Ethiopian Airlines is one of the largest airlines in Africa, serving more than 120 destinations across five continents.
If you’re planning to fly with the airline, or have an upcoming trip, you might be wondering about their baggage policy.
In this post, we’ll cover everything you’ll need to know about Ethiopian Airlines’ baggage policy, including:
- Carry-on baggage allowance,
- Free checked baggage allowance – we cover the airline’s entire flight network,
- Checked baggage perks for ShebaMiles status members,
- Excess baggage fees, if you want to bring some extra luggage.
- Carry On Baggage Allowance
- Free Checked Baggage Allowance
- Excess Baggage Fees
- Final Thoughts
Carry On Baggage Allowance
The table below shows the carry-on baggage allowance for different classes of travel:
| Cabin Class | Personal Item | Carry On Bag Weight | Carry On Bag Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | 1 x 11 lb (5 kg) | 1 x 15 lb (7 kg) | 22 x 16 x 9 in (55 x 40 x 23 cm) |
| Business | 1 x 11 lb (5 kg) | 2 x 15 lb (7 kg) each | 22 x 16 x 9 in (55 x 40 x 23 cm) |
Personal Item Size and Weight Limit
You are allowed to bring one personal item on board.
Personal Item Size Limit
Ethiopian Airlines doesn’t specify a size limit for personal items. However, it should be able to fit under the seat in front of you.
Examples of typical personal items include:
- Handbag
- Laptop bag
- Small backpack
- Briefcase
Personal Item Weight Limit
Your personal item can weigh up to 11 pounds (5 kilograms).
Carry On Bag Size and Weight Limit
Number of Carry On Bags
You can bring one or two carry-on bags, depending on your cabin class:
| Cabin Class | Number of Carry On Bags |
|---|---|
| Economy | 1 |
| Business | 2 |
Carry On Bag Size Limit
Your carry-on bag can measure up to 22 x 16 x 9 inches (55 x 40 x 23 centimeters). This size limit applies to both Economy and Business class passengers.
Examples of typical carry-on bags include:
- Small suitcase
- Duffel bag
- Backpack
- Garment bag
Your carry-on bag should be able to fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you.
Carry On Bag Weight Limit
The weight of each carry-on bag can be no heavier than 15 pounds (7 kilograms). This weight limit applies for both Economy and Business class passengers.
You should be able to lift your bag into the overhead bin without needing help.
Carry On Fees and Exemptions
Carry On Fees
Speaking of fees, you might be wondering how much it costs to bring carry-on baggage with Ethiopian Airlines. The good news is that there is no extra charge for carry-on baggage, as long as it meets the size and weight limits mentioned above.
However, if your carry-on baggage exceeds the limits, you will have to pay the same fees as for checked baggage.
Carry On Exemptions
There are some exemptions for certain items that you can bring in addition to your carry-on baggage, without paying any extra fees. These items include:
- Outer garment clothing such as a coat, scarf, hat
- Duty-free purchases from the airport
- Baby food for consumption during the flight
- Infant bassinet
- A pair of crutches, a walking stick, or a wheelchair
Free Checked Baggage Allowance
Your free checked baggage allowance varies depending on the travel class and the destination. Ethiopian Airlines uses both the piece concept and the weight concept to determine the baggage allowance:
Piece Concept
The piece concept applies to destinations in the Americas and Asia.
Under this concept, you’re allowed to check in a certain number of pieces of baggage for free, depending on the travel class.
The piece concept baggage allowance is expressed as the number of pieces followed by the weight allowance of each piece.
For example:
2 x 50 lb (23 kg)
So, the baggage allowance in this case (no pun intended) would be 2 pieces of baggage, each having a 50-pound weight allowance.
Weight Concept
The weight concept applies to most destinations except North America and Asia.
Under this concept, passengers are allowed to check in a certain weight of baggage for free, regardless of the number of pieces.
The weight concept baggage allowance is expressed as a total weight allowance. You are free to allocate your baggage allowance in multiple pieces of baggage, as long as their total weight doesn’t exceed your baggage allowance.
A baggage allowance using the weight concept is usually expressed as follows:
44 lb (20 kg)
In this instance, you have a 44-pound baggage allowance that you can distribute across as many pieces of baggage as you like.
Free Checked Baggage Allowance for Children and Infants
Children
Children aged 2 to 11 have the same free checked baggage allowance as adults.
