Korean Air Baggage Allowance and Policy

If you’re planning to fly with Korean Air, you might be wondering about their baggage policy. How much can you bring on board? How many checked bags are included with your fare? How much will it cost to check in your luggage? What are the size and weight limits for your bags?

In this post we will answer all these questions and more. We will explain Korean Air’s carry-on and checked baggage allowances. We’ll also cover how many free checked bags you’ll receive, based on your cabin class and flight route. If you need to check extra bags, we’ll explain how much you’ll have to pay.

Carry-on Baggage Allowance

The carry-on baggage allowance on Korean Air depends on your cabin class:

Let’s break down the information contained in the above table.

Number of Carry-on Baggage Items

Economy Class

Korean Air allows Economy Class passengers to bring both a carry-on bag and a personal item on board.

Prestige/First Class

Passengers traveling in Prestige or First Class are allowed to bring two carry-on bags. However, they are not entitled to bring a personal item also.

Note: Domestic flights (within Korea) don’t have a First Class cabin.

Carry-on Baggage Weight Allowance

If this is your first time flying with a non-US airline, you may find that Korean Air’s rules about carry-on weight allowance are a little different to what you’re used to.

Firstly, your carry-on baggage will be weighed when you check in at the airport.

Secondly, Korean Air provides a total carry-on baggage weight allowance. The combined weight of both of your carry-on items can’t exceed your carry-on weight allowance.

Your carry-on weight allowance is based on your cabin class:

Economy Class

If you are flying in Economy Class, the total weight of your carry-on bag and personal item should not be more than 22 pounds (10 kilograms).

For example, if your carry-on bag weighs 15 pounds, then your personal item can weigh no more than 7 pounds:

15 lb + 7 lb = 22 lb

Prestige/First Class

For passengers flying in Prestige or First Class, the total weight of your two carry-on bags should not be more than 40 pounds (18 kilograms).

Size of Carry-on Items

Personal Item

Korea Air doesn’t explicitly state a size limit for your personal item. However, it must be able to fit under the seat in front of you.

However, the following typical personal items can be used as a guide to its size:

• Handbag
• Laptop bag
• Briefcase

Carry-on Bag

The dimensions of each carry-on bag must not exceed 7.8in x 21in x 15.7 inches (20 x 55 x 40 centimeters, and the total of the dimensions must be 45 inches (115 centimeters) or less.

The carry-on bags must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you.

Standard Checked Bags

Checked Bag Size Limit

Each standard checked bag can be up to 62 linear inches (158 centimeters) in size. This size limit applies to all cabin classes.

Your checked bag’s size is calculated by measuring your bag’s outside length, width, and height, then adding these measurements together. You need to include any protruding wheels, handles, or straps in your measurements.

If your checked bag is larger than 62 linear inches, it will be considered oversized. Your checked bag will be charged an oversized bag fee at the check-in counter, when you arrive at the airport.

Korean Air won’t accept checked bags larger than 115 linear inches (292 centimeters).

Checked Bag Weight Limit

Your standard checked bag can weigh up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms).

If your checked bag exceeds 50 pounds, it will be considered overweight. Korean Air will charge you an overweight bag fee when you check your bag at the airport.

Korean Air won’t accept checked bags weighing more than 100 pounds (45 kilograms).

Free Checked Baggage Allowance

All fares include at least one checked bag.

In this section, we will explain how much checked baggage is included for free with your Korean Air ticket, based on your cabin class and itinerary.

Note: Korea Air’s website describes checked baggage allowances for Brazil. However, the airline no longer flies to this destination.

Domestic (within Korea)

If you have a domestic flight on Korean Air, it’s important to point out a couple of differences when compared to the airline’s flights outside of the country.

Firstly, Korean Air doesn’t offer a First Class cabin on its domestic flights.

Secondly, your checked baggage weight allowance follows the weight concept. The weight allowance is expressed as a total weight. You can check any number of bags as long as their total weight does not exceed your weight allowance.

