Bring one carry-on item ≤10 kg and within 55 × 40 × 25 cm and keep a smaller personal item (laptop bag or purse) separate. For most international economy tickets the standard checked allowance is one piece up to 23 kg (50 lb); premium-economy and business fares typically permit two pieces at 32 kg (70 lb) each. Domestic Japan bookings and some promotional fares use different weight- or fee-based schemes – verify the allowance printed on your ticket.
Actionable checks before departure: weigh suitcases with a luggage scale, measure dimensions with a tape, and compare the fare class on your itinerary to the carrier’s published baggage table. If your booking class shows “Piece Concept,” count pieces; if it shows “Weight Concept,” sum total kilograms allowed. Elite status often grants +1 piece or extra kilograms – confirm status benefits in your account.
Buy extra piece allowance online rather than at the airport: approximate savings are 20–50%. Typical online extra-piece fees for international sectors range roughly US$70–US$200 per segment depending on route; overweight/oversize penalties commonly start near US$100 and rise with excess weight. Policies and exact amounts vary by origin/destination, so enter your itinerary on the airline’s baggage page to obtain the precise fee before arriving at check-in.
Practical packing tips: distribute weight across two cases to avoid single-bag overweight charges, stash valuables and medication in the cabin item, use a compact scale and compression organizers, and attach a clear tag with contact details. At the airport, present pre-paid baggage receipts to the agent to speed processing and avoid counter surcharges.
Included baggage – immediate recommendation
Choose a fare that lists a checked piece; standard allocations for many international routes: Economy – 1 checked piece up to 23 kg (50 lb), Premium Economy – 2 × 23 kg, Business – 2 × 32 kg (70 lb), First – 3 × 32 kg. If booking a basic/discounted fare, expect carry-on only unless an add-on or higher fare is selected.
Cabin baggage limits and sizing
Carry-on: 1 cabin bag plus 1 personal item. Typical maximum linear dimensions: 115 cm total (example 55 × 40 × 25 cm). Typical maximum cabin weight: 10 kg (22 lb) – check reservation for the exact figure for your route. Personal item examples: laptop bag, small backpack or handbag; each airline’s policy on weight and size differs, so verify before packing.
How to confirm and reduce extra fees
Open the booking on the carrier’s website or mobile app and view “baggage allowance” for precise piece, weight and size rules by route and fare class. Actions that lower risk of excess charges: weigh checked items at home using a digital scale; redistribute heavy items into carry-on or personal item if under cabin limits; pre-purchase an extra piece or overweight allowance online (cheaper than airport rates); enroll in the frequent‑flyer program or add a co‑branded card for complimentary extra pieces on some tiers. Label checked bags, use soft-sided cases for fitting tight sizers, and arrive early if paying for additional bags at the counter.
Carry-on allowance for All Nippon Airways: permitted size, weight and number
Bring one cabin bag (maximum 55 × 40 × 25 cm; total linear dimensions 115 cm) plus one personal item; combined cabin-bag weight limit is 10 kg.
Measure packed items including wheels, handles and external pockets. The personal item (handbag, briefcase or laptop case) should fit under the seat–recommendation: up to 45 × 35 × 20 cm.
If a carry-on exceeds the stated dimensions or the 10 kg weight limit it will be required to be checked at the gate and may be charged under checked-baggage rules for that booking class or route. Staff use gate sizers and scales for enforcement.
Exceptions: premium cabins, elite status or specific fare types can permit additional or larger cabin pieces–confirm the allowance on your reservation or with All Nippon Airways before departure.
Practical tips: weigh the bag at home on a bathroom scale, use soft-sided cases to squeeze into overhead bins, keep heavy items in checked baggage when possible, and place liquids and spare batteries according to cabin carriage rules to avoid delays at the gate.
Checked baggage rules by fare class and route (domestic vs international)
Purchase checked-baggage allowance with the ticket for long-haul international sectors: pre-purchase online usually costs 30–60% less than airport rates and prevents last-minute refusals at the gate.
Domestic routes (within a single country/territory): standard economy fares generally provide one checked piece up to 20 kg (44 lb); premium and business classes typically provide one or two pieces up to 32 kg (70 lb) each. Oversize (sum of length+width+height >158 cm) incurs special handling fees; overweight between 20–32 kg triggers an extra charge per bag.
Short‑ and medium‑haul international (regional Asia/Oceania): many fare buckets use a weight concept: economy commonly allows 1 piece up to 23 kg (50 lb); premium economy 2×23 kg; business 2×32 kg. Confirm per ticket, because some promotional economy fares exclude checked allowances and require paid add‑ons.
