Emirates Baggage Allowance and Policy

If you have an upcoming trip with Emirates, or the airline is one that you’re considering flying with, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the airline’s baggage policy. You want to avoid any unexpected rules or fees when you turn up at the check-in counter in the airport.

In this post, we’ll examine Emirate’s carry-on and checked baggage policy in detail. We’ll explain how much free baggage you’re entitled to, no matter where in the world you’re traveling to. And if your free baggage isn’t enough for your needs, we’ll detail how much you’ll have to pay for extra bags. Also, we’ll explain how you can save over half of what you’d have to pay at the airport.

Carry On Baggage Allowance

No Personal Items in Economy Class: Emirates doesn’t include personal items for Economy Class passengers. This may come as quite a shock to anyone traveling with Emirates for the first time.

The airline’s carry-on baggage allowance could be considered quite meager, when compared to other full-service airlines, but it’s compensated for by a very generous free checked baggage allowance.

Number of Carry-on Bags

The number of carry-on bags that you can bring on board depends on your cabin class:

Carry-on Bag Size Limit

Economy Class Carry-on Bag Size Limit

Your carry-on bag can be up to 22 x 15 x 8 inches (55 x 38 x 20 centimeters) in size.

Your carry-on bag must be able to fit in the overhead bins or under the seat in front of you.

Business / First Class Carry-on Bag Size Limit

Business / First Class Carry On Bag Size Limit

As mentioned earlier, Business and First Class passengers are entitled to 2 carry-on bags.

Bag 1

Your first bag can be one of the following items:

• Wheeled suitcase/bag: 45 linear inches (114 centimeters)
• Briefcase: 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 centimeters)
• Handbag: 22 x 15 x 8 inches (55 x 38 x 20 centimeters)
• Garment bag: 8 inches (20 centimeters) thick when it’s folded over

Bag 2

Your second carry-on bag must be a briefcase/laptop bag (de facto personal item) no larger than 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 centimeters).

Carry-on Bag Weight Allowance

Your carry-on bag’s weight allowance depends on your cabin class:

Economy Class Flights from Brazil

If you are flying out of Brazil on an Economy ticket, your carry-on bag weight allowance is 22 pounds (10 kilograms).

However, this increased allowance applies to flights leaving Brazil, not entering. Another condition is that the ticket must be purchased in Brazil.

Regions

Before we begin to discuss Emirates’ checked baggage allowance, we need to familiarize ourselves with the airline’s flight regions.

All of the countries that Emirates operates in belong to one of these regions.

Your flight route has a direct bearing on your checked baggage allowance and excess baggage fees.

Free Checked Baggage Allowance

The region that you’ll be traveling from/to has a direct bearing on how your baggage allowance is determined.

If you have already booked your flight, your baggage allowance will be indicated in your booking receipt email.

Free Checked Baggage Allowance for Flights to/from the Americas or Africa

This section includes passengers flying into or out of the U.S. or Canada.

Standard Checked Bags for the Americas or Africa

Size Limit

Your standard checked bag can be up to 59 linear inches (150 centimeters) in size. This size limit is slightly smaller than most other airlines (62 linear inches / 158 centimeters). It’s important that you measure your bag carefully, to avoid any surprises when you arrive at the airport to check your bags.

To determine your standard checked bag’s size, measure its outside length, width, and height, then add these measurements together. Be sure to include any protruding wheels, handles, or straps in your measurements.

If your checked bag is larger than 59 linear inches, it will be subject to an oversized bag fee.

Emirates won’t accept checked bags larger than 118 linear inches (300 centimeters).

However, if you’re traveling from King Fahd International Airport, Saudi Arabia, your checked bag can be no larger than 118 linear inches (300 centimeters).

Weight Limit

Your standard checked bag can weigh up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms). If your checked bag is heavier than 50 pounds, it will be subject to an overweight fee.

Emirates won’t accept checked bags that weigh more than 70 pounds (32 kilograms).

Piece Concept

For travel to/from the Americas (U.S., Canada, or South America), your checked baggage allowance follows the piece concept.

Under this baggage concept, your allowance is expressed by the number of bags allowed, with each having the same size and weight limit.

If you’ve previously traveled domestically within the U.S. or Canada, then this baggage concept will be familiar to you.

Free Checked Baggage Allowance for Flights within the U.S., Canada, and South America

The following checked baggage allowances apply when your entire itinerary is within North and/or South America.

Free Checked Baggage Allowance for Flights Between the U.S. and Europe

Free Checked Baggage Allowance for All Other Flights to/from the Americas or Africa

The following checked baggage allowances apply for all flights to/from the Americas or Africa except:

• within the Americas
• Between the U.S. and Europe

Free Checked Baggage Allowance for All Other Flights

This section applies to all flights except to/from the Americas or Africa.

Standard Checked Bags for All Flight Routes except to/from Americas or Africa

Size Limit

Each standard checked bag can be up to 118 linear inches (300 centimeters) in size. However, if you’re traveling from King Fahd International Airport, Saudi Arabia, your checked bag can be no larger than 84.64 linear inches (215 centimeters). These size limits are absolute maximums – Emirates won’t accept larger checked bags.

To determine your standard checked bag’s size, measure its outside length, width, and height, then add these measurements together. Be sure to include any protruding wheels, handles, or straps in your measurements.

Weight Limit

Each standard checked bag can weigh up to 70 pounds (32 kilograms).

Emirates won’t accept checked bags heavier than 70 pounds.

Weight Concept

For all flights, except to/from the Americas or Africa, your baggage allowance follows the weight concept.

