Carry-on baggage on the plane: what, how and how much you can carry

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

What you need to know so that you don't have to check in your bag or pay extra for carry-on luggage.

How much carry-on baggage can be taken for free

By law, in any Russian airline, you can carry up to 5 kg of items on board for free. Carriers are prohibited from reducing this rate. But it is allowed to increase it, so some airlines allow you to take 10 or 15 kg into the cabin.

As a rule, the more expensive the ticket, the more things you can carry in the cabin. Usually one piece of carry-on baggage is provided for flights in economy class, and two for business class. But here everything depends on the carrier: some companies have their own standards for each tariff, direction or aircraft, while others have a single standard for everyone.

Dimensions are not specified in the law, so each carrier can establish its own rules. It should be understood that these are not figures taken from the ceiling, just to make the passenger pay extra for the "non-format". Items must fit easily in overhead bins or under the seat. Leaving them in the cabin is unsafe: if the plane starts to shake, an unsecured bag can injure passengers. That is why airlines are guided by the size of the luggage racks.

Usually, bags with a size of 55 × 40 × 20 cm or with the sum of three dimensions equal to 115 cm are allowed on board. Such a suitcase will fit on the upper luggage compartment of the aircraft along with the carry-on luggage of other passengers.

Also, in excess of the norm, you can take a handbag, a briefcase or a backpack with things. It is assumed that you will place them under the seat in front, so the allowed weight and dimensions may be less than for carry-on baggage. For example, up to 3 kg and no more than 80 cm in the sum of three dimensions.

Carefully read the rules on the company's website: if the excess weight of free baggage is not indicated there, check it on the website or by phone.

Also, instead of an additional bag, briefcase or backpack, you can take for free:

• bouquet of flowers;
• outerwear;
• baby food for the child during the flight;
• suit in a garment bag (specify weight and dimensions);
• a device for carrying a child (cradle, chair, stroller) - provided that you are flying with the baby and can fit these things on a shelf or under the seat;
• medicines, special dietary products in the amount required for the duration of the flight;
• crutches, walking sticks, walkers, rollators, folding wheelchair, if you use them and can fit in the cabin on a shelf or under the seat;
• goods from Duty Free, if they fit in weight and dimensions and are sealed in a sealed bag (specify the dimensions).

As a general rule of thumb, whatever you are going to take to the salon should fit on a shelf or under a seat. Ask the carrier in advance what amount of hand luggage in excess of the norm he will allow you to carry. Anything that does not fit into the standard will have to be checked in luggage or left at home.

How carry-on baggage is checked at the airport

If your carry-on bag looks bulky, it will definitely be weighed and checked using a special frame. This is a plastic container or two walls, which must fit your suitcase. And everything should fit, including handles and wheels.

So you don't have to pay extra, choose soft bags or backpacks with drawstrings that reduce the size of the already packaged travel accessory. Now on sale there are even special bags for carry-on luggage. They are very light and correspond to the "gold standard" 55 × 40 × 20 cm.

If your carry-on baggage meets the standard, a special label will be stuck on it. This is done so that at the next stages the airline employees do not have any questions about the size of your bag.

What can be carried in carry-on baggage

There is a specific list.

Water and liquids

Water and any non-hazardous liquids, gels and aerosols should be in sealed containers with a capacity of no more than 100 ml. All of them, in turn, are packed in a transparent, securely resealable plastic bag with a volume of no more than 1 liter. One passenger can only take one such package with them.

As an exception, special dietary products, baby food, medicines and breast milk are allowed in the amount necessary for the flight.

In such a package, you need to transport absolutely everything that flows or simply has a soft consistency: juice, yogurt, jam, shampoo, perfume, even shaving foam or mascara.

In order not to worry about the volume of the container, you can buy a special set of plastic bottles of different capacities up to 100 ml. They are sold individually or in sets of 10-50. There are options with or without a dispenser.

Food

The law does not specify what products you can take with you to the salon. This is at the discretion of the airline. As a rule, cookies, nuts, dried fruits, apples, bananas, breads, sweets, hard cheese, sausages, sandwiches and muesli bars are allowed on board without any problems.

