Bulgaria Air Baggage Policy: 2026 Fees, Allowances, Size & Weight Rules 

Bulgaria Air’s baggage allowance depends on your fare class. Economy passengers on paid-baggage fares get one 23 kg checked bag and one 10 kg carry-on. Business class passengers receive two 32 kg checked bags and two carry-on bags up to 15 kg total. Economy LIGHT fares include hand baggage only  no free checked bag.

Planning a flight with Bulgaria Air and unsure how much luggage you can bring? You’re not alone. Baggage rules vary by fare type, route, and passenger category   and getting it wrong at the airport can cost significantly more than pre-paying online.

What Is Bulgaria Air’s Checked Baggage Allowance by Fare Type?

Bulgaria Air’s checked baggage allowance is tied directly to the fare you book. Economy passengers on standard fares receive one free checked bag of up to 23 kg. Business class passengers receive two checked bags of up to 32 kg each. Passengers on Economy LIGHT fares receive no free checked bag  hand baggage only.

Here’s a full breakdown by fare type for European routes:

Important: The Economy YOUTH fare is specifically for passengers aged 12–26 and includes two free checked bags  a benefit that competitors’ guides frequently overlook.

All checked bags must not exceed 158 cm in total linear dimensions (length + height + width). Bags over 32 kg cannot fly in the hold and must be sent as cargo.

What Are the Bulgaria Air Hand Baggage Allowance Rules?

Bulgaria Air allows all passengers, regardless of fare type, to carry one cabin bag and one personal item on board. Economy passengers may bring one carry-on up to 10 kg with maximum dimensions of 55 × 40 × 23 cm, plus one personal item (handbag or laptop bag) up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm. The combined weight of both items must not exceed 12 kg.

Business class passengers are entitled to two cabin bags with a combined weight of up to 15 kg (each measuring no more than 55 × 40 × 23 cm), plus one personal item. Total weight across both cabin items must not exceed 17 kg.

Key carry-on size rules at a glance:

• Carry-on max dimensions: 55 × 40 × 23 cm (total 118 cm linear)
• Personal item max dimensions: 40 × 30 × 15 cm
• Economy combined weight limit: 12 kg
• Business combined weight limit: 17 kg

If your carry-on exceeds the size or weight limit, Bulgaria Air will transfer it to the hold. Excess baggage fees may then apply. On full flights, even compliant bags may be gate-checked  in this case, remove all valuables, medications, and electronics before handing it over.

Exception: Riga–Sofia–Riga route (flights FB 1451 and FB 1452): This route is operated by Air Baltic, and different rules apply. Both Economy and Business passengers are limited to one carry-on of up to 8 kg with dimensions of 55 × 40 × 20 cm (total no more than 115 cm), plus one handbag or laptop at 30 × 40 × 10 cm.

What Are Bulgaria Air’s Baggage Size and Weight Limits?

Bulgaria Air’s baggage size limits follow a linear measurement system. For checked bags, the maximum is 158 cm (length + height + width). For carry-on bags, the maximum is 118 cm total, with no single dimension exceeding 55 cm × 40 cm × 23 cm.

Bags exceeding 32 kg are not accepted in the hold under any fare. Oversize bags measuring up to 203 cm or 280 cm total are subject to additional fees (detailed below).

What Are Bulgaria Air’s Baggage Fees for Extra or Overweight Luggage?

Bulgaria Air charges significantly less when you pre-pay for additional baggage online versus paying at the airport. Pre-pay at least 3 hours before departure to access the lower rate.

Additional Checked Baggage Fees

Excess Baggage Fees (Oversize or Overweight)

Real-world cost scenario: Say you’re flying Sofia to London with one 27 kg bag (overweight) and forgot to pre-pay. At the airport, Bulgaria Air would charge £70 (fees from London are charged in GBP). Had you arranged it online at least 3 hours before your flight, you’d have paid £80 equivalent  so in this case, early arrangement still matters significantly.

