Last updated: 29 October 2026.
All prices on this page are in Indian rupees (₹) unless another currency is named.
Cabin baggage
Indian security rules (BCAS) allow one piece of hand baggage per passenger on every Air India flight, in every class, whatever your frequent-flyer status. A small personal item (a handbag, laptop bag or similar) is allowed as well, provided it slides beneath the seat ahead.
Economy and Premium Economy
- Free weight
- 7 kg
- Size
- 55 x 40 x 20 cm, and the three sides together no more than 115 cm
Business and First
- Free weight
- 10 kg
- Size
- 55 x 40 x 20 cm, and the three sides together no more than 115 cm
- A cabin bag between your free limit and 12 kg is accepted only if you pay the excess hand-baggage charge: ₹3,000 on domestic flights, USD 75 on international flights.
- A cabin bag heavier than 12 kg has to be checked in, and excess checked-baggage rates apply.
- Children and infants with their own seat have the same cabin allowance.
- Small musical instruments that fit the cabin-bag size may go in the cabin, using up part of your cabin allowance.
Checked baggage for flights inside India
Your allowance depends on the fare you buy. It covers Air India's own flights; Air India Express and codeshare flights are excluded.
Economy – Value
- Free checked baggage
- 15 kg
Economy – Classic
- Free checked baggage
- 20 kg
Economy – Flex
- Free checked baggage
- 25 kg
Premium Economy – Value
- Free checked baggage
- 15 kg
Premium Economy – Flex
- Free checked baggage
- 25 kg
Business – Value
- Free checked baggage
- 30 kg
Business – Flex
- Free checked baggage
- 40 kg
First – First
- Free checked baggage
- 40 kg
- Basic fare (trial): since June 2026 Air India sells an optional economy "Basic" fare on selected domestic routes, with 15 kg checked baggage and 7 kg cabin baggage, but no complimentary meal. It can be booked only on Air India's own website, app, contact centre and airport offices.
- If your free allowance is under 25 kg you may check in one piece; with 25 kg or more you may check in two pieces.
- No single bag may weigh more than 32 kg, and each bag should not exceed 158 cm (length + width + height).
- Infants get an extra checked allowance (see below) and may bring one collapsible stroller, carry cot or infant car seat.
- Students on a student fare get an extra 10 kg on domestic flights.
- Medical and mobility aids are carried free of charge in addition to your allowance, subject to what the aircraft can take (DGCA guidelines).
- Tickets that combine an Air India domestic flight and an international flight on the same ticket use the international allowance for the whole journey. On separate tickets the free allowance carries through only if the connection falls within 24 hours and Air India flies both legs.
Checked baggage on international flights
Air India uses two systems, depending on where you fly. On weight routes you may pack as many pieces as you like within your total weight. On piece routes you get a set number of bags with a weight limit each.
Which cities and countries are in which region
Find your destination here first, then read the matching row below. The left column lists the places Air India flies to in its February 2026 route map; the right column lists the other countries Air India places in the same region for baggage purposes (even where Air India itself does not currently fly).
Gulf and Middle East
- Cities Air India flies to
- Dubai, Doha, Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam
- Other countries in the same region
- UAE (Abu Dhabi, Sharjah), Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain
Africa
- Cities Air India flies to
- Mauritius
- Other countries in the same region
- All African countries (for example Kenya)
Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam
- Cities Air India flies to
- Singapore, Hong Kong, Bali, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Ho Chi Minh City
- Other countries in the same region
- Taiwan, Cambodia
Thailand
- Cities Air India flies to
- Bangkok, Phuket
Australia and New Zealand
- Cities Air India flies to
- Sydney, Melbourne
- Other countries in the same region
- New Zealand
Sri Lanka
- Cities Air India flies to
- Colombo
Bangladesh, Myanmar
- Cities Air India flies to
- Dhaka, Yangon
Nepal, Maldives
- Cities Air India flies to
- Kathmandu, Male
Europe, UK, Israel (piece routes)
- Cities Air India flies to
- London Heathrow and Gatwick, Birmingham, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Milan, Paris, Rome, Vienna, Zurich, Tel Aviv
- Other countries in the same region
- All other European countries
Japan, South Korea (piece routes)
- Cities Air India flies to
- Tokyo, Seoul
USA and Canada (piece routes)
- Cities Air India flies to
- New York, Newark, Chicago, San Francisco, Toronto, Vancouver
- Other countries in the same region
- Other US and Canadian cities
Flights to or from China (Shanghai): Air India does not publish a separate checked-baggage row for China on its baggage pages. Check the allowance shown for your fare when you book.
