RwandAir Baggage Allowance 2026, Carry-on & Checked Bag Rules
RwandAir passengers carry one cabin bag up to 55 x 38 x 20 cm or 22 x 15 x 8 inches at 10 kg on most routes. Economy and Premium Economy both include two checked bags of 23 kg each at 158 cm linear, while Business Class comes with three pieces. The airline operates across Africa and to Europe, the Middle East and Asia with a standard piece concept.
Published on July 9, 2026 · Last verified on July 30, 2026 by Luggage Validator
5/10
RwandAir 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 × 38 × 20 cm (22 × 15 × 8 in)
Overhead bin · 10 kg (22 lbs)
Personal Item
Not allowed
No separate personal item quota
Checked Baggage
≤ 158 cm (62.2 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 RwandAir.
Wheelchair / crutches
For passengers with reduced mobility
Infant food & diapers
With baby carrycot, for in-flight use
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 | 55×38×20cm 22×15×8in | 10 kg 22 lbs |
| Personal Item Under seat · per piece | No | - | - |
| Checked Baggage Cargo hold · piece system | 2 pc free | ≤ 158 cm 62.2 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 Flex | Premium Economy | Business |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Item Under seat | No | No | No | No |
| Personal Item Size L × W × H | - | - | - | - |
| Carry-on Pieces Overhead bin access | 1 pc | 1 pc | 1 pc | 1 pc |
| Carry-on Size L × W × H | 55×38×20cm 22×15×8in | 55×38×20cm 22×15×8in | 55×38×20cm 22×15×8in | 55×38×20cm 22×15×8in |
| Carry-on Weight Per piece | 10 kg 22 lbs | 10 kg 22 lbs | 10 kg 22 lbs | 10 kg 22 lbs |
| Free Checked Bags Piece system | 2 pc | 2 pc | 2 pc | 3 pc |
| Checked Bag Size Max per piece | ≤ 158 cm 62.2 in | ≤ 158 cm 62.2 in | ≤ 158 cm 62.2 in | ≤ 158 cm 62.2 in |
| Checked Bag Weight Per piece max | 23 kg 50 lbs | 23 kg 50 lbs | 23 kg 50 lbs | 23 kg 50 lbs |
Recent Traveller Feedback
Flew RwandAir from Kigali to Nairobi in Economy and was pleasantly surprised that two checked bags of 23 kg each are included on every route. Most African airlines only give you one bag, so having two made travelling with my camera gear and clothes really easy. The 158 cm linear limit per suitcase is standard and easy to stay within.
Flew from Kigali to Nairobi with three bags instead of the two included in economy. The extra bag cost me 100 USD at the airport, which I found out is the standard East Africa rate. Next time I will book the extra bag online in advance to see if there is a discount, or just pack lighter and stay within the two bag allowance.
100 USD
Travelled to Johannesburg thinking the cabin limit was 10 kg like everywhere else on RwandAir, but they enforce 7 kg on that route because of airport authority rules. My bag was 9 kg and I had to either repack or pay the excess fee. Ended up paying 50 USD to check it at the gate so now I always double check the route specific limits.
50 USD
Booked RwandAir Business class from Kigali to London and got three checked bags at 23 kg each, which was perfect for my two-week work trip. The cabin bag allowance of 10 kg is the same as economy and my laptop bag plus carry-on roller both fit easily in the overhead bins on the Airbus A330. The business class seat was also very comfortable.
Common Luggage Compatibility
Based on RwandAir · Economy class. Compare luggage compatibility across all fare types and cabin classes using the filters above.
| Luggage | Personal Item | Carry-on | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
Regular Backpack | Not allowed | OK | OK |
16" Under-seat Briefcase | Not allowed | OK | OK |
18" Cabin Suitcase | Not allowed | OK | OK |
Standard 20" Carry-on | Too large for under seat | OK | OK |
22" North American Carry-on | Too large for under seat | Over Limit | OK |
24" Medium Checked Suitcase | Too large for under seat | Over Limit | OK |
26" Mid-size Checked Suitcase | Too large for under seat | Over Limit | OK |
28" Large Checked Suitcase (IATA Standard) | Too large for under seat | Over Limit | OK |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much carry-on luggage does RwandAir allow in Economy?
RwandAir Economy passengers may bring one cabin bag weighing up to 10 kg with maximum dimensions of 55 x 38 x 20 cm or 22 x 15 x 8 inches.
The bag has to fit the overhead bin sizer and staff use official baggage moulds at check-in to verify both size and weight.
Johannesburg is an exception where the local authority limit is 7 kg instead of the standard 10 kg.
How many free checked bags do you get on RwandAir Economy class?
Economy passengers receive two checked bags of up to 23 kg each on every RwandAir route.
Each suitcase must measure no more than 158 cm when you add length, width and height together.
Bags weighing between 24 kg and 32 kg count as heavy pieces and incur an extra fee at the airport.
What is the Business Class baggage allowance on RwandAir?
Business Class travellers get three checked bags of 23 kg each, which is one more bag than Economy and Premium Economy.
The carry-on allowance stays at one piece of 10 kg and the same 55 x 38 x 20 cm size limit applies in the cabin.
Business passengers also enjoy priority baggage delivery and a dedicated check-in counter.
Does RwandAir include a separate personal item with the cabin bag?
RwandAir does not list a separate personal item allowance the way some other airlines do, so the 10 kg cabin bag is your main hand luggage item.
Wheelchairs, crutches and other assistive devices are carried free of charge for passengers who depend on them.
Passengers travelling with an infant and a baby carrycot can also bring additional baby food and diapers weighing up to 12 kg for in-flight use.
Does the RwandAir carry-on weight limit change depending on the destination?
The standard RwandAir cabin bag limit is 10 kg across almost all of their network in Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Johannesburg is the only major exception, where airport authority rules reduce the cabin bag allowance to 7 kg.
If you fly to or from South Africa it is worth packing a little lighter or checking one extra bag to avoid excess charges at the gate.
All baggage rules on this page are from the official RwandAir 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 RwandAir contribute your update