Editorial Team
Our content team
6 min read
Flights to Mallorca, Crete, or Antalya cost up to 15 percent more this summer than in 2025. A WirtschaftsWoche analysis pins the blame on jet fuel shortages tied to the Middle East conflict, rising carbon taxes, and demand that refuses to slow down. Summer 2026 flight prices are up, and there's not much changing that.
But here's what most travelers are missing. The ticket price hike is annoying, sure. The real money drain? That's the luggage fees.
Summer 2026 Is Getting Expensive, Just Not for the Reason You Think
The ADAC warns that up to 20 million passengers could face capacity issues at European airports this summer. While passengers navigate that mess, airlines have quietly hiked their baggage prices again.
The big news? Even Lufthansa now charges for cabin luggage in their new Economy Basic fare since May 2026. That's 15 Euro just to bring a trolley on board. If you're reading this thinking Lufthansa was your safe option: yeah, that's catching a lot of people off guard. What Ryanair and Wizz Air have been doing for years has finally reached Germany's flagship carrier.
An AirHelp study of 25 airlines found that checked baggage costs anywhere from 17 to 140 Euro per leg, depending on the airline. At Ryanair, a 20 kg suitcase runs up to 60 Euro per flight. Round trip? That's up to 120 Euro extra. For one bag. Switching to carry-on only saves you exactly that.
The Real Math: What Luggage Actually Costs in 2026
I ran the numbers for a typical scenario. Two adults flying Ryanair to Mallorca:
(Mallorca round trip, booked May 2026, Economy fare)
| Scenario | Luggage Cost (Round Trip) |
|---|---|
| Two 20 kg checked bags | 76 to 240 Euro |
| Carry-on only (55x40x20 cm) | 0 Euro (Priority from 6 Euro/leg) |
| Savings | Up to 120 Euro per person |
120 Euro. Per person. Round trip. That's a dinner for four at a beach restaurant, a day trip to Delphi, or just the financial buffer you never had on holiday. All from repacking your bag.
For exact dimensions and current fees, check our full Ryanair baggage rules guide (Coming Soon).
The Right Bag Makes or Breaks This
Flying carry-on only works, but not with any bag. Too large, and you pay a gate fee instead. Check our comparison of gate fees at Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air (Coming Soon) to see what each airline actually charges. At Ryanair, that's up to 70 Euro.
What you need is a trolley that fits the 55x40x20 cm standard. The Amazon Basics Hartschalen-Kabinen-Koffer - ABS-Handgepäck Zugelassen für Ryanair - 55 x 40 x 20cm fits the overhead compartment of all major airlines and costs under 50 Euro. If you want to travel even lighter in 2026, the Cabin Max Handgepäck Rucksack 40x20x25 für Ryanair Reiserucksack für Flugzeug works as an underseat bag for around 24 Euro. It fits Ryanair's free personal item slot (40x20x25 cm).
For anyone thinking "I can't fit a whole vacation in that": with Amazon Essentials 4er-Set Packwürfel, schwarz, mittelgroß and the roll method, I've packed ten days in Mallorca in August into one cabin trolley. Sunscreen and a dinner outfit included. Our carry-on only travel guide (Coming Soon) walks through exactly how.
Amazon Basics Hartschalen-Kabinen-Koffer - ABS-Handgepäck Zugelassen für Ryanair - 55 x 40 x 20cm
4.4
(61,174)
EUR 47.9
Amazon
4 More Ways to Save on Summer 2026 Flights
Ditching the checked bag is the fastest way to save money. But there's more if you book smart too.
Fly on Fridays. Sounds counterintuitive since you sacrifice a vacation day. But according to the Expedia Air Hacks Report 2026, Friday departures run 18 percent cheaper than Saturday. On a 200 Euro ticket, that's 36 Euro. Already a round of drinks in Crete.
Book 31 to 45 days ahead. Expedia's data shows this window saves around 80 Euro on short and medium-haul flights.
Try smaller airports. Memmingen instead of Munich, Weeze instead of Düsseldorf. ADAC specifically recommends this. Ryanair and Wizz Air often fly noticeably cheaper from these airports.
Use packing cubes. Sounds minor, but Amazon Essentials 4er-Set Packwürfel, schwarz, mittelgroß genuinely help you use every centimeter of your bag. Our packing cubes test (Coming Soon) covers what actually works.
For context on why fuel prices are driving airfares up this year, see our 2026 fuel surcharge breakdown.
Amazon Essentials 4er-Set Packwürfel, schwarz, mittelgroß
4.6
(40,438)
EUR 12.99
Amazon
The Short Version
Flights in 2026 are pricier. That part you can't really control. But 120 Euro per person in baggage fees? That's avoidable. Pack a decent cabin trolley, fly on a Friday, and check what Memmingen or Weeze looks like.
Anyone who treats carry-on only as their default strategy in 2026 can realistically keep 100 to 120 Euro per trip in their pocket. That money goes further on holiday than it does at an airport bag drop.
Had your own run-in with the new baggage rules, especially Lufthansa's Economy Basic change? Drop it in the comments. I'm genuinely curious what people are seeing at the gate.