Under this baggage concept, your baggage allowance is expressed as a total weight limit. You’re free to distribute your weight allowance across as many bags as you like, as long as the combined weight of all your bags does not exceed your weight limit. Also, each individual bag can’t weigh more than 70 pounds (32 kilograms).

Free Checked Baggage Allowance for Flights Between the UAE and India

The following checked baggage allowance applies for flights between the United Arab Emirates and India only.

Free Checked Baggage Allowance for Flights from Oceania

The following checked baggage allowances apply when departing from Australia or New Zealand. They do not apply when flying to these destinations.

Free Checked Baggage Allowance for All Other Flights (except to/from the Americas or Africa)

The following checked baggage allowances for all itineraries, except when flying:

• Between the UAE and India
• From Australia or New Zealand
• To/from the Americas or Africa

Checked Baggage Fees

Checked baggage fees are in U.S. dollars, unless indicated otherwise.

Prepaid Checked Baggage Fees

The baggage fees listed in this section are for payments at the airport. You can save some cash by paying for your baggage fees before you check in.

If you pay for your checked baggage fees at least 4 hours before your flight’s scheduled departure, you are entitled to a significant discount.

Prepaid Checked Baggage Fees for Flights to/from the Americas or Africa

By prepaying your baggage fees, you can save between 35% to 50% less than the airport fee.

You can only buy extra baggage in 5 kg blocks. For example, if you only need an extra 8 kg of baggage weight, you’ll have to pay for 10 kg.

You can prepurchase up to 50 kg (110 pounds).

Prepaid Checked Baggage Fees for All Other Flights

You can save between 50% to 60% less than the airport fee, by pre-purchasing extra bags.

Each extra bag can be up to 59 linear inches (150 centimeters) and 50 pounds (23 kilograms).

You can prepurchase up to 5 extra checked bags, in addition to your free checked baggage allowance.

Where to Buy Your Extra Baggage

You have the following options to prepay for your checked baggage fees:

• Online via Manage Your Booking
• Use the Emirates App
• Call an Emirates Contact Center
• Visit an Emirates Retail Center

Checked Baggage Fees for Flights to/from the Americas or Africa

Extra Bag Fees for Flights to/from US or South America

Extra Bag Fees for Flights to/from Canada

For flights to and from Canada, your extra baggage fees are charged in Canadian dollars.

Extra Bag Fees for Flights to/from Africa

Checked Baggage Fees for All Flights Except to/from the Americas or Africa

Oversized and Overweight Baggage

In this section we will explain when a checked bag is oversized and/or overweight, and how much you’ll have to pay.

If you have purchased an extra bag in addition to your free baggage allowance, and it’s oversized and/or overweight, both the extra bag fee and oversized/overweight baggage fee will apply.

Note: Oversized and overweight baggage fees apply to baggage allowances under the piece concept (flights to from the Americas of Africa).

Under the weight concept, you buy extra baggage by the kilogram, so oversized and overweight baggage fees are redundant.

Oversized Baggage

A checked bag is considered oversized if it is larger than 59 linear inches (150 centimeters) but no more than 118 linear inches (300 centimeters). Emirates won’t accept checked baggage larger than this size.

Oversized Baggage Limits for Flights from King Fahd International Airport, Saudi Arabia

An exception to this size limit is for flights from King Fahd International Airport. Your checked bag can be no larger than 84.64 linear inches (215 centimeters). This lower limit doesn’t apply to flights to this airport.

Emirates won’t accept checked baggage larger than 84.64 linear inches, when departing from King Fahd International Airport.

Oversized Baggage Fees

For flights to or from Canada, your oversized baggage fee will be Can$95.

For all other itineraries, your oversized baggage fee is $75.

Overweight Baggage

A checked bag is considered overweight if it is heavier than 50 pounds (23 kilograms) but no more than 70 pounds (32 kilograms).

Emirates won’t accept checked baggage heavier than 70 pounds.

Overweight Baggage Fees

For flights to or from Canada, your overweight baggage fee will be Can$95.

For all other itineraries, your overweight baggage fee is $75.

Oversized and Overweight Baggage

So, what happens if your checked bag is both oversized and overweight? Common sense would suggest that you’re subject to both fees. Indeed, that is the case. However, for passengers traveling to or from Canada, you save Can$5 by paying the combined fee.

Oversized and Overweight Baggage Fees

Final Thoughts

We hope you’ve enjoyed our deep dive into Emirate’s baggage policy.

Let’s summarize some key points.

Carry On Baggage Allowance

Emirate’s carry-on baggage allowance is quite modest when compared to other full-service airlines. Economy Class passengers are entitled to 1 carry-on bag weighing up to 15 pounds (7 kg) only – no additional personal item. And the airline strictly enforces its carry-on restrictions. However, you do have a generous checked baggage allowance for your belongings. One benefit of these carry-on limits is that boarding the plane is efficient and organized. There’s never an issue with full overhead bins.

Checked Baggage Allowance

This is where Emirates really shines. All fare types include a free checked baggage allowance – even their Basic Economy (Economy Special) class receives one 50-pound (23-kilogram) bag. All other Economy Class fares receive 2 free checked bags.

Checked Baggage Fees

For the typical traveler, I wouldn’t expect that they would need to pay for extra baggage. But the option is there if you need it. The fees are quite steep, but this is a common feature across all airlines. However, if you can prepay your extra baggage fees at least 4 hours before your flight’s scheduled departure, you can save up to over 50% of the airport fee.

If you haven’t booked your flight yet and expect that you’ll have to travel with significant checked baggage, it may be more cost-efficient to purchase a higher cabin class fare. The extra baggage allowance that this fare offers may be cheaper overall than buying a cheaper fare and paying for extra baggage.

Sources

• Emirates