Smartwings Baggage Policy: Fees, Weight Limits and Rules 2026 

Smartwings offers four fare tiers with different baggage allowances. The Lite fare includes one 8 kg cabin bag only. Plus and Flex fares add a 23 kg checked bag and a 3 kg personal item. Business Class passengers receive two checked bags up to 32 kg each. Extra baggage starts at €40 if booked online in advance.

Packing for a Smartwings flight without knowing the rules is one of the fastest ways to add an unexpected charge to your trip. Gate fees can run up to €60 per additional bag significantly more than pre-booking the same allowance online.

Smartwings is a Czech low-cost carrier that has operated since 1997. It absorbed CSA Czech Airlines and operates primarily across Europe, North Africa, and select long-haul routes. As budget airline baggage policies tighten across the board in 2026 TUI, for instance, removed its free cabin bag for standard fares from May 2026 understanding exactly what Smartwings allows has become essential planning, not a minor detail.

What Is the Smartwings Baggage Policy?

The Smartwings baggage policy ties allowances directly to your fare type. All fares include one 8 kg cabin bag. Only Plus, Flex, and Business fares include a checked bag. A small personal item (3 kg) is included in Plus, Flex, and Business fares but not Lite. Baggage pooling between passengers is not permitted.

Here is how the allowances break down by ticket type:

Note that baggage pooling between passengers is not permitted under any fare type. Each passenger’s allowance is individual and non-transferable.

What Are the Smartwings Cabin Bag Size and Weight Limits?

Smartwings allows one cabin bag measuring a maximum of 55 × 40 × 23 cm and weighing up to 8 kg on all fares, including the cheapest Lite ticket. This is notably more generous than Ryanair and Wizz Air, which restrict the free under-seat bag to 40 × 30 × 20 cm on standard fares.

The 8 kg allowance covers a standard overhead cabin-sized bag think a fully packed carry-on suitcase or a large backpack. Musical instruments may also travel as a cabin bag provided they do not exceed 90 cm in length, 35 cm in width, and 20 cm in depth (including the case), and weigh no more than 8 kg.

The personal item on Plus, Flex, and Business fares is defined as a small bag, laptop, or lady’s purse with maximum dimensions of 40 × 30 × 15 cm and a weight limit of 3 kg.

Real-world note: At Split Airport in 2025, carry-on bags were actively weighed before boarding Smartwings flights. Do not assume weight limits are not enforced.

What Are the Smartwings Checked Baggage Dimensions and Weight Limits?

Checked bags on Smartwings must not exceed 32 kg in weight or 250 cm in combined length, width, and height (including handles and wheels). No single side may exceed 150 cm. Standard fare checked bags are 23 kg. Overweight bags can be pre-purchased up to 32 kg for an additional fee.

Bags exceeding these limits cannot be accepted for technical and safety reasons. For Plus and Flex fares, the included checked bag is 23 kg. If you need to check a bag heavier than 23 kg up to the 32 kg maximum you can purchase the overweight allowance in advance.

How Much Does Extra Baggage Cost on Smartwings?

Extra baggage on Smartwings costs €40 per additional bag or per overweight bag when purchased at least 36 hours before departure. The price rises to €48 if booked less than 36 hours before departure, and jumps to €60 at the gate. Booking online early is always the cheapest option.

Here is the full pricing breakdown:

Practical scenario: A couple flying on Lite fares with one extra bag each pays €80 if pre-booked 36+ hours ahead. Wait until the gate, and that becomes €120 a €40 avoidable penalty.

All baggage fees are non-refundable once purchased.

How Strict Is Smartwings with Carry-On Baggage?

Smartwings enforces its cabin bag policy, and enforcement varies by airport. At certain airports including Split carry-on bags are weighed before boarding. Bags that exceed the 8 kg limit or the 55 × 40 × 23 cm size restriction will be checked into the hold for a fee.

Compared to competitors, Smartwings’ base cabin bag allowance is actually more generous on cheap fares. Ryanair’s standard fare only allows a 40 × 30 × 20 cm bag; Smartwings gives all passengers including Lite fare travelers an 8 kg overhead-sized cabin bag. The strictness comes from enforcement: do not assume the weight limit will be overlooked.

If your cabin bag or personal item exceeds the permitted size or weight, Smartwings will transport it as checked baggage and charge accordingly.

What Are the Special Baggage Fees on Smartwings?

Sports equipment, musical instruments, pets, and other special items on Smartwings must be pre-booked at least 48 hours before departure via the Smartwings Contact Form. Sports equipment costs €90 per item, per leg. Pets in the cabin cost €120, and animals traveling in the hold cost €220.

Here is a full breakdown of special baggage fees:

Pets in the cabin and in the hold have a maximum combined weight (animal plus carrier) of 8 kg and 32 kg, respectively. If the pet exceeds the cabin limits, it must travel in the hold at the AVIH rate.

Special items and live animals may be denied carriage for capacity reasons. Wheelchairs are the only exception Smartwings cannot refuse to transport wheelchairs.

What Liquids Can You Carry in Smartwings Cabin Baggage?

The standard international liquids rule applies on Smartwings. Liquids in carry-on baggage must be in containers of 100 ml or less, placed in a single transparent resealable plastic bag with a maximum total capacity of 1 litre. Larger liquid quantities must travel in checked baggage, though Smartwings does not accept liability for liquid damage in the hold.

This is the same rule applied across EU-regulated aviation. Duty-free liquids purchased after airport security may be carried on board in addition to your allowance.

