Spring Airlines Baggage Policy: Fees, Weight Limits & Rules 2026 

Spring Airlines uses a pay-as-you-go baggage model. Standard fares include one 7kg carry-on and zero free checked baggage; SpringPlus fares include a 10kg carry-on and 20kg checked baggage. Excess baggage costs less when purchased online, more at the airport counter, and most at the boarding gate.

Spring Airlines built its entire business around one idea: you shouldn’t have to pay for space you don’t use. That’s great news if you travel light, but it also means the fine print on carry-on weight, checked bag tiers, and gate fees matters more than it would with a full-service carrier. Get it wrong and a $30 flight can quietly become a $100 one.

What Is Spring Airlines’ Baggage Policy?

Spring Airlines’ baggage policy allows one free 7kg carry-on item per passenger on standard fares, with no free checked baggage included. Passengers who need to check a bag must purchase an allowance in advance online, at the airport counter, or at the boarding gate  with online rates consistently the cheapest of the three.

This policy has been in effect since March 1, 2019, and reflects a straightforward philosophy: base fares stay low because baggage, seat selection, and meals are all unbundled. The tradeoff is that travelers need to plan their luggage needs before arriving at the airport, not after.

Spring Airlines Baggage Weight: How Much Can You Bring?

Spring Airlines’ baggage weight limits depend on fare type: 7kg for standard carry-on, 10kg for SpringPlus carry-on, and up to 30kg per checked bag depending on the fare tier purchased. Every bag is weighed at check-in, and again at the boarding gate, so packing close to the limit is risky.

Carry-On Weight by Fare Type

Need a bigger cabin bag but don’t want to upgrade your whole fare? Spring Airlines sells a standalone carry-on upgrade: RMB 160 for domestic routes (including Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan) and RMB 220 for international routes. It bumps your allowance to 10kg and 20×40×55cm, though the piece count stays capped at one bag.

Checked Baggage Weight by Fare Type

Each checked bag has a maximum weight of 30kg, and the combined dimensions (length + width + height) cannot exceed 203cm. Bags exceeding this can sometimes travel as oversize baggage for an extra fee, provided the longest side stays within 277cm and the total doesn’t exceed 320cm.

Spring Airlines Baggage Prices: What Does It Actually Cost?

Spring Airlines baggage prices vary by purchase location, with online pre-purchase the cheapest option, airport counter roughly double, and the boarding gate the most expensive. For example, a 10kg checked bag on a Spring Japan international flight costs JPY4,500 online versus JPY10,000 paid at the boarding gate  more than double.

Here’s the breakdown for Spring Japan international flights (valid through December 20, 2026):

Note: Spring Airlines has confirmed a pricing update for Spring Japan flights departing on or after December 21, 2026, introducing separate off-peak and peak season rates. Check the airline’s official notice page before booking travel in that window.

A Real Cost Comparison

Say you’re flying a Spring Japan international route and need to check 20kg of luggage:

• Book online in advance: JPY8,000 (~CNY480)
• Pay at the airport counter: JPY16,000 (~CNY960)
• Get caught at the boarding gate: JPY17,000 (~CNY1,020)

That’s over JPY9,000 saved simply by clicking “add baggage” during booking instead of waiting until you’re at the airport.

How Do You Buy Spring Airlines Baggage Allowance?

You can buy Spring Airlines baggage allowance online through your account’s “Manage My Reservations” page, via the airline’s call center, or in person at the airport. Online and call center purchases must be completed up to two hours before departure and can only be made once per passenger, while airport and gate purchases have no purchase limit but cost significantly more.

To add baggage online:

1. Log in to your Spring Airlines membership account
2. Go to Manage My Reservations
3. Select All the Extras
4. Choose Excess Baggage and pick your weight tier

One detail that trips up a lot of travelers: you can only pre-purchase checked baggage once per person online. If you underestimate your weight, you’ll need to pay any shortfall at the airport counter  and that portion won’t get the discounted online rate.

It’s also worth knowing that overpayment isn’t refunded. If you buy a 20kg allowance and only use 12kg, Spring Airlines keeps the difference. The allowance is valid for that specific flight only and cannot be transferred to a travel companion or a future trip.

Spring Airlines Checked Baggage Fee: International Routes

Spring Airlines’ international checked baggage fee for non-conforming or excess bags at the boarding gate ranges by currency, from USD 75 to CNY 500 per piece (up to 10kg), and must be paid in local currency and cash. This is separate from pre-purchased allowance pricing and applies specifically to bags that don’t meet requirements at the gate.

Compare that to domestic gate fees within China, which are considerably lower:

International gate fees run higher partly because they must cover cash handling in multiple currencies and partly because Spring Airlines wants to strongly incentivize pre-purchasing before you ever reach the gate.

Spring Airlines Baggage Fee: What Happens If You Exceed the Limit?

If your baggage exceeds the free allowance, Spring Airlines charges an excess baggage fee calculated in weight bands  typically 5kg increments  with the exact rate depending on whether you pay online, at the counter, or at the gate. The same overweight bag can cost two to three times more if you wait until the gate to sort it out.

