Air India Baggage Allowance Summary
Last verified: 13 June 2026 · Official policy: https://www.airindia.com/in/en/travel-information/baggage-guidelines.html
| Baggage type | Allowance | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic checked baggage | Economy: Value 15 kg · Classic 20 kg · Flex 25 kg • Business 30–40 kg • First 40 kg (weight concept) | Air India domestic free checked baggage (weight concept): Economy Value 15 kg, Classic 20 kg, Flex 25 kg; Premium Economy Value 15 kg, Flex 25 kg; Business Value 30 kg, Flex 40 kg; First 40 kg. Fares of 25 kg+ get 2 pieces; under 25 kg is 1 piece. Single piece max 32 kg. Applies to Air India-operated flights (not Air India Express or codeshare). |
| International checked baggage | Weight regions (Gulf/Africa, SE Asia, AUNZ, SAARC): Economy 25–30 kg · Business 40–45 kg. Piece regions (USA/Canada, Europe/UK, Japan/Korea, Israel): Economy 2 × 23 kg (Value 1 × 23 kg) · Business/First 2 × 32 kg | Air India international free baggage varies by REGION under two systems. WEIGHT concept — Gulf/Middle East/Africa, SE Asia (Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines) and Australia/NZ: Economy Value 25 kg / Classic 30 kg / Flex 35 kg, Business 40–45 kg, First 45 kg; Sri Lanka 30/30/40; Nepal & Maldives 20/20/30. PIECE concept — USA, Canada, Europe/UK, Japan, South Korea, Israel: Economy Value 1 × 23 kg, Classic & Flex 2 × 23 kg; Premium Economy 2 × 23 kg; Business & First 2 × 32 kg. Single piece max 32 kg network-wide. |
| Cabin bag (hand luggage) | Economy & Premium Economy 7 kg; Business & First 10 kg — plus 1 personal item up to 3 kg | Dimensions: Hand bag max 55 × 40 × 20 cm (total 115 cm), plus one personal item up to 3 kg (40 × 30 × 20 cm). India's one-hand-baggage rule applies. Oversize cabin fee: ₹3,000 domestic / USD 75 international. |
| Excess baggage rate | Chargeable | Domestic excess ₹700 per kg. International (weight regions): Gulf/Middle East/Africa & SAARC USD 17/kg, Southeast Asia USD 22/kg, Australia/NZ USD 37/kg. International (piece regions, per extra 0–23 kg piece, ex-India): Europe USD 220 (UK/Israel 240), Japan/Korea USD 180, USA USD 240, Canada CAD 360; a heavy piece (23–32 kg) adds USD 100–130. Oversize ₹2,000/piece domestic, USD 125 international. |
| Infant baggage (under 2 years) | See details | Lap infants (under 2) receive 10 kg checked (1 piece) plus one collapsible stroller / carrycot / infant car seat free. Pre-paid excess does not apply to infants. |
| Sports / special equipment | Chargeable | Sports equipment (golf, cricket, bicycle, ski/snowboard, scuba, fishing, archery — up to 2 items) carries a handling fee of ₹2,375 domestic / USD 45 international (Canada CAD 63.5); the weight still counts toward your allowance. Max 300 cm and 32 kg, else cargo. Firearms: ₹5,000 + GST domestic / USD 100 international. LED/LCD TVs up to 139 cm (max 2). |
| USA-bound flights | Piece concept | For the USA & Canada (and Europe/UK, Japan, Korea, Israel), Air India uses the PIECE concept: Economy gets 2 × 23 kg per passenger (Economy Value only 1 × 23 kg), Business/First 2 × 32 kg — not the weight concept used on Gulf/Asia routes. |
Air India International Baggage by Destination & Fare
Air India publishes international free checked baggage by region under two systems — a weight concept (Economy Value / Classic / Flex kg, plus Business & First) on Gulf, Africa, Southeast Asia and Australia routes, and a piece concept (bags × 23/32 kg) on the USA, Canada, Europe/UK, Japan, Korea and Israel. Type your destination below to see that sector’s free checked baggage. Figures are official Air India rates, re-verified 11 Jun 2026.
Domestic (for reference): Economy Value 15 kg · Classic 20 kg · Flex 25 kg; Business 30–40 kg; First 40 kg (fares ≥25 kg get 2 pieces; max 32 kg per piece).
Type any Air India international destination to jump straight to its free checked-baggage allowance — no scrolling.
Buying extra baggage — online vs airport
If you are over your free allowance, buying extra baggage online before the airport is cheaper than paying at the counter. Weight regions are charged per kg; piece regions are charged per extra piece.
| Domestic excess | Price |
|---|---|
| Per kg over your free allowance | ₹700 per kg |
| Oversize piece | ₹2,000 per piece |
| International excess — weight regions (per kg) | Rate |
|---|---|
| Gulf / Middle East / Africa & SAARC | USD 17 per kg |
| Southeast Asia | USD 22 per kg |
| Australia / New Zealand | USD 37 per kg |
| International excess — piece regions (per extra piece 0–23 kg, ex-India) | Rate |
|---|---|
| Europe | USD 220 (UK / Israel USD 240) |
| Japan / Korea | USD 180 |
| USA | USD 240 |
| Canada | CAD 360 |
| Heavy piece (23–32 kg) — add-on | + USD 100–130 |
| Oversize piece (international) | USD 125 |
International excess rates are shown for the India-departure leg; the exact amount for your route, fare and cabin is confirmed before you pay. Buying online before the airport is cheaper than the counter. Rates re-verified 11 Jun 2026 from airindia.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Air India's checked baggage allowance for domestic flights?
