one small personal item that fits under the seat in front of you. The combined weight must stay within 10 kg.
What is the free checked allowance on SMART and GENERAL fares?
One checked piece up to 15 kg on standard international routes and on domestic Korean flights. That’s lighter than the usual 23 kg from full-service carriers, so weigh your bag.
Are Guam and Saipan flights different?
Yes — flights to Guam and Saipan include one free checked bag up to 23 kg on every fare, including EVENT. These are the most generous routes for baggage.
What does it cost to add a bag to a T'way EVENT fare?
It varies by route zone and is charged per kilo or per piece. Prepay online (up to about 24 hours before departure) for the lowest price; paying at the airport counter has been reported at roughly US$24-30 per kilo.
What is the maximum weight for a single checked bag?
32 kg per piece, with total dimensions up to 203 cm (80 in). Heavier or larger items are treated as oversize/overweight and cost extra, often needing advance arrangement.
Can I bring sports gear or a musical instrument?
Yes, as checked baggage within the 32 kg / 203 cm limits and subject to excess fees. Fragile or oversized instruments can be carried by purchasing an extra seat. Declare them when booking, not at the gate.
Should I buy baggage in advance or at the airport?
Always in advance. Prepaid online baggage is significantly cheaper than the airport excess rate, which can run into the high US$20s per kilo.
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