Kenya Airways Baggage Allowance 2026, Carry-on & Checked Bag Rules
Kenya Airways economy class includes one cabin bag of 55 × 25 × 35 cm plus one personal accessory of 40 × 15 × 30 cm, with a combined carry on weight limit of 10 kg on most routes and 12 kg on flights to Europe and the Americas. International long haul routes include two free checked bags up to 23 kg each and 158 cm linear. Domestic routes include one free checked bag. Business class offers two cabin bags and one accessory with an 18 kg combined limit plus two checked bags at 32 kg each on most routes.
Published on July 8, 2026 · Last verified on July 30, 2026 by Luggage Validator
5/10
Kenya Airways Baggage Policy Strictness
Moderate
Overview
Standard baggage allowance for your selected route and fare class. All dimensions include wheels and handles.
Carry-on Bag
55 × 25 × 35 cm (21.7 × 9.8 × 13.8 in)
Overhead bin · Not specified
Personal Item
40 × 15 × 30 cm (15.7 × 5.9 × 11.8 in)
Under seat ·Not specified
Checked Baggage
≤ 158 cm (62 in)
2 free pc · 23 kg (50 lbs)/pc
Free Special Items
Items you can bring for free that do not count toward your standard baggage allowance on Kenya Airways.
Collapsible stroller for infants
Infant car seat
Wheelchair or mobility device
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 | 55×25×35cm 21.7×9.8×13.8in | Not specified |
| Personal Item Under seat · per piece | 1 pc | 40×15×30cm 15.7×5.9×11.8in | Not specified |
| Checked Baggage Cargo hold · piece system | 2 pc free | ≤ 158 cm 62 in | 23 kg 50 lbs |
Full Cabin Class Comparison
Compare allowances across all fare types and cabin classes for your selected route.
| Item | Economy Saver | Economy | Business |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Item Under seat | 1 pc | 1 pc | 1 pc |
| Personal Item Size L × W × H | 40×15×30cm 15.7×5.9×11.8in | 40×15×30cm 15.7×5.9×11.8in | 40×15×30cm 15.7×5.9×11.8in |
| Carry-on Pieces Overhead bin access | 1 pc | 1 pc | 2 pc |
| Carry-on Size L × W × H | 55×25×35cm 21.7×9.8×13.8in | 55×25×35cm 21.7×9.8×13.8in | 55×25×35cm 21.7×9.8×13.8in |
| Carry-on Weight Per piece | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
| Free Checked Bags Piece system | 2 pc | 2 pc | 2 pc |
| Checked Bag Size Max per piece | ≤ 158 cm 62 in | ≤ 158 cm 62 in | ≤ 158 cm 62 in |
| Checked Bag Weight Per piece max | 23 kg 50 lbs | 23 kg 50 lbs | 32 kg 70 lbs |
Recent Traveller Feedback
Flew Kenya Airways from Nairobi to Dubai with my 8-month-old. Checked a full-size stroller and a car seat at no extra cost at the bulky items counter. The gate agent said one stroller and one car seat per infant is free on all Kenya Airways routes. Both came out at the oversize belt in DXB with no damage.
Flew Kenya Airways from Nairobi to Johannesburg in economy. Had a cabin bag plus my laptop backpack. At JKIA they weighed both items together on the scale and my total was 9.2 kg under the 10 kg combined limit. The sizer at the gate was the 55 cm box and my bag slid in easily. No issues boarding the 737.
Flew from Nairobi to London Heathrow in economy. Two checked bags at 22 kg and 21 kg, both well under the 23 kg per piece limit and about 150 cm linear each. Check-in at JKIA took five minutes and both bags were on the belt at LHR. No overweight charges at all.
Departed from JKIA Nairobi on a Kenya Airways flight to Paris. Security follows the standard 100 ml rule for liquids. All my toiletries were in a clear plastic bag and went through the scanner with no issues. Duty free bags purchased after security must stay sealed with the receipt for the connection.
Common Luggage Compatibility
Based on Kenya Airways · Economy class · Africa routes. Compare luggage compatibility across all fare types and cabin classes using the filters above.
| Luggage | Personal Item | Carry-on | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
Regular Backpack | OK | OK | OK |
16" Under-seat Briefcase | Over Limit | OK | OK |
18" Cabin Suitcase | Over Limit | OK | OK |
Standard 20" Carry-on | Over Limit | Over Limit | OK |
22" North American Carry-on | Over Limit | Over Limit | OK |
24" Medium Checked Suitcase | Over Limit | Over Limit | OK |
26" Mid-size Checked Suitcase | Over Limit | Over Limit | OK |
28" Large Checked Suitcase (IATA Standard) | Over Limit | Over Limit | OK |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kenya Airways carry-on baggage allowance in economy?
Economy class passengers can bring one cabin bag plus one personal accessory on board.
Cabin bag maximum size is 55 × 25 × 35 cm including wheels and handles.
The personal accessory such as a handbag or laptop bag must fit under the seat at 40 × 15 × 30 cm.
Carry on items are weighed together. The combined weight limit is 10 kg on most routes and 12 kg on flights to and from Europe and the United States.
How many free checked bags do you get on Kenya Airways international flights?
International long haul flights between Africa and Europe, the Americas, Asia or the Middle East include two free checked bags in economy class at 23 kg per piece.
Flights within Africa also include two free checked bags in economy class.
Domestic flights within Kenya and a small number of special routes such as Nairobi to Mumbai and Bangkok to Guangzhou include one free checked bag at 23 kg each.
All checked bags must not exceed 158 cm or 62 inches in total linear dimensions.
What is the checked baggage allowance for Kenya Airways Premier World business class?
Business class passengers get two checked bags weighing up to 32 kg or 70 pounds each on most international and intra-Africa routes.
On domestic routes, business class includes one checked bag up to 32 kg.
Business class also allows two cabin bags plus one personal accessory. The combined cabin weight limit is 18 kg or 39 pounds.
All checked bags must not exceed 158 cm or 62 inches in total linear dimensions.
Does Kenya Airways weigh carry on bags at the gate?
Kenya Airways sets a combined weight limit for your cabin bag and personal accessory, not a per bag limit.
Economy passengers get 10 kg combined on most routes and 12 kg on flights to Europe and the United States.
At check-in, staff may weigh your cabin items together on the scale. If you are over the limit you will need to check the heavier bag or pay an excess baggage fee at the airport rate.
All cabin baggage must have an approved KQ cabin luggage label attached.
What free items can I bring for an infant or a passenger with reduced mobility?
Every infant under two years old on Kenya Airways gets one collapsible stroller and one car seat checked in for free on top of the standard baggage allowance.
An infant not occupying a seat is also allowed one piece of cabin baggage weighing up to 12 kg and measuring no more than 55 × 25 × 35 cm.
Passengers with reduced mobility can bring one wheelchair or mobility device free of charge on all routes.
Car seats used on board for an infant seated in a paid seat are accepted in addition to the free cabin baggage allowance.
All baggage rules on this page are from the official Kenya Airways website. Last updated July 30, 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 Kenya Airways contribute your update