Airline Check in Regulations

Airline check in luggage regulations vary depending on the airline, destination, ticket type and cabin class.

This guide explains the most common rules for luggage that travels in the aircraft hold, helping you pack correctly and avoid excess baggage fees at the airport.

The information below reflects typical economy class allowances.

Airlines can update policies at any time, so always check your airline’s official baggage page before you travel.

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Related Travel Guides

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What is check in luggage?

Check in luggage refers to suitcases or bags that are placed in the aircraft hold rather than carried into the cabin.

Passengers drop these bags at the airline check in desk or baggage drop before security. The luggage is then stored in the aircraft hold and collected from the baggage carousel after landing.

Checked luggage is typically used for:

Longer trips requiring more clothing
Liquids and toiletries over cabin limits
Larger suitcases that exceed cabin baggage size rules
Sports equipment or bulky travel items

Unlike cabin bags, checked luggage is subject to airline weight limits and size restrictions, and some fares may not include a checked bag.

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Most Commonly Accepted Check-in Luggage Limits

Although allowances vary by airline and ticket type, many international airlines follow similar checked baggage guidelines.

The most common economy class allowance is:

1 checked bag up to 23kg
Maximum permitted weight per bag 32kg
Maximum size 158 cm total dimension

These limits are widely used across international airlines for standard checked baggage.

Premium cabins may include additional bags or higher weight allowances depending on the airline and fare purchased.

Passengers travelling on basic or economy light fares should check their booking carefully, as some fares do not include checked luggage.

Understanding the 158cm Rule

Most airlines apply a total dimension limit of 158 cm for checked luggage.

This is calculated by adding together the suitcase’s external:

Height + Width + Depth

For example:

78 cm height
50 cm width
30 cm depth

Total size = 158 cm

Airlines measure the full external size of the suitcase, including wheels, handles, and any fixed external components.

If a bag exceeds this limit, it may be classed as oversized luggage and additional fees may apply.

Most Common Checked Baggage Weight Limits by Airline

While airline policies vary, the most frequently published checked baggage allowances are:

15kg
20kg
23kg
30kg
32kg

For most international economy fares, 23kg is the most common checked baggage limit.

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Quick Check In Luggage Rules

Most airlines follow similar principles for checked baggage:

Standard economy allowance is usually 23kg per bag
Bags over 32kg are normally refused for health and safety reasons
Size limits are based on total combined external dimensions
Some basic fares do not include checked luggage
Airport overweight fees are often higher than online fees

If you are unsure, weighing your suitcase at home before travelling can help avoid excess baggage charges at the airport.

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Airline Check In Luggage Guide

The information below reflects commonly published allowances, with economy class used as the main reference point where relevant.

Allowances can vary depending on ticket type, route, and cabin class, so passengers should always confirm the details of their booking before travelling.

All weights shown refer to the maximum permitted weight per bag unless otherwise stated.

The symbol “—” indicates that the airline does not publish a standard size limit for that fare or route in the summary below.

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Airline A-D

Airline	Ticket Type	Check-in Allowance	Size Limit
Aer Lingus	Saver (Europe)	1 bag 20kg (paid)	—
Aer Lingus	Plus / Advantage / AerSpace (Europe)	1 bag 20kg	—
Aer Lingus	Economy Saver (Transatlantic)	1 bag 23kg	—
Aer Lingus	Economy Smart / Flex (Transatlantic)	1–2 bags 23kg each	—
Aer Lingus	Business / Business Flex	2 bags 32kg each	—
Aer Lingus Regional	All fares	1 bag 15kg	—
Aeroflot	All fares	Economy: 1 bag 23kg / Business: 2 bags 32kg	—
Air Canada	All fares	Economy: 1 bag 23kg / Premium & Business: 2 bags 32kg	—
Air Europa	All fares	1 bag 23kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Air France	Economy / Premium	1 bag 23kg	—
Air France	Business / First	2 bags 32kg	—
Air India	Economy / Premium / Business	1 bag 23kg / 2 bags 23kg each	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Air New Zealand	Economy / Premium / Business	1 bag 23kg / 2 bags 23kg each	—
Alaska Airlines	All fares	1 bag 23kg	—
All Nippon Airways (ANA)	Economy / Premium	2 bags 23kg each	—
All Nippon Airways (ANA)	Business / First	2 bags 32kg each	—
American Airlines	Economy / Premium	1 bag 23kg	—
American Airlines	Business / First	2 bags 23kg each	—
Asiana	Economy Class	2 bags 23kg each	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Asiana	Business Class	2 bags 32kg each	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Austrian Airlines	Economy / Premium	1 bag 23kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Austrian Airlines	Business / First	2 bags 32kg each	158 cm total (L + W + H)
British Airways	Economy Basic	1 bag 23kg (paid)	—
British Airways	Economy / Premium Economy	1–2 bags 23kg each	—
British Airways	Business / First	2 bags 32kg each	—
Brussels Airlines	Economy / Premium Economy	1 bag 23kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Brussels Airlines	Business / First	2 bags 32kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Cathay Pacific	Economy / Premium	1 bag 23kg	—
Cathay Pacific	Business / First	2 bags 32kg	—
China Eastern	All fares	1 bag 23kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
China Southern	All fares	1 bag 23kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Delta Air Lines	Economy	1 bag 23kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Delta Air Lines	Business / First	2 bags 32kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)