Long‑haul international (North America, Europe, South America): airlines frequently apply a piece concept. Typical examples: economy base = 1 piece up to 23 kg; economy flexible or bundled fares = 2 pieces ×23 kg; premium economy = 2×23 kg; business/first = 2–3 pieces ×32 kg. Low‑fare economy often excludes any free checked piece – buy online before travel.
Excess‑and‑special fees (examples used by major carriers): extra checked piece pre‑paid online ≈ USD 50–100 (short haul) / USD 100–200 (long haul); airport purchase ≈ USD 75–200. Overweight (23–32 kg): ≈ USD 75–200 per bag; oversize (dimensions >158 cm but ≤203 cm) ≈ USD 100–250. Items >32 kg or very large (e.g., sporting equipment) usually require special cargo arrangements.
Frequent‑flyer status and premium credit cards often grant one additional free checked piece or higher per‑piece weight (commonly +1 piece or upgrade to 32 kg allowance). Codeshare itineraries follow the operating carrier’s checked‑baggage rules, not necessarily the marketing carrier’s, so verify on the operating carrier’s site using the flight number.
Booking class quick reference: Basic/Promo economy = no or 1×23 kg (check fare rules); Standard/Flex economy = 1–2×23 kg; Premium economy = 2×23 kg; Business = 2×32 kg; First = 3×32 kg. Always read the fare conditions printed on the e‑ticket for exact piece count, maximum linear dimensions and permitted weight per piece.
Before departure: check the e‑ticket for allowed pieces and max weight, pre‑buy extra pieces online, weigh and measure at home, and label oversized items as fragile/special. For unrelated product research or prep for car cleaning before a trip, see best pressure washer for cars in india.
How to pay or add extra checked bags online, at check-in and at the gate
Prepay extra checked bags online at least 24 hours before departure to secure lower fees and confirm allowance.
Online (website or mobile app)
- Open Manage Booking / My Trips, enter booking reference and surname, then choose “Add baggage” or “Purchase baggage”.
- Select number of additional pieces and verify fare-specific limits shown for your route; taxes and fuel surcharges are added at checkout.
- Pay by credit/debit card, PayPal where available, or stored payment method; an updated itinerary and receipt are emailed immediately.
- After payment you can usually add baggage allowance to your mobile boarding pass or present the email at airport check-in for tag issuance.
At kiosk and check-in counter
- Self-service kiosks: retrieve booking with confirmation code or passport, follow prompts to add and pay for checked bags, then print tags and receipt.
- Counter agents: present ID and booking; pay by card or cash depending on airport policies; baggage tags will be issued and weight checked immediately.
- If a piece exceeds the airline’s checked-bag dimensions or weight at the counter, you will be charged the appropriate oversize/overweight fee or asked to reclassify as special baggage.
At the gate
- Gate addition is a last resort and may be refused if the hold is full; expect higher fees than online or check-in counter rates.
- Payment methods at the gate are limited–credit/debit cards are most commonly accepted; some airports accept mobile payments via QR code or contactless devices.
- If your carry-on must be checked at the gate for space or size reasons, line agents will tag the item and give a claim stub; do not leave without it.
Payment methods, receipts and proofs
- Use the same card used for booking when possible to avoid verification delays; save the emailed receipt and baggage tag stubs until after travel.
- Prepaid baggage charges appear on your itinerary and on the boarding pass in most cases; keep screenshots if using the app.
Practical tips
- Weigh and measure suitcases at home; prepay per-piece fees online to reduce cost–airport and gate rates are typically higher.
- For oversized or excess-weight items, reserve excess or special baggage online or contact the carrier’s cargo/special-baggage desk before arriving at the airport.
- If your itinerary changes, check the carrier’s policy for transferring prepaid baggage between segments or for refunds; policies differ by fare and route.
Oversize and overweight bag limits, surcharges and calculation examples
Recommendation: Keep each checked piece at or below 23 kg for Economy and 32 kg for Premium/Business, and the sum of length + width + height ≤158 cm to avoid excess charges; items over those thresholds incur tiered surcharges or must move as cargo.
Standard thresholds and handling
Weight thresholds: 0–23 kg (Economy allowance baseline), 24–32 kg (overweight band accepted with surcharge), >32 kg (generally not accepted as regular checked items; requires cargo handling and higher fees). Dimension thresholds: ≤158 cm (standard piece), 159–203 cm (oversize surcharge applies), >203 cm (cargo or special handling).
Measurement method: weigh fully packed bag on a flat scale; measure longest side as length, then width and height; add the three dimensions to get the linear sum. Convert lb to kg by dividing by 2.2046 (example: 50 lb ÷ 2.2046 = 22.68 kg).
Surcharge structure and calculation examples
Surcharges differ by route and ticket type; typical tiering used for calculations below (replace with carrier-specific published fees for final cost): overweight (24–32 kg) surcharge = USD 150; oversize (159–203 cm) surcharge = USD 150; combined overweight+oversize surcharge = USD 300; cargo handling for >32 kg or >203 cm = quoted per item (often several hundred USD).
