MetEx House, 496a Great West Road, Hounslow, Middlesex, TW5 0TE  ·  Shipping since 1998
0800 096 38 39
All airlines require your luggage not to exceed 23kg per item of check-in luggage. Please check with your airline before flying.
Shipping Overseas · Excess Luggage Co. · Since 1998

Airline Baggage Alternative — Ship Your Luggage Instead

Airline excess baggage is expensive, stressful, and unpredictable. We offer a simpler, cheaper alternative — we collect your luggage from your UK door and ship it to your destination, no airport queues required.

The 23kg rule — and the 32kg wall

All carriers require your luggage to be no more than 23kg each. Full stop. It is not a guideline and it is not negotiable at the desk.

If your luggage is over 32kg it must travel as cargo — no airline will load it as a checked bag. Your only option at check-in is to unpack everything in front of strangers and redistribute the weight. It is slow, it holds up the queue, and it is as frustrating as it sounds.

Avoid the embarrassment. Talk to Excess Luggage Co. before you fly — 0800 096 38 39 or get a quote.

What airlines charge for extra baggage in 2026

British Airways

British Airways excess baggage

Extra bag booked online: significant fees depending on route. Extra bag at airport: significant fees. Heavy bag fee (over 25kg): £65 per bag. Maximum weight: 32kg — anything heavier must be shipped as cargo separately.

BA alternative →
Emirates

Emirates excess baggage

Extra bag: approximately significant fees depending on route and cabin class. Heavy bag fee: USD $100 / £65 for bags over 25kg. Economy standard allowance: 23kg per bag.

Emirates alternative →
Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic excess baggage

Extra bag fees vary by route and class. Economy Light allows 0 checked bags — every bag is an extra charge. Premium and Upper Class include more generous allowances. Pre-purchased bags are significantly cheaper than airport rates.

Virgin Atlantic alternative →
EasyJet

EasyJet excess baggage

EasyJet charges per bag based on route and timing. A large checked bag (up to 23kg) costs significant fees booked in advance or significant fees at the airport. Extra bags at the airport can cost more than the original flight.

EasyJet alternative →
Ryanair

Ryanair excess baggage

Ryanair's baggage system is deliberately complex. A large checked bag (up to 20kg) costs significant fees booked online, or significant fees at the airport. Priority boarding required to guarantee overhead locker space.

Ryanair alternative →
Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines excess baggage

Turkish Airlines has variable excess baggage rates depending on route and frequent flyer tier. Economy passengers on intercontinental routes typically receive 2x23kg. Additional bags cost significantly more than shipping independently.

Turkish Airlines alternative →

Why ship with us instead of checking bags?

The simple calculation

If you are flying with 2-3 extra bags on a long-haul route, airline excess baggage can easily cost significant fees+ — sometimes more than the original ticket. Our air freight personal effects service collects from your door, handles all documentation, and ships your belongings to your destination — typically for significantly less than those airline fees.

You travel light. Your luggage arrives safely. No airport queues. No weight panic at check-in. No carousel anxiety at the other end.

Excess Luggage Co. vs airline excess baggage

  • Collected from your home — no airport trip
  • No weight limit panic at check-in desk
  • No baggage carousel at destination
  • 185 countries — more than any single airline
  • Air AND sea freight options
  • Since 1998 — 28 years of proven reliability
  • Insurance included

Airline-specific baggage alternatives

Airline Baggage Alternative — Ship Your Luggage In — questions answered

Is shipping luggage cheaper than airline excess baggage?+
Yes — for most routes and for two or more bags, shipping your luggage with Excess Luggage Co. is significantly cheaper than paying airline excess baggage fees. Airlines serving this route charge steep excess-baggage fees. Emirates charges similar rates. Our air freight personal effects service is typically much cheaper, particularly for multiple bags or heavier consignments.
What are the excess baggage fees for major UK airlines in 2026?+
Airlines serving this route charge steep excess-baggage fees booked online, or significant fees at the airport. Emirates charges approximately a steep fee per extra bag. Virgin Atlantic, EasyJet, and Ryanair charge varying rates depending on route and timing. All airlines charge a £65 heavy bag fee for bags over 25kg. These fees make professional luggage shipping a consistently more economical option for most travellers.
How does a luggage shipping alternative work?+
Instead of checking extra bags at the airport, you book a collection with us. We collect from your UK home address 1-3 days before your trip, ship your luggage by air freight to your destination, and it arrives at your destination within 4-10 working days — often before or just after you arrive, subject to space and flight availability with the carriers.
Which airlines are most expensive for extra baggage?+
Ryanair and EasyJet charge the highest fees proportionally — extra bags can cost more than the original flight ticket. British Airways, Emirates, and Virgin Atlantic have more structured fee systems but still charge significant premiums for excess weight and additional bags.
Can I use a luggage shipping service for any destination?+
Yes. We ship to 185 countries worldwide — covering every destination served by UK airlines and many more. Dubai, USA, India, Nigeria, Australia, Pakistan, Ghana, Canada, Jamaica, Saudi Arabia, and all European destinations are all available.

Ready to ship your luggage from London?

Get a quote in minutes, or call our UK-based team on 0800 096 38 39.

Airline excess baggage vs luggage shipping

Airline Excess Baggage or Luggage Shipping — Which Is the Better Choice?

If you are travelling with more than one or two suitcases, paying airline excess baggage charges can quickly become expensive. Many airlines charge additional fees for extra bags, overweight luggage or oversized items — and you will still need to carry your luggage through the airport yourself.

At Excess Luggage Ltd., we provide a convenient alternative. We collect your luggage, suitcases, boxes and personal effects directly from your UK home, office or university and ship them safely to destinations around the world by air or sea freight. Whether you are a student studying abroad, relocating overseas, emigrating, or simply travelling with extra baggage, our luggage shipping service helps you avoid carrying heavy bags through the airport while offering a reliable, fully tracked service.

Our experienced team has been helping customers ship luggage worldwide since 1998, with services to 185 countries. Depending on your destination, we also offer convenient door-to-door (subject to your destination) delivery options.

Before paying airline excess baggage fees, compare your options. You may find that shipping your luggage separately is a more convenient and cost-effective solution — particularly if you are travelling with several suitcases, sports equipment, musical instruments or personal belongings.

Get an Instant Luggage Shipping Quote

Compare the cost of airline excess baggage with our worldwide luggage shipping service. We collect from your UK address and deliver your luggage safely to your destination.

✈ Excess Baggage Shipping Hub 🎓 Student Shipping 🚗 Moving Abroad 🛃 All Destinations