EasyJet changed its checked luggage policy, adding a new, lighter option and increasing the existing 20-kilogram limit.

For passengers with lighter bags up to 15 kilograms, the fee will be £8.99 (although this can rise to £29.99 depending on the route selected) and is only available to purchase online. The existing 20-kilogram weight limit increased to 23 kilograms. The option costs £13.99–33.99 when booked online, £37 when purchased at the bag-drop desk and £47 at the boarding gate.

The company said the new tiers mean “those heading off on a short break no longer need to squeeze everything into a small cabin bag, whilst giving more peace of mind to customers on longer breaks who already travel with EasyJet’s standard hold bag by increasing their allowance by an extra 3 kilograms.”

Andrew Middleton, ancillary revenue director, EasyJet said in the last year almost half of passengers’ bags weighed 15 kilograms or less, “whilst there were also millions of customers who required more weight than we previously allowed with the 20-kilogram bag.”

Customers have always been able to pool their total weight allowance when traveling with friends and family — this remains in place.