China Southern Airlines Baggage Allowance 2026, Carry-on and Checked Bag Rules
China Southern Airlines economy passengers receive one cabin bag measuring 55 x 40 x 20 cm or 22 x 16 x 8 inches with a maximum weight of 8 kg, plus one small personal item such as a handbag or laptop bag. Domestic flights use a weight based checked allowance with 20 kg in Economy 30 kg in Business and 40 kg in First Class. International routes use a piece based system with one free bag of 23 kg on most routes and two free bags on flights involving the Americas.
Published on July 1, 2026 · Last verified on August 11, 2026 by Luggage Validator
6/10
China Southern Airlines Baggage Policy Strictness
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 · 8 kg (18 lbs)
Personal Item
Under seat
No official size · Must fit under seat ·Not specified
Checked Baggage
≤ 100×60×40 cm
20 kg (44 lbs) free total
Max per piece: 50 kg (110 lbs)
Free Special Items
Items you can bring for free that do not count toward your standard baggage allowance on China Southern Airlines.
Collapsible infant stroller
Mobility aids and assistive devices
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 | 8 kg 18 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 | ≤ 100×60×40 cm per side | 50 kg 110 lbs |
Full Cabin Class Comparison
Compare allowances across all fare types and cabin classes for your selected route.
| Item | Economy | Premium Economy | Business | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Item Under seat | 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 |
| Carry-on Pieces Overhead bin access | 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 |
| Carry-on Weight Per piece | 8 kg 18 lbs | 8 kg 18 lbs | 8 kg 18 lbs | 8 kg 18 lbs |
| Free Checked Bags Total weight | 20 kg 44 lbs | 20 kg 44 lbs | 30 kg 66 lbs | 40 kg 88 lbs |
| Checked Bag Size Max per piece | ≤ 100×60×40 cm per side | ≤ 100×60×40 cm per side | ≤ 100×60×40 cm per side | ≤ 100×60×40 cm per side |
| Checked Bag Weight Per piece max | 50 kg 110 lbs | 50 kg 110 lbs | 50 kg 110 lbs | 50 kg 110 lbs |
Recent Traveller Feedback
I was traveling from Guangzhou to Sydney with China Southern and packed more than my free allowance. At the check-in counter, the agent told me my second bag was over the limit and I had to pay 1380 CNY for the extra piece. The fee was higher than I expected, so next time I will either pack lighter or pre-book the extra baggage online to save money.
1380 CNY
On my China Southern domestic flight from Beijing to Shanghai, my carry-on suitcase weighed about 10 kg, which is over the 8 kg limit. At the boarding gate, the staff asked me to put it on the scale and then told me I had to check it. I did not have to pay extra because there was space in the hold, but it was inconvenient. Now I always weigh my cabin bag before leaving for the airport.
I flew China Southern with my baby and brought a collapsible stroller. The check-in agent told me the stroller could be checked for free in addition to my regular baggage allowance. I was worried about extra fees, but it went smoothly. The stroller was waiting for me at the baggage carousel when we arrived, and I did not pay anything extra.
Common Luggage Compatibility
Based on China Southern Airlines · 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 | OK | 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
What is China Southern carry-on baggage allowance restriction?
Economy and Premium Economy passengers may carry one cabin bag up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm or 22 x 16 x 8 inches and 8 kg on all domestic and most international flights.
Business and First Class passengers may bring two cabin bags at the same per piece weight and size limit for a combined total of 16 kg.
In addition to the carry on baggage allowance, all passengers may bring one small personal item such as a computer bag, camera bag, briefcase, or handbag that fits under the seat in front.
Passengers traveling with infants may also carry infant food and a foldable lightweight stroller or pram free of charge.
How much free checked baggage comes with domestic flights?
Domestic flights follow a weight based checked baggage system with 20 kg for Economy and Premium Economy 30 kg for Business Class and 40 kg for First Class.
Infant passengers without a seat have no free checked baggage allowance on domestic routes, but one collapsible stroller may be checked free of charge.
The maximum weight per single checked piece on domestic routes is 50 kg and each piece must not exceed 100 x 60 x 40 cm.
Excess weight is charged per kilogram based on 1.5 percent of the published normal Economy Class one way fare on the day the excess baggage ticket is issued.
How does China Southern international checked baggage work?
International and regional routes use a piece based system instead of the domestic weight concept.
Economy passengers receive one free bag of 23 kg on Europe Asia Africa Oceania and most regional routes or two free bags on flights to and from the Americas.
Business Class includes two free bags of 32 kg each and First Class includes three free bags of 32 kg each across all international routes.
Each checked bag may not exceed 158 cm or 62 inches in total linear dimensions as officially published.
What extra baggage does Premium Economy offer?
On domestic flights Premium Economy matches the standard Economy allowance of 20 kg total checked weight and one carry on bag.
On international routes involving the Americas Premium Economy passengers receive two free checked bags of 23 kg each the same as regular Economy.
On most other international routes Premium Economy passengers receive one free checked bag of up to 32 kg which is heavier than the standard Economy 23 kg limit.
Premium Economy passengers also receive the same carry on baggage allowance as Economy Class passengers with one cabin bag up to 8 kg.
How strictly does China Southern enforce carry-on weight and size?
China Southern states that it may inspect carry on baggage at check in security the boarding gate and inside the aircraft cabin.
Bags that exceed the official weight number of pieces or size limits must be transported as checked baggage instead.
Carry on items exceeding the limitation will be charged according to the applicable excess baggage rules.
Travellers are advised to weigh their bags before arriving at the airport to avoid unexpected charges or last minute repacking at the counter.
All baggage rules on this page are from the official China Southern Airlines 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 China Southern Airlines contribute your update