Weight routes (India to and from)
Gulf and Middle East
- Economy Value
- 25 kg
- Economy Classic
- 30 kg
- Economy Flex
- 35 kg
- Prem. Economy Value / Flex
- 25 / 35 kg
- Business Value / Flex
- 40 / 45 kg
- First
- 45 kg
Africa
- Economy Value
- 25 kg
- Economy Classic
- 30 kg
- Economy Flex
- 35 kg
- Prem. Economy Value / Flex
- 25 / 45 kg
- Business Value / Flex
- 40 / 45 kg
- First
- 45 kg
Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam
- Economy Value
- 25 kg
- Economy Classic
- 30 kg
- Economy Flex
- 35 kg
- Prem. Economy Value / Flex
- 25 / 35 kg
- Business Value / Flex
- 40 / 45 kg
- First
- 45 kg
Thailand
- Economy Value
- 25 kg
- Economy Classic
- 30 kg
- Economy Flex
- 35 kg
- Prem. Economy Value / Flex
- 30 / 35 kg
- Business Value / Flex
- 40 / 45 kg
- First
- 45 kg
Australia and New Zealand
- Economy Value
- 25 kg
- Economy Classic
- 30 kg
- Economy Flex
- 35 kg
- Prem. Economy Value / Flex
- 30 / 35 kg
- Business Value / Flex
- 40 / 45 kg
- First
- 45 kg
Sri Lanka
- Economy Value
- 30 kg
- Economy Classic
- 30 kg
- Economy Flex
- 40 kg
- Prem. Economy Value / Flex
- 30 / 40 kg
- Business Value / Flex
- 40 / 45 kg
- First
- 45 kg
Bangladesh, Myanmar
- Economy Value
- 30 kg
- Economy Classic
- 30 kg
- Economy Flex
- 35 kg
- Prem. Economy Value / Flex
- 30 / 35 kg
- Business Value / Flex
- 35 / 40 kg
- First
- 40 kg
Nepal, Maldives
- Economy Value
- 20 kg
- Economy Classic
- 20 kg
- Economy Flex
- 30 kg
- Prem. Economy Value / Flex
- 20 / 30 kg
- Business Value / Flex
- 35 / 40 kg
- First
- 40 kg
Piece routes (India to and from)
Europe, UK, Israel, Japan, South Korea
- Economy Value
- 1 bag up to 23 kg
- Economy Classic / Flex, Premium Economy
- 2 bags up to 23 kg each
- Business and First
- 2 bags up to 32 kg each
USA and Canada
- Economy Value
- 1 bag up to 23 kg
- Economy Classic / Flex, Premium Economy
- 2 bags up to 23 kg each
- Business and First
- 2 bags up to 32 kg each
- Economy and Premium Economy: the two bags together may total up to about 272 cm (length + width + height of each bag added up), and no single bag over 158 cm. Business and First: each bag up to 158 cm.
- Infants (all flights): 10 kg in Economy, 12 kg in Premium Economy, 15 kg in Business or First.
- No bag over 32 kg is accepted anywhere on the Air India network. Heavier items must go as cargo.
Maharaja Club members: bonus allowance
Platinum, Gold (Star Alliance Gold)
- Piece routes
- one extra bag up to 23 kg
- Weight routes
- 20 kg extra
Silver
- Piece routes
- none
- Weight routes
- 5 kg extra
Red
- Piece routes
- none
- Weight routes
- none
Silver benefits apply on Air India-operated flights only. Gold and Platinum also apply on Star Alliance airlines. Partner or codeshare flights operated by another airline are not covered.
Excess baggage charges at the airport
Weight beyond your free allowance is charged by the kilo (weight routes) or by the extra bag (piece routes). Rates are before tax. Journeys starting outside India include tax: 5% in Economy, 18% in other cabins.
Does the price depend on when you pay?
Yes. Pre-paying excess baggage can save you up to 20% compared with the airport price.
Extra weight or extra bags
- Pre-paid online
- Up to 20% less than the airport price (Air India's baggage calculator shows your exact price)
- At the airport
- Airport rate, for example ₹800 per kg domestic
- Book by
- 2 hours before departure
A lone bag heavier than the limit, up to 32 kg
- Pre-paid online
- Same discount
- At the airport
- Airport rate
- Book by
- 6 hours before departure
Pre-paid excess baggage is for tickets starting 098, for Air India's own flights (interline and codeshare are excluded). Pay on Manage Booking, by phone, or at an Air India office or authorised agent. Air India's pages show no other price tiers by booking time.
Domestic
₹800 per kg, plus tax. Oversized bag (over 158 cm): ₹2,000 per bag.
