If you plan to bring some baggage into the Emirates flight cabin, read this guide to Emirates’ size and weight policy rules. Understanding the regulations will help you avoid last-minute disappointments or paying extra fees once your bag is moved to the hold.
What is the carry-on policy for Emirates?
When traveling with Emirates, your cabin baggage allowances will vary based on your class of travel, route, and your Emirates Skywards membership subscription. If you’re traveling as an Economy or Premium Economy class traveler, you can bring one carry-on on board. On the other hand, if you travel as a Business or First Class ticket holder, you can carry one carry-on and one briefcase or garment bag.
Emirates has specified carry-on size restrictions. In order for your carry-on baggage to be allowed on board the cabin of your Emirates aircraft, its total dimensions, including its wheels and handles, must not exceed 22 x 15 x 8 inches (55 x 38 x 20 cm).
If you’re a First Class or Business Class traveler, and you intend to travel with a briefcase or a garment bag, your briefcase’s dimensions should be less than 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm), while your garment bag should be no more than 8 inches (20 cm) thick when folded.
If you’re traveling from India, the size of the carry-on baggage may not exceed 45.3 inches (115 cm).
The maximum weight of your carry-on will vary depending on your class of travel. You may carry hand luggage weighing no more than 15 lb (7kg) if you’re traveling Economy and 22 lb (10kg) if you’re a Premium Economy ticket holder. If you’re a Business or First Class occupant, you can carry a carry-on that weighs less than 15 lb (7kg) and a briefcase or garment bag that doesn’t exceed a similar weight. If you are traveling from Brazil, you can carry up to 22 lb (10 kg) of cabin baggage.
If you’re having problems fitting everything in your carry-on, check out this handy guide to packing your carry-on bag.
What is the carry-on liquid policy for Emirates?
You can carry-on liquids, lotions, drinks, and other items of similar consistency, provided they follow the rules for carry-on liquids: they’re housed in containers with a capacity of no more than 3.4 oz (100 ml). If the containers exceed the noted limit, they will not be accepted, even if only partly filled. Your containers must be placed in a see-through, resealable, plastic bag with a capacity no greater than 33.8 oz (1 l). Per passenger, only one such bag is permitted. Note that at the security screening checkpoint, you will need to present the bag holding your liquids separately from the rest of your luggage.
What items can you bring on board?
You can carry sports equipment as checked baggage and part of your standard baggage allowance, provided each piece doesn’t exceed 118 inches (300 cm). Special packaging rules may apply, depending on the nature of the equipment. You can also carry musical instruments as checked baggage or cabin luggage as long as they meet the baggage limitations.
Additionally, a musical instrument can be transported on a paid-for seat in the passenger cabin. If you’re disabled, you’re entitled to extra baggage allowances at no cost. You can check a wheelchair or crutches if you have limited mobility and a portable dialysis machine and all its associated equipment if you’re dependent on it.
Tips for maximizing Emirates’ carry-on baggage allowance
To maximize your Emirates carry-on baggage allowance:
- Stick to packing essentials in your hand luggage.
- Don’t just rely on information from friends, family, or work. Do your Emirates baggage homework.
- If you are traveling with children, take advantage of the extra baggage allowance.
- Become a member of the Emirates Skywards Program.
Using KAYAK’s Bag Measurement and Fee Assistant tools, you can avoid the extra costs that come with bringing an oversized or overweight bag.
Emirates carry-on FAQs
Emirates are very strict with carry-on size limits. If you intend to travel with one, ensure your carry-on baggage is well within the airline’s specified restrictions.
You’re only permitted to carry one bag in the cabin. As checked baggage, you can check in as many bags as you want up to the checked weight allowance for your class of travel.
You can carry a handbag as well as hand luggage on your Emirates flight if you have a First or Business Class ticket and if your handbag doesn’t exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm) and your hand luggage doesn’t exceed 22 x 15 x 8 inches (55 x 38 x 20 cm). If you have an economy ticket, you can carry a carry-on bag or a personal item, not both.
Disclaimer: Information is correct as of 29.09.2023 and may vary with time.
