Guide to International Carry-On & Luggage Standards

International flights differ significantly from domestic flights. For one thing, while you can often travel with only a carry-on domestically, most travelers require at least two pieces of luggage for international travel. Individual airline policies determine fees for international luggage, your international flight baggage allowance, and the luggage weight limit for international flights. Your destination and origin point also play a role in determining baggage allowance and fees, as does your frequent flier status and whether you’re flying first class, business, or economy.

A general overview of how airlines handle luggage for international flights follows. Before you travel, it’s best to contact your airline and confirm their luggage policies, as airline regulations for luggage change frequently.

Luggage Weight Limits

The luggage weight limit for international flights differs from domestic US weight limits, which can become a problem if you need to switch between domestic and international flights to reach your destination. Check airline regulations carefully, and pack with the lowest weight allowance for your carry-on and checked luggage for all flights.

Carry-on Weight Limits

Carry-on baggage weight limits for international travel differ significantly from domestic carry-on rules. Most domestic flights limit carry-on suitcases, bags, and backpacks to 35 lbs.

The allowable weight of carry-on luggage differs from airline to airline, but your carry-on luggage generally cannot weigh more than 16 to 18 lbs for international flights. British Airways is an exception and sets its carry-on weight limit at a whopping 51 lbs.

Checked Bags

The checked luggage weight limit for international flights is usually the same as for domestic flights: 50 lbs. Most airlines set 50 lbs as their weight limit to reduce the risk of injury to baggage handlers.

As with carry-on luggage, there are exceptions to checked luggage weight limits. International flights in the US and European Union set a maximum weight of 70 lbs for checked luggage, although you may have to pay fees if you exceed the 50 lb limit guideline. Individual airlines can also set lower weight allowances for international checked luggage. Once again, check with all airlines on your flight itinerary to verify their luggage weight limits.

International Suitcase Sizes

International luggage sizes are just as important as weight limits when choosing your travel luggage. Size restrictions for international airlines may be expressed in inches or centimeters by height, width, and depth. Alternately, all three measurements are added together to equal a single dimension expressed in linear inches or centimeters. Be aware that most airlines outside of the US will measure bags in centimeters.

Personal Items

Many international airlines don’t have exact size restrictions for personal items. But the most common size limit is 40 inches (102cm) (length, plus width, plus height) or 18 x 14 x 8in (46 x 36 x 20cm). If it can safely fit under the seat in front of you or in the seat back pocket without being a hazard, it’s considered the appropriate size.

This will, however, vary depending on the airline. Smaller planes won’t have as much room under the seats as larger planes. Of course, double-check your chosen airline before you go.

International Carry on

Carry ons for international flights are usually a maximum of 22 inches (55cm) tall, 15 inches (40cm) wide, and 10 inches (25cm) deep. Be aware that this can cause difficulties at the boarding gate, because carry-ons accepted by domestic airlines in the USA are too big for international routes and are likely to be checked at the departure gate. Also note that some limits will even vary if you fly between two cities in the same country.

Many airlines also limit how much your carry-on can weigh with the most common maximum weight limit of 22 pounds (10kg). Your luggage might be weighed at the gate, and if it exceeds the requirements, you may have to pay a fee to check it at the gate.

Related: Be fully prepared by knowing the size of carry on luggage for your specific airline.

Carry-on Luggage Sizes: International Airlines

AIRLINE	SIZE IN INCHES	WEIGHT/LBS
AeroMexico	21.5 x 15.7 x 10	22
Air Canada	21.5 x 15.7 x 9	--
Air France	46.5 total linear	26
Air New Zealand	22 x 14 x 9	15
Alitalia	21.7 x 13.8 x 9.9	17.6
All Nippon Airways	22 x 16 x 10	22
El Al Airlines	22 x 17.7 x 9.8	17.6
Iceland Air	15.7 x 11.8 x 5.9	22
Japan Airlines	22 x 16 x 10	22
KLM	21.5 x 13.5 x 10	26
Korean Air	21.7 x 15.7 x 7.9	25
Lufthansa	21.7 x 15.7 x 9	17.6
Norwegian Air	21.7 x 15.7 x 9	22
Philippine Airlines	22 x 14 x 9	15
Qantas Airways	22 x 14 x 9	15
Saudi Arabian Airlines	62 total linear	15.4
Scandinavian Airlines	21.7 x 15.7 x 9	17.6
Singapore Airlines	45.3 total linear	15.4
Thai Airways	22 x 18 x 10	15
Virgin Atlantic	22 x 14 x 9	22

 

Checked Luggage

Checked luggage on an international flight has to meet size restrictions just as it would on a domestic flight. When transferring from a domestic airline to an international one, ensure that your luggage meets the smallest requirements to avoid unwanted oversized bag fees.

Although checked luggage varies by airline, the standard size is 62 linear inches (156cm). This typically corresponds to 27 inches (68cm) x 21 inches (53cm) x 14 inches (35cm). The international flight baggage weight limit averages 50 pounds (23kg), but some airlines allow up to 70 pounds (32kg) for their business-class and first-class passengers.

International Flight Baggage Allowance

Your international flight baggage allowance, and any associated fees, will vary depending on the individual airline’s regulations for luggage. If you’re a frequent flier, hold elite status, or traveling first-class or in business, you may be able to board with extra carry-on or avoid baggage fees. Check with your airline to see if this applies to you.

Personal Item and Carry-on

Most international flights allow you to board with one personal item and one piece of carry-on. There are exceptions, most notably Bolivia’s Amaxonas, which only permits carry-on luggage and does not allow personal items.

Related: Explore our entire line up of carry-on luggage to find sizes that’ll meet both regional and international luggage sizes.

In some airlines, such as Royal Dutch Airlines, first class and business passengers can board with two pieces of carry-on with a combined weight of 40 lbs and one personal item.

In addition to personal items, most international airlines allow you to board with jackets, coats, and baby strollers.

Checked Luggage

International flights allow one, and often two, pieces of checked luggage per passenger. International luggage allowance is often influenced by whether the flight is intracontinental (within the same continent) or intercontinental (across the ocean or spanning different continents).

For instance, American Airlines allows passengers two checked bags when flying to or from Japan, South Korea, and China, but only one bag when traveling between the USA and Mexico. Plane size, the airport infrastructure at your destination, and how much luggage passengers typically pack for a particular flight also impact baggage allowances.

Most airlines allow you to check additional bags for a fee, with each extra bag costing more than the last. Your airline might offer an international flight baggage allowance of two free checked bags, for instance, with a $125 fee for a third bag and $200 for each additional bag after that.

For oversized, extremely heavy, or oddly shaped items, check airline regulations for luggage before flying. Some airlines have separate weight and size limits for skis, surfboards, golf bags, and other items. For heavy items, the airline will probably have a maximum weight allowance. United, for example, has a 100 lb. limit for any checked item. Necessary medical equipment may or may not be treated as checked luggage, depending on the airline.

A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way

Airline regulations for luggage change frequently, often in response to fluctuating fuel costs. Check out the Travelpro Airline Guide for information on individual airline policies, international flight baggage allowances, weight limits, and size of carry-on luggage.

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