Economy: Value 15 kg · Classic 20 kg · Flex 25 kg • Business 30–40 kg • First 40 kg (weight concept). Air India domestic free checked baggage (weight concept): Economy Value 15 kg, Classic 20 kg, Flex 25 kg; Premium Economy Value 15 kg, Flex 25 kg; Business Value 30 kg, Flex 40 kg; First 40 kg. Fares of 25 kg+ get 2 pieces; under 25 kg is 1 piece. Single piece max 32 kg. Applies to Air India-operated flights (not Air India Express or codeshare). Always confirm at https://www.airindia.com/in/en/travel-information/baggage-guidelines.html before flying.
What is Air India's checked baggage allowance for international flights?
Weight regions (Gulf/Africa, SE Asia, AUNZ, SAARC): Economy 25–30 kg · Business 40–45 kg. Piece regions (USA/Canada, Europe/UK, Japan/Korea, Israel): Economy 2 × 23 kg (Value 1 × 23 kg) · Business/First 2 × 32 kg. Air India international free baggage varies by REGION under two systems. WEIGHT concept — Gulf/Middle East/Africa, SE Asia (Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines) and Australia/NZ: Economy Value 25 kg / Classic 30 kg / Flex 35 kg, Business 40–45 kg, First 45 kg; Sri Lanka 30/30/40; Nepal & Maldives 20/20/30. PIECE concept — USA, Canada, Europe/UK, Japan, South Korea, Israel: Economy Value 1 × 23 kg, Classic & Flex 2 × 23 kg; Premium Economy 2 × 23 kg; Business & First 2 × 32 kg. Single piece max 32 kg network-wide. Always confirm at https://www.airindia.com/in/en/travel-information/baggage-guidelines.html before flying.
What is the cabin bag (hand luggage) limit for Air India?
Economy & Premium Economy 7 kg; Business & First 10 kg — plus 1 personal item up to 3 kg. Dimensions: Hand bag max 55 × 40 × 20 cm (total 115 cm), plus one personal item up to 3 kg (40 × 30 × 20 cm). India's one-hand-baggage rule applies. Oversize cabin fee: ₹3,000 domestic / USD 75 international. Always verify your specific allowance on https://www.airindia.com/in/en/travel-information/baggage-guidelines.html before flying — airlines can change these limits without prior notice.
What are Air India's excess baggage charges?
Domestic excess ₹700 per kg. International (weight regions): Gulf/Middle East/Africa & SAARC USD 17/kg, Southeast Asia USD 22/kg, Australia/NZ USD 37/kg. International (piece regions, per extra 0–23 kg piece, ex-India): Europe USD 220 (UK/Israel 240), Japan/Korea USD 180, USA USD 240, Canada CAD 360; a heavy piece (23–32 kg) adds USD 100–130. Oversize ₹2,000/piece domestic, USD 125 international. Excess baggage rates change frequently — confirm the current rate on https://www.airindia.com/in/en/travel-information/baggage-guidelines.html. To avoid excess charges, pre-purchase additional baggage online through "Manage Booking" — it is typically 20–30% cheaper than paying at the airport counter.
What is Air India's baggage allowance for infants?
Lap infants (under 2) receive 10 kg checked (1 piece) plus one collapsible stroller / carrycot / infant car seat free. Pre-paid excess does not apply to infants. Confirm current infant baggage policy at https://www.airindia.com/in/en/travel-information/baggage-guidelines.html.
What about sports equipment and special items?
Sports equipment (golf, cricket, bicycle, ski/snowboard, scuba, fishing, archery — up to 2 items) carries a handling fee of ₹2,375 domestic / USD 45 international (Canada CAD 63.5); the weight still counts toward your allowance. Max 300 cm and 32 kg, else cargo. Firearms: ₹5,000 + GST domestic / USD 100 international. LED/LCD TVs up to 139 cm (max 2).
How do I avoid excess baggage fees on Air India?
The best way to avoid excess baggage fees on Air India is to pre-purchase additional baggage allowance when booking on HappyFares or through the airline's "Manage Booking" portal before your flight — this is typically 20–30% cheaper than paying at the airport check-in counter. Also, weigh your bags at home before the airport. If you are travelling with a group, distribute weight across all passengers while staying within each individual limit. Codeshare flights may use the operating carrier's policy, not the marketing carrier's — confirm with both airlines.
Is the baggage allowance different on USA-bound flights with Air India?
