TUI Airways Baggage Policy: Cabin Bags, Checked Fees, and Allowance Rules
TUI Airways (flight codes TOM and BY) operates scheduled leisure flights and package charter routes across Europe, the Mediterranean, and long-haul beach destinations. Your baggage allowance depends on whether you booked a flight-only ticket or a full TUI package holiday. The airline also enforces strict cabin bag dimensions, especially regarding case depth.
TUI Airways allows one piece of hand luggage per traveler weighing up to 10 kg with maximum dimensions of 55 x 40 x 20 cm, alongside one small under-seat personal item. Checked baggage is included on most TUI package holidays (commonly 15 kg or 20 kg, and 23 kg in Premium Club), while flight-only bookings require purchasing checked bags separately.
Baggage Allowance Snapshot
Carry-on baggage is included on all TUI Airways flights, but checked luggage allowances depend on your booking type. Flight-only reservations do not include free checked bags, whereas package holidays include hold luggage automatically.
What can change: Checked baggage inclusions vary by fare type (package holiday vs. flight-only), cabin class, and whether your flight is operated by TUI Airways or a partner charter carrier.
Baggage Size Visual
Use the airline's stated order of dimensions. Measurements must include wheels and handles.
TUI Hand Baggage
Published limit: 55 x 40 x 20 cm (21.6 x 15.7 x 7.8 in), 10 kg (22 lbs)
All TUI Airways tickets. Wheels and handles included.
Under-Seat Personal Item
Published limit: Must fit under the seat in front
Numeric dimensions not published
Standard Checked Bag
Published limit: 15 kg, 20 kg, 23 kg, or 25 kg allowance
Maximum 32 kg (70.5 lbs) cap per single item
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.
How BaggageBase Checks This Information
BaggageBase cross-references primary carrier pages, conditions of carriage, and booking flows to confirm baggage dimensions, weight caps, and baggage inclusions. We evaluate policies across flight-only and tour operator packages to ensure distinct booking paths are properly detailed.
Where airlines do not publish fixed numeric measurements-such as specific centimeter caps for personal items-we state that explicitly rather than estimating values. Gate fees and airport excess baggage rates are checked against active booking conditions and airport handling updates.
TUI Carry-On Baggage Allowance
Every passenger booked on a TUI Airways flight is entitled to bring one piece of hand luggage into the cabin without paying an extra fee. The maximum permitted dimensions are 55 x 40 x 20 cm (approximately 21.6 x 15.7 x 7.8 inches), and the bag must weigh no more than 10 kg (22 lbs).
This measurement includes all wheels, carry handles, and exterior zip pockets. Hard-shell cases with protruding dual-spinner wheels often breach the 55 cm length limit, so measuring the total exterior footprint is necessary.
The 20 cm (7.8 inches) depth allowance is tighter than the 23 cm or 25 cm depth standard used by many legacy airlines. If you overfill an expandable soft-sided bag, it will not slide into the airport baggage frames. You can check how TUI measures against other airlines in our guide to international carry-on size standards.
Cabin crew and ground teams monitor hand luggage weight on busy holiday routes. Ensure your loaded cabin bag stays below the 10 kg limit by checking our carry-on weight limit guide before packing.
| Item | Allowance | Size or fit rule | Important condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand luggage | 1 piece per person | 55 x 40 x 20 cm (21.6 x 15.7 x 7.8 in) | Max 10 kg; wheels and handles included |
| Personal item | 1 piece per person | Must fit under seat in front | Exact dimensions not published |
TUI Personal Item Rules
TUI Airways permits travelers to bring one small personal item into the aircraft cabin in addition to their main hand luggage piece. Permitted items include a small handbag, a compact laptop bag, or a small backpack.
The official source does not clearly state exact numeric dimensions for personal items. The controlling operational requirement is that the item must be small enough to slide completely under the seat directly in front of you.
If you are seated in an emergency exit row or behind a cabin bulkhead, you cannot place any baggage on the floor during taxi, takeoff, or landing. Your personal item must fit inside the overhead locker alongside your main hand luggage piece for those flight phases.
Checked Baggage on TUI Flights
Checked baggage rules on TUI depend entirely on your booking type. Travelers booking a full holiday package typically receive hold luggage included in their total price, whereas travelers booking flight-only seats do not.
Flight-Only vs. Package Holiday Inclusions
If you book a standard TUI package holiday that includes flights and accommodation, your checked baggage allowance is usually set at 15 kg or 20 kg per person. The specific allowance appears on your booking confirmation and itinerary paperwork.