For example, if your checked baggage weight allowance is 44 pounds, you could check one bag that weighs 30 pounds, and a second bag that weighs up to 14 pounds:

30 lb + 14 lb = 44 lb

Economy Class passengers can check in up to 44 pounds (20 kilograms) of checked baggage.

Prestige Class passengers can check up to 66 pounds (30 kilograms) of checked baggage.

To/from US/ Canada

For all Korean Air itineraries that fly to or from the US or Canada, the following baggage allowances apply:

All Other Flights

For all other Korean Air flights, the following baggage allowances apply:

Baggage Fees

If you wish to travel with more checked baggage than what is included with your ticket, or your bags are oversized and/or overweight, you will have to pay a fee. Baggage fees are payable upon check-in at the airport.

Baggage fees are determined based on your cabin class and itinerary.

It’s important to note that baggage fees are cumulative. For example, if you’re paying for an extra bag that is also oversized and overweight, all three fees will apply to your bag.

Korean Air doesn’t offer a prepaid discount for baggage fees, so it makes sense to always wait until checking in at the airport to pay. Your travel circumstances could change, and you may no longer need to travel with as much luggage.

Baggage Fee Currencies

All baggage fees in this section are expressed in US dollars.

However, your baggage fees may be charged in a different currency if you’re departing from an airport outside of the US.

As a quick guide:

• Canadian baggage fees are identical in number to USD fees but paid in Canadian dollars.
• To convert baggage fee from USD to Korean Won (KRW), multiply x 1,000.
• To convert baggage fee from USD to Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), multiply x 14,300.

Extra Bag Fees

In this section, we will explain how much it will cost to buy extra checked bags beyond your free baggage allowance.

All extra bags have the standard checked bag size and weight limits, irrespective of your cabin class:

• Maximum size: 62 linear inches (158 centimeters)
• Maximum weight: 50 pounds (23 kilograms)

If you intend to travel with more than four checked bags, you should contact Korean Air to confirm that your extra bags can be accommodated on your flight.

Flights within Korea

For domestic flights within Korea, your extra baggage fees are charged per 2.2 pounds (1 kilogram).

Flights to/from US/ Canada

For travel to/from the US or Canada, you will have to pay $200 for each extra checked bag:

Flights to/from Europe (except to/from US/ Canada)

For travel to/from Europe, excluding flights to/from the US and Canada, the following extra baggage fees apply:

Flights to/from the Middle East (except to/from US/ Canada)

For travel to/from the Middle East, excluding flights to/from the US and Canada, the following extra baggage fees apply:

Flights to/from Africa (except to/from US/ Canada)

For travel to/from Africa, excluding flights to/from the US and Canada, the following extra baggage fees apply:

Flights to/from Oceania (except to/from US/ Canada)

For travel to/from Oceania, excluding flights to/from the US and Canada, the following extra baggage fees apply:

Flights Between Korea and China/ Japan/ Mongolia/ Taiwan

For travel between Korea and China/Japan/Mongolia/Taiwan, the following extra baggage fees apply:

All Other Flights within Asia

For all other flights within Asia, the following extra baggage fees apply:

Oversized Baggage Fees

If your checked bag is larger than 62 linear inches (158 centimeters), it is considered oversized. You will be charged an oversized bag fee at the check-in counter.

Korean Air has two oversized baggage ranges:

• 63 to 80 linear inches (159 to 203 centimeters)
• 81 to 115 linear inches (204 to 292 centimeters)

Important: The 81 to 115 linear inches size range applies to special baggage such as sports equipment and musical instruments. If you intend to travel with checked baggage within this size, you will have to contact Korean Air beforehand to obtain approval.

Korean Air won’t accept any checked baggage that exceeds 115 linear inches (292 centimeters).

Korean Air won’t accept oversized checked baggage on domestic flights, unless the flight is a segment of a multi-flight itinerary.

