How much luggage allowed in international flight

Carry one cabin bag ≤8–10 kg (17–22 lb) with external dimensions up to 55×40×20 cm (22×16×8 in) plus one personal item (≈40×30×15 cm); purchase a checked piece of 23 kg (50 lb) for standard economy or 32 kg (70 lb) per piece in premium cabins.

Most carriers follow two common models: a piece concept (commonly 1–2 items at 23 kg each on transatlantic routes) or a weight/size model (one cabin item, one personal item; checked baggage priced by weight). Maximum linear size for checked pieces is typically 158 cm (62 in). Low-cost operators often cap cabin bags at 8 kg and enforce strict size limits; legacy carriers frequently set cabin-size limits at 55×40×20 cm but do not weigh hand items at gate.

Overweight and oversize charges range widely: expect roughly $75–$200 per overweight piece and $100–$400 for oversized items on major carriers; low-cost lines may charge per kilogram (≈€10–€50/kg). Paying for extra allowance online during booking usually saves 20–60% versus airport rates. Elite status, premium fares or branded credit cards commonly add one free checked piece or increase weight allowance by ~9 kg (20 lb).

Practical steps: weigh and measure bags at home with a digital scale and tape measure, prepay extra allowance when available, redistribute weight across pieces to avoid single-piece overweight, and keep essential documents and a change of clothes in the personal item to reduce risk if a checked piece is delayed.

Quick checklist: cabin dimensions 55×40×20 cm, personal item ≈40×30×15 cm, checked standard 23 kg / premium 32 kg, checked max linear 158 cm, expect online prepay savings and variable fees by carrier and route.

Carry-on allowances: maximum dimensions, weight and personal item rules

Use a cabin bag no larger than 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14 × 9 in) including wheels, handles and external pockets as a baseline for most carriers.

Target a cabin weight between 7–10 kg (15–22 lb) for standard tickets; many European and Middle Eastern operators enforce this. U.S.-based network airlines commonly set size limits but often do not publish a strict weight cap; gate agents may require heavier items to be checked.

Personal item dimensions commonly accepted: about 40 × 30 × 15 cm (16 × 12 × 6 in). This item must fit fully under the seat in front of you – typical examples: small backpack, laptop bag, briefcase or handbag. Keep fragile electronics and travel documents in the personal item.

Low-cost carriers: expect a free personal item around 40 × 20–30 × 25 cm and a paid larger cabin bag option at roughly 55 × 40 × 20–23 cm with strict weight limits (often 7–10 kg) and gate-check penalties for noncompliance.

Measure and weigh before leaving home: include wheels and handles in measurements, use a digital luggage scale for weight. If your carrier publishes both linear dimensions and a single maximum (e.g., 115 cm linear), verify which rule applies – some use length+width+height while others specify exact box dimensions.

Pack liquids in 100 ml containers inside a transparent 1 L resealable bag and place it in the personal item for quick security screening. Place laptops and tablets in easy-to-access pockets to speed up separate screening. If carrying a heavy single object (camera, shoes, books), move lighter items between the two permitted pieces to balance weights and avoid gate check.

Final check: confirm the specific operator’s cabin policy 24 hours before departure and at online check-in; note that priority or premium tickets often include a larger weight allowance or an additional cabin bag.

Checked baggage limits and airline calculation of overweight and oversize fees

Pack each checked bag to 23 kg (50 lb) or less whenever possible; this avoids the most common overweight penalties and keeps one bag within the standard-per-piece allowance on most economy fares.

Standard weight thresholds: 23 kg (50 lb) for many economy fares, 25 kg (55 lb) on some carriers and premium classes, and a hard cap of 32 kg (70 lb) per piece – items over 32 kg are frequently refused for regular handling and must be shipped as cargo. Standard dimensional limit: 158 cm linear (length + width + height) or 62 inches. Airlines publish one of two pricing models: per-piece (typical for North American and some intercontinental carriers) or weight-based (common among low-cost European/Asian operators charging by kilogram).

Common fee brackets (examples across major carriers and low-cost operators): first checked piece on many short-haul routes: $25–$45 prepaid, $40–$70 at the airport; long-haul transoceanic sectors can include one free piece but surcharges apply for extras. Overweight charges: 23–32 kg (50–70 lb) band typically $50–$200 per bag; >32 kg typically routed to cargo or subject to a very large surcharge (often $200+ or refused). Oversize charges: 158–203 cm (62–80 in) often $75–$300; items over ~203 cm usually not accepted as standard hold baggage and require cargo handling with custom pricing.

