Volotea Baggage Rules 2026: Cabin Size, Checked Fees & Allowance Explained 

Volotea allows one small personal item (40×30×20 cm) for free in all fares. A cabin bag and checked baggage must be purchased separately. Fees vary by route and booking time, with checked baggage starting from approximately €10–€25 when booked in advance and rising significantly at the airport.

Volotea is a Spanish low-cost carrier operating regional routes across Europe, connecting smaller cities often overlooked by major airlines. Since its launch in 2012, it has grown to serve over 100 destinations across France, Spain, Italy, Greece, and beyond.

What Baggage Does Volotea Include for Free?

Every Volotea passenger, regardless of fare type, is entitled to one free personal item under the seat in front of them. That’s it.

• Maximum dimensions: 40 × 30 × 20 cm
• Examples: small backpack, handbag, laptop bag, or tote
• Weight limit: Not officially specified, but must fit under the seat unaided

A cabin bag and any checked luggage are paid extras similar to Ryanair and Wizz Air’s approach. Unlike some competitors, Volotea does not offer a “free cabin bag” as standard on any fare tier.

What Are Volotea’s Carry-On Baggage Rules?

Volotea’s carry-on baggage (cabin bag) is an add-on that must be purchased either during booking or via Manage Booking before your flight.

Volotea Cabin Bag Dimensions and Weight

How Much Is a Cabin Bag on Volotea?

Cabin bag fees on Volotea typically range from €6 to €30, depending on the route, how early you book, and whether you add it during initial booking or later via Manage Booking. Adding it at the airport is the most expensive option and may not always be available.

Real-world example: A traveler booking a Madrid–Nantes flight in advance might pay €8 for a cabin bag. The same traveler adding it at the check-in desk could pay €25–€35.

Is Volotea Strict With Hand Luggage?

Yes Volotea staff enforce cabin bag rules at the gate. If your bag exceeds the 55 × 40 × 20 cm limit or you haven’t paid for it, you’ll be required to check it at the gate for a fee. Gate bag fees are among the highest on any Volotea route, often €50 or more.

Practical tip: Measure your bag before you leave home. Soft-sided bags often pass; rigid suitcases slightly over the limit may not.

What Is Volotea’s Checked Baggage Allowance?

Volotea’s checked baggage is sold by weight category. Passengers can choose between 20 kg and 32 kg options, and multiple bags can be added up to the selected weight limit.

Volotea Checked Baggage Size

Bags exceeding 158 cm in total dimensions or 32 kg are classified as oversized or overweight and incur additional handling fees at check-in.

Volotea Checked Baggage Price

Checked baggage fees vary by route and booking timing, but here are realistic 2026 benchmarks:

Key takeaway: The earlier you add checked baggage, the less you pay. Waiting until the airport can cost 2–3x the online rate.

What Counts as Oversized Luggage on Volotea?

Any bag exceeding 158 cm (length + width + height combined) or 32 kg is considered oversized. Examples include large surfboards, bicycles, and golf equipment. These items must be declared in advance and carry their own specific handling fees typically €40–€70 per item charged at the airport.

Sports equipment like skis, pushchairs, and musical instruments fall under Volotea’s special items policy. Always contact Volotea directly or check your booking portal before traveling with non-standard items.

How Do You Add Baggage to a Volotea Booking?

Adding baggage after you’ve completed your initial booking is straightforward through Volotea Manage Booking.

Steps to add baggage via Manage Booking:

1. Go to volotea.com and click “Manage My Booking”
2. Enter your booking reference and last name
3. Navigate to the “Extras” or “Baggage” section
4. Select your preferred baggage option and complete payment

Manage Booking also lets you update seats, add priority boarding, and modify meal preferences. This is the most cost-effective method for adding extras post-purchase cheaper than airport counters and often cheaper than what was shown at booking if prices have dropped.

What Is Volotea Priority Boarding and What Does It Cost?

Volotea priority boarding allows passengers to board before the general queue, giving them access to overhead locker space earlier a practical benefit if you’ve paid for a cabin bag.

Volotea priority boarding price: Typically ranges from €5 to €15 per person per flight, depending on the route and how far in advance you purchase it.

Priority boarding is especially valuable on busy routes or when traveling with children. It can be added during booking or through Manage Booking, but not at the gate.