Medicines

They must be in their original packaging. If you only have a prescription drug, take it with you just in case. In addition, it will not be superfluous to check if your medicines are allowed in the country you are flying to. If not, find approved counterparts.

Liquid medicines - ointments, gels, syrups and aerosols - are subject to restrictions on the carriage of liquids. If the volume of the drug package exceeds 100 ml, inform the airport staff about this at the inspection and provide a prescription or an extract from the medical history confirming that you need this drug.

Gadgets

You can take any portable electronic devices into the aircraft cabin: smartphones, tablets, laptops, smart watches, cameras and portable batteries for charging. The main thing is that the specific power of lithium-ion cells in them is not more than 100 W / h. Spare batteries with this capacity can also be transported in the cabin, but only in separate plastic bags or original packaging.

Airline permission may be required to transport gadgets with batteries up to 160 Wh, such as laptops with extended battery life or professional cameras. Even more powerful devices, such as industrial equipment or gyro scooters, are transported as dangerous goods or are not allowed on board at all.

Such rules are related to safety requirements. Batteries sometimes explode and cause fire. Rigorous measures are designed to minimize the risk of an accident.

What you can't take in your carry-on baggage

It is forbidden to carry:

• gas cartridges, flammable liquids;
• explosive, toxic, radioactive, caustic, poisonous and poisonous substances;
• any types of weapons, including fake ones;
• corkscrew;
• hypodermic needles (unless a medical justification is provided);
• knitting needles;
• scissors with a blade length over 60 mm;
• folding travel knives, pocket knives with a blade length over 60 mm;
• mercury thermometer;
• objects that could potentially attack people, including tools such as an ax or saw.

Weight and dimensions of hand luggage of Russian and foreign companies

Below we provide detailed rules for carrying carry-on baggage in 24 Russian and 37 foreign airlines, taking into account classes, flights and the availability of special cards. All titles are sorted alphabetically.