Airline E-K

Airline	Ticket Type	Check-in Allowance	Size Limit
easyJet	All fares	No free check-in bag. Paid 15–32kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Emirates	Economy	1 bag 23kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Emirates	Premium Economy	2 bags 23kg each	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Emirates	Business / First	2 bags 32kg each	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Etihad	Economy (excluding Basic fare)	2 bags 23kg each	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Etihad	Business / First / The Residence	2 bags 32kg each	158 cm total (L + W + H)
EVA Air	Economy / Premium Economy	2 bags 23kg each	158 cm total (L + W + H)
EVA Air	Business / Royal Laurel	2 bags 32kg each	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Finnair	Economy / Premium	1 bag 23kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Finnair	Business	2 bags 32kg each	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Garuda Indonesia	All fares	1 bag 23kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Hainan Airlines	All fares	1 bag 23kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Iberia	Economy / Premium Economy	1 bag 23kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Iberia	Business (Short / Medium Haul)	1 bag 23kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Iberia	Business (Long Haul)	2 bags 23kg each	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Icelandair	Economy Light / Standard / Flex	1 bag 23kg (paid on Light fare)	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Icelandair	Saga Premium / Flex	2 bags 32kg each	158 cm total (L + W + H)
ITA Airways	Economy Light	Paid check-in bag	158 cm total (L + W + H)
ITA Airways	Economy	1 bag 23kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
ITA Airways	Premium Economy	2 bags 23kg each	158 cm total (L + W + H)
ITA Airways	Business	2 bags 32kg each	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Japan Airlines	Economy / Premium	2 bags 23kg each	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Japan Airlines	Business / First	3 bags 32kg each	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Jet2	All fares	Paid check-in bag 22kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
KLM	Economy Basic / Light	1 bag 23kg (paid on Basic)	158 cm total (L + W + H)
KLM	Economy Standard / Flex	1 bag 23kg included	158 cm total (L + W + H)
KLM	Premium Comfort	2 bags 23kg each	158 cm total (L + W + H)
KLM	Business	2 bags 32kg each	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Korean Air	Economy / Premium	1 bag 20kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Korean Air	Prestige / First	2 bags 30kg each	158 cm total (L + W + H)

Airline L-Q

Airline	Ticket Type	Check-in Allowance	Size Limit
LATAM (LanChile)	Economy Cabin	1 bag 23kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
LATAM (LanChile)	Premium Economy / Premium Business	1 bag 23kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Loganair	Fly	No checked bag included	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Loganair	Fly Flex	1 bag 23kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Loganair	Fly Flex +	1 bag 30kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
LOT Polish Airlines	Economy Class	1 bag 23kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
LOT Polish Airlines	Premium Class	2 bags 23kg each	158 cm total (L + W + H)
LOT Polish Airlines	Business Class	2 bags 32kg each	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Lufthansa	Economy / Premium Economy	1 bag 23kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Lufthansa	Business / First	2 bags 32kg each	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Malaysia Airlines	Economy Class	1 bag 23kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Malaysia Airlines	Business Suite / Business Class	1 bag 32kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Norwegian	Low Fare	No checked bag included	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Norwegian	Low Fare+	1 bag 23kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Norwegian	Flex	2 bags 23kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Olympic Airlines	All fares	1 bag 23kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Qantas	Economy / Premium	1 bag 23kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Qantas	Business / First	2 bags 32kg each	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Qatar Airways	Economy (Lite / Classic / Convenience / Comfort)	1 bag 23kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Qatar Airways	Business (Lite / Classic / Comfort / Elite)	2 bags 32kg each	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Qatar Airways	First	2 bags 32kg each	158 cm total (L + W + H)