Is Volotea a Good Airline?

Volotea is a reliable choice for regional European routes, particularly city pairs not served by major carriers. The airline holds a mid-range reputation for punctuality and customer service, with a Trustpilot rating hovering around 3.5–4 out of 5 based on several thousand reviews (Trustpilot, 2025).

Strengths:

• Serves smaller cities unavailable on easyJet or Ryanair
• Competitive base fares on regional routes
• Clean, modern fleet (Airbus A319/A320)
• Manages bookings through a reasonably intuitive platform

Weaknesses:

• All extras (bags, seats, meals) are paid add-ons
• Customer service responsiveness can be slow during disruptions
• Limited frequent flyer or loyalty benefits

Does Volotea Offer Food on Flights?

Yes. Volotea offers an onboard food and beverage service on most flights, including sandwiches, snacks, and drinks. Selection varies by route length. Food is not included in any standard fare and must be purchased onboard or pre-ordered via Manage Booking on select routes.

How Does Volotea Compare to Ryanair on Baggage?

Feature	Volotea	Ryanair
Free personal item	✅ 40×30×20 cm	✅ 40×20×25 cm
Free cabin bag	❌ Paid add-on	❌ Plus/Priority only
Cabin bag max size	55×40×20 cm	55×40×20 cm
Cabin bag fee range	€6–€30	€8–€35
Checked bag (20 kg)	€10–€25 (online)	€10–€29 (online)
Priority boarding	€5–€15	€6–€18

Both airlines operate very similar unbundled models. Volotea tends to be marginally cheaper on routes it directly competes on, but Ryanair’s broader network provides more flexibility for connecting itineraries.

Volotea Flight Schedule: How to Find and Plan Your Route

Volotea publishes its flight schedule up to 12 months in advance on its official website. The airline operates seasonal timetables, with peak frequency during European summer (May–September).

To search Volotea’s flight schedule:

• Visit volotea.com and use the flight search tool
• Select “Flexible dates” to view the cheapest days in a given month
• Check the route map for direct connections between your origin and destination

Volotea’s schedule focuses on point-to-point routes, so connecting flights are not standard. Most routes are between 1 and 3 hours in duration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Volotea include a cabin bag in the ticket price?
No. Volotea includes only one free personal item (40×30×20 cm) per passenger. A cabin bag measuring up to 55×40×20 cm and weighing up to 10 kg must be purchased separately, starting from around €6 online.

What is the maximum luggage size for Volotea checked bags?
Checked bags on Volotea must not exceed 158 cm in total dimensions (length + width + height combined). Weight limits are 20 kg or 32 kg depending on the option purchased. Bags over these limits are subject to oversized fees at check-in.

How much does it cost to add a checked bag to Volotea at the airport?
At the airport check-in desk, a 20 kg checked bag typically costs €30–€60 or more significantly higher than the €10–€25 charged when added online during booking. Always add baggage in advance to avoid this surcharge.

Is Volotea strict with bags?
Yes. Volotea enforces both size and weight limits at boarding gates and check-in counters. Bags that exceed dimensions or haven’t been pre-purchased will be charged gate fees, which can exceed €50 per item.

Can I take a pushchair or pram on Volotea for free?
One pushchair or pram per infant traveling is typically transported free of charge in Volotea’s hold. It must be declared at booking. Additional or oversized prams may incur handling fees.

Does Volotea charge for a second carry-on bag?
Only one personal item (free) and one paid cabin bag are permitted per passenger. A second carry-on is not permitted it must be checked in as hold luggage.

Can I add baggage to Volotea after check-in has opened?
You can generally add baggage through Manage Booking until online check-in closes (typically 2 hours before departure). After that, changes must be made at the airport, where fees are substantially higher.

What happens if my bag is overweight at a Volotea check-in desk?
If your bag exceeds the weight you purchased (e.g., 22 kg on a 20 kg allowance), you’ll be charged an excess weight fee at the counter. Rates vary but typically start at €10–€15 per extra kilogram. Repacking into another bag is always cheaper.

Does Volotea allow liquids in carry-on bags?
Yes, standard EU aviation rules apply. Liquids must be in containers of 100 ml or less, placed in a single transparent resealable bag (maximum 1 liter capacity), and presented separately at security screening.