TUI is unlike any other airline UK passengers fly with regularly. It is not a budget carrier selling a seat and a bag. TUI is primarily a holiday operator that also flies passengers, which means what is included in your ticket depends entirely on how you booked. A package holiday passenger and a flight-only passenger can be sitting next to each other on the same aircraft with completely different inclusions.
This guide covers what you get with each booking type, how baggage works, when check-in opens, the seat options available, what is on board, and your rights if TUI delays or cancels your flight.
What is included in your TUI booking
The difference between a TUI package holiday and a TUI flight-only booking is significant. Checking which type you have before you pack can save you a considerable amount at the airport.
| What you get | Package holiday | Flight-only |
|---|---|---|
| Hand luggage (10kg) | Included | Included |
| Hold luggage | 20kg included | Not included |
| Seat selection | Extra cost to choose | Extra cost to choose |
| Meals on board | Buy on board | Buy on board |
| Airport transfers | Often included | Not included |
Bags and luggage
Every TUI passenger aged 2 and over gets one piece of hand luggage up to 10kg, with maximum dimensions of 55x40x20cm including handles and wheels. You can also bring one personal item with maximum dimensions of 40x30x20cm, which must fit under the seat in front of you.
Hold luggage is included with package holidays and excluded from flight-only bookings. If you are on a flight-only booking and need to check a bag, add it before you travel via Manage My Booking. Fees are lower at the booking stage than at the airport. For a full breakdown of what you can take, including the rules on liquids, pushchairs, and sports equipment, see our TUI baggage allowance guide.
When TUI releases flights
TUI releases flights roughly 12 months before departure. Winter season schedules typically go on sale in spring or early summer of the same year, while summer schedules go on sale the previous autumn. For the 2026/27 winter season, TUI launched bookings in early 2026 with early-booking deals available to customers who commit more than a year in advance.
The cheapest fares and the best selection of seats and resorts are available at the start of the booking window, not in the weeks before departure. If you are planning a summer package holiday, booking in the autumn or early winter before travel gives you the widest choice and the lowest entry prices. Flight-only seats follow the same pattern.
Checking in
TUI online check-in opens 14 days before departure if you have purchased seat selection, Extra Legroom, or Extra Space seats. For all other passengers, check-in opens 48 hours before the flight. The exception is Mexico and Jamaica routes, where check-in opens 24 hours before departure.
Check-in closes one hour before departure. You check in through Manage My Booking on tui.co.uk or the TUI app, using your booking reference and the lead passenger’s surname. You need to check in separately for your outbound and inbound flights. If you have hold luggage to drop, you still complete digital check-in first and then visit the bag drop desk at the airport.
Seat selection
TUI offers four seat options. The default for passengers who do not pay to choose is a seat assigned at check-in. If you want to guarantee where you sit, you pay in advance. The cost varies by route and seat type.
| Seat type | What you get | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Select Your Seat | Choose any standard seat | Families and groups |
| Extra Legroom | Minimum 2 extra inches of pitch | Taller passengers, longer routes |
| Extra Space | Minimum 8 extra inches of pitch | Passengers who prioritise comfort |
| Premium | Wider seat + 6+ inches extra pitch | Long-haul and special occasions |
Food and entertainment on board
TUI operates a buy-on-board cafe on all short and medium-haul flights. Hot snacks, cold sandwiches, and drinks are available to purchase. There is no complimentary meal service in standard cabins on short-haul routes, regardless of whether you are on a package or flight-only booking. Premium passengers receive complimentary food and drinks.
In 2026, TUI introduced a new digital entertainment platform on short and medium-haul flights. Passengers can stream content, use WhatsApp, and browse the TUI Musement experience-booking service from their own devices during the flight. The service is accessed through a browser rather than a dedicated screen. Long-haul Dreamliner flights have individual seatback screens.
Delays and your rights
If your TUI flight arrives more than three hours late, you may be entitled to compensation under UK261 legislation, which is the UK equivalent of the EU’s EC261 regulation. The amounts depend on the distance of the flight.
