How Heavy Can a Carry on Be? A Guide To Carry-on Weight

If you wonder what the rules are on carry-on luggage weight.

This is the most complete carry on luggage weight guide on the internet.

The best part?

Everything on this guide is working GREAT with major airlines.

Most airlines do not have a specified weight limit for hand or carry-on luggage, but your carry-on bag must be light enough to be placed in the overhead bin without any help.

If you want to know the right weight and size of your carry-on luggage or you want to take extra baggage on your flight you are in the right place.

Let’s dive right in.

Is There a Weight Limit On Carry on?

Most airlines do not specify any weight list for carry on luggage, however there few airlines that stated a carry on bag need to be less than 18 kg.

For example American airlines sated its carry-on as follows: 

• carry on luggage Shouldn’t exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches / 56 x 36 x 23 centimeters (including handles and wheels) and must fit in the sizer at the airport

If your items don’t fit in the overhead bin or under the seat, they may need to check your baggage.

Lucy asked American Airlines if they have any weight limits for carry-on.

The American Airline customer service replied that there aren’t any weight restrictions for carry-on baggage.

There may be additional carry-on bag restrictions at certain airports or on certain airplanes.

However, if your airline allows free carry-on luggage, but they stated the weight you will need to weigh your carry-on bag before heading to the airport.

Here is a trick for having an accurate weight for your bag or a backpack, weigh yourself on the scale first and then stand on the scale wearing or taking your bag. then do the following math

your body and the bag weigh – your body = the bag weight

this way you will have your accurate bag weight.

Is There a Weight Limit For Carry on Bags On Airlines

Before going further we’ve did a quick research Is there a weight limit on some Airlines, and what will happen if your carry on luggage is overweight

• Delta: No maximum weight applies to carry-on baggage, except in the following locations.:
  • Singapore, Singapore – Changi International Airport (SIN) carry-on should not exceed 15 lbs. (7 kg)
  • Beijing, China – Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) requires that domestic hand carry bags should not exceed 10 kg.
  • Individual carrier rules apply for international flights. Shanghai, China – Pudong International Airport (PVG) carry-on should not exceed 22lbs. (10 kg)

• Southwest : Do not have a weight limit for carry-on luggage but it reminds its guests that if the carry-on does not fit the dimensions above, they will be forced to check it at the gate. It will be safely stowed below the aircraft for the duration of your flight, and you will pick it up at baggage claim, not the gate, upon arrival to your final destination. Assistive devices and strollers may be claimed at the gate/jet bridge.
• United Airlines : United does not have a weight limit for carry on luggage but your bags must adhere to the airline policy: “To help us make the boarding process as smooth as possible, make sure the items you bring on board are within our size limits. That way, they’ll easily fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you“.
• JetBlue :does not currently have a weight restriction for carry-on bags. Please make sure items can be lifted into the overhead bin if assistance is not available and the item does not fit beneath the seat.
• Lufthansa :have the following carry on luggage weight:
  • Economy class: 1 item of carry-on baggage up to 8 kg
  • Premium economy class: 1 item of carry-on baggage up to 8 kg
  • Business class: 2 items of carry-on baggage, each up to 8 kg
  • First class: 2 items of carry-on baggage, each up to 8 kg

• Air Canada:do not have a carry-on luggage weight limit, but even no weight limit applies to carry-on baggage, your bag must be light enough that you can store it in the overhead bin unassisted.
• Volaris airline :standard carry on luggage limits is 22 lbs (10 kg), for Plus, Classic, and Basic fares:
  • Vuela : Plus 2 carry-on bags that measure a maximum of 22 x 16 x 10 in each and do not exceed a total of 22 lbs between the two bags
  • Vuela Classic:  1 carry-on bag not exceeding 22 x 16 x 10 in and weighing a maximum of 22 lbs* 
  • Vuela Basic: If you add a carry-on to your reservation, it must not weigh more than 22 lbs.

• British airways: the Maximum weight per bag is up to 23kg (51lbs).
  • You must be able to fit your bags into the baggage gauge at check in.
  • Any items you purchase at the airport, including duty free, form part of your hand baggage allowance. If you go over your allowance of 2 bags, you may have to check in one of your extra bags, for which there may be a charge.
  • Occasionally British airways may not have space to stow all hand baggage safely on board and you may be asked to check in some or all of your hand baggage at the boarding gate. Please make sure your hand baggage is within the size and weight limits shown, otherwise you will be charged for extra baggage.

• Turkish airlines: In Economy Class you can bring a single carry-on that must have dimensions of no more than 23x40x55 cm and a maximum weight of 8 kg. Business Class passengers can bring two piece carry-ons that must each have dimensions of no more than 23x40x55 cm and a maximum weight of 8 kg.
• Lot polish airlines :carry on luggage weight Depending on the class of travel passengers can bring on board:LOT Business Class – 2 pieces each up to 9 kg
  • LOT Premium Economy (intercontinental flights) – 2 pieces, both up to 12 kg (1 piece max. 8 kg)
  • LOT Premium Economy (international flights) – 1 piece up to 8 kg
  • LOT Economy Class – 1 piece up to 8 kg 
  • LOT Economy Saver – 1 piece up to 8 kg

• Philippine airlines :Each passenger is allowed one piece of carry-on baggage small enough to be placed in the overhead bin or under the passenger seat of the aircraft cabin with a maximum total dimension of  56cm x 36cm x 23cm (22in x 14in x 9in)  and maximum weight of 7 kgs. (15 lbs).
• Emirates : The weight of each piece must not exceed 7kg kilograms (15lb pounds). While duty free purchases of liquor, cigarettes and perfume in reasonable quantities are also permitted in addition to the above, exceptions apply with new liquid restrictions in place.

• klm : Guest flying Economy Class on European and intercontinental flights are allowed:
  • 1 item of hand baggage, max. 55 x 35 x 25 cm (21,5 x 13,5 x 10 inch) 1 accessory, e.g. a handbag, briefcase or laptop, max. 40 x 30 x 15 cm (16 x 12 x 6 inch) with a Total weight limit of . 12 kg (26 lbs).
  • Business Class on European and intercontinental flights guests are allowed 2 items of hand baggage, each max. 55 x 35 x 25 cm (21,5 x 13,5 x 10 inch) 1 accessory, e.g. a handbag, briefcase or laptop, max. 40 x 30 x 15 cm (16 x 12 x 6 inch) with a Total weight max. 18 kg (40 lbs)

• Air France: In the Economy cabin, the combined weight of your hand baggage item and accessories must not exceed 12 kg / 26 lb. If you’re traveling in the Premium Economy, Business or La Première cabins, the combined weight of your hand baggage items and accessory must not exceed 18 kg / 40 lbs. Your travel cabin is shown on your ticket.

• Allegiant Air :Carry-on luggage weight limits are not specified by the airline.

Priyanka already asked United if there is a weight limit for a carry-on bag.

They gave her the green light that there are no weight limits for carry-on bags.

Final Thoughts

There are no limits for carry-on luggage weight, but your carry-on bag needs to be light enough to be placed in the overhead compartment without any help.

If you are planning to travel with some type of heavy items it is better to place it inside your checked luggage.

If it happens you show up to the airport with a hearty carry on bag you may take the risk of it gate checked.

We hope this helps

Happy travels