For the USA & Canada (and Europe/UK, Japan, Korea, Israel), Air India uses the PIECE concept: Economy gets 2 × 23 kg per passenger (Economy Value only 1 × 23 kg), Business/First 2 × 32 kg — not the weight concept used on Gulf/Asia routes. Verify the specific allowance on https://www.airindia.com/in/en/travel-information/baggage-guidelines.html for your route and class of service.
What is the Air India baggage allowance to the USA?
Air India flights to the USA and Canada use the piece concept: Economy Classic and Flex get 2 bags × 23 kg each, while the cheapest Economy Value gets only 1 × 23 kg; Premium Economy 2 × 23 kg; Business and First 2 × 32 kg. The same piece rules apply to Europe/UK, Japan, South Korea and Israel. Cabin baggage is 7 kg (10 kg in Business/First).
What is the Air India baggage allowance to Dubai and the Gulf?
On India–Gulf/Middle East routes Air India uses the weight concept: Economy Value 25 kg, Classic 30 kg, Flex 35 kg; Business 40–45 kg; First 45 kg. Southeast Asia (Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong) and Australia carry the same ladder. Excess on these routes is about USD 17 per kg (Gulf) to USD 37 per kg (Australia).
What is the Air India cabin (hand) baggage size limit in cm?
Hand bag max 55 × 40 × 20 cm (total 115 cm), plus one personal item up to 3 kg (40 × 30 × 20 cm). India's one-hand-baggage rule applies. Oversize cabin fee: ₹3,000 domestic / USD 75 international. The cabin baggage weight limit is Economy & Premium Economy 7 kg; Business & First 10 kg — plus 1 personal item up to 3 kg. Size limits are checked at the gate — an oversized bag is moved to the hold and can attract a fee, so measure your trolley bag (wheels and handles included) before you fly. Confirm at https://www.airindia.com/in/en/travel-information/baggage-guidelines.html.
How do I add extra baggage on Air India after booking, and how much does it cost?
You can add prepaid extra baggage any time after booking through Air India's "Manage Booking" on https://www.airindia.com/in/en/travel-information/baggage-guidelines.html, or from HappyFares My Trips — buying it online is about 20–30% cheaper than paying at the airport counter. Domestic excess ₹700 per kg. International (weight regions): Gulf/Middle East/Africa & SAARC USD 17/kg, Southeast Asia USD 22/kg, Australia/NZ USD 37/kg. International (piece regions, per extra 0–23 kg piece, ex-India): Europe USD 220 (UK/Israel 240), Japan/Korea USD 180, USA USD 240, Canada CAD 360; a heavy piece (23–32 kg) adds USD 100–130. Oversize ₹2,000/piece domestic, USD 125 international. Add it before the online cut-off (usually a few hours before departure); after that you pay the higher per-kg rate at check-in.
What is the maximum weight for a single checked bag on Air India?
A single checked bag must not exceed 32 kg on Air India — a fixed baggage-handler safety limit that applies on virtually every airline. If your free allowance is higher, split it across two or more pieces, each 32 kg or under. A bag over your free limit but under 32 kg is accepted on payment of excess; a single piece over 32 kg is refused at check-in and must travel as cargo. Confirm piece rules at https://www.airindia.com/in/en/travel-information/baggage-guidelines.html.
Can I carry a power bank in Air India cabin baggage?
Yes — power banks are allowed ONLY in cabin baggage (never checked-in). Per DGCA's 11-November-2025 advisory, you may carry up to 2 power banks per passenger. Each must be ≤100 Wh for unrestricted carriage; 100-160 Wh requires airline approval; >160 Wh is banned. Store them in your seat pocket or under-seat personal item — NOT in overhead bins. In-flight use is banned, including charging from aircraft USB ports. A 20,000 mAh / 3.7V power bank equals 74 Wh, so it's permitted.
How many liquids can I carry in Air India hand baggage?
Per BCAS rules, each liquid container must be 100ml or less, all containers combined fit in one transparent 1-litre resealable bag, and one bag per passenger. This applies to water, perfume, shampoo, gel, toothpaste, and cosmetics. Exceptions: baby food/milk in reasonable quantities; prescription medicine with prescription; duty-free liquids in a Sealed Tamper-Evident Bag (STEB) with receipt. Water bottles bought after security are allowed onboard.
Are keys allowed in hand luggage on Air India?
Yes — house and car keys are allowed in both cabin (hand) baggage and checked baggage on Air India and all Indian flights; they are not a restricted item. The only exception is a keychain multi-tool or keyring with a blade or sharp point longer than 6 cm, which must go in checked baggage, not the cabin.
What items are not allowed in Air India hand (cabin) baggage?
Prohibited in cabin baggage on Indian flights (per BCAS): sharp objects with a blade or point over 6 cm (knives, scissors, box cutters), tools such as screwdrivers, hammers and wrenches, sporting bats and cue sticks, firearms and ammunition, flammable liquids and aerosols, and most lighters and matchboxes. Power banks are cabin-only (never checked-in); liquids must follow the 100 ml rule. When in doubt, pack the item in checked baggage — confirm the current list at https://www.airindia.com/in/en/travel-information/baggage-guidelines.html.