If you book a flight-only ticket through the TUI website, hold luggage is not included. You must buy a checked bag allowance online before your flight or pay higher rates at the airport desk. Flight-only hold baggage is generally sold in tiers of 15 kg, 20 kg, or 25 kg.
| Eligible traveler | Free allowance | Weight/size cap | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Package holiday customer | 15 kg or 20 kg | Standard suitcase size | Included on confirmed package bookings |
| Premium Club passenger | 23 kg | Standard suitcase size | Long-haul routes on select package tiers |
| Flight-only customer | 0 kg | Fee applies per tier | Must add 15 kg, 20 kg, or 25 kg allowance |
| Infant (under 2 years) | 10 kg | Standard hold baggage | Plus up to 2 items of infant equipment |
Baggage Pooling Rules
TUI Airways allows passengers traveling on the same booking reference to pool their checked baggage allowances. This means you can balance weight across multiple bags rather than keeping every piece strictly equal.
For instance, if two passengers share a booking reference and each has a 20 kg allowance (40 kg total), one traveler can check a 25 kg suitcase while the second checks a 15 kg suitcase.
No individual bag may exceed 32 kg under any circumstances. This restriction is an international health and safety regulation designed to protect airport ground handlers from injury. Any piece weighing more than 32 kg will be refused at the check-in desk.
TUI Excess Baggage and Surcharge Rates
If your hold luggage exceeds your booked allowance or your cabin bag fails gate inspection, TUI charges excess baggage fees. Pre-booking additional weight through the online Flight Extras portal is significantly cheaper than settling balances at the departure desk.
Excess weight fees at the airport check-in counter are assessed on a per-kilogram basis in the local currency of your departure airport (GBP in the UK or EUR across Europe). Exact per-kilo rates vary depending on whether your route is short-haul, mid-haul, or long-haul.
| Condition | Threshold | Additional fee | Acceptance limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-purchased extra weight | In 5 kg increments online | Variable by route duration | Up to 25 kg or 32 kg per bag |
| Airport check-in excess weight | Over booked allowance | Charged per kilogram | Hard stop at 32 kg per piece |
| Oversized gate cabin baggage | Over 55 x 40 x 20 cm or 10 kg | Airport gate fee applies | Placed in the hold for remainder of trip |
This rule can vary by route, fare, cabin, or operating carrier. Check the airline's baggage tool or official policy before payment or departure.
Cabin Class and Route Variations
TUI Airways operates select long-haul flights using Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft featuring a dedicated Premium Club cabin. Upgrading your booking impacts both cabin comfort and hold luggage capacity.
Premium Club Inclusions
Travelers seated in TUI Premium Club receive an upgraded checked baggage allowance of 23 kg per person alongside dedicated airport check-in desks.
The hand luggage policy in Premium Club remains identical to standard economy: one 10 kg carry-on piece (55 x 40 x 20 cm) and one small personal item under the seat.
Third-Party and Partner Charter Flights
TUI sells holidays that utilize flights operated by third-party partner carriers. If your flight number does not begin with TOM or BY, your flight is operated by an outside airline such as Sunwing or another European leisure carrier.
When flying on an outside carrier, that airline's luggage rules, dimensions, and extra bag fees apply instead of TUI's rules. If you travel on German holiday partners, compare rules using our Condor baggage policy guide to verify what to expect.
Traveling with Infants and Medical Equipment
Families traveling with children receive specific luggage entitlements on TUI Airways to accommodate essential equipment.
Infant Luggage Allowances
Infants under two years of age traveling on an adult's lap receive a dedicated 10 kg checked baggage allowance. This allowance is provided at no extra cost, regardless of whether you booked a package holiday or a flight-only fare.
In addition to the 10 kg hold bag, parents can check up to two pieces of infant equipment free of charge. Permitted items include:
- A collapsible pushchair or buggy
- A car seat
- A travel cot
Collapsible strollers can be used through the airport up to the departure gate. Ground crew will tag the stroller at the gate and place it into the aircraft hold before departure.
Medical Supplies and Assistive Devices
Passengers who require essential medical equipment can carry up to 5 kg of medical supplies free of charge, in addition to their standard baggage allowance.
You must contact the TUI Assisted Travel team prior to departure to register your medical supplies. Ground staff may request a medical letter or doctor's certificate confirming the necessity of the supplies during check-in.
Sports Equipment and Musical Instruments
Sports items and oversized leisure equipment are not included within standard hold luggage allowances. You must book these items separately prior to travel.
Sports Gear Guidelines
Bicycles, golf clubs, diving equipment, skis, and surfboards require separate carriage bookings through the TUI Flight Extras portal. Fees vary depending on equipment classification and flight duration.
All sports gear must be packed securely in dedicated travel bags or hard cases:
- Bicycles must have pedals removed, handlebars turned parallel to the frame, and tires partially deflated.
- Golf bags must be secured within an appropriate protective travel cover.
