Table of Contents
Airline Baggage Policy Overview.
Airline baggage policy refers to the luggage and belongings that passengers bring with them when traveling on an airplane. It includes checked baggage, which is stored in the cargo hold of the aircraft, a carry-on baggage, which passengers keep with them in the cabin during the flight and a personal bag which can fit under the seat.
When traveling by air, passengers are typically allowed to bring a certain amount of baggage based on their ticket class and airline policies. This allowance often includes a maximum weight limit per bag for checked baggage and restrictions on the size and number of carry-on bags.
Overall, understanding and complying with airline baggage policy is important for a smooth and hassle-free travel experience.
Airline Checked baggage.
Checked baggage refers to luggage that is transported in the cargo hold of an airplane rather than in the cabin with passengers. It typically includes larger items or items that are not allowed in the cabin due to safety regulations, such as liquids over 100ml or sharp objects. Passengers usually check their baggage at the airline counter before boarding their flight, and it is then loaded onto the plane by airport staff.
Airline Carryon baggage.
Carry-on baggage must fit within the dimensions specified by the airline to fit in the overhead bins or under the seat in front of the passenger. Items that are not allowed in carry-on baggage, such as large liquids or sharp objects
Airline Personal baggage.
A personal bag is a smaller item that you can bring on board, along with your carry-on luggage. It must fit under the seat in front of you, this should comply with the airline baggage policy. Common examples of personal bags include:
- Handbags or purses
- Backpacks
- Laptop bags
- Briefcases
- Tote bags
American Airline baggage Policy.
American Airline Checked baggage
American Airline tickets include 1 checked bag, 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item for economy class tickets. Basic economy does not allow a checked bag included in the ticket price; however, 1 carry-on bag and a personal item is included within a basic economy ticket.
American Airline Carry-on baggage.
If your items don’t fit in the overhead bin or under the seat, they may need to be checked. There may be additional carry-on bag restrictions at certain airports or on certain airplanes.
We recommend labeling your carry-on the same way you do checked bags in case this happens.
Soft-sided garment bags up to 51 inches / 130 cm (length + width + height) can also be taken as your carry-on item.
Musical instruments are also considered a carry-on item as per airline baggage policy and must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you.
Personal item.
Your personal items like a purse or small handbag must fit under the seat in front of you.
American Airline baggage dimension.
Checked bag dimension | 62 inch or 158 cm (length + width + height) |
Carry-on baggage | 22 x 14 x 9 inches / 56 x 36 x 23 centimeters |
Personal Item dimension | 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm) |
American Airline’s excess baggage charges.
Changes to bag allowances and fees have been updated as of February 20, 2024.
Travel within / between the U.S., Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands – 1st checked bag fee is $40 ($35 if you pay online) and the 2nd checked bag fee is $45.
Travel to / from Canada, Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and Guyana – 1st checked bag fee is $35 and the 2nd checked bag fee is $45 as per airline baggage policy.
All bag fees are non-refundable and apply per person, at each check-in location, each way, even if you purchase or get an upgrade that includes free checked bags. If you believe you’ve been incorrectly charged for bag fees, contact an American representative for help or file a refund claim within 45 days.
British Airways baggage policy.
British Airways include 1 x 23 kg checked bag, 1 x 23 kg carry-on bag and 1 x 23 kg hand bag for economy class tickets. Basic economy does not include a checked bag in the ticket price; however, 1 x 23 kg carry-on bag and 1 x 23 kg hand bag is included within a basic economy ticket.
Business class ticket includes 2 x 32 kg checked bags and First-class ticket include 3 x 32 kg checked bags.
British Airways Checked baggage.
Cabin | Checked bags |
Basic Economy (Includes cabin and hand bag) | 0 |
Economy (includes checked bag) | 1 x 23 kg |
Premium Economy | 2 x 23 kg |
Business | 2 x 32 kg |
First | 3 x 32 kg |
British Airways Carry-on baggage
We recommend that you do not place any valuables, essential medication or electronic. Dimension Up to 56 x 45 x 25cm (22 x 18 x 10in) including wheels and handles and this may need to go in the hold.
Hand Bag/Personal Item.
With dimensions Up to 40 x 30 x 15cm (16 x 12 x 6in) your passport, essential medication, electronic device or cell phones should be placed in the handbag. Handbag will be placed under the seat.
British Airways baggage dimension.
Checked baggage | Up to 90 x75 x 43cm (35 x 30 x 17in) |
Cabin Bag | Up to 56 x 45 x 25cm (22 x 18 x 10in) |
Hand Bag | Up to 40 x 30 x 15cm (16 x 12 x 6in) |
Cathay Pacific Airline baggage policy.
