Jet2 Baggage Allowance 2026: What’s Free, What Costs and What Most People Miss
Jet2 has a reputation as the most family-friendly UK airline, and its baggage policy does a lot to earn that. But there’s a significant difference between what you get on a Jet2holidays package versus a flight-only booking — and that distinction catches people out more than any specific bag dimension. Here’s the full picture.
Jet2 Cabin Bag: What Every Passenger Gets Free
Every Jet2 passenger, on every fare, gets a free cabin bag in the overhead locker:
- Dimensions: 56 x 45 x 25 cm (including handles and wheels)
- Weight: 10 kg maximum
- Cost: Free on all bookings
That’s a generous overhead bag by UK airline standards. For comparison, Ryanair charges £6–36 for Priority Boarding just to access the overhead locker, and easyJet requires a paid Large Cabin Bag add-on for overhead access.
The Personal Item (Small Underseat Bag)
On top of the main cabin bag, you can bring one small personal item:
- Dimensions: 40 x 30 x 20 cm
- Weight: No stated limit
- Examples: Handbag, laptop bag, small backpack
This sits under the seat in front of you, free of charge. A 40 x 30 x 20 cm bag is a decent size — a standard laptop backpack fits comfortably. Jet2 passengers effectively travel with two free bags: one overhead, one underseat.
One common error worth flagging: some websites list the Jet2 personal item as 40 x 30 x 15 cm. That’s British Airways’ personal item size. Jet2’s is 40 x 30 x 20 cm.
Enforcement note: Jet2 is less aggressive about bag enforcement than Ryanair or Wizz Air. There’s no metal sizer at the gate. That said, cabin bags that visibly exceed 10 kg can be weighed if staff suspect it, so don’t push the weight limit.
Hold Luggage — The Big Difference Between Jet2holidays and Flight-Only
This is the most common source of confusion with Jet2.
Jet2holidays and Jet2 CityBreaks — 22 kg Hold Bag Included Free
If you’ve booked a Jet2holidays package or a Jet2 CityBreaks break, you automatically get:
- One 22 kg checked bag per person, per flight — included at no extra cost
This applies to both legs of your journey. A family of four on a Jet2holidays booking gets four 22 kg bags outbound and four home. That’s a substantial saving versus Ryanair or easyJet, where every hold bag is a paid add-on.
It’s one bag per person, not a pooled weight. You can’t combine two people’s allowances into one heavier case.
Jet2 Flight-Only — Hold Bag NOT Included
If you’ve booked flights only through Jet2.com, there’s no free hold bag. You’ll need to add one:
| Option | Online Price | Airport Walk-Up Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hold bag (up to 22 kg) | From £10 per bag, per flight | £45 per bag, per flight |
The gap between online and airport pricing is stark. A £10 online bag costs £45 at the airport — a £35 penalty for leaving it too late. Add it when you book, or as soon as you decide you need one.
Excess weight: If your checked bag is over 22 kg, you pay £12 per kg over the limit at the airport. A bag that’s 5 kg over adds £60 to your bill. Weigh your case before you leave home.
The maximum weight for a single Jet2 bag is 32 kg — anything heavier is refused outright.
Jet2 and Infants: The Only UK Airline Doing This
In August 2025, Jet2 made a change no other UK airline has matched: children under 2 fly free.
British Airways, easyJet, and Ryanair all charge for infants (typically £25–45 per flight). Jet2 doesn’t — the booking for an infant under 24 months is £0. For a family with a baby, the saving on a return trip is real money.
What comes with an infant booking:
- +10 kg added free to the accompanying adult’s hold bag (22 kg becomes 32 kg for that adult)
- Up to 2 baby equipment items checked free, no weight limit: pushchair/pram, car seat, booster seat, baby carrier, or travel cot
- Pushchair can travel to the aircraft steps and is returned at baggage reclaim
If you’re comparing Jet2 against other airlines for a trip with a baby, factor this in. The infant fare saving plus two free baby equipment items can easily be worth £100–200 on a return booking.