International, per kg (weight routes)
- India to the Middle East, Gulf, Africa
- 17
- India to Southeast Asia, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan
- 22
- India to SAARC countries (Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka)
- 17
- India to Australia, New Zealand
- 37
- Middle East, Gulf, Africa to India
- 22
- Southeast Asia to India
- 27
- SAARC countries to India
- 25
- Australia, New Zealand to India
- 37
International, per extra bag (piece routes)
India to USA
- Extra bag up to 23 kg
- USD 250
- Bag of 23-32 kg
- USD 130
USA to India
- Extra bag up to 23 kg
- USD 240
- Bag of 23-32 kg
- USD 130
India to Canada
- Extra bag up to 23 kg
- CAD 375 (tax included)
- Bag of 23-32 kg
- CAD 190
Canada to India
- Extra bag up to 23 kg
- CAD 360 (tax included)
- Bag of 23-32 kg
- CAD 190
India to UK, Israel
- Extra bag up to 23 kg
- USD 250
- Bag of 23-32 kg
- USD 100
UK, Israel to India
- Extra bag up to 23 kg
- USD 240
- Bag of 23-32 kg
- USD 100
India to Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands
- Extra bag up to 23 kg
- USD 230
- Bag of 23-32 kg
- USD 100
Those countries to India
- Extra bag up to 23 kg
- USD 220
- Bag of 23-32 kg
- USD 100
India to the rest of Europe
- Extra bag up to 23 kg
- USD 210
- Bag of 23-32 kg
- USD 100
Rest of Europe to India
- Extra bag up to 23 kg
- USD 200
- Bag of 23-32 kg
- USD 100
India to / from Japan, South Korea
- Extra bag up to 23 kg
- USD 180
- Bag of 23-32 kg
- USD 90
- International oversized bag (over 158 cm and up to 200 cm): USD 125 (Canada: CAD 180) per bag. Over 200 cm, or over 32 kg, must travel as cargo.
- Rates between two foreign countries (for example Europe to the USA) are listed on Air India's excess baggage page.
- Pay online and save: prepaying excess baggage on Manage Booking costs up to 20% less than at the airport. You can buy up to 2 hours before departure (6 hours for a single bag of up to 32 kg). It works only on Air India tickets (ticket number starting 098), not interline or codeshare. You get a full refund when Air India cancels the flight, or if you cancel 48 hours or more before departure; no refund for a no-show or unused weight.
Special baggage
Sports equipment counts as part of your free allowance. If your total goes over, normal excess rates apply, plus a handling fee for special baggage: ₹2,500 domestic, USD 45 international (Canada CAD 63.5), USD 70 between two foreign countries. The fee does not apply on the Flex fares in Economy and Premium Economy, in Business (Value and Flex) and in First. You can bring up to two items of each kind, each within 32 kg and 300 cm (length + width + height).
Golf
One bag with clubs, balls and tees, plus one pair of shoes.
Cricket
One kit with bats, pads, helmet and padding.
Bicycle
One ordinary bicycle (no e-bikes), packed in a travel case; or a child trailer or unicycle.
Skis or snowboard, fishing gear, archery, scuba gear, short boards
Accepted in the same way. Oxygen cylinders (even empty) are not allowed; see the dangerous goods rules.
LED / LCD televisions
Up to two per passenger, up to 139 cm (54 in). Up to 99 cm (38 in) there is no oversize charge if the bag is within your allowance; from 99 to 139 cm the oversize charge applies.
Musical instruments
A small one goes in the cabin as your cabin bag. A large one is checked (up to 158 cm and 32 kg) and staff could ask you to sign a limited-release tag. You may instead buy an extra seat for it (up to 75 kg).
What can go in which bag
Power banks and spare batteries
Cabin baggage only, never in checked baggage. Samsung Galaxy Note 7 and lithium self-balancing devices (hoverboards) are banned entirely.
Liquids in the cabin
Containers of up to 100 ml each. Medicines, inhalers (with a prescription) and baby food are exceptions.
Shampoo, skin care and other liquids
Are fine in checked baggage when sealed and packed to prevent leaks.
Razors and sharp personal items
Go in checked baggage, not the cabin.
Kirpan
Sikh passengers may carry a kirpan of up to 9 inches in total (blade up to 6 inches) in the cabin on domestic flights, but not on international flights or from airports where passengers go through an international security hold area.
Questions travellers ask us
What size bag should I buy for a 23 kg allowance?
Any bag whose length + width + height is no more than 158 cm and which weighs no more than 23 kg when packed. If your ticket has two pieces, both bags together can total about 272 cm.
Which allowance applies if I fly Air India Express or Alliance Air?
The allowances above hold only for flights that Air India itself flies. Air India Express and Alliance Air have their own rules. On a codeshare ticket, the airline operating the first international leg usually decides, so check the ticket.
Can I carry a TV or a golf set without paying extra?
