Does carry on luggage include handbag emirates

Recommendation: Pack one small personal item to stow under the seat together with your main cabin piece: Economy passengers are normally allowed one overhead item up to 7 kg with maximum dimensions of 55 x 38 x 20 cm; Business and First passengers generally receive two hand-baggage pieces, each up to 7 kg.

Practical sizing: Make the under-seat item compact – target external dimensions around 45 x 35 x 20 cm for a laptop bag, small purse, or document case so it reliably fits beneath the seat. Use a soft-sided tote for the overhead compartment to gain a few extra centimetres when stowing. If your electronics or liquids are bulky, place them in the under-seat bag to keep the overhead piece within the 55 x 38 x 20 cm / 7 kg limit.

Operational tips: Weigh bags at home on a bathroom scale; merge items to avoid a second charged piece; check fare class and ticket conditions because allowances can vary by route and booking code; excess or oversize charges are applied at the airport, often per kilogram or per extra piece. When unsure, contact the carrier’s support or consult the official baggage policy before the flight.

Personal-item entitlement for the cabin

Yes – you may bring one small personal item in addition to your main cabin case. Typical maximum dimensions for the main cabin bag are 55 x 38 x 20 cm; economy tickets commonly have a 7 kg limit for cabin items, while business and first-class fares usually allow up to 12 kg total across permitted pieces. Check your fare class on the booking confirmation for the exact allowance applicable to your itinerary.

Practical steps: measure and weigh both items before leaving home; ensure the under-seat item holds laptop, travel documents and medications to speed security checks; pack liquids in containers of 100 ml or less inside a transparent resealable bag. If an item exceeds size or weight limits it may be gate-checked and subject to fees.

Special cases: infants and special-assistance travellers may have additional small-item privileges (folding strollers or car seats, extra medical bags). Verify these entitlements on your ticket or with the carrier’s customer service for your specific route and any codeshare segments. If in doubt, select a fare that explicitly states the larger cabin allowance.

What counts as a personal item under the carrier’s cabin item rules?

Bring a single small personal item that fits fully under the seat in front of you; acceptable styles are purse, slim laptop bag, compact backpack, small tote, shoulder satchel, clutch, camera case or document wallet. Practical size target to avoid gate checks: up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm; recommended maximum weight under 5 kg. Use a soft-sided bag to compress into the footwell if needed.

Examples

Everyday choices that meet the carrier’s under-seat requirement: leather purse (small), 13″-15″ laptop sleeve with handles, compact daypack, slim briefcase, small crossbody tote, padded camera pouch. Large purses, bulky tote bags packed to capacity and carryall-style weekend bags will likely be flagged as oversized.

Security & packing tips

Liquids: containers must be ≤100 ml and placed in a single clear resealable 1‑litre bag for security screening. Electronics: laptops and tablets should be easily accessible for removal at security; power banks and spare lithium batteries must be kept on board in the cabin, not checked. Keep medications and travel documents in the personal item and carry prescriptions. Sharp objects and large aerosols are prohibited. Weigh and measure your bag at home; if staff deem it too large it will be gate‑checked and may be returned at destination or collected at the aircraft door. For codeshares or different operating carriers, confirm the operating airline’s policy and check fare-class or tier benefits for any extra allowance.

Permitted personal-item dimensions and weight for the carrier’s flights

Recommendation: keep a personal item at or below 45 × 35 × 20 cm and a main cabin bag at or below 55 × 38 × 20 cm; aim for 7 kg maximum for Economy cabin pieces and a 12 kg combined allowance for Business/First cabin pieces (main bag + personal item).

Measure external size with wheels, side pockets and handles attached. Airport checkpoints use external dimensions and a simple scale; if an item exceeds the published size or weight it will usually be required to be checked at the gate, which can incur fees or delay boarding.

Practical tips: weigh bags at home with a compact scale and shift heavy electronics or shoes into checked baggage when near limits. Prefer soft-sided cases for tight overhead space and use packing aids to reduce bulk – see best luggage fillers for travelling to destination. At gate, present the personal item first for under-seat fit; if it slides under easily, it usually meets the carrier’s standard.

How many personal items can you bring on board?

Short answer: Economy passengers are allowed one cabin piece (max 7 kg) plus one small personal item; Business and First passengers may take two cabin pieces with a combined weight limit of 12 kg plus one small personal item.

• What counts as a small personal item: purse, laptop bag, briefcase, small camera bag, or a duty-free purchase placed under the seat.
• Items commonly permitted in addition to the main cabin pieces: coat, umbrella, walking stick, infant’s nappy bag or small stroller (subject to separate infant rules).

1. If you plan to carry more than the allowed number of items, consolidate contents into one or two bags or check the excess at the ticket desk to avoid gate fees.
2. Weigh and measure your bags before arrival; gate checks are often enforced for overweight or oversized items.
3. Keep valuables, travel documents and medications in the small personal item for fast access and security screening.
4. Place liquids and electronics in the personal item for easier removal at security and to avoid rummaging through the larger cabin pieces.
5. If travelling with children, designate one personal item for nappies/feeds and another for valuables – staff will generally be flexible but may request consolidation.

Under-seat vs overhead bin: where to stow your personal bag

Recommendation: Keep a compact personal bag under the seat for immediate access to travel documents, medication, passport, phone, small electronics and a thin tablet; reserve the overhead bin for bulkier cabin items or when under-seat space is taken.

