The Turkish low-cost airline Pegasus Airlines has introduced new rules for carrying hand luggage, effective February 14, 2024. These differ drastically from the competition because they are not uniform, but vary depending on the route and the fare booked.

Tickets issued before February 13, 2024 are not affected by the changes. These travelers are still allowed to take one piece of cabin baggage with a maximum dimension of 55x40x20 centimeters without any weight restrictions. All tickets issued after this date will be subject to the new rules, which are quite confusing.

The so-called light tariff only includes a small bag that can measure a maximum of 40x30x15 centimeters and weigh a maximum of three kilograms. However, this regulation only applies to international flights, because within Turkey the piece of hand luggage may be 55x40x20 centimeters in size and weigh a maximum of eight kilograms. Caution: There are some routes where completely different rules apply. Therefore, when booking, you should pay close attention to what is included and what is not.

Pegasus Airlines also offers connecting flights. For example, if you fly from Germany to Turkey and change to a domestic flight, then, according to the company, the rules for domestic flights do not apply, but rather those for international connections. This also explicitly applies if you fly first within Turkey and then internationally. In this constellation, only mini hand luggage with a maximum of three kilograms is permitted.

There are differences in the more expensive tariff classes Saver, Saver Plus and Comfort-Flex. According to Pegasus Airlines, this should entitle you to take one piece of hand luggage measuring a maximum of 55x40x20 centimeters and weighing eight kilograms, as well as a small bag that may measure a maximum of 55x40x20 centimeters and weigh a maximum of three kilograms. However, this only applies to international connections and even there there are different rules on some routes. Within Turkey, the same allowances apply as in the light fare, although the regulations for international connections apply to connecting flights, unless the connecting connection is within Turkey.

If you don't follow the new rules, Pegasus Airlines will ask you to pay directly at the gate. According to the company, you want to collect 50 euros (or the equivalent in the respective local currency) for every piece of hand luggage that does not comply with the rules or that is carried “too much”. We also expressly reserve the right that this fee could be increased in the future.