TUI, Jet2, Ryanair, and easyJet passengers warned about 'bag pooling' in August

TUI, Jet2, Ryanair, and easyJet passengers warned about 'bag pooling' in August If you're travelling as a family or group, a little-known hack can be useful for those who pack a lot, and most airlines allow it as long as you follow certain restrictions that they set Every group of travellers inevitably has one person who is filled with dread when they put their suitcase on the baggage scales. It might be the person who is super organised and taking the essentials everyone needs, or just a holidaymaker who loves to have multiple outfit options per day. If you're travelling as a couple, family, or group, then 'bag pooling' can be a handy hack to know, and many passengers haven't heard of it. When you book checked luggage with airlines such as Ryanair, Jet2 and easyJet, you can choose a weight allowance, usually 15, 20, or 23Kkg, and if you book more than one suitcase, the allowance can be shared between them and doesn't have to be equally divided. For example, if as a couple you book two 23kg bags, that gives you a 46kg allowance, which can be distributed as you please. One of you could take 15kg and the other 30kg. But airlines do have an upper limit, due to restrictions on the maximum weight that baggage handlers can deal with. Here's what some of the UK's most popular airlines say about bag pooling and their specific rules around it. EasyJet Bag pooling is allowed on easyJet flights, and the airline clarifies: "If you’re travelling with family or friends on the same flight and booking, you can pool your total weight allowance. "This means the total weight allowance can be split among the total number of bags booked, as long as no single item weighs more than 32kg. Maximum total size (length + width + height) = under 275cm. Please note that you cannot pool weight between hold bags and sports equipment." Ryanair One of Ryanair's FAQs asks: "Is bag pooling allowed?" to which the airline replied: "Yes. Bag pooling is allowed between passengers with check-in bags on the same flight reservation. This means that checked baggage allowances can be shared across passengers on the booking. For example, if you have 2 20kg Check-in Bags (40kg total) on your booking, one of those bags could weigh 15kg while the other weighs 25kg. However, no bag can weigh more than 32kg." TUI TUI has clarified its rules around bag pooling on its website, however, passengers who've booked a TUI package holiday should double check which airline they'll be flying with, as they sometimes use airlines such as Ryanair or easyJet. You'll need to follow airline specific guidance. On its official FAQs page, asking "Can I pool our luggage allowance?", TUI states: "If you’re travelling with TUI Airways, you're allowed to pool your luggage allowance with anyone else travelling on your booking. However, each bag can only weigh up to 25kg. "If you're unsure of your luggage allowance, then you can find this on your booking confirmation or by logging into Manage my booking. If you're flying with any other airline, you'll need to contact them directly." Jet2 Jet2 representatives took to social media after a passenger asked about bag pooling: "If one person is over does all the weight pool together or does everyone individual need to be 22kg?", they queried, going on to explain that they had a group booking for 10 passengers, each with 22kg of checked luggage included in their booking. A Jet2 spokesperson advised: "Yes you are able to pool your luggage providing you do not go over your overall weight limit and no one bag weighs more than 32kg." The customer then followed up to ask: "So one person won't be charged if their case is overweight slightly and the rest are under?", to which Jet2 replied: "That's correct. If one bag is slightly over, but others are under, you will still have room within your overall allowance and will not be charged." Have a story you want to share? Email us at [email protected]