Example A – overweight only: packed weight = 28 kg, dimensions sum = 150 cm. Overweight band (24–32 kg) applies: surcharge = USD 150. Total extra = USD 150.
Example B – oversize only: packed weight = 20 kg, dimensions sum = 170 cm. Oversize band (159–203 cm) applies: surcharge = USD 150. Total extra = USD 150.
Example C – both overweight and oversize: packed weight = 30 kg, dimensions sum = 170 cm. Both surcharges apply: USD 150 + USD 150 = USD 300. If carrier charges a single combined fee, expect a similar total.
Example D – excessive item: packed weight = 35 kg, dimensions sum = 210 cm. Regular check-in refused; move as cargo. Ask carrier for cargo quote; estimate several hundred USD plus handling and customs paperwork.
Exceptions: premium elite status, some fare bundles and specific route agreements may waive one surcharge band or allow higher free weight – verify the itinerary-specific allowance on the carrier’s published table before travel.
Protecting checked items: use a sturdy hard-shell case or wrap soft bags with a protective cover; for water protection and durability, consider a compact outer umbrella or cover – best outdoor umbrellas that wont fade.
Transporting sports equipment, musical instruments and fragile items
Use a hard, lockable case with internal padding and a TSA-approved lock; for valuable instruments consider buying a separate seat or purchasing dedicated cargo handling before travel.
Carry-on allowance for personal instruments: must fit within cabin dimensions 55×40×25 cm and weight ≤10 kg to board as cabin baggage; anything larger must be booked as checked equipment, as a second seat, or shipped.
Checked-sports handling: standard checked-piece limits typically follow a 23 kg (50 lb) rule for economy and 32 kg (70 lb) for premium classes; standard maximum linear dimension is 158 cm (62 in). Items exceeding those limits are treated as oversize/overweight and attract surcharges or require special cargo booking.
Pre-booking and declaration: reserve sports and large musical items online or by phone well before departure; undeclared oversized items may be refused at check-in or incur higher gate fees. Bring receipts and serial numbers for high-value instruments for possible inspections and claims.
Packing checklist for fragile or complex items: remove detachable parts (pegs, straps, pedals), secure moving elements with tape or foam, add humidity control packs for wooden instruments, fasten hard case to a soft bag for extra abrasion protection, and attach a fragile tag plus contact information to the outside.
Gate options: small instruments that barely exceed cabin limits can sometimes be gate-checked; a confirmed option is purchasing an extra seat (measure case dimensions to confirm fit on a passenger seat and note occupancy rules for seat purchases). Large bicycles and surfboards usually must be checked and may require crate or reinforced bag.
Insurance and claims: buy transit insurance for items over a few hundred dollars and retain the ticketed baggage receipt; if damage occurs, file a damage report before leaving the airport and keep all documentation for claim processing.
Item | Typical handling | Common limits | Packing recommendation | Action to take |
---|---|---|---|---|
Skis / Snowboards | Checked as one piece (sports equipment) | Linear ≤158 cm; weight per piece ≤23/32 kg policy applies | Ski bag with internal padding; remove loose straps; wrap bindings | Pre-book; check size vs allowance; anticipate oversize fee if >158 cm |
Golf clubs | Checked as one piece | Linear ≤158 cm; typical single-piece counting toward free allowance | Rigid travel case or padded soft case with club head protection | Declare at booking for some routes to avoid surprises |
Bicycles | Checked, often as special equipment or cargo | May exceed 158 cm; weight often >23 kg | Reinforced bike box; remove/secure pedals and deflate tires slightly | Pre-book; inspect carrier-specific rules and possible crate requirements |
Surfboards / Paddleboards | Checked; frequently charged as oversize | Length commonly >158 cm; extra charges likely | Hard shell or thick padded bag; fin covers; strap boards together | Pre-pay oversize fee if available; confirm maximum length accepted |
Guitar / Violin / Small strings | Carry-on if within cabin limits; otherwise checked or extra seat | Cabin 55×40×25 cm and ≤10 kg to guarantee onboard carriage | Hard case; humidifier for wooden instruments; secure neck and strings | Measure before travel; consider buying a seat for valuable instruments |
Cello / Large strings | Often require special handling or extra seat | Usually exceed cabin size; treated as checked or cargo | Flight case with foam blocks and straps; label as fragile | Contact carrier for options (extra seat vs cargo) and pre-book |
Fragile electronics / Cameras | Prefer cabin carriage in padded camera bag | Follow cabin carry-on dimensions and weight | Use padded inserts and lens caps; remove batteries if required | Keep in carry-on; if checked, insure and use hard case |