Frequently asked questions
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 is part of our airlines hub, where you’ll find every UK airline’s baggage rules, seat policies and sale dates in one place.
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.
Flying with TUI
Use these guides to find answers to the most common questions about flying with TUI.
We also have guides on other UK carriers, including flying with easyJet and flying with Virgin Atlantic.
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
All TUI passengers get one 10kg piece of hand luggage plus a personal item. Hold luggage is included with package holidays but not with flight-only bookings.
For the full breakdown of weight limits, dimensions, and what you can add before departure, see our TUI baggage allowance guide. For hand luggage dimensions and what fits in the cabin, see our TUI hand luggage guide. Need a bag that fits the 55x40x20cm limit? See our best carry-on bag for TUI guide for six verified options with current prices.
When TUI releases flights
TUI typically opens summer and winter schedules around 12 months before departure. Early bookers get the widest choice of seats, rooms, and resorts.
For exact release windows and what to do when they go live, see our TUI flight release dates guide.
Checking in
TUI online check-in opens either 48 hours or 14 days before your flight, depending on whether you have paid for seat selection. Some routes have different windows.
For exact timings and a step-by-step guide, see our TUI check-in guide.
Seat selection
TUI offers four paid options alongside a free assigned seat at check-in: Select Your Seat, Extra Legroom, Extra Space, and Premium. The last adds complimentary food and lounge access on selected routes.
For prices, what each option includes, and whether it is worth paying in advance, see our TUI seat selection guide.
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. 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.
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.
TUI’s fleet is newer than many charter operators, which generally means a more comfortable experience on medium and long-haul routes.
Check the aircraft type when you book, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner has larger windows and lower cabin altitude, which many passengers find noticeably more comfortable on long flights.
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.
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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