Russian airlines

1. AZUR Air. One seat up to 5 kg for economy class, up to 10 kg for business class. The maximum dimensions in both cases are the same - 55 × 40 × 20 cm.
2. iFly Airlines. One piece up to 5 kg (55 × 40 × 20 cm).
3. NordStar. Economy - one piece up to 10 kg (55 × 40 × 23 cm). Business - one piece up to 15 kg (55 × 40 × 23 cm).
4. Pegas Fly. Economy "Light" and "Optimum" - one piece up to 10 kg (40 × 30 × 20 cm). Economy "Premium", comfort "Optimum" and "Premium" - up to 10 kg (55 × 40 × 20 cm).
5. Red Wings. One piece up to 5 kg (40 × 30 × 20 cm).
6. Royal Flight. One piece up to 5 kg (40 x 30 x 20 cm) for economy class, up to 10 kg (55 x 40 x 20) - for business class.
7. S7 Airlines. For economy class - up to 10 kg (55 × 40 × 23 cm), for business class - up to 15 kg (55 × 40 × 23 cm).
8. Smartavia. Up to 10 kg (40 x 30 x 20 cm).
9. Utair. One piece up to 5 kg (40 × 30 × 20 cm). For passengers with Premium and Eurobusiness fares - one seat up to 5 kg (40 × 30 × 20 cm) plus one seat up to 10 kg (55 × 40 × 20 cm).
10. UVT Aero. One piece up to 5 kg (15 × 35 × 45 cm).
11. "Aurora". For flights operated by Airbus A ‑ 319 - up to 10 kg in economy class, up to 15 kg in business class (55 × 40 × 25 cm for both classes). For Bombardier DHC ‑ 8 - up to 5 kg (50 × 32 × 18 cm) For Bombardier DHC ‑ 6 - up to 5 kg (30 × 30 × 20 cm).
12. "Azimuth". One piece up to 5 kg for “Light” and “Flexible” tariffs, up to 10 kg for “Normal”, “Basic”, “Free” tariffs. Dimensions - 55 × 40 × 20 cm.
13. Alrosa. Economy - one piece up to 10 kg (55 × 40 × 20 cm). Business - one piece up to 15 kg (55 × 40 × 20 cm).
14. Aeroflot. Economy and comfort - one piece no more than 10 kg (55 × 40 × 25 cm). Business - one piece no more than 15 kg (55 × 40 × 25 cm).
15. Gazprom avia. One piece up to 5 kg (45 × 35 × 15 cm).
16. "IrAero". For Light fare - up to 5 kg for An-24 and An-26 aircraft, up to 10 kg for Superjet 100, CRJ-200. For Standard and Optimal + tariffs - up to 5 kg. For Premium - up to 10 kg. Dimensions - 55 × 40 × 20 cm.
17. Komiaviatrans. One piece up to 8 kg (35 × 22 × 25 cm).
18. "Victory". Two options to choose from. First, there are no restrictions on the weight and number of items, if they all fit into a frame with dimensions of 36 × 30 × 27 cm. In addition, you can additionally take a laptop or tablet of any size and an umbrella-cane with you. The second one is one piece of carry-on baggage with dimensions of 36 × 30 × 4 cm (that's right, four!), Plus all things that, according to the law, can be taken in hand luggage for free, including a backpack measuring 36 x 30 x 23 cm.
19. "Russia". On flights numbered SU 6001-6999: economy - one seat up to 10 kg (55 × 40 × 25 cm), business - one seat up to 15 kg (55 × 40 × 25 cm). On flights numbered FV 5501-5949: economy - one seat up to 5 kg (55 × 40 × 25 cm), business - one seat up to 10 kg (55 × 40 × 25 cm).
20. Severstal. One piece up to 8 kg (55 × 40 × 20 cm).
21. RusLine. For “Light” and “Classic” tariffs - up to 5 kg (40 × 30 × 20 cm), “Optimum” and “Premium” - up to 10 kg (55 × 40 × 25 cm). For the "Special" tariff, you will have to specify in each case separately.
22. Ural Airlines. Economy - one piece up to 5 kg (55 × 40 × 20 cm). Business - two places with a total weight of up to 15 kg (55 × 40 × 20 cm). Low-cost tariffs - one piece up to 5 kg (40 × 30 × 20 cm).
23. Yamal. Economy "Light", "Flexible" and "Standard" - one piece up to 5 kg (55 × 40 × 20 cm). Economy "Budget" and business - up to 10 kg (55 × 40 × 20 cm).
24. Yakutia. Economy for intra-republican flights - one piece up to 5 kg (55 × 40 × 20 cm), for interregional flights - up to 10 kg (55 × 40 × 20 cm). Business - two places up to 15 kg (55 × 40 × 20 cm).

