You're standing in the check-in queue at Luton or Gatwick, staring at that metal crate used to measure bags, and you start sweating. We've all been there. Understanding exactly what is hold luggage on easyJet can be the difference between a cheap weekend away and a £48 "surprise" fee that ruins your mood before you’ve even smelled the duty-free perfume. Basically, hold luggage is any bag that doesn’t go in the overhead locker. It’s the big stuff. The suitcases on wheels, the massive rucksacks, and the sports gear that lives in the belly of the plane.
EasyJet’s business model thrives on simplicity, but their baggage policy is surprisingly modular. It isn't a "one size fits all" situation anymore. Gone are the days when every ticket came with a standard 20kg allowance. Now, you’re buying weight, not just a slot in the hold. If you mess up the math, you pay. Honestly, it’s a bit of a minefield if you aren't paying attention to the app during booking.
The Different Types of Hold Bags You Can Buy
When you’re booking, you’ll see three main weight categories. The first is the 15kg bag. This is perfect for a short break. Maybe a four-day trip to Berlin where you just need a few changes of clothes and some decent shoes. It’s usually the cheapest option, but it is strictly limited. If you go over 15kg, you’re into excess territory immediately.
Then there is the standard 23kg bag. Most people go for this. It’s the industry standard for a reason. You can fit a couple of weeks' worth of outfits in there, along with those heavy bottles of suncream and the extra pair of boots you probably won’t wear. New for recent years is the ability to buy extra weight in 3kg increments. You can actually boost a bag all the way up to 32kg.
But here is the hard limit: no single bag can weigh more than 32kg.
That’s a health and safety rule for the ground crew. It doesn't matter if you’re willing to pay a million pounds; if that suitcase hits 33kg, you’re going to be repacking it on the terminal floor in front of everyone. It’s humiliating. Don't be that person.
Size Matters as Much as Weight
While weight is what people talk about, the physical dimensions are fixed. For easyJet, the total linear size (length + width + height) must be under 275cm. Most standard suitcases you buy at a luggage shop will fit this easily. It’s only when you start trying to check in massive trunks or oddly shaped equipment that this becomes a real headache.
The "Hands-Free" Option and Cabin Bag Overflow
Sometimes, what is hold luggage on easyJet gets a bit blurry because of their "Hands-Free" service. This was a clever little add-on they introduced where you could drop your cabin bag at the desk and they’d put it in the hold for you. It saved you dragging it through security. However, easyJet frequently changes how this is bundled with their "Standard," "Flexi," or "Up Front" seating options.
If you have a large cabin bag (the 56 x 45 x 25 cm one) and you haven't booked a seat that includes it, you might be forced to put it in the hold anyway. At the gate, this costs a lot more than if you’d just booked a 15kg hold bag online. The price gap is huge. Checking a bag at the airport desk is roughly £40-£48 per item, whereas doing it online might only be £10-£20 depending on the route and timing.
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Pooling Your Weight With Friends
Here is a pro-tip that many people miss. EasyJet allows weight pooling. If you are on the same booking as your partner or a friend, your total weight allowance is what matters.
Let's say you both bought 23kg bags. That’s 46kg total. If your bag is 25kg and your friend’s is 21kg, you are totally fine. You won't get charged for being "over" on the one bag because the combined total is within the limit. This is a lifesaver for families where one suitcase is full of heavy shoes and the other is full of light kids' clothes. Just make sure you are actually on the same booking reference.
What Happens With Special Items?
Golf clubs. Skis. Bicycles. These aren't standard hold luggage. They fall under "Large Sports Equipment." You have to pay a specific fee for these, and they have their own weight categories (usually 20kg for small sports gear and 32kg for large).
Musical instruments are another story. If it fits in the cabin bag dimensions, you can take it on. If it's a cello, you usually have to buy it its own seat. If you're putting a guitar in the hold, get a flight case. The baggage handlers are fast, not gentle.
Why You Should Avoid the Airport Desk
If you take one thing away from this, let it be this: never buy hold luggage at the airport. The pricing is dynamic. Online, the price changes based on the length of the flight and how many people have already booked luggage. On a flight to Palma in July, it’ll be pricier than a flight to Lyon in November. But the airport price is a flat, "punishment" rate. It's designed to be expensive because they have you over a barrel.
Real-World Scenarios and Costs
I’ve seen people try to "gate-check" bags they knew were too big, hoping the staff would be too busy to notice. It rarely works. With the new scanners and the increased focus on ancillary revenue, the ground crew are incentivized to spot oversized bags.
If you get caught at the gate:
- You pay the fee via card (they don't take cash).
- Your bag is tagged and taken to the hold.
- You have to wait at the luggage carousel at the other end.
It’s the worst of both worlds. You pay more and you lose time.
The Essentials Checklist for easyJet Hold Bags
- Check your weight at home. Use a digital scale. If you're at 22.8kg for a 23kg limit, take out one pair of jeans. Scales at the airport can be calibrated differently, and you don't want to fight over 200 grams.
- Label your gear. Put your name and phone number on a tag, but also put a piece of paper with your details inside the bag. If the outside tag gets ripped off, the airline can still find you.
- Batteries are a no-go. Power banks and spare lithium batteries cannot go in the hold. They are a fire risk. If security sees them on the X-ray, they might open your bag or just refuse to load it. Keep all batteries in your hand luggage.
- Lock it up. Use a TSA-approved lock. It won't stop a determined thief with a crowbar, but it stops the zip from accidentally sliding open on the conveyor belt.
- Photograph your bag. Take a quick snap of the outside and the contents. If the bag goes missing or gets damaged, having a timestamped photo is massive for insurance claims.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Flight
Before you head to the airport, log into the easyJet app. Look at your allowance. If you think you're going to be over, buy the extra 3kg now. It’s much cheaper than the per-kilo excess charge at the desk, which is currently around £12 per kilogram.
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Also, consider if you actually need the hold bag. With the "Large Cabin Bag" option (available for Flexi shoppers or those who buy an Up Front/Extra Legroom seat), you can often fit enough for a week if you use compression cubes.
If you do go with hold luggage, make sure you don't put your essentials in there. Car keys, medication, and your passport should always stay on your person. Bags do go missing. It’s rare, but it happens. Being stuck in Spain without your heart medication because it’s in a suitcase currently on its way to Turkey is a nightmare you don't want to live through.
Check your bag's wheels too. EasyJet's hold luggage policy doesn't cover "wear and tear," and if a wheel is already wobbly, the mechanical handling systems at major airports will likely finish it off. Tighten the screws or bring the duct tape.
Finally, keep your luggage receipt (the little sticker they give you at drop-off) until you are physically standing in your hotel room with your bag open. That tiny piece of paper is your only legal proof that the airline took possession of your belongings. Lose it, and claiming compensation for a lost bag becomes ten times harder.