How airlines calculate fees: per-piece carriers apply a flat fee for each checked piece based on route and fare class, then add overweight/oversize surcharges per band; weight-based carriers multiply actual kilogram weight by a per-kg rate. Linear dimension is always length+width+height – measure with wheels and handles included. Many reservation systems convert kg↔lb and cm↔in automatically, but local check-in scales and counters use the airline’s native units for enforcement.

Practical reductions: weigh and measure bags at home with a luggage scale and tape; redistribute contents across companions’ allowances; prepay online – savings of $10–$40 per piece are common; choose a fare that includes checked pieces when the sum of per-piece fees exceeds the fare difference. For single heavy items, consider shipping by courier: rates become competitive above ~32 kg or when oversize fees would exceed $200–$300. Use reinforced cases for fragile goods and mark them “Fragile” with clear external labeling; for glassware packing tips and alternatives see are stemless wine glasses for red or white.

Special items: sports equipment, musical instruments and strollers often have separate rules – some count as one checked piece regardless of size, others incur a specific equipment fee ($30–$200). Frequent-traveller status, premium cabins and certain credit-card benefits can waive piece fees or increase free weight allowances; check the ticket conditions before packing.

Quick checklist: weigh and measure; prepay online; keep each checked item ≤23 kg when possible; avoid >32 kg per bag; confirm per-piece vs per-kg policy on your carrier’s site; consider courier for very heavy or oversized articles.

Fare class, codeshare tickets and frequent flyer status: impact on baggage allowance

Verify the operating carrier’s baggage policy on your itinerary – it overrides the ticketing carrier and determines free piece/weight entitlements and fees.

• Fare-class breakdown (typical patterns):

  • Basic economy / deeply discounted economy (fare codes: often Q, T, O, etc.): usually no free checked bag; carry-on only or strictly limited personal item.
  • Standard economy (Y, M, B common): commonly 1 piece up to 23 kg (50 lb) or a 23 kg weight allowance in weight-based markets.
  • Premium economy: commonly 2 pieces of 23 kg each or 1 piece at 32 kg, depending on carrier.
  • Business class (J, C, D): frequently 2 pieces at 32 kg (70 lb) each under the piece system; weight-system carriers may grant 40 kg total.
  • First/La Première (F, P): often 3 pieces at 32 kg each or generous total weight (e.g., 60–80 kg combined on some carriers).

• Piece system vs weight system – what to expect:

  • Piece-based carriers (common in US, Canada, some African/Latin routes): entitlements expressed as number of checked items (e.g., 1, 2, 3 pieces) with maximum per-piece weight (usually 23–32 kg).
  • Weight-based carriers (common in Europe, Middle East, many Asian airlines): entitlements given as total kilogram allowance (e.g., 20 kg, 30 kg, 40 kg), regardless of number of bags up to carrier limits.
  • When booking across alliances, convert: if your ticket shows “20 kg” but operating carrier uses pieces, confirm whether that becomes one 20 kg bag or allowed as different distribution.

• Codeshare tickets – practical rules and checks:

  • The operating carrier’s policy typically governs checked- and carry-on terms. Treat the airline actually operating the sector as the source of truth.
  • Booking display can be misleading: a ticket sold by Airline A but flown by Airline B may show Airline A’s baggage on the reservation. Call the operating carrier or check its website with your booking reference to confirm.
  • If the operating carrier offers a more generous allowance than the ticketing carrier, you are usually entitled to the more generous terms; document the operating carrier’s policy page or written confirmation when possible.

• Frequent flyer status – typical benefits and limits:

  • Common perks: +1 free checked piece or additional weight (often 10–20 kg), waiver of checked-bag fees, higher free carry-on allowance, and priority baggage handling.
  • Alliance tiers examples: Star Alliance Gold, oneworld Sapphire/Emerald, SkyTeam Elite Plus – most members grant at least one extra piece on partner airlines, but specifics vary by carrier and route.
  • Some carriers cap elite benefits on lowest fare classes (e.g., basic economy) – elites may need to purchase a higher fare class to unlock free checked bags.
  • Weight-based premium carriers may add a fixed kilogram bonus rather than another piece; check whether the bonus is per sector or per ticket.

