Air China Carry-on & Personal Item & Checked Bag Size Weight Limit Rules 2026
Every Air China passenger can bring 1 cabin bag up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm (22 × 16 × 8 in) and 5 kg, plus one personal item. On domestic routes, Economy includes 20 kg of free checked baggage (weight concept). On international routes, Economy includes 1 free checked bag at 23 kg with 158 cm linear max (piece concept). Business and First Class receive higher allowances.
Published on July 10, 2026 · Last verified on August 11, 2026 by Luggage Validator
8/10
Air China Baggage Policy Strictness
Very Strict
Overview
Standard baggage allowance for your selected route and fare class. All dimensions include wheels and handles.
Carry-on Bag
55 × 40 × 20 cm (22 × 16 × 8 in)
Overhead bin · 5 kg (11 lbs)
Personal Item
Under seat
No official size · Must fit under seat ·Not specified
Checked Baggage
≤ 200 cm (78.7 in)
20 kg (44 lbs) free total
Max per piece: 32 kg (70 lbs)
Free Special Items
Items you can bring for free that do not count toward your standard baggage allowance on Air China.
Fully collapsible stroller or carrying basket
Walking aids, crutches and braces
Mobility devices and wheelchairs
Medical devices and necessary medications
Standard Economy Allowance
Quick reference for your selected route type. See below for full cabin class comparison.
| Baggage Type | Free | Max Size | Weight Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carry-on Bag Overhead bin · per piece | 1 pc | 55×40×20cm 22×16×8in | 5 kg 11 lbs |
| Personal Item Under seat · per piece | 1 pc | Must fit under seat | Not specified |
| Checked Baggage Cargo hold · weight system | 20 kg 44 lbs | ≤ 200 cm 78.7 in | 32 kg 70 lbs |
Full Cabin Class Comparison
Compare allowances across all fare types and cabin classes for your selected route.
| Item | Economy Basic | Economy | Super Economy | Business | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Item Under seat | 1 pc | 1 pc | 1 pc | 1 pc | 1 pc |
| Personal Item Size L × W × H | Must fit under seat | Must fit under seat | Must fit under seat | Must fit under seat | Must fit under seat |
| Carry-on Pieces Overhead bin access | 1 pc | 1 pc | 1 pc | 2 pc | 2 pc |
| Carry-on Size L × W × H | 55×40×20cm 22×16×8in | 55×40×20cm 22×16×8in | 55×40×20cm 22×16×8in | 55×40×20cm 22×16×8in | 55×40×20cm 22×16×8in |
| Carry-on Weight Per piece | 5 kg 11 lbs | 5 kg 11 lbs | 5 kg 11 lbs | 8 kg 17 lbs | 8 kg 17 lbs |
| Free Checked Bags Total weight | 20 kg 44 lbs | 20 kg 44 lbs | 20 kg 44 lbs | 30 kg 66 lbs | 40 kg 88 lbs |
| Checked Bag Size Max per piece | ≤ 200 cm 78.7 in | ≤ 200 cm 78.7 in | ≤ 200 cm 78.7 in | ≤ 200 cm 78.7 in | ≤ 200 cm 78.7 in |
| Checked Bag Weight Per piece max | 32 kg 70 lbs | 32 kg 70 lbs | 32 kg 70 lbs | 32 kg 70 lbs | 32 kg 70 lbs |
Recent Traveller Feedback
I booked Air China from Tokyo to Copenhagen and my ticket said 'checked baggage, 2 bags.' I contacted them and confirmed it means 2 × 23 kg checked plus 5 kg carry-on plus a personal item — the checked allowance doesn't include your cabin bags.
Air China's limit is 5 kg for carry-on, which is really low — my bag was 11 kg. Some passengers told me Chinese airlines are usually strict about this and recommended checking it. On my actual flight from Beijing, no one got their cabin bags weighed or sized, but I wouldn't rely on that happening every time.
My checked bag was 21.66 kg on a 20 kg domestic allowance. I've heard Chinese airlines are quite strict, though my three bags at 20.3–20.6 kg were all accepted. If you're over, the easiest fix is to take some stuff out and put it in your carry-on.
Air China domestic from Beijing to Chengdu. My backpack was probably 7 kg with laptop and camera gear. They didn't weigh it at boarding, but there was a scale right at the gate and I saw them stop a few people with obviously heavy bags. PEK Terminal 3 can be strict during Chinese holidays.
