China Southern vs JAL vs Air India vs Singapore Airlines Baggage Policy 2026 ​

Wondering how much luggage you can bring on China Southern, Japan Airlines, Air India, or Singapore Airlines? You are not alone. Baggage rules are one of the most asked questions before any international trip, and these four major Asian airlines all do things differently.

Some airlines let you bring a backpack plus a rolling carry-on. Others only give you one bag total. Some include two free checked bags. Others give just one or use a weight system instead. And how strict they really are at the gate can make a huge difference in what you can actually get away with. This guide breaks down all the key numbers so you can pack right and avoid surprise fees.

Luggage Policy Calculator ​

Economy Class Baggage Comparison at a Glance ​

Here is a quick side-by-side look at carry-on, personal item, and checked baggage rules for all four airlines in economy class.

Data based on standard economy fare on international routes. Allowance changes by fare type, route, and cabin class. China Southern and Air India switch between weight and piece systems depending on the route.

Why Each Airline Gets Its Strictness Score ​

China Southern — 6/10: Hit or Miss Depending on the Airport ​

China Southern baggage checks are not the same at every airport. At big hubs like Guangzhou, gate agents sometimes weigh carry-on bags during busy times, but it is not consistent. The one thing that catches people off guard is the 20 cm height limit — most standard carry-on suitcases are 22 or 23 cm deep and may not fit their sizer. There is also no separate personal item, so your laptop bag counts as your one carry-on piece.

Japan Airlines — 5/10: Most Generous, Usually Relaxed ​

Japan Airlines gives you more room than almost any other full-service Asian airline. The 10 kg total carry-on weight is higher than most, and you get a personal item on top. For checked bags, you get two free pieces on international routes and a very generous 203 cm linear size, which is 45 cm bigger than the usual 158 cm. Gate checks are rare at Haneda and Narita, so you usually do not have to worry about being weighed.

Air India — 8/10: Strict Weight Checks at Indian Airports ​

Air India is known for being tough on baggage weight at Indian airports. Gate agents regularly put carry-on bags on the scale, and anything over 7 kg can cost you extra or get sent to the hold. The 3 kg personal item limit is also very tight — a laptop plus charger can already come close to that. On domestic flights, the cheapest ticket only includes 15 kg of checked baggage, which is easy to go over on even a short trip.

Singapore Airlines — 7/10: Professional and Consistent ​

Singapore Airlines runs a tight ship when it comes to baggage rules. At Changi Airport, the self-check-in machines weigh every checked bag automatically, so there is no way to sneak a few extra kilos. For carry-on, gate weighing is less common, but the 7 kg limit is official and they do check if your bag looks heavy. The 115 cm linear carry-on rule means you can pack in different shapes as long as the total adds up, which is nice if you have an unusual bag shape.

Quick Tips for Flying These Airlines ​

1. Check your route first: China Southern and Air India use different rules for different parts of the world
2. Watch the height on China Southern: their 20 cm limit is shorter than the 23 cm most people are used to
3. JAL is the most generous: 10 kg carry-on and two free checked bags make packing easy
4. Pack light for Air India: 7 kg plus a 3 kg personal item is one of the tightest combos out there
5. Singapore Airlines 30 kg weight deal: great if you like one big bag instead of splitting into two

All the best for the day ahead! 💯