All additional baggage fees are non-refundable once paid. From Athens or Heraklion, extra baggage must be requested through the ticket issuer or via callfb@air.bg  it cannot be added at the airport check-in desk.

What Are Bulgaria Air’s Policies for Special Items?

Sports Equipment

Ski, snowboard, and golf equipment can be pre-booked online. The package must be properly packed (in a cardboard box or specialist case), with maximum dimensions of 160 × 90 × 25 cm and a maximum weight of 23 kg. A ski kit may include only one pair of skis or a snowboard, one pair of poles, and one pair of ski boots. Mixed loads will be refused.

Bicycle Transport

Bicycles must be pre-booked  they will not be accepted at the airport without advance payment. Maximum package dimensions are 160 × 90 × 25 cm.

• Domestic: €50 (pre-paid only)
• International: €80 (pre-paid only)

Pets in the Cabin (PETC)

Only dogs and cats are accepted in the cabin. The total weight of the animal and carrier combined must not exceed 8 kg, and the carrier dimensions must not exceed 48 × 35 × 22 cm.

• Domestic pre-paid: €50 / At airport: €60
• International pre-paid: €80 / At airport: €90

Bulgaria Air does not accept animals traveling to or from the UK. The service is available on direct flights only, and the pet quota is limited  pre-booking is strongly recommended.

Pets in the Hold (AVIH)

Fighting breeds (including American Pit Bull Terriers, Rottweilers, Cane Corso, and Dogo Argentino) are accepted as cargo only, not in the hold. Animals must be at least 6 months old, microchipped, vaccinated against rabies, and carry a valid EU pet passport.

Musical Instruments

Large musical instruments that cannot be stored in the overhead bin or under the seat require a separate purchased seat. Smaller instruments that fit within the standard carry-on dimensions may be brought on board as part of the standard hand baggage allowance.

Sporting Weapons

Only sporting firearms and ammunition are accepted (hunting weapons may be allowed in some cases). The combined weight must not exceed 5 kg for ammunition. Pre-booking is mandatory.

• Domestic (up to 15 kg): €30 pre-paid
• International (up to 15 kg): €60 pre-paid
• Domestic (over 15 kg): €50 pre-paid
• International (over 15 kg): €80 pre-paid

Who Qualifies for Extra Free Checked Baggage on Bulgaria Air?

Several passenger categories receive an upgraded allowance of two free checked bags (each up to 23 kg) regardless of their fare class  a policy gap that most competitor guides fail to address:

• FLY MORE Gold Card holders (20+ flights per year)
• CCB Visa Platinum cardholders (when paying for tickets with the card)
• CCB and Bulgaria Air co-branded cardholders
• CCB Club members (when booking via Bulgaria Air’s website, app, or offices)
• Seamen (booked under a special marine fare)
• Infants aged 0–2: If the accompanying adult’s ticket includes checked baggage, the infant receives one free bag up to 10 kg. Strollers are transported free of charge and must be handed over at the aircraft door.

Critical exception: None of these benefits apply to Economy LIGHT fares. The no-checked-baggage policy on LIGHT fares overrides loyalty and card-based privileges.

How Does the Bulgaria Air FLY MORE Program Affect Baggage?

The FLY MORE program is Bulgaria Air’s free loyalty scheme, available to all passengers. Members earn points per flight that can be redeemed for bonus tickets, seat selection, business class upgrades, and additional checked baggage. The program operates across three tiers:

• Basic: Entry level, earn points on all qualifying flights
• Silver: Unlocked after 5 flights, redeem points for additional services
• Gold: Unlocked after 20 flights per year  includes 25% bonus points per trip, lounge access, priority service, and a free second checked bag on standard fares

Over 30,000 passengers have enrolled since the program launched (according to Bulgaria Air’s official FLY MORE page, updated September 2025). Points are valid for three years and are not awarded on charter, free, or promotional tickets.