Flights of 1,500km or less qualify for £220 per person. Flights between 1,500 and 3,500km qualify for £350. Flights over 3,500km qualify for £520, reduced to £260 if the delay is between three and four hours. Delays caused by extraordinary circumstances, such as severe weather or air traffic control strikes, are exempt from compensation requirements.
If your flight is delayed, TUI is also required to provide refreshments and, for long delays, meals and accommodation. Claim directly at tui.co.uk rather than through a third-party claims company, which will take a percentage of any compensation paid.
TUI’s fleet
TUI Airways operates Boeing 737 MAX aircraft on its short and medium-haul European, Mediterranean, and North African routes. Long-haul flights to the Caribbean, Florida, Mexico, and the Maldives are operated on Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which offer a wider cabin, lower cabin pressure, and larger windows than older long-haul aircraft types.
Some TUI holidays operate using partner airlines rather than TUI Airways aircraft, particularly on routes where TUI does not run direct services. Your holiday confirmation will show the operating airline and flight number.
More TUI guides
For more detail on specific topics, our TUI guides cover the most common questions UK passengers have before they travel.
We also cover the wider airline landscape for UK passengers, including flying with easyJet and flying with Virgin Atlantic.
Search TUI flights and holidays
Frequently asked questions
Does TUI include hold luggage in the ticket price?
It depends on how you booked. Standard TUI package holidays include 20kg of hold luggage per person. TUI BLUE, Sensatori, Holiday Village, and A La Carte packages include 25kg. Flight-only bookings with TUI do not include hold luggage. You add it separately at an additional cost, currently from around £60 per 15kg bag on short-haul routes.
When does TUI online check-in open?
TUI online check-in opens 14 days before departure if you have purchased seat selection, Extra Legroom, or Extra Space seats. For all other passengers, check-in opens 48 hours before the flight. The exception is flights to Mexico and Jamaica, where check-in opens 24 hours before departure. Check-in closes one hour before departure.
What size is TUI’s hand luggage allowance?
All TUI passengers aged 2 and over can bring one piece of hand luggage up to 10kg, with maximum dimensions of 55x40x20cm including handles and wheels. You can also bring one small personal item such as a handbag or laptop bag, with maximum dimensions of 40x30x20cm, which must fit under the seat in front of you.
Can I buy food on TUI flights?
Yes. TUI operates a buy-on-board cafe on all short and medium-haul flights. Hot and cold snacks, sandwiches, and drinks are available to purchase. There are no complimentary meals in standard cabins on short-haul routes. Premium passengers receive complimentary refreshments on all routes.
What compensation is TUI required to pay for flight delays?
Under UK261 legislation, TUI passengers delayed by more than three hours may be entitled to £220 for flights up to 1,500km, £350 for flights between 1,500 and 3,500km, and £520 for flights over 3,500km. Delays caused by extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather or air traffic control strikes are excluded. Claim directly with TUI at tui.co.uk to avoid third-party fees.
What aircraft does TUI fly?
TUI Airways uses Boeing 737 MAX aircraft on short and medium-haul routes across Europe and the Mediterranean. Long-haul routes to the Caribbean, Florida, Mexico, and the Maldives are operated on Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Some TUI holiday packages operate on partner airlines for routes where TUI does not fly direct.
Kate Acaster is Chief Editor at Flight Tribe. She writes about practical travel planning, budget airlines, baggage rules, city breaks, beach holidays and good hotels that do not cost daft money.
Kate has travelled through Europe, South America and beyond, usually with a notebook, a half-formed plan and a strong opinion on airport snacks. At Flight Tribe, her work focuses on helping UK travellers understand what is included, what costs extra, and whether a trip is worth booking at the price shown.
How Kate works
Kate checks the details that can change the value of a trip, including cabin-bag rules, airline fees, hotel location, seasonality, travel dates and booking conditions. She is especially interested in offers that look useful on the surface but need a proper reader-first check before they are worth recommending.
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