• Overweight, oversize and fee interactions with status/fare:

  • Even with elite status or premium cabin, overweight/oversize charges often still apply above the per-piece or per-weight limit; elites may receive discounted or waived fees on some carriers – verify specifics.
  • First/business fares can negate standard checked-bag fees entirely but not necessarily exemption from excessive-size surcharges (e.g., >158 cm/62 in).

• Action checklist before departure:

  1. Locate operating carrier code and check its baggage page with your PNR – confirm piece vs weight and per-item maxima.
  2. Identify fare code on your ticket; compare it to the carrier’s published table for that code to see exact entitlements.
  3. Add frequent flyer number to the reservation and carry proof of status (app screenshot or card) to avoid disputes at check-in.
  4. If bookings are codeshares, call the operating carrier when display information conflicts; request written confirmation if an allowance is upgraded.
  5. Consider buying a higher fare class if the cost difference is less than expected excess-baggage fees or if you need guaranteed additional pieces/weight.

For any sector-specific uncertainty, capture screenshots of the operating carrier’s baggage table and bring them to check-in; agents will follow the operating carrier’s rules when presented with a valid booking reference and the carrier’s policy page.

Restricted items, lithium batteries and liquids: what affects cabin carriage

Keep spare lithium-ion batteries and power banks in your carry-on; never place them in checked baggage.

Watt-hour thresholds: cells and batteries up to 100 Wh are permitted in the cabin without airline approval. Units between 100 Wh and 160 Wh require written airline permission and are normally limited to two spare batteries per passenger. Batteries exceeding 160 Wh are forbidden for passenger transport.

Handle batteries to prevent short circuits: leave installed batteries inside devices when possible, tape exposed terminals on loose cells, use original packaging or individual plastic pouches, and carry spares in hand baggage only. Power banks are treated as spare lithium-ion batteries; they count toward the Wh limits and must be declared if they exceed standard allowances.

Liquid rules for cabin carriage: containers must be ≤ 100 ml (3.4 fl oz) each; all containers must fit in a single transparent resealable bag not exceeding 1 litre. Exceptions: prescription medicines and infant food in reasonable quantities are permitted beyond the 100 ml limit but must be presented separately for inspection. Duty-free liquids sold after security are allowed if sealed in a tamper-evident bag with receipt; retain the receipt for connecting segments.

Other restricted items: aerosols with flammable propellants, gasoline or fuel containers, compressed gas cylinders (scuba tanks require airline approval and special procedures), and flammable solids are usually prohibited in the cabin. E-cigarettes and vaping devices must remain in carry-on and are not to be used onboard. Sporting equipment such as bats and golf clubs typically must be checked; small scissors with blades under ~4 inches are often permitted in hand baggage but rules vary by authority.

Quick checklist: verify the Wh rating printed on batteries or manufacturer specs before travel; pack spares in carry-on, protect terminals, keep liquids in a 1 L clear bag and separate medications at security, obtain airline approval for 100–160 Wh items and bring documentation with you.

Booking and declaring sports equipment, musical instruments and medical gear

Reserve and declare specialized items at booking or by phone at least 72 hours before departure; undeclared items risk refusal, higher charges or denied carriage.

Booking procedure and fees

Contact the carrier’s special-handling or special-services desk when purchasing tickets if a bike, ski set, large instrument or powered mobility aid is involved. Typical advance-notice requirements: sports gear and large instruments – 72 hours; portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) and supplemental oxygen – 48–72 hours; battery-powered wheelchairs – at booking. Typical one-way fees (examples; carrier policy varies): bicycle $75–$150, ski/snowboard bag $50–$100, oversized instrument checked $75–$300, extra seat for instrument equals full fare or a fixed oversized-item rate. Mobility aids are normally carried free; powered aids with non-standard batteries may require a handling fee and documentation.

Packing, batteries, documentation and arrival actions

Use a rigid case for bikes and instruments; remove pedals, turn/flatten handlebars, and secure loose parts. For pneumatic tyres partially deflate to reduce pressure; follow manufacturer maximum-pressure guidance. Tag items as “Special Handling/Fragile” and photograph contents before handing over.

Bring physician letters and manufacturer battery specifications (Wh rating) as PDF or paper. Complete any carrier medical forms (e.g., MEDIF) within the timeframe specified by the airline. At check-in, confirm special-item tags have been attached and obtain a handling contact number for tracking or damage claims. Insure high-value instruments for transit, and keep small spare parts and essential controls in the cabin carry case or on your person.