European Air Charter hand luggage rules typically permit one carry-on bag weighing up to 6 kg or 8 kg with maximum dimensions of 55 × 40 × 20 cm. Standard checked baggage allowances generally default to 20 kg per passenger on package holiday flights. Because European Air Charter operates primarily as a charter carrier, your exact baggage allowances, pooling rules, and excess fees are determined by the specific tour operator that issued your ticket.
Baggage Allowance Snapshot
European Air Charter baggage limits are set by the tour operator organizing your flight. Standard holiday packages usually include one carry-on bag and one 20 kg checked suitcase.
What can change: Tour operator package terms, seat-only consolidator rules, departure country handling agreements, and specific flight charter contracts.
Baggage Size Visual
Use the airline's stated order of dimensions. Measurements include wheels, handles, and side pockets.
Cabin Carry-On
Published limit: 55 × 40 × 20 cm, up to 6–8 kg
Standard charter baseline across Airbus A320 fleet
Visual guide - not to scale. Use the published numerical limit as the controlling rule.
Official Source Verification
Baggage rules can vary by fare, cabin, route, operating carrier, traveler status, and purchase channel. BaggageBase separates published rules from practical guidance.
Operating Carrier Context: How European Air Charter Operates
European Air Charter (formerly known as Bulgarian Air Charter, IATA code: H4) is a leisure and ACMI airline headquartered in Sofia, Bulgaria. The carrier operates a fleet consisting primarily of Airbus A320 aircraft. It connects holidaymakers from European countries-especially Germany, Austria, and Poland-to Black Sea holiday destinations such as Varna Airport (VAR) and Burgas Airport (BOJ).
Because European Air Charter is primarily a wet-lease and charter provider, it does not sell scheduled seats under its own retail brand in the way traditional scheduled airlines do. Instead, travel agencies and major European tour operators (such as TUI, DER Touristik, and Coral Travel) charter the aircraft and sell the seats as part of holiday packages or seat-only deals.
This setup means European Air Charter applies the operational cabin safety rules, but the tour operator decides what luggage is included with your ticket. Unlike scheduled carriers such as Bulgaria Air, where uniform fare tiers apply year-round, European Air Charter operates more like independent leisure charter carriers such as Enter Air, where baggage allowances are written into your holiday booking contract.
European Air Charter Carry-On Baggage Rules
Carry-on baggage on European Air Charter flights must fit into the overhead bins or under the seat in front of you.
Hand Luggage Dimensions and Weight Limits
- Piece limit: 1 standard piece of cabin baggage per ticketed passenger.
- Size limit: 55 × 40 × 20 cm. This measurement includes all wheels, handles, and external pockets. This matches the standard European leisure baseline outlined in our international carry-on size guide.
- Weight limit: Typically between 6 kg and 8 kg, depending on your tour operator's specific contract terms.
Personal Item Allowances
Tour operators generally permit one small personal item alongside your main carry-on bag, though this is not universally guaranteed on every consolidated flight ticket.
When permitted, personal items must:
- Be a small handbag, small camera bag, or laptop sleeve.
- Measure small enough to fit completely underneath the seat directly in front of you.
- Leave enough clear floor space so they do not block cabin aisles or emergency exit rows.
If your cabin bag exceeds the permitted dimensions or weight at the departure gate, handling staff will transfer it to the aircraft cargo hold, and gate-check handling fees may apply.
| Item Type | Standard Allocation | Max Dimensions | Max Weight | Placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Carry-On | 1 piece | 55 × 40 × 20 cm | 6 kg to 8 kg | Overhead locker |
| Personal Item | 1 small piece (agency dependent) | Fits under seat | Included in cabin limit | Under seat in front |
| Infant (under 2) | No cabin bag | N/A | N/A | With adult |
European Air Charter Checked Baggage Rules
Your checked baggage allowance is printed on your tour operator travel confirmation, flight voucher, or e-ticket.
Standard Hold Luggage Allowances
- Typical Charter Package: Most standard holiday bookings include one checked suitcase weighing up to 20 kg per passenger.