- Scuba equipment requires pressure tanks to be fully emptied and dive lights packed safely.
Musical Instruments
Small instruments, such as violins or flutes, may be brought into the cabin as your hand luggage piece provided they do not exceed 55 x 40 x 20 cm and weigh 10 kg or less. Bringing an instrument as hand luggage replaces your standard cabin bag.
For larger instruments, travelers must either purchase an extra passenger seat or transport the instrument in the hold inside a rigid flight case. Space for extra-seat instruments must be booked in advance via customer support.
Airport Sizers and Gate Enforcement
TUI ground personnel check hand luggage sizes at airport departure gates using metal sizer frames. Bags that do not fit into the frame without force are rejected for cabin transport.
Because TUI limits cabin baggage depth to 20 cm, standard roll-aboard suitcases packed to capacity regularly fail gate sizers. Front organizer pockets packed with travel accessories can push bag depth past 25 cm.
If ground staff flag your bag as oversized or heavier than 10 kg at the gate, the item will be tagged, removed from the cabin, and loaded into the cargo hold. You will be charged an airport gate handling fee before boarding.
TUI Airways Baggage Checklist
Use this pre-departure checklist to avoid excess baggage charges at the airport.
- Verify the operating carrier. Confirm your flight number begins with "TOM" or "BY"; partner-operated flights enforce their own baggage policies.
- Measure depth carefully. Check that your hand luggage does not exceed 20 cm in depth when packed, including wheels and exterior zip pockets.
- Check your booking confirmation. Confirm whether your ticket includes hold luggage (package holiday) or requires adding a bag (flight-only).
- Add checked luggage online. Purchase baggage through the Flight Extras portal before arrival; airport desk rates are significantly higher.
- Pool luggage weight. Balance weights between suitcases on the same booking reference so no individual bag exceeds the 32 kg maximum limit.
- Confirm bag drop options. Check if your departure airport offers day-before or twilight bag drop for early morning departures.
Frequently Asked Questions About TUI Airways Baggage
Can I bring both a hand luggage case and a handbag on a TUI flight?
Yes, TUI Airways allows one main cabin bag (up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm and 10 kg) plus one small personal item like a handbag or laptop sleeve. Your personal item must fit under the seat in front of you.
Is checked baggage automatically included in all TUI flights?
No, checked luggage is only included automatically on TUI package holidays, typically offering 15 kg or 20 kg per person. Flight-only bookings include 0 kg of checked baggage by default, requiring you to purchase an allowance.
Can family members share or pool checked baggage weight on TUI?
Yes, travelers named on the same booking reference can pool their luggage allowance across multiple bags. However, no single suitcase can weigh more than 32 kg due to airport health and safety laws.
What is the checked baggage allowance for TUI Premium Club passengers?
Passengers flying in TUI Premium Club on long-haul routes receive a 23 kg checked baggage allowance per person. They also receive standard hand luggage entitlements of one 10 kg cabin bag and one personal item.
What happens if my hand luggage exceeds 20 cm in depth?
If your hand luggage does not fit into the metal airport sizing frame, it will not be allowed in the cabin. Ground crew will check the bag into the hold and charge an airport gate fee.
What is the baggage allowance for an infant on TUI Airways?
Infants under two years traveling on a parent's lap receive a 10 kg checked bag at no extra cost. Parents can also bring up to two pieces of infant equipment, such as a pushchair and a car seat, free of charge.
How strict is TUI Airways with cabin bag weight limits?
TUI Airways enforces a strict 10 kg limit on carry-on bags. Flight crews and ground staff monitor bags at check-in desks and boarding gates, sending overweight items to the cargo hold for an additional fee.
Are golf clubs or bicycles included in my standard TUI luggage allowance?
No, sports equipment cannot replace your standard checked baggage allowance on TUI Airways. Sports gear must be booked and paid for separately through the TUI Flight Extras portal.
Final Verdict on TUI Airways Baggage
The key to managing luggage on TUI Airways is understanding your booking category. If you booked a complete TUI package holiday, your hold luggage is usually included at 15 kg or 20 kg per person. If you booked a flight-only ticket, you must pay to add hold luggage.
Take extra care with carry-on dimensions before heading to the terminal. The 20 cm depth limitation is strictly checked with metal sizers at departure gates, and overfilled bags are sent to the hold at airport gate rates.
Always inspect your booking confirmation voucher to verify your exact weight limits and confirm whether your flight is operated directly by TUI Airways.
Airline baggage rules and fees can change by route, fare, cabin, operating carrier, traveler status, purchase channel, and departure date. Check the airline's official baggage policy or calculator before booking, paying, or traveling. BaggageBase reviews information for 2026 where possible, but the airline's published terms remain the final authority.
