Airline baggage rules are a maze: every airline has its own size limit, its own weight limit, and its own fee structure, and the rules change often enough that last year's knowledge is already out of date. Getting it wrong costs money — a bag that is too big at the gate can cost 50 to 100 dollars — and it costs time, standing in a queue while everyone else boards. This guide covers the standard rules, the exceptions, and the packing habits that keep you under the limit.

The standard carry-on size

Most full-service airlines allow a carry-on bag of around 55 x 40 x 20 centimetres, including wheels and handles, with a weight limit of 7 to 10 kilograms. Budget airlines are stricter: many allow only a small personal item for free, around 40 x 20 x 25 centimetres, and charge for a larger cabin bag. The difference matters enormously, because a bag that is fine on a full-service airline can be too big on a budget carrier. Always check your specific airline's limits before you pack, and measure your bag including the wheels — airlines do, and the wheels are what usually push a bag over the limit.

Checked baggage fees in 2026

Checked baggage fees vary widely by airline, route and fare type. On many international routes, a first checked bag is included in the ticket; on domestic and budget routes, it typically costs 25 to 75 dollars if bought online in advance, and significantly more at the airport. The cheapest way to pay for a checked bag is almost always online, before you travel — airport prices can be double. If you travel with checked baggage regularly, consider an airline loyalty programme or a travel credit card, because many offer a free checked bag as a benefit, and a single free bag can pay for the card's annual fee.

The packing tricks that actually work

Packing light is a skill, and it starts with the bag: a soft-sided bag weighs less and squeezes into a sizer more easily than a hard case. Roll your clothes instead of folding them, because rolled clothes take less space and wrinkle less. Wear your heaviest items on the plane — your jacket, your boots, your jumper — because what you wear does not count as baggage. Use packing cubes to compress soft items, and put liquids and electronics where you can reach them easily for security. The goal is not to pack the minimum — it is to pack exactly what you need, and nothing you do not.

What to do if your bag is too big

If your bag does not fit the sizer at the gate, you have three options, and all of them cost more than planning ahead. You can pay the gate fee, which is the most expensive option. You can repack on the spot, moving items into your personal item or wearing them, which is stressful but sometimes works. Or you can check the bag, which costs the checked baggage fee plus the time spent waiting at the carousel. The best option is to avoid the situation entirely: measure your bag at home, weigh it before you leave, and if it is close to the limit, pack less. A bag that fits is worth more than a bag that almost fits.

Baggage rules for special items

Special items have their own rules. Musical instruments, sports equipment, strollers and medical devices are usually handled separately, and many airlines carry them free or at a reduced rate — but you must tell the airline in advance. Lithium batteries, including power banks and drone batteries, must go in hand luggage, never in checked baggage, and spare batteries must be protected against short circuits. Liquids in hand luggage must be in containers of 100 millilitres or less, in a single clear bag. Check the rules for your specific items before you travel, because a surprise at the airport is the most expensive kind.