Tips for Avoiding Bulgaria Air Baggage Surcharges

• Pre-pay online: Always add extra bags at least 3 hours before departure. Airport fees are 30–50% higher than online rates on most routes.
• Check your fare type first: Economy LIGHT bookings include zero free checked baggage. If you’re packing anything beyond a laptop bag and a carry-on, it’s cheaper to upgrade your fare at booking than to add baggage later.
• Use the combined weight rule: Economy passengers have a 12 kg combined limit for carry-on plus personal item. A 9 kg bag and a 3 kg laptop bag is fine. A 10 kg carry-on and a 3 kg handbag is not  it’s 13 kg combined and will be flagged.
• Pre-book special items: Sports equipment, bicycles, and pets must be pre-booked. Showing up at the airport without a reservation for these items results in refusal, not just a fee.
• Book via official channels for loyalty perks: CCB Club and co-branded cardholders only receive their extra baggage benefit when booking through Bulgaria Air’s website, app, or offices  not through third-party platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Does Bulgaria Air’s Economy LIGHT fare include any checked baggage?
No. The Economy LIGHT fare includes hand baggage only  one carry-on up to 10 kg and one personal item, with a combined weight limit of 12 kg. There is no free checked bag. Adding one checked bag costs €50 online for international routes, or €70 at the airport.

Can I bring two checked bags on an Economy ticket with Bulgaria Air?
Only on the Economy YOUTH fare, which provides two free bags at 23 kg each. Standard Economy SAVER and FLEX fares include just one. However, Gold FLY MORE members, CCB Platinum cardholders, and CCB Club members booking through official channels receive a second bag free on eligible fares.

What happens if my carry-on is too heavy at the Bulgaria Air gate?
If your carry-on exceeds the size or weight limit, it will be transferred to the hold and excess baggage fees may apply. On busy flights, even compliant bags may be gate-checked  but this is done free of charge, provided the bag meets the standard limits.

How much does it cost to add a third checked bag on an international Bulgaria Air flight?
Pre-paying online: €120. Paying at the airport: €150. All fees are non-refundable. A third bag is only accepted if it weighs 23 kg or less and measures no more than 158 cm total.

Is there a weight limit beyond which Bulgaria Air won’t accept checked baggage?
Yes. Bags weighing over 32 kg are not accepted in the aircraft hold under any circumstances and must be sent as cargo. The maximum accepted weight for a single checked bag is 32 kg (Business class standard). Overweight charges apply for bags between 24–32 kg.

Can I fly with sports equipment on a Bulgaria Air Economy LIGHT ticket?
Yes, but you’ll pay the sports equipment fee on top of having no free checked bag. For international routes, sports equipment costs €60 pre-paid. The item must be properly packed and pre-booked online. Last-minute requests at the airport incur a €70 charge.

Does Bulgaria Air allow pets in the cabin on all routes?
No. Cabin pets are only accepted on direct flights operated by Bulgaria Air and are not permitted on routes to or from the UK. Only dogs and cats under 8 kg total (animal + carrier) are accepted. The carrier must not exceed 48 × 35 × 22 cm.

Are baggage fees the same from all departure cities?
No. Fees from London are charged in GBP, from Zurich in CHF, and from Tel Aviv in USD, based on the exchange rate on the payment date. The EUR amounts published on Bulgaria Air’s website are the reference rates.

What is the maximum size of a checked bag on Bulgaria Air?
The maximum total linear dimension is 158 cm (length + height + width). Oversize bags up to 203 cm or 280 cm are accepted with an additional fee. Bags exceeding 280 cm are not accepted in the hold.

How early must I pre-pay for extra baggage to get the lower rate?
Bulgaria Air requires payment at least 3 hours before the scheduled departure time to qualify for the pre-paid rate. Any request made inside the 3-hour window is charged at the higher airport rate, even if made online.