Sports Equipment
Pre-book sports equipment online — the airport walk-up price is higher than most articles quote.
| Equipment | Online From | Airport Price | Max Weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golf clubs | £25 per bag, per flight | £30 | 22 kg | |
| Ski/snowboard | £25 per bag, per flight | £30 | 22 kg | Max size 290 x 90 cm |
| Bicycle | £25 per bag, per flight | £30 | 32 kg | Max size 180 x 90 cm |
Most articles quote “from £30” for Jet2 sports equipment. That’s actually the airport price. Online it starts from £25.
The Twilight Check-In: Jet2’s Best-Kept Secret
If you have an early morning Jet2 flight, this is one of the more useful things to know. Jet2 offers Twilight Check-In: drop your hold bags at the airport between 4:30 PM and 9:00 PM the evening before your departure. No other major UK airline offers this.
The practical upside: a 6 AM flight no longer means a 3 AM alarm call to check heavy bags. Drop them the evening before, arrive at the airport at a civilised hour with just your cabin bag.
It’s free, no booking required.
Guaranteed Cabin Luggage
On very busy flights, Jet2 may ask passengers to have their overhead bag placed in the hold. If you want to guarantee your cabin bag stays in the cabin with you, you can buy Guaranteed Cabin Luggage through Manage My Booking.
If Jet2 places your bag in the hold anyway despite the purchase, you can claim a refund from Jet2 Customer Services. The current price isn’t listed publicly — check your specific booking in Manage My Booking for a live figure.
Jet2 vs Ryanair and easyJet: The Real Comparison
| Jet2 (holidays) | Jet2 (flight-only) | Ryanair | easyJet | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free cabin bag size | 56x45x25 cm overhead | 56x45x25 cm overhead | 40x30x20 cm underseat | 45x36x20 cm underseat |
| Overhead locker free? | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ (Priority required) | ❌ (add-on required) |
| Free hold bag | ✅ 22 kg | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Hold bag add-on from | Included | £10 online | ~£10–25 online | ~£20 online |
| Infant seat fee | Free (under 2) | Free (under 2) | ~£25–35 | ~£25–35 |
For a family of four on a Jet2holidays package, the all-in baggage value is hard to beat. For a solo traveller going light on a flight-only booking, Ryanair or easyJet may still undercut Jet2 on total price. It depends on what bags you need.
Key Tips for Flying Jet2
- Book flight-only hold bags online — the £45 airport price is genuinely painful to pay when you could have paid £10.
- Weigh your case before you leave home — £12/kg excess adds up fast on a family trip.
- Use Twilight Check-In for early flights — it’s free and removes the worst part of early departures.
- Travelling with a baby? Jet2’s infant policy is unique — no other major UK airline matches it in 2026.
- The personal item is 40 x 30 x 20 cm — some sources incorrectly list it as 40 x 30 x 15 cm (that’s BA). Jet2’s is 20 cm deep.
Jet2 Baggage FAQ
Does Jet2holidays include a hold bag?
Yes — one 22 kg bag per person per flight, included free on all Jet2holidays and Jet2 CityBreaks packages.
Does Jet2 flight-only include a hold bag?
No. You’ll need to add one from £10 per bag per flight online (£45 at the airport).
What is the Jet2 excess weight charge?
£12 per kg over your allowance. The maximum bag weight is 32 kg — heavier bags are refused.
Does Jet2 fly infants for free?
Yes. Since August 2025, Jet2 is the only major UK airline not charging for under-2s. The infant booking is £0, plus you get additional baggage benefits.
Can I take a pushchair on Jet2?
Yes. Pushchairs travel free as baby equipment and can go to the aircraft steps. They’re returned at baggage reclaim.
Does Jet2 weigh hand luggage?
The cabin bag has a 10 kg limit. Jet2 may weigh bags that look obviously heavy, but it doesn’t routinely weigh every bag at the gate.
What is Twilight Check-In on Jet2?
A free service allowing you to drop hold bags at the airport the evening before an early flight (4:30 PM–9:00 PM). No other major UK airline offers this.
