Airline Size and Weight Restrictions by Country, Region, and Airline
- Christiaan Thomas
- Dec 9, 2024
- 11 min read
Updated: Apr 23
Airlines have size and weight restrictions for both carry-on and personal items; and while we've tried to gather the average/common restrictions listed on each airline's website, it's important to note that:
Restrictions are subject to change
Limitations are dependent on the aircraft - specific to each flight
There could be mistakes!
All that being said, these lists should give you a good idea of average weight and size restrictions across most major and minor airlines.
In this article:
Minimums and Average Size/Weight Restrictions
For a short answer, the average dimensions and weight limits across the airlines are as follows; note that small regional airlines bring down these averages:
Average Carry-on/Overhead Size/Weight Restrictions:
Average Dimensions: 22.0 x 14.9 x 9.1 inches
Average Weight: 19.2 lbs / 8.7 kg
Average Personal Item (Under-the-Seat) Size/Weight Restrictions:
Average Dimensions: 15.8 x 11.7 x 5.5 inches
Weight: Most airlines do not specify a weight limit for personal items.
The most restrictive airlines in terms of both overhead size/weight and personal item limits are China Southern Airlines and Air China.
China Southern Airlines allows a total linear dimension (length + width + height) for carry-ons of 45 inches (around 22 x 14 x 9 inches) and enforces a strict 11-pound (5 kg) weight limit, making it one of the lowest weight allowances for overhead bags.
Air China allows a carry-on size of 22 x 16 x 8 inches but also has a low weight restriction of 11 pounds (5 kg) for economy class, which is similarly restrictive.
For personal items, both airlines maintain small linear dimension requirements and don't specify weight limits for personal items, but their overall restrictions on weight make them among the most restrictive for overhead luggage.
Size and Weight Restrictions by Airline/Region
U.S. Airlines
South and Central American Airlines
European Airlines
Middle East and North African Airlines
African Airlines
Russian Airlines
Japanese Airlines
Chinese Airlines
Southeast Asian Airlines
Australia, New Zealand, and Pacifica Airlines
Size and Weight Restrictions by Aircraft
A more precise breakdown for size and weight limitations - if you know what type of plane you'll be traveling on. Note that we can only estimate the sizes, as each airline will impose their own restrictions.
Common Commercial Passenger Aircraft (Largest to Smallest)
Size and Weight Restrictions by Airline (Full List)
Conclusion
This is, of course, information overload, but just by browsing the restrictions, it should give you an idea of size/weight limitations for both overhead/carry-on and personal item luggage.
As discussed in previous articles, one-baggers frequently fall into three camps:
A medium-sized backpack (overhead luggage), paired with a small backpack or daypack (personal item).
A medium-to-large backpack (overhead luggage), paired with a chest sling, purse, or fanny pack (personal item).
A single, small-to-medium-sized backpack that always works as a personal item (no overhead luggage at all).
Hopefully the breakdown helps, and as always, happy travels!
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