There’s a critical distinction most travelers miss: baggage allowance purchased online can only be used at the check-in counter  not at the boarding gate. If your carry-on doesn’t meet the free allowance requirements when you reach the gate, you’ll be charged the boarding gate rate regardless of what you already paid for online, and that nonconforming bag gets placed in the cargo hold.

Why This Catches People Off Guard

Imagine you’ve pre-purchased a 15kg checked allowance online, thinking you’re covered. But your carry-on bag is 9kg instead of the 7kg limit. At the boarding gate, that 2kg overage isn’t matched against your checked allowance  it’s treated as a separate nonconforming carry-on issue, billed at the gate rate in local cash. This is precisely why Spring Airlines recommends checking in your bags at the counter rather than risking gate enforcement.

What Special Items Need Different Handling?

Baby strollers, car seats, wheelchairs, and mobility aids are checked free of charge (one item per passenger), while musical instruments, precision electronics, and sports equipment follow separate rules and fees. These exceptions exist because standard weight-based pricing doesn’t fit oddly-shaped or safety-critical items.

• Baby items: One stroller, car seat, or carry-cot per infant, checked free
• Wheelchairs/mobility aids: One item per passenger, checked free (notify the call center at least 5 days ahead for oversized units)
• Precision instruments and electric appliances: Must be checked as cargo; if carried as checked baggage instead, they must be properly packed and the weight counts toward your paid allowance
• Musical instruments: Allowed within carry-on limits; larger instruments need a purchased seat or must be checked
• Golf equipment, skis, surfboards, bicycles: Charged as sports equipment (JPY4,000–8,000 depending on item and route) regardless of packing
• Laptops and tablets: Not counted toward the 7kg carry-on weight limit, though piece restrictions still apply
• Self-injection syringes (insulin, EpiPen): Permitted onboard; used needles must be taken home by the passenger

Practical Tips to Avoid Unexpected Fees

• Pre-purchase online, always. The savings versus airport counter rates are consistent across every weight tier  often 50% or more.
• Weigh your carry-on at home. The 7kg standard limit is stricter than most international carriers, and gate checks are common.
• Match your fare to your luggage needs. If you know you’ll check a bag, SpringPlus (with its included 20kg allowance) may cost less overall than Standard fare plus a separate baggage purchase.
• Arrive at the gate 30–45 minutes early. Spring Airlines inspects carry-on baggage at both check-in and the gate, so build in time for a possible recheck.
• Keep your invoice request in mind. Baggage fees don’t appear on your itinerary automatically  request an electronic invoice through Order Management or ask for a quota invoice at the counter if you need one for reimbursement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Spring Airlines charge for carry-on baggage?
No, one carry-on bag is free on every fare  7kg on Standard fares and 10kg on SpringPlus. However, exceeding the weight or size limit at the boarding gate triggers a mandatory checked-baggage fee, billed in local cash.

How much is Spring Airlines’ cheapest checked bag option?
The cheapest option is a 5kg pre-purchase online on Spring Japan international routes, priced at JPY2,500 (about CNY150). Buying the same allowance at the boarding gate costs JPY6,000  more than double.

Can I use my pre-purchased baggage allowance at the boarding gate?
No. Baggage allowance purchased online can only be applied at the check-in counter. If your bag is flagged as nonconforming at the gate, you’ll pay the separate, higher gate fee regardless of any online purchase.

Is Spring Airlines’ baggage fee refundable if I don’t use my full allowance?
No. Any unused portion of a pre-purchased baggage allowance is non-refundable and cannot be transferred to another passenger or a future flight. It applies only to the specific flight it was purchased for.

Do children’s bicycles get a lower Spring Japan sports equipment fee?
No. Spring Japan confirms the JPY4,000 (domestic) sports equipment fee for bicycles applies equally to children’s bicycles, with no reduced rate for smaller frames.

How many checked bags can I bring on a Spring Airlines international flight?
There’s no limit on the number of checked bags for Spring Japan international flights, but each bag is still subject to individual weight (30kg) and size (203cm combined dimensions) limits, plus the applicable fee for any excess.

What happens if my checked bag exceeds 30kg?
Bags over 30kg are charged an additional per-kilogram fee  JPY1,500 (about CNY90) for each kilogram over the limit on Spring Japan international routes  on top of any base excess baggage charge.

Are wheelchairs counted in the baggage allowance?
No. One wheelchair, walker, or mobility aid per passenger is checked free of charge and doesn’t count against your baggage allowance. Contact the call center at least 5 days before departure if your wheelchair is unusually large or heavy.

Can I bring my golf clubs without an extra bag fee?
No. Golf equipment is always charged as a separate sports equipment fee (JPY2,000–4,000 depending on route), regardless of whether the golf bag is full, partially packed, or empty.

Why is Spring Airlines’ international boarding gate fee so much higher than the online rate?
Boarding gate fees must be paid in cash in local currency and cover last-minute handling costs, which is why Spring Airlines prices them highest  for example, USD 75 per nonconforming piece internationally, compared to a fraction of that cost when the same allowance is purchased online in advance.