Infants
Infants under 2 years are entitled to a free checked baggage allowance, based on their flight route.
For itineraries that use the piece concept, infants are entitled to 1 piece of luggage weighing up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms).
For itineraries that use the weight concept, infants are eligible for a 22-pound (10 kilogram) checked baggage allowance.
When traveling with an infant, you can also check in the following items:
- 1 collapsible stroller
- 1 car seat.
Number of Checked Bags
The number of pieces of checked baggage is two for Business Class and one for Economy Class on most routes, except for flights to/from the Americas, where the number is two for both classes.
Checked Baggage Size Limit
Each checked bag can be up to 62 linear inches (158 centimeters) in size. This is calculated by measuring the outside length, width, and height of your bag, then adding these measurements together. Be sure to include any protruding wheels, handles, or pockets with your measurements.
If your checked bag is larger than 62 linear inches, it will be considered oversized and subject to an additional fee at airport check-in.
Checked Baggage Weight Limit
The weight allowance of each checked bag depends on your cabin class:
| Cabin Class | Checked Bag Weight |
|---|---|
| Economy | 50 pounds (23 kg) |
| Business | 70 pounds (32 kg) |
Route Specific Free Checked Baggage Allowances
As mentioned above, Ethiopian Airlines applies different baggage rules depending on the route. Here are some examples of route-specific rules:
Flights to/ from the Americas
The Americas includes the following destinations:
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Canada
- United States
| Route | Economy Class | Business Class |
|---|---|---|
| All routes | 2 x 50 lb (23 kg) | 3 x 70 lb (32 kg) |
Flights to/ from Africa
Africa includes the following destinations:
- Angola
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Chad
- Comoros
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Djibouti
- Egypt
- Eritrea
- Equatorial Guinea
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Kenya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Republic of Congo
- Rwanda
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
| Route | Economy Class | Business Class |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic (Ethiopia) | 44 lb (20 kg) | 66 lb (30 kg) |
| All routes | 2 x 50 lb (23 kg) | 3 x 70 lb (32 kg) |
Flights to/ from Europe and the U.K.
Europe includes the following destinations:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Denmark
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Ireland
- Italy
- Norway
- Portugal (seasonal)
- Russia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- United Kingdom
| Route | Economy Class | Business Class |
|---|---|---|
| All routes | 2 x 50 lb (23 kg) | 3 x 70 lb (32 kg) |
Flights to/ from the Middle East
The Middle East includes the following destinations:
- Bahrain
- Israel
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Lebanon
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
| Route | Economy Class | Business Class |
|---|---|---|
| From/to Doha, Qatar | 40 kg | 3 x 70 lb (32 kg) |
| From/to Muscat, Oman | 40 kg | 3 x 70 lb (32 kg) |
| From Kuwait to Khartoum | 46 kg | 3 x 70 lb (32 kg) |
| From/to Kuwait | 40 kg | 3 x 70 lb (32 kg) |
| From/to Bahrain | 40 kg | 3 x 70 lb (32 kg) |
| All other routes | 2 x 50 lb (23 kg) | 3 x 70 lb (32 kg) |
Flights to/ from Asia
Asia includes the following destinations:
- China
- Hong Kong
- India
- Indonesia
- Japan
- Malaysia
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Thailand
| Route | Economy Class | Business Class |
|---|---|---|
| All routes | 2 x 50 lb (23 kg) | 3 x 70 lb (32 kg) |
Free Checked Baggage Allowance for ShebaMiles Status Members
ShebaMiles is the frequent flyer program of Ethiopian Airlines, which allows you to earn and redeem miles for flights, upgrades, lounge access, and other benefits.
One of those other perks is extra baggage allowance. The benefit depends on your membership tier and itinerary (piece concept or weight concept).
| ShebaMiles Tier | Piece System | Weight System |
|---|---|---|
| Blue | + 11 lb (5 kg) | 11 lb (5 kg) |
| Silver | 1 x 50 lb (23 kg) | 33 lb (15 kg) |
| Gold | 1 x 70 lb (32 kg) | 44 lb (20 kg) |
| Platinum | 2 x 70 lb (32 kg) | 70 lb (32 kg) |
Excess Baggage Fees
If your checked baggage exceeds the free baggage allowance, you will have to pay extra fees for your excess baggage.