Foreign airlines

1. Aegean Airlines. Economy - one piece up to 8 kg (56 × 45 × 25 cm). For the Light fare, this is the only bag that can be taken on board; for the Flex and ComfortFlex, it is allowed to take another bag or laptop in a case. Business - one piece up to 13 kg (56 × 45 × 25 cm) plus one personal item. On flights operated by Olympic Air on Bombardier DH8-100 and DH8-400 and ATR vessels, the permissible dimensions are 55 x 40 x 23 cm.
2. AirAsia. One piece (56 × 36 × 23 cm) and one personal item (40 × 30 × 10 cm) with a total weight of up to 7 kg.
3. airBaltic. Economy - one piece (55 × 40 × 23 cm) and one personal item (30 × 40 × 10 cm) with a total weight of up to 8 kg. Business class and members of the airBaltic VIP club - two seats (55 × 40 × 20 cm) and one personal item (30 × 40 × 10 cm) with a total weight of up to 12 kg.
4. Air France. Economy - one piece (55 × 35 × 25 cm) and one item (40 × 30 × 15 cm) with a total weight of up to 12 kg. Premium, Business or La Première - two seats (55 × 35 × 25 cm) and one piece (40 × 30 × 15 cm) up to 18 kg.
5. Air Serbia. Economy - one piece up to 8 kg (55 × 40 × 20 cm). Business - two places of 8 kg each (55 × 40 × 20 cm). In any class, you can take with you one bag weighing up to 4 kg, which will fit under the seat in front of the chair.
6. Alitalia. One piece up to 8 kg (55 × 35 × 25 cm).
7. AZAL. Economy - one piece up to 10 kg (55 × 40 × 23 cm). Business, comfort, VIP - two seats up to 10 kg each (55 × 40 × 23 cm).
8. Belavia. Economy - one piece up to 10 kg (55 × 40 × 25 cm). Business - two places.
9. British Airways. Flights to Brazil: one piece up to 23 kg (56 × 45 × 25 cm) plus one handbag or laptop bag up to 23 kg (45 × 36 × 20 cm). Other flights: one piece up to 23 kg (56 × 45 × 25 cm) plus one accessory up to 23 kg (40 × 30 × 15 cm). Details →
10. Brussels Airlines. One piece up to 8 kg (55 × 40 × 23 cm) and one accessory (40 × 30 × 10 cm) for economy, two places and one accessory for business class.
11. China Southern Airlines. One piece up to 5 kg (55 × 40 × 20 cm). First class - two pieces of 5 kg each (55 × 40 × 20 cm).
12. Czech Airlines. Economy with Lite fare - one seat up to 8 kg (55 × 45 × 25 cm). The rest of the economy class fares are one piece up to 8 kg (55 × 45 × 25 cm) plus a small personal bag up to 3 kg (40 × 30 × 15 cm). Business - two pieces of 8 kg each (55 × 45 × 25 cm) plus a small personal bag (40 × 30 × 15 cm).
13. Delta Air Lines. One piece with dimensions 56 × 35 × 23 cm and one personal item. Weight restrictions only for certain airports: Changi International Airport (SIN) - 7 kg, Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Pudong (PVG) - 10 kg.
14. EasyJet. One piece with dimensions 45 × 36 × 20 cm, weight is not important. If you choose the Up front or Extra legroom seat, you can carry a bag with dimensions of 56 × 45 × 25 cm. Weight is not limited, but you must lift your bag onto the shelf yourself. If the weight limit arises due to technical reasons, then the carry-on baggage will be placed in the luggage compartment at no additional charge.
15. Ellinair. One piece up to 8 kg (55 × 40 × 20 cm) plus a small bag or laptop.
16. Emirates. Economy - one piece up to 7 kg (55 × 38 × 20 cm). First and business class - one piece up to 7 kg (55 × 38 × 20 cm) plus a briefcase (45 × 35 × 20 cm) or a garment bag (55 × 38 × 20 cm). On flights from Brazil - one piece up to 10 kg (55 × 38 × 20 cm).
17. Etihad Airways. Economy - one piece up to 7 kg (56 × 36 × 23 cm) plus one accessory weighing up to 5 kg (39 × 23 × 19 cm). First or business class - two seats with a total weight of up to 12 kg (56 × 36 × 23 cm each) plus one accessory weighing up to 5 kg (39 × 23 × 19 cm).
18. Finnair. One piece (55 × 40 × 23 cm) plus one accessory (40 × 30 × 15 cm) with a total weight of up to 8 kg. Finnair Plus Platinum Lumo, Platinum and Gold Business Programs and Programs - two seats (55 × 40 × 23 cm each) plus one accessory (40 × 30 × 15 cm) with a total weight of up to 10 kg.
19. FlyDubai. Economy - one piece up to 7 kg (55 × 38 × 20 cm) plus an accessory (25 × 33 × 20 cm). Business - two seats with a total weight of up to 14 kg (55 × 38 × 20 cm) plus one accessory.
20. Fly One. One piece with dimensions 40 × 30 × 20 cm.