Can You Get a Refund or Change Your Baggage Allowance on Smartwings?

Smartwings does not refund baggage fees once purchased. However, you can add extra baggage to an existing booking online through the My Bookings portal for additional checked bags, up until the time of online check-in; for overweight bags, up to 24 hours before departure. Sports equipment and special items must be pre-booked at least 48 hours before departure.

Key deadlines:

• Additional checked bags or overweight bags: Purchasable online at the time of booking or up to 24 hours before departure via My Bookings
• Sports equipment, live animals, oversized items: Must be booked at least 48 hours before departure via the Smartwings Contact Form
• Package holiday passengers: Must contact their tour operator, not Smartwings directly different pricing may apply

How Does Smartwings Baggage Compare to Competitors in 2026?

Smartwings’ Lite fare offers a more generous free carry-on allowance than Ryanair or Wizz Air. However, unlike easyJet or Jet2, it does not include a personal item on the cheapest fare. For passengers who need a checked bag, the Plus fare is competitively priced against equivalent offerings on Wizz Air and easyJet.

The content gap that most Smartwings baggage guides miss: Smartwings is actually one of the few budget carriers where the cheapest fare includes a full-size overhead cabin bag not just a small under-seat personal item. Ryanair and Wizz Air require a paid upgrade (Priority boarding) to access the overhead locker. Smartwings does not.

Pro Tips for Maximizing Your Smartwings Baggage Allowance

Getting the most from your allowance takes a little planning:

• Book extra bags early. The €40 online rate is 33% cheaper than the €60 gate fee. Even adding bags the night before departure saves money.
• Use the personal item allowance strategically. Plus and Flex passengers get a 3 kg personal item (40 × 30 × 15 cm) that functions as a second carry-on piece. Pack a lightweight laptop bag or tote to maximize this.
• Weigh your bag before you leave home. Some airports actively weigh Smartwings carry-ons. A luggage scale costs less than one overweight fee.
• Package holiday passengers, contact your tour operator. If your Smartwings flight is part of a holiday package, the tour operator’s pricing not Smartwings’ published pricelist applies to extra baggage.
• Pre-book sports equipment well in advance. The 48-hour cut-off is firm, and capacity can be limited on popular routes.
• Traveling with an infant? Children under two flying on an adult’s lap have no baggage allowance of their own. However, if the adult’s fare includes a checked bag, the infant may check one bag weighing up to 10 kg with a combined dimension limit of 115 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cabin baggage weighed on Smartwings flights?

Yes. Carry-on enforcement varies by airport, but Smartwings does enforce the 8 kg limit. At Split Airport in 2025, all carry-ons were weighed at the gate before boarding. Treat the 8 kg limit as firm, not advisory.

Can I transfer my unused baggage allowance to another passenger on the same flight?

No. Smartwings explicitly prohibits baggage pooling. Each passenger’s allowance is individual. A passenger with a 23 kg checked bag allowance cannot gift or lend spare kilograms to a travel companion.

What happens if my checked bag is 1 kg over the 23 kg limit?

You will be charged the overweight fee €40 if pre-purchased online (36+ hours before departure), €48 within 36 hours, and the airport rate if not pre-arranged. There is no grace allowance for minor overages.

Do infants get a baggage allowance on Smartwings?

Children under two years of age traveling on an adult’s lap are not entitled to their own baggage allowance. If the adult’s fare includes a checked bag, the infant may check one piece of baggage weighing up to 10 kg, with combined dimensions not exceeding 115 cm.

Can I pack fragile items in checked baggage on Smartwings?

You can, but Smartwings does not accept liability for damage to fragile items in checked baggage. Expensive or breakable items musical instruments, artwork are best transported as carry-on baggage or on a purchased extra seat (priced at the passenger ticket rate, excluding airport taxes).

How early should I purchase extra Smartwings baggage to get the lowest price?

Purchase at least 36 hours before departure to secure the €40 rate. Purchasing less than 36 hours before departure increases the fee to €48. At the gate, the rate rises to €60. There is no further discount for booking at the time of your original flight reservation.

Does Smartwings baggage policy change seasonally?

Smartwings’ core baggage allowances and fee structure do not change seasonally in the way Wizz Air’s does. The published rates on the Smartwings fees and charges page are fixed rates, not variable seasonal pricing. However, policies may be updated periodically, so check the official Smartwings website before each trip.

What recourse do I have if Smartwings loses my bag?

Report the missing bag immediately at the Smartwings handling desk upon arrival and request a Property Irregularity Report (PIR). You can track your bag using the World Tracer application with your PIR reference number. If the bag is delayed more than 24 hours outside your country of residence, Smartwings reimburses essential purchases (toiletries, clothing) at up to €40 per day after the first 24 hours, capped at €250 total. A bag not found within four weeks is considered lost.

Does travel insurance cover Smartwings baggage fees?

Most comprehensive travel insurance policies cover lost, delayed, or damaged baggage not the airline’s pre-booked fee if you cancel or change your trip. Some premium policies include a delay clause that reimburses emergency purchases if your bag is delayed beyond a set threshold. Always check your policy terms before assuming coverage.

How does the Smartwings baggage policy apply to connecting flights booked through a tour operator?

If your Smartwings flight is part of a package holiday, the tour operator’s price list and baggage rules apply rather than Smartwings’ published rates. Allowances may differ either more or less generous depending on the operator’s agreement. Contact your tour operator directly to confirm your allowance before adding bags through the Smartwings website.