In this section we’ll explain how much you’ll have to pay, based on your itinerary.
Excess Baggage Fees – Americas
| Route | Extra Bag (each) | Overweight Bag Fee (50 – 70 lb / 23 – 32 kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Between North America and Eritrea | $275 | $100 |
| From/to North America (except Eritrea) | $225 | $100 |
| Between Brazil and Argentina | $192 | $63 |
| Between South America and Eritrea | $275 | $100 |
| From/to South America (except Eritrea) | $225 | $100 |
Excess Baggage Fees – Africa
Flights within Ethiopia (Domestic)
When your itinerary is wholly within Ethiopia, the following excess baggage fee applies:
ETB 75 per kg.
Rest of Africa
Rest of Africa
| Route | Extra Bag (each) | Overweight Bag Fee (50 – 70 lb / 23 – 32 kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Between Benin and Guinea | $69 | $27 |
| Between Burundi and Rwanda | $69 | $27 |
| Between Cameroon (DLA) and Equatorial Guinea | $69 | $27 |
| Between Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea | $69 | $27 |
| Between Gabon and Cameroon (YAO) | $69 | $27 |
| Between Senegal and Mali | $69 | $27 |
| Between South Sudan and Uganda | $69 | $27 |
| Between Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo (GOM) | $69 | $27 |
| Between Africa and Eritrea | $225 | $100 |
| Between East Africa and Addis Ababa | $150 | $50 |
| Within East Africa (except Addis Ababa) | $175 | $50 |
| Between East Africa and the rest of Africa | $225 | $50 |
| Within Africa (except to/from East Africa) | $195 | $50 |
Excess Baggage Fees – Europe and the U.K.
| Route | Extra Bag (each) | Overweight Bag Fee (50 – 70 lb / 23 – 32 kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Between England (MAN) and Switzerland (GVA) | GBP 60 | GBP 50 |
| Between Austria and Switzerland (GVA) | $192 | $163 |
| Between Norway and Sweden | $192 | $163 |
| From/to Norway | EUR 350 | EUR 100 |
| From Milan, Italy to Africa | EUR 250 | EUR 100 |
| Between U.K. and Eritrea | GBP 230 | GBP 90 |
| From/to U.K. | GBP 210 | GBP 80 |
| Between Europe and Eritrea | EUR 275 | EUR 100 |
| From/to Europe | EUR 225 | EUR 70 |
Excess Baggage Fees – Middle East
Flights to/from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar
| From/To | Excess Baggage Fee |
|---|---|
| Bahrain | $18 per kg |
| Kuwait | $18 per kg |
| Oman | $18 per kg |
| Qatar | QAR 75 per kg |
Rest of the Middle East
| Route | Extra Bag (each) | Overweight Bag Fee (50 – 70 lb / 23 – 32 kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Between Dubai and Eritrea | $275 | $100 |
| Within Middle East (except from Dubai) | $225 | $100 |
| From/to Dammam | $205 | $70 |
| From/to Medina | $205 | $70 |
| From/to Israel | $205 | $70 |
| From/to Turkey | $205 | $70 |
| From/to Lebanon | $205 | $70 |
| From/to Amman | $205 | $70 |
| From/to Saudi Arabia | $175 | $70 |
Excess Baggage Fees – Asia
| Route | Extra Bag (each) | Overweight Bag Fee (50 – 70 lb / 23 – 32 kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Between Hong Kong and Thailand | $115 | $45 |
| Between Singapore and Malaysia | $115 | $45 |
| Between South Korea and Japan | $115 | $45 |
| From/to China | $300 | $126 |
| Between Asia and Eritrea | $275 | $100 |
| From/to Asia | $275 | $100 |
Final Thoughts
We hope this guide has helped you better understand Ethiopian Airlines’ baggage allowance and prepare for your trip.
Its baggage allowance is quite generous, when compared to the competition.
Economy Class fares include 1 personal item and 1 carry-on bag as part of its carry-on allowance. For most itineraries, you can also check in 2 50-pound bags.
Business Class passengers are also well looked after. For their carry-on allowance, they receive an additional carry-on bag. Similarly, they also receive an extra checked bag, with each bag’s weight allowance increased to 70 pounds.
Remember to always check Ethiopian Airlines’ website or contact their customer service for the latest information on baggage allowances and fees.
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