Airline R-Z

Airline	Ticket Type	Check-in Allowance	Size Limit
Ryanair	Basic / Plus	Paid check-in bag 10–20kg	Maximum 80 × 120 × 120 cm
Ryanair	Regular / Flexi Plus	Paid check-in bag 10–20kg	Maximum 80 × 120 × 120 cm
SAS	Economy	1 bag 23kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
SAS	Business	2 bags 32kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Singapore Airlines	Economy Class (Value / Lite)	1 bag 25kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Singapore Airlines	Economy Class (Flexi / Standard)	1 bag 30kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Singapore Airlines	Premium Economy	2 bags 23kg each	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Singapore Airlines	Business Class	2 bags 35kg each	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Singapore Airlines	Suites / First Class	2 bags 35kg each	158 cm total (L + W + H)
South African Airways	Economy Class	1 bag 23kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
South African Airways	Business Class	2 bags 32kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
SWISS	Economy / Premium	1 bag 23kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
SWISS	Business / First	1 bag 32kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
TAP Air Portugal	All fares	1 bag 30kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Thai Airways	Economy / Economy Plus	1 bag 23kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Thai Airways	Royal Silk / First	32kg per bag (check ticket allowance)	158 cm total (L + W + H)
TUI Airways	All fares	1 bag 20kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Turkish Airlines	Economy	1 bag 30kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Turkish Airlines	Business	2 bags 32kg each	158 cm total (L + W + H)
United Airlines	Economy	1 bag 23kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
United Airlines	Business / First	2 bags 32kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Vueling	All fares	1 bag 15kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Virgin Atlantic	Economy Classic / Delight	1 bag 23kg	Maximum 90 × 75 × 43 cm
Virgin Atlantic	Premium	2 bags 23kg each	Maximum 90 × 75 × 43 cm
Virgin Atlantic	Upper Class	2 bags 32kg each	Maximum 90 × 75 × 43 cm
WestJet	All fares	1 bag 23kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Wizz Air	Wizz	1 bag 20kg	158 cm total (L + W + H)
Wizz Air	Wizz Priority	Check-in bag optional depending on fare	158 cm total (L + W + H)

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Items Permitted in Checked Luggage

Checked luggage generally allows a wider range of items than cabin baggage.

Items commonly permitted in the hold include:

Liquids over 100ml
Toiletries and cosmetics
Aerosols within airline limits
Sharp items such as scissors and tools
Sports equipment
Most clothing and footwear

Items should always be packed securely to reduce the risk of damage during handling and transit.

Items Prohibited in Checked Luggage

Certain items are restricted from the aircraft hold for safety reasons.

Items usually prohibited in checked luggage include:

Spare lithium batteries
Power banks
E-cigarettes and vaping devices
Flammable materials
Explosive or hazardous goods

Lithium batteries and power banks must normally be carried in cabin baggage.

Airline and aviation security rules may vary by country. Always check your airline’s dangerous goods policy before travelling.

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Oversized, Overweight and Special Luggage Regulations

Overweight luggage

Most economy tickets include a 23kg allowance per bag.

If your bag exceeds 23kg:

Airlines may charge an overweight fee
Fees increase at the airport
Some airlines allow pre purchased additional weight online

Bags over 32kg are generally refused for health and safety reasons, regardless of ticket type.

Oversized luggage

Most airlines apply a total dimension limit of 158cm.

If your bag exceeds this:

It may be classed as oversized
Additional charges may apply
It may need to be checked at a separate oversize desk

Oversize limits vary by airline and route.

Special items and sports equipment

Items such as:

Skis
Golf clubs
Musical instruments
Surfboards
Baby equipment

Are usually handled under special baggage policies.

Advance booking is often required. Fees vary depending on airline and destination.

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How Airlines Measure Check In Luggage

Airlines measure checked luggage using the external dimensions of the suitcase.

This means the full outer size of the case, including:

Wheels
Fixed handles
Side handles
Base studs
Front pockets when expanded

The telescopic pull handle is not included when extended.

Most airlines apply a 158 cm total dimension rule, which is calculated by adding together:

Height + Width + Depth

Always measure your suitcase at its widest and tallest external points, including wheels and handles.

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FAQs About Airline Check-in Regulations

What is the standard weight limit for checked luggage?

Most airlines allow up to 23kg per checked bag in economy class. Premium cabins may allow additional weight or extra pieces.

Is there a maximum weight airlines will accept?

Yes. Most airlines will not accept any single checked bag over 32kg due to airport health and safety regulations.

What is the standard size limit for checked luggage?

The most common limit is 158cm total dimensions.

This means height, width and depth added together must not exceed 158cm.

What happens if my checked bag is overweight?

If your bag exceeds the included weight allowance, the airline may charge an overweight fee or require you to redistribute items between bags. Bags exceeding 32kg are usually refused.

Do all airline tickets include checked luggage?

No. Many basic or economy light fares do not include checked baggage. Checked luggage must often be purchased separately.

Can I pack liquids in checked luggage?

Yes. Liquids over 100ml are generally permitted in checked luggage, provided they are not hazardous or flammable.

Do wheels count in suitcase measurements?

Yes. Airlines measure external dimensions, which include wheels, fixed handles and protruding parts.

Can I check in sports or oversized equipment?

Yes, but special baggage policies usually apply. Advance booking and additional fees may be required.

Are power banks allowed in checked luggage?

No. Spare lithium batteries and power banks must be carried in cabin luggage.

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Airline Check in Regulations

What is check in luggage?

Most Commonly Accepted Check-in Luggage Limits

Understanding the 158cm Rule

Most Common Checked Baggage Weight Limits by Airline

Quick Check In Luggage Rules

Airline Check In Luggage Guide

Airline A-D

Airline E-K

Airline L-Q

Airline R-Z

Items Permitted in Checked Luggage

Items Prohibited in Checked Luggage

Oversized, Overweight and Special Luggage Regulations

How Airlines Measure Check In Luggage

FAQs About Airline Check-in Regulations

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