If the item is within your free weight and size limits, only the special-baggage handling fee (where it applies) is due. A TV up to 99 cm is not charged for oversize; larger ones up to 139 cm are.
What happens if my cabin bag is too heavy?
Up to 12 kg you pay the excess hand-baggage fee at the airport (₹3,000 domestic, USD 75 international). Over 12 kg it must be checked in.
How do students get extra baggage?
Book through Air India's student offer. Students get an extra 10 kg on domestic flights; on international flights the extra allowance depends on the destination and cabin, so check it in the booking.
Where Air India flies and what changes
Allowances are grouped by region (above) so they stay correct when routes change. As of Air India's route map of February 2026, it flies non-stop from India to destinations in Europe, the UK, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, North America, the Far East (Hong Kong, Seoul, Shanghai, Tokyo), Australia, the Middle East (Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Riyadh, Tel Aviv) and Mauritius. Some Middle East routes have been suspended at times; check Air India's flight status before you travel.
Baggage Allowance is an independent information site and is not part of Air India.
Latest 30 of 896 questions
Yes, these can be carried in check in baggage.
I have 42” tv
I need to pay any adition charge
If it is within permitted allowance limits of check in baggage by size and weight, there is no additional charge.
It will be chargeable at rate of 6 kg excess baggage, which comes to Rs 3600 when paid at airport.
Yes, these are allowed.
It will be USD 15 per excess kg.
It has to be well packed and sealed properly to avoid spillage.
Kindly advise the most reasonable way to get her luggage back to India.
Best Regards Monica
You will have to either check which airline provides the good student baggage allowance or will have to pay for carrying excess baggage. We have a blog post listing some of the airline and their policies on student baggage allowance, which is above the free check in allowance that they normally get.
Please go through this.
http://baggage-allowance.info/blog/which-airlines-offer-student-flight-discounts-and-other-benefits/
This is allowed for free if this is within the size, weight and number of pieces limits set out in the free check in baggage allowance. However, if it is in addition to it, then USD 180 is to be paid for excess baggage.
there will be stop over in Delhi, so what will be procedure after Delhi to Varanasi flight.
Yes, you will be allowed to carry it provided it is within allowance limits by size and weight.
if i m travelling through Air india flight from us to inDIA, CAN I CARRY TWO LAPTOPS AND TWO MOBILES OTHER THAN SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE IN CABIN BAG OR LAPPY BAG ?
You shall take only one laptop or note with you in cabin. Mobile phones are okay for cabin. You might be asked to remove batteries of laptop which is to be taken in check-in and take batteries separately in cabin. Do check with the airline local office as well.
There is student baggage allowance for the domestic travel, not for international.
It will be USD 35 per excess kg. You can also buy prepaid excess baggage but this is not available online. You will have to get in touch with the airline call center.
$130 for oversized bag is charged.
It is 30 USD per kg.
I do understand weight is 30kg. But no clarity on number of bags.
You can take 2 check in bags within this allowance limit by weight. However, the linear dimensions of each bag, say L+B+H, shall not be more thn 158 cm for any one bag and not more than 273 cm combined for both.
Size is not prescribed for the personal items since the sizes of these items may vary.
Only one check in baggage per adult passenger would be allowed, that too of max weight 20 kg and size linear dimensions of 158 cm (L+b+H).
I wish to know if i can carry 40'LED TV along with my cabin or cargo luggage (may attract extar cost) in flight from Riyadh to Lucknow.
It can be taken in check in baggage
Thanks,
Sridhar Alurkar
You can take laptop in check in baggage within free allowance limits.
Both airlines will have different baggage allowances. You have not mentioned the cabin class you are flying. We are assuming it is Economy Class.
For Qatar Airways, check in baggage allowance is 2 bags of 23 kg each for each adult or child.
For Air India, the check in baggage allowance is 25 kg per adult or child passenger and 10 kg for infant.
What is the place of origin of flight and which cabin class are you flying?
Please tell us how much you are carrying in terms of weight and number of pcs of check in baggage. Excess fee will have to be paid for that segment of journey for which that weight is more than free allowance.
I am holding business class ticket.
This can be taken as a part of check in baggage allowance within permissible weight and size limits of check-in baggage. What is the size of the package?
What does that mean?
Not sure. It could be standard baggage. Please check with the airline. Please note that if tickets are booked with an agency, it may not provide updated baggage allowance information and anything could be written.
I wish to take 49 to 55 inches TV from Muscat-Chennai-Madurai flight.
Question
1. Do i need to pay extra handling charges, if yes do i need to pay handling charges only at Muscat which will cover entire journey till Madurai.
Regards
Elyas
It can be taken free of cost if this is within the free check in baggage allowance and its sum of size is (L+b+H) is 62 inches. PLease confirm with airline local office.