Flying with SWISS and need to know what you can pack? Our baggage allowance for SWISS air guide has all the information you need in one place
SWISS air baggage allowance at a glance
What's SWISS air hand baggage allowance?
Any passenger flying with SWISS can bring both a personal item (handbag, briefcase, laptop bag) and a cabin bag with them on board, even if you're flying in the cheapest economy class, Economy Light.
As always, there are size and weight restrictions, and SWISS air's maximum cabin bag weight is 8kg, which isn't as generous as other airlines, such as Iberia. This weight doesn't increase even if you're flying in a higher class, like business, but the number of cabin bags you can bring with you does.
Heading to a wedding? SWISS are happy for you to bring a garment bag into the cabin, but it's counted additionally to your cabin bag allowance (so you'll be charged) and must not measure more than 57cm x 54cm x 15cm.
Here's a summary of SWISS air's hand baggage allowance:
SWISS max | SWISS max | Number of bags allowed on board |
|---|---|---|
Personal item: Cabin bag: | 8kg | Economy and Premium Economy: 1 Business and First: 2 |
Remember:
If your cabin bag exceeds the weight or measurements laid out above, you'll be charged an excess fee and the bag will be placed in the hold, so be sure to check your luggage weight and dimensions before leaving the house.
It's also worth noting that some destinations, such as the US and South Africa have their own restrictions on cabin baggage and the rules may differ, so check your SWISS air baggage allowance carefully before booking your ticket.
What's SWISS air's checked baggage allowance?
You'll be pleased to know (we think!) that SWISS air's checked baggage allowance isn't too different from other major airlines. Every SWISS ticket includes at least one 23kg checked bag except for European flights booked in Economy Light, for which you need to pay extra to add a checked bag. If you've booked a higher class, such as Premium Economy, Business or First, you may be entitled to more, depending on your destination.
As with your hand luggage, be sure to double-check the weight and dimensions of your checked luggage too, as SWISS will reject items weighing more than 32kg and/or exceeding total dimensions of 292cm.
Let's take a look at the checked baggage allowance for SWISS air in more detail:
SWISS max hold baggage size | SWISS hold luggage weight allowance | Number of hold bags allowed, European flights | Number of hold bags allowed, international flights |
|---|---|---|---|
158cm total dimensions (add height, length and width to calculate this) | Economy and Premium Economy: 23kg Business and First: 32kg | Economy Classic and Flex: 1 Business: 2 | Economy: 1 Premium Economy: 2 Business: 2 First: 3 |
Can I take more checked baggage if I'm a SWISS loyalty member?
It depends on your tier, but eventually, yes! Certain members of SWISS' loyalty program, Miles & More, receive an additional checked baggage allowance for every flight except those purchased in Economy Light. If you're a SWISS Golf Traveller, you get to bring your golf equipment on board for no extra cost, too.
Take a look below to see what your SWISS air baggage allowance could be if you're a Miles & More member.
Status | To/from/via USA, Canada | Other destinations |
|---|---|---|
Senators | +1 baggage item of 23kg in Economy Class | +1 baggage item of 23kg in Economy Class |
Frequent Travellers | +1 baggage item of 23kg in Economy Class | +1 baggage item of 23kg in Economy Class |
Still wondering what your baggage allowance for SWISS air is? Triple check by using their online baggage calculator before you fly.
You can add four additional bags to your SWISS booking online, but if you need more, simply contact the SWISS service desk who are able to add extras.
Can I add extra bags to my SWISS flight?
Yes, you certainly can. SWISS allows passengers to add up to four extra bags per booking online, though you can add even more (SWISS don't specify how many) by pre-registering them with the Swiss Service Desk. The catch? There's a fee for doing so, and what it'll cost you depends on where you're flying to, the class you're in and whether you book online or through their service centre.
Be aware: if you book through the service centre there's an extra £4.30 (€5) charge per bag.
SWISS only share the costs for adding bags to economy fares online, so if you're flying in Premium, Business or First, you'll need to contact the Swiss Service Desk to confirm your fees.
Below is a summary of what you can expect to pay when booking additional bags with SWISS.
First additional bag in Economy Light fare (max 23kg and 158cm):
Within Switzerland | Europe | Intercontinental | Intercontinental (excluding USA/Canada) |
|---|---|---|---|
Online: Service desk: from £48 (€55) | Online: Service desk: from £56 (€65) | Online: Service desk: from £61 (€70) | Online: Service desk: from £87 (€100) |
For every bag after that, and for additional bags in other classes, you can expect to pay from:
Economy: max. 23kg and max. 158cm on swiss.com | First / Business: max. 32kg and max. 158cm at the check-in desk | Economy: max. 23kg and max. 158cm at the check-in desk | Overweight or oversized (>23kg or >158cm) | Overweight and oversized | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Within Switzerland | £48 (€55) | £61 (€70) | £61 (€70) | £95 (€110) | £130 (€150) |
Europe | £56 (€65) | £78 (€90) | £78 (€90) | £113 (€130) | £156 (€180) |
Levant and North Africa | £69 (€80) | £95 (€110) | £95 (€110) | £152 (€175) | £217 (€250) |
Short-haul intercontinental | £104 (€120) | £139 (€160) | £139 (€160) | £217 (€250) | £303 (€350) |
Medium-haul intercontinental | £139 (€160) | £182 (€210) | £182 (€210) | £277 (€320) | £381 (€440) |
Long-haul intercontinental | £173 (€200) | £225 (€260) | £225 (€260) | £347 (€400) | £476 (€550) |
Try and book extra bags online; if you book bags through the service centre there's an extra £4.30 (€5) charge per bag.
What are SWISS airline's excess baggage fees?
If you arrive at the airport and your bag is bigger or heavier than SWISS' policy allows, you'll need to pay fees which are defined by your travel class and destination. These vary wildly and can be anywhere between about £44 and £260, so it's best to avoid paying them altogether by following our tips to avoid excess baggage fees.
What your supersized bag will set you back depends on which of your bags is oversized and where you're travelling to. If you arrive at the gate and your cabin bag is too big or heavy, you'll have to pay anything between £52 (€60) - £95 (€110), and you can only pay this with a credit card.
If it's your checked baggage which is oversized, the fee will depend on a few factors such as your travel class and destination. If it weighs more than 32kg, you'll need to send it as freight and it may not travel on the same flight as you.
Here's a breakdown of SWISS excess baggage fees:
Travel zones* | Overweight or oversized | Overweight and oversized |
|---|---|---|
Within Switzerland | £44 (€50) | £69 (€80) |
Europe | £65 (€75) | £87 (€100) |
Levant and North Africa | £87 (€100) | £130 (€150) |
Short-haul intercontinental | £104 (€120) | £173 (€200) |
Medium-haul intercontinental | £130 (€150) | £208 (€240) |
Long-haul intercontinental | £147 (€170) | £260 (€300) |
*If you're flying to or from Japan, you'll be charged differently depending on whether your bag is overweight or oversized. If oversized, the fee is £173 (€200), if overweight, it's £87 (€100). If it's both too heavy and too big, you'll be hit with a £260 (€300) fee.
