Icelandair – Iceland’s national airline – is a go-to for flights between North America and Europe. Even its most basic fare, Economy Light, includes a carry-on. But before you pack, here’s what to know about size and weight limits.
Carry-on details.
- Carry-on dimensions: 21.6 x 15.7 x 7.8 inches (55 x 40 x 20 cm)
- Carry-on weight: 22 pounds (10 kg) for international flights; 13 pounds (6 kg) for domestic and Greenland flights
- Personal item dimensions: 15.7 x 11.8 x 5.9 inches (40 x 30 x 15 cm)
- Carry-on allowance: 1 carry-on bag + 1 personal item, free of charge
- Saga Premium Flex bonus: 2 carry-on bags + 1 personal item
In this article
- Icelandair carry-on size and weight limits.
- What else can you bring onboard?
- What to watch out for.
- Carry-on tips for flying Icelandair.
- FAQs: Icelandair carry-on bags.
Icelandair carry-on size and weight limits.
Icelandair is fairly generous when it comes to its carry-on bag policy. All fares include both a carry-on bag and a personal item — and one fare even allows two carry-ons! But you do need to keep size and weight in mind.
Last updated and fact-checked: May 18, 2026.
Weight limits vary depending on where you’re flying:
- International flights: up to 22 lb (10 kg)
- Flights within Iceland, to and from Greenland and the Faroe Islands: up to 13 lb (6 kg)
If you’re connecting between routes, it’s worth packing for the stricter limit.
You can bring 1 personal item in addition to your carry-on bag. It must fit under the seat in front of you. Common examples include a small backpack, laptop bag, purse or tote bag.
Icelandair carry-on rules: what to know.
- Saga Premium Flex fares include 2 carry-on bags (up to 22 lbs each) plus 1 personal item – more generous than most airlines.
- That said, Icelandair may size your bag at the gate, and oversized bags could need to be checked. If you’ve already used your checked baggage allowance, additional fees may apply.
- Most Icelandair fares include a free checked bag, so overpackers have some breathing room. The exception is Economy Light, which only includes 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item.
What else can you bring onboard?
In addition to your carry-on and personal item, Icelandair allows a few extra items that don’t count toward your allowance.
Medical and extra items.
You can bring the following without it counting toward your carry-on limit:
- CPAP machines
- Duty-free shopping bags
Traveling with strollers and car seats.
Strollers and car seats are allowed, but how you bring them depends on the situation.
- Strollers: Can be checked for free
- Gate-checking may be allowed depending on the airport
- Some strollers may need to be picked up at baggage claim
- Car seats:
- Free for infants under 2 if used onboard
- Must be placed in a window seat and meet safety standards
- Also allowed for children 2–11 if used during the flight
What to watch out for.
Even if you follow Icelandair’s rules, there are a few situations where things can get tricky.
- Carry-ons may be checked at the gate. Icelandair can be strict about carry-on size enforcement, especially on busy flights. Your bag may be measured during boarding, and oversized bags could need to be checked. Fees may apply depending on your fare.
- Premium fares allow more, but space isn’t guaranteed. Saga Premium Flex includes two carry-on bags, but overhead bin space can still be limited on busy flights.
- Partner flights may follow different carry-on policies. If part of your trip is operated by another airline, their baggage rules and carry-on limits may apply instead.
Carry-on tips for flying Icelandair.
1. Check baggage rules on partner flights.
Icelandair partners with various airlines, and that means carry-on baggage policies might change on different legs of your trip.
If you’re flying on a partner airline for one part of your itinerary, check its carry-on size and weight limits ahead of time. To avoid issues at the airport, pack for the stricter policy.
2. Use your personal item strategically.
Icelandair does not offer free food in economy, so it’s best to pack snacks in your personal item. Since you have to stow it beneath the seat in front of you, you’ll have easy access to the bag throughout the flight.
If you put your snacks in your carry-on bag, you’ll have to take it out of the overhead bin. There is one exception: Children are offered a complimentary meal and juice box, but you might want to bring additional snacks anyway!
3. Go smaller with your carry-on.
Icelandair’s carry-on bag size restriction is aligned with European standards rather than American ones. That is to say, you’ll need a smaller suitcase than you might be used to. When shopping for carry-on bags, opt for the smaller size.
Icelandair carry-on FAQs.
Find the answers to commonly asked questions about Icelandair’s carry-on baggage policy below.
Yes. Icelandair can be strict about carry-on size. Gate agents may ask travelers to place their bags in a sizer during boarding, especially on full flights. Approved bags are sometimes tagged to confirm they meet the 21.6 x 15.7 x 7.8-inch size limit.
Icelandair’s carry-on size limit is the same for all routes: 21.6 x 15.7 x 7.8 inches. The difference is in weight. International flights allow up to 22 pounds, while domestic Iceland flights and flights to Greenland have a 13-pound limit.
Still have questions?
We’re here to help. Read our guide to carry-on bags to find out everything you need to know about carry-on baggage allowances. Thinking about checking a bag? We break down the pros and cons of carry-ons and checked bags. And finally, we also have a list of what’s not allowed in a carry-on bag.