21. Georgian Airways. Economy - one piece no more than 8 kg (115 cm in the sum of three dimensions). Business - one piece no more than 12 kg (115 cm in the sum of three dimensions).
22. KLM. Economy - one piece (55 × 35 × 25 cm) and one accessory (40 x 30 x 15 cm) with a total weight of up to 12 kg. Business - two seats (55 × 35 × 25 cm) and one accessory (40 × 30 × 15 cm) with a total weight of up to 18 kg.
23. Korean Air. Economy - one piece (the sum of three dimensions is 115 cm) plus an accessory with a total weight of up to 10 kg. First class, prestige class - two seats with a total weight of up to 18 kg (the sum of three dimensions is 115 cm).
24. LOT. Economy Class, Economy Saver and Premium Economy on international flights - one piece up to 8 kg. Intercontinental Premium Economy flights - two seats up to 6 kg each. Business Class - two seats up to 9 kg each. The permissible dimensions are 55 × 40 × 23 cm.
25. Lufthansa. Economy - one piece up to 8 kg (55 × 40 × 23 cm). First class, business - two seats up to 8 kg each (55 × 40 × 23 cm).
26. Malaysia Airlines. Economy - one piece (56 × 36 × 23 cm) and one accessory (36 × 25 × 25 cm) with a total weight of up to 7 kg. Business - two seats (56 × 36 × 23 cm) and one accessory (36 × 25 × 25 cm) with a total weight of up to 14 kg.
27. Norwegian. LowFare, LowFare +, Flex, Premium fares - one piece (55 × 40 × 23 cm) plus one accessory (25 × 33 × 20 cm) with a total weight of up to 10 kg. PremiumFlex tariff - one piece (55 × 40 × 23 cm) plus one accessory (25 × 33 × 20 cm) with a total weight of up to 15 kg.
28. Pegasus Airlines. One piece up to 8 kg (55 × 40 × 20 cm).
29. Qatar Airways. One piece of carry-on baggage up to 7 kg (50 × 37 × 25 cm). For flights from Brazil - one piece up to 10 kg (50 × 37 × 25 cm). Business - two places with a total weight of up to 15 kg (50 × 37 × 25 cm). It is also allowed to take an accessory - a small bag, or outerwear, or an umbrella, or something similar.
30. Ryanair. One small bag (40 × 20 × 25 cm). Passengers who have purchased the priority boarding service can additionally carry a larger bag (55 × 40 × 20 cm).
31. Singapore Airlines. Economy, premium economy - one piece up to 7 kg (sum of three changes - 115 cm). Suite class, first class, business class - two seats up to 7 kg each (the sum of the three changes is 115 cm).
32. TAP Air Portugal. Economy on any flights and executive on flights to or from North America - one piece up to 8 kg (55 × 40 × 20 cm) plus one accessory up to 2 kg (40 × 30 × 15 cm). Executive - two places up to 8 kg (55 × 40 × 20 cm) each plus one accessory up to 2 kg (40 × 30 × 15 cm). Economy on flights to or from South America - one piece up to 10 kg (55 × 40 × 20 cm) plus one accessory up to 2 kg (40 × 30 × 15 cm).
33. Thai Airways. One piece up to 7 kg (56 × 45 × 25 cm) plus one accessory up to 1.5 kg (37.5 × 25 × 12.5 cm).
34. Turkish Airlines. Economy - one piece up to 8 kg (55 × 40 × 23 cm) and one accessory (40 × 30 × 15 cm). Business - two places up to 8 kg each (55 × 40 × 23 cm) and one accessory (40 × 30 × 15 cm).
35. Vietnam Airlines. Economy - one piece up to 10 kg (56 × 36 × 23 cm) plus one accessory (40 × 30 × 15 cm). The total weight should not exceed 12 kg. Premium, business - two places up to 10 kg each (56 × 36 × 23 cm) plus one accessory (40 × 30 × 15 cm). The total weight is not more than 18 kg.
36. Wizz Air. One piece up to 10 kg (40 × 30 × 20 cm). With the WIZZ Priority service, passengers are allowed to additionally take a suitcase on wheels weighing up to 10 kg (55 × 40 × 23 cm) into the cabin.
37. UIA. On short- and medium-haul flights: economy free fare - one seat up to 7 kg (55 × 40 × 20 cm), Standard and Premium economy - one seat up to 7 kg (55 × 40 × 20 cm) plus one seat up to 5 kg (40 × 30 × 10 cm), business - one piece up to 12 kg (55 × 40 × 20 cm) plus one piece up to 5 kg (40 × 30 × 10 cm). On long-haul flights: economy and premium economy - one seat up to 7 kg (55 × 40 × 20 cm) plus one seat up to 5 kg (40 × 30 × 10 cm), business - two seats with a total weight of up to 15 kg (55 × 40 × 20 cm) plus one piece up to 5 kg (40 × 30 × 10 cm).

This article was published on April 27, 2019. In July 2021, we updated the text.