Place fragile or high-value items – camera, noise-cancelling headphones, prescription medicines – under the seat rather than above, to avoid damage from shifting or heavy stowage. Store liquids in a clear zip-top and position them upright near the bag opening to detect leaks quickly.

When using the overhead compartment, load heavier pieces first and close to the fuselage center section to reduce shifting during turbulence. Orient wheels or hard cases so handles face the aisle for easy retrieval and to maximize vertical bin space for others.

If your seat row has an infant bassinet or bulkhead restrictions, under-seat space may be reduced; plan to gate-check larger items or use the overhead bin immediately on boarding. For short flights where you won’t need in-flight access, placing the item overhead frees foot space and creates a tidier personal area.

For smooth boarding and deplaning: board with a compact bag under the seat, then transfer to the overhead bin only if necessary. Label checked items clearly at the gate when asked to stow them, and keep essential paperwork and a power bank on your person.

For protection against spills and dust during travel with outdoor gear or footwear, consider pre-cleaning and waterproofing treatments – see best pressure washer to strip deck for equipment options – and pack such items in a sealed bag before placing them in any onboard storage.

Quick checklist: under-seat = immediate access + fragile items; overhead = bulk + spare blankets/shoes; heavier objects low and central; fragile valuables on you; liquids sealed and upright.

Rules for special fares, children and infants regarding personal items

Buy an upgrade or pre-purchase extra onboard allowance at least 24 hours before departure if your discounted fare limits you to a single standard item and you need more than that.

• Special/Saver-type fares
  • These reduced-price tickets frequently limit passengers to the basic permitted onboard item only; check the fare conditions shown in your booking confirmation for exact entitlements.
  • When an additional small bag, laptop or camera bag is required, add an allowance online or upgrade to a higher fare class to avoid rejection at the gate.
  • At airport check-in, staff may enforce the stricter allowance for promotional fares; have proof of any paid extra allowance ready on your phone or printout.
• Children with an assigned seat
  • Any child occupying a purchased seat follows the same personal-item rules as an adult on the same fare class–treat their small bag allowance identically.
  • For families, consolidate smaller items: one parent carries the child’s small bag (nappies, food, comfort items) and another parent carries the standard permitted item to reduce gate disputes.
• Infants travelling on a guardian’s lap
  • Lap infants normally do not receive a full onboard item entitlement; the carrier typically permits one small soft bag with infant necessities in addition to a stroller and a car seat free of charge.
  • Strollers and approved child restraint systems can usually be checked at the gate and returned at aircraft door or collected at baggage reclaim–tag them at check-in and remove loose straps/attachments.
  • Request a bassinet at booking if the infant meets the provider’s age and weight limits; bassinets are limited to specific bulkhead seats and allocated on a first-come basis.
  • Keep feeding supplies and medication in the small soft bag or on your person; liquids for baby formula and medicines are exempt from standard liquid limits but declare them at security.
• Practical precautions and documentation
  • Bring the car-seat manual and proof of purchase/manufacturer label if you plan to use a child restraint system on board–some aircraft types have seat-width or certification restrictions.
  • If you need guaranteed additional space for a child’s item (e.g., a travel cot or medical device), pre-pay the extra allowance or upgrade; do not rely on gate acceptance.
  • At check-in, ask staff to tag bulky baby items as “gate-checked” to speed boarding; keep a small foldable bag with immediate necessities to prevent delays.
  • Verify policies shown in your booking confirmation and in the carrier’s official online help center within 24–48 hours of travel to catch last-minute policy updates affecting infants and children.

If your personal item is oversized: fees, gate checks and alternatives

Measure and weigh your personal item before arriving; if it exceeds the airline’s cabin limits, purchase additional allowance online or hand the piece in at the check-in desk – pre-purchase is usually cheaper than paying at the gate.

Fees and how they’re assessed

Staff will verify dimensions and weight at check-in or the gate. Charges are applied either per extra kilogram or per additional piece depending on route and fare class. If charged by weight, the scale at the desk or airport will determine the fee; if charged per piece, rates depend on destination and ticket type. Gate-based surcharges are frequently higher than web prices. Always check the carrier’s manage-booking page or call reservations for an exact quote before travel.

When a personal item is accepted into the hold from the gate because of limited cabin space, some airlines treat that as a complimentary gate-check while others charge excess-baggage rates – request a gate-check tag and a receipt so any fee or refund can be tracked after the flight.

Practical alternatives and immediate actions

Before security: redistribute heavy items into a permitted main bag, move non-essential contents to a companion’s allowance, or wear bulky clothing and shoes to lower bag weight. At the airport: offer the item for check-in at the desk (paying the checked-bag fee), buy extra allowance via manage-booking (usually cheaper than airport rates), or ask the gate agent for a complimentary gate-check if the cabin is full.

Do not gate-check valuables, medications, travel documents, electronics or fragile goods; if those must travel in the hold, use the check-in counter so the piece is handled as regular checked baggage and consider declared-value protection or travel insurance. For frequent oversized-item problems, switch to a compressible soft-sided bag or ship surplus items ahead by courier to avoid on-the-spot fees.

Keep any gate-check tag, boarding pass and receipts until you retrieve your item; if damage or loss occurs, file a report at the airline’s baggage services desk immediately on arrival.