- Seat-Only Bookings: Budget or consolidator flight-only tickets may reduce this baseline to 15 kg, or exclude checked luggage entirely unless added as an extra.
- Linear Dimensions: A checked suitcase should not exceed 158 cm (Length + Width + Height) to avoid being classified as oversized.
European Health and Safety Limit (32 kg)
Under European ground handling regulations and Bulgarian Civil Aviation Administration safety rules, no single piece of luggage may weigh more than 32 kg, regardless of your paid allowance or pooling arrangement. Any piece exceeding 32 kg cannot be handled as passenger luggage and must be sent as commercial cargo.
Baggage Pooling Rules
European Air Charter permits baggage pooling for families and travel parties booked under the same reservation reference:
- Travelers on the same booking voucher can combine their total weight. For example, two passengers with 20 kg allowances each (40 kg total) can bring one 25 kg bag and one 15 kg bag.
- Even when pooling allowances, no single bag may exceed the 32 kg maximum weight limit.
- Both passengers must check in together at the airport counter with their travel documents.
| Ticket Type | Included Weight | Max Dimensions | Max Single Bag Weight | Baggage Pooling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Package Holiday | 20 kg per person | 158 cm total (L+W+H) | 32 kg | Yes (same booking reference) |
| Seat-Only / Basic Ticket | 0 kg to 15 kg (varies) | 158 cm total (L+W+H) | 32 kg | Yes (same booking reference) |
| Infant (under 2 years) | 0 kg to 10 kg (varies) | Tour operator dependent | 10 kg | Handled with adult |
Excess, Overweight, and Oversized Baggage Fees
If your luggage exceeds the weight limit printed on your travel documents, you must pay excess baggage charges at the airport check-in desk before boarding.
How Excess Baggage Is Charged
- European Air Charter does not operate a universal online add-on portal for all passengers. Any pre-booked extra weight should be arranged through your tour operator's customer service or online portal before departure.
- At the airport check-in desk, excess baggage is charged per kilogram.
- Standard airport excess rates on European charter flights generally run between €5 and €12 per excess kilogram, payable locally at the check-in desk in EUR or local currency.
- Exact fees vary by departure airport handling agent and charter contract terms.
Special Baggage: Sports Equipment and Musical Instruments
Because cargo hold space on the Airbus A320 is limited, special items require advance reservation and payment through your tour operator.
Sports Equipment
Sports gear is not included in your regular 20 kg checked luggage allowance and must be registered at least 72 hours before your flight:
- Bicycles: Must be packed in a cardboard bike box or specialized travel case. Handlebars must be turned sideways, pedals removed, and tires deflated.
- Golf Equipment: Must be contained in a recognized golf travel bag with clubs, balls, and shoes enclosed.
- Diving Gear: Air tanks must be completely empty with valves open. Diving lights and torches must have batteries removed or disconnected to prevent heat build-up.
- Water Sports Boards: Surfboards, kiteboards, and windsurfing gear require prior space confirmation.
Handling fees for sports equipment generally range between €30 and €70 per one-way flight, depending on the item and booking channel.
Musical Instruments
- Small Instruments: Instruments such as violins, flutes, or clarinets can be taken into the passenger cabin instead of your standard carry-on piece, provided they fit within the 55 × 40 × 20 cm dimension limit and 6–8 kg weight limit.
- Large Instruments: Larger items like cellos or double basses must either be booked on an extra paid passenger seat or packed in a hard flight case and checked into the hold as fragile luggage.
| Special Item | Advance Notice Required | Conditions | Typical Cost (One-Way) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bicycle | Yes (72 hours prior) | Max 30–32 kg; boxed | €40–€70 (operator dependent) |
| Golf Bag | Yes | Max 15–20 kg; travel case | €30–€50 (operator dependent) |
| Diving Gear | Yes | Empty cylinders only | €40–€60 (operator dependent) |
| Small Instrument | No (if within size) | Replaces cabin bag | Free (within cabin limits) |
| Large Instrument | Yes | Extra seat or hard case | Seat fare or hold fee |
Traveling with Infants and Mobility Equipment
Infant Allowances (Under 2 Years)
- Pram or Stroller: One fully collapsible pushchair, stroller, or child car seat is carried free of charge in the cargo hold for each traveling infant.
