Checked baggage travels with you and arrives at the carousel. Shipped luggage travels independently as air freight and arrives 4–10 working days later. The right choice depends on how many bags you have, how long your trip is, how much the airline is charging and whether you need your bags immediately on arrival. Here is the full comparison.
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.
The right answer depends on four variables: how many bags you have, how long your trip is, what your airline charges, and whether you need your bags on day one of arrival or can wait a few days.
“The question we hear most often is: ‘Is it really cheaper?’ For two bags going long-haul, yes — almost always. For one bag going to Malaga, sometimes not. Call us on 0800 096 38 39 with your route, airline and bag count. We will give you the honest answer immediately — no obligation. If the airline is cheaper, we will tell you.”