Common Luggage Compatibility
Based on Air China · Economy class · Domestic routes. Compare luggage compatibility across all fare types and cabin classes using the filters above.
| Luggage | Personal Item | Carry-on | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
Regular Backpack | Must fit under seat | OK | OK (20kg total) |
16" Under-seat Briefcase | Must fit under seat | OK | OK (20kg total) |
18" Cabin Suitcase | Must fit under seat | OK | OK (20kg total) |
Standard 20" Carry-on | Too large for under seat | Over Limit | OK (20kg total) |
22" North American Carry-on | Too large for under seat | Over Limit | OK (20kg total) |
24" Medium Checked Suitcase | Too large for under seat | Over Limit | OK (20kg total) |
26" Mid-size Checked Suitcase | Too large for under seat | Over Limit | OK (20kg total) |
28" Large Checked Suitcase (IATA Standard) | Too large for under seat | Over Limit | OK (20kg total) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Air China's 5 kg carry-on limit actually enforced at the gate?
Air China's 5 kg carry-on limit for Economy is one of the lowest among major airlines.
Domestic routes are usually more relaxed, but Beijing Capital and Shanghai Pudong can be strict during peak travel times.
If your bag looks obviously heavy, you may be asked to weigh it at the boarding gate.
How many carry-on bags can I bring on Air China?
Economy and Premium Economy passengers can bring 1 carry-on bag.
Business Class and First Class passengers can bring 2 carry-on bags.
Each passenger may also carry a small personal item, such as a handbag, laptop bag, or small backpack.
All carry-on items must meet Air China's size and weight limits.
What are the carry-on size and weight limits on Air China?
Each carry-on bag must not exceed 55 × 40 × 20 cm (22 × 16 × 8 in).
Economy and Super Economy passengers are limited to 1 carry-on bag up to 5 kg (11 lb).
Business Class and First Class passengers are allowed 2 carry-on bags up to 8 kg (17 lb) each on all routes.
If your carry-on is too large or too heavy, Air China may require you to check it before boarding.
Does Air China include checked baggage?
Yes. All Air China fares include a free checked baggage allowance.
Domestic routes use the weight concept, with 20 kg for Economy, 30 kg for Business, and 40 kg for First Class.
International and regional routes use the piece concept, with 1 free bag at 23 kg for Economy and 2 bags at 32 kg each for Business and First Class.
Each checked bag must not exceed 158 cm in total linear dimensions.
If you need more than your free allowance, you can purchase additional checked baggage before your flight.
How strict is Air China with carry-on weight enforcement?
Air China officially enforces a 5 kg carry-on weight limit for Economy passengers.
Weight checks are more common at major Chinese hubs such as Beijing Capital and Shanghai Pudong, especially during peak travel seasons.
Many travelers report inconsistent enforcement at the gate, with some flights having no weight checks at all.
To avoid unexpected gate-check fees, it is safest to stay within the official 5 kg limit, particularly on flights departing from China.
Does a personal item count toward the carry-on baggage allowance?
No. Your personal item is carried in addition to your standard carry-on bag.
All passengers may bring one carry-on bag plus one personal item such as a handbag, laptop bag, or small backpack.
The personal item must fit under the seat in front of you.
The 5 kg weight limit applies to the main carry-on bag only and does not include your personal item.
What is the difference between weight concept and piece concept on Air China?
Weight concept applies to all domestic routes within China. Your total checked baggage weight must stay under the class limit, with no restriction on the number of individual bags.
Piece concept applies to all international and regional routes. You receive a fixed number of free checked bags, each with its own weight and size limits.
Economy passengers get 20 kg total on domestic routes and 1 free checked bag at 23 kg on most international routes.
Under the weight concept (domestic), each checked bag must not exceed 100 × 60 × 40 cm.
Under the piece concept (international), each checked bag must not exceed 158 cm in total linear dimensions.
How many free checked bags do I get on Air China international flights in Economy?
On most international routes including America, Europe, Africa, Australia, and Asia except Japan, Economy passengers receive 1 free checked bag.
Each free bag can weigh up to 23 kg with a maximum linear size of 158 cm.
Routes involving Japan and certain sixth-freedom transit routes to the Americas allow 2 free checked bags in Economy.
Business and First Class passengers always get 2 free checked bags at up to 32 kg each on all international routes.
Can I bring a stroller or baby gear for free when traveling with an infant?
Yes. One fully collapsible stroller or carrying basket may be checked free of charge for infants on all Air China flights.
On domestic flights, infants also receive 10 kg of free checked baggage.
On international flights, infants receive 1 free checked bag up to 23 kg with a maximum size of 115 linear cm.
Infant food and diapers may be carried on board in addition to your regular carry-on allowance.
All baggage rules on this page are from the official Air China website. Last updated August 11, 2026. Before you fly, please check the official site again to make sure nothing has changed.
Help keep this data accurate. If you spot outdated baggage rules or have recent experience flying with Air China contribute your update