Cathay Pacific includes 1 x 23 kg checked bag, 1 x 7 kg carry-on and hand bag combined for economy class tickets.
Business class ticket includes 2 x 32 kg checked bags and First-class ticket include 3 x 32 kg checked bags.
Cathay Pacific Checked baggage.
Cabin | Checked bags |
Economy Light | 1 x 23 kg |
Economy Essential | 2 x 23 kg |
Economy Flex | 2 x 23 kg |
Premium Economy | 2 x 23 kg |
Business | 2 x 32 kg |
First | 3 x 32 kg |
Cathay Pacific Carry-on baggage.
Dimension Up to 36 x 23 x 56cm (14 x 9 x 22in) including wheels and handles.
Cabin | Carry-on bag |
Economy Light | 1 x7 kg |
Economy Essential | 1 x7 kg |
Economy Flex | 1 x7 kg |
Premuim Economy | 1 x7 kg |
Business | 1 x 10 kg |
First | 1 x 15 kg |
Hand Bag/Personal Item.
With dimensions Up to 40 x 15 x 30cm (16 x 6 x 12in) your passport, essential medication, electronic device or cell phones should be placed in the handbag. Handbag will be placed under the seat.
Cabin | Hand Bag |
Economy Light | 1 x 7 kg |
Economy Essential | 1 x 7 kg |
Economy Flex | 1 x 7 kg |
Premuim Economy | 1 x 7 kg |
Business | 1 x 10 kg |
First | 1 x 15 kg |
Cathay Pacific baggage dimension.
Checked baggage | Up to 158cm / 62in |
Carry-on baggage | Up to 36 x 23 x 56cm (14 x 9 x 22in) |
Hand Bag | Up to 40 x 15 x 30cm (16 x 6 x 12in) |
Aer Lingus Airline baggage policy.
Aer Lingus includes 1 x 23 kg checked bag, 1 x 10 kg carry-on bag and 1 small hand bag for economy class tickets. Saver economy does not include a checked bag in the ticket price; however, 1 x 10 kg carry-on bag and 1 small hand bag is included within a Saver economy ticket.
Aer Lingus Checked baggage.
Economy Cabin | Checked bags |
Saver | 0 |
Smart (includes checked bag) | 1 x 23 kg |
Flex Economy | 2 x 23 kg |
Business Cabin | Checked bags |
Business | 3 x 23 kg |
Business Flex | 3 x 23 kg |
Aer Lingus Carry-on baggage.
Dimension Up to 55 x 40 x 24cm (21.5 x 15.5 x 9.5in) including wheels and handles and this may need to go in the hold.
Hand Bag / Person Item.
Small handbag, Baby bag or laptop bag with dimension up to 25 x 33 x 20cm (10 x 13 x 8).
Aer Lingus baggage dimension.
Checked baggage | Up to 158cm / 62in |
Carry-on baggage | Up to 55 x 40 x 24cm (21.5 x 15.5 x 9.5in) |
Hand Bag/ personal item | Up to 25 x 33 x 20cm (10 x 13 x 8in) |
Virgin Atlantic Airline baggage policy.
When traveling with others, you cannot pool your luggage allowance. Each person will need separate cases that comply with the individual allowance
If your flight number does not begin with ‘VS,’ please check the Partner Airline baggage policy.
Virgin Atlantic Checked baggage.
Cabin | Checked bags |
Economy Light | 0 |
Economy Classic | 1 x 23 |
Economy Delight | 1 x 23 |
Premium Economy | 2 x 23 |
Business Class | 2 x 32 |
Virgin Atlantic Carry-on baggage.
Carry-on bag is included with all fare families within Vigin Atlantic’s fare structure. Below are the details.
Cabin | Carry-on bags |
Economy Light | 1 x 10 |
Economy Classic | 1 x 10 |
Economy Delight | 1 x 10 |
Premium Economy | 1 x 10 |
Business Class | 2 x 12 |
Hand Bag/Personal Item.
Your passport, essential medication, electronic device or cell phones should be placed in the handbag. Handbag will be placed under the seat.
Virgin Atlantic baggage dimension.
Checked baggage | Up to 90 x75 x 43cm (35 x 29 x 17in) |
Carry-on Bag | Up to 23 x 36 x 56cm (9 x 14 x 22in) |
Hand Bag | Should fit under the seat in front. |
Information Source is American Airline, Bristish Airways, Virgin Atlantic.