- Gate Delivery: At most airports, you can use your stroller through security and right up to the aircraft steps or jet bridge. Ramp staff will take it there and return it to you at the baggage carousel or aircraft door upon arrival.
- Checked Allowance for Infants: Some tour operators grant a 10 kg checked bag allowance for infants sitting on an adult's lap, but this depends on your holiday contract.
Mobility Assistance
In accordance with European Union Regulation (EC) No 1107/2006, European Air Charter carries up to two pieces of mobility equipment per passenger with reduced mobility free of charge.
If traveling with an electric wheelchair or scooter, you must notify your travel agency or the airline at least 48 hours before departure with the device's dimensions, total weight, and battery type (dry cell, gel, or lithium-ion) to ensure safe handling.
European Air Charter Baggage Checklist
Follow these steps to avoid unexpected luggage fees at the airport check-in counter.
- Check your tour confirmation voucher. European Air Charter does not set your individual ticket allowance, so your tour operator booking invoice is the binding document.
- Weigh your packed bags at home. Ensure your main suitcase is under 20 kg (or your specific contract limit) and your hand luggage does not exceed 6–8 kg.
- Verify the 32 kg single-bag limit if pooling weight. Even if sharing allowance across a family, no individual suitcase can weigh more than 32 kg.
- Pre-book sports gear through your holiday agency. Registering bicycles, golf bags, or diving gear at least 72 hours in advance is cheaper than paying at the check-in desk.
- Keep all lithium batteries and medicines in hand luggage. Power banks, e-cigarettes, and vital prescription drugs are strictly prohibited in the aircraft cargo hold.
- Attach clear exterior luggage tags. Label all checked bags with your full name, mobile phone number, and holiday hotel address.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the carry-on baggage allowance on European Air Charter?
European Air Charter allows one carry-on bag measuring up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm with a weight limit between 6 kg and 8 kg. Your specific ticket voucher issued by your tour operator determines whether you can also bring a small personal item free of charge.
How much checked baggage is included on European Air Charter?
Most standard package holiday bookings include one checked bag weighing up to 20 kg with a maximum total linear size of 158 cm. If you bought a flight-only or budget seat, your allowance might be 15 kg or require a separate baggage purchase.
Can travel companions pool their checked luggage allowance?
Yes, passengers traveling on the same booking reference can pool their total luggage weight across their bags. However, no single suitcase may weigh more than 32 kg due to European airport health and safety laws.
Can I buy extra baggage on the European Air Charter website?
No, European Air Charter generally does not provide a direct passenger self-service portal for baggage purchases. You must add extra weight through your tour operator's website or pay per-kilogram excess fees at the airport check-in desk.
Can I take a baby stroller for free on European Air Charter?
Yes, one fully collapsible pushchair, pram, or infant car seat is carried free of charge for each traveling infant and can usually be taken up to the aircraft boarding door.
What are the excess baggage fees on European Air Charter?
Excess baggage is billed per kilogram at the airport check-in desk, typically ranging from €5 to €12 per kilogram depending on the departure airport handling agency and flight route.
How do I transport golf clubs or bicycles on European Air Charter?
Sports equipment must be registered at least 72 hours before departure through your tour organizer. Items must be packed in approved protective cases and are subject to a separate handling fee.
What should I do if my luggage is lost or damaged?
You must report missing or damaged luggage immediately at the airport Lost & Found desk before leaving the customs hall. Ensure you obtain a printed Property Irregularity Report (PIR) with a reference number to file a claim under the Montreal Convention.
Baggage allowances and handling fees can vary depending on your specific travel route, tour package provider, and booking contract. In all cases, the specific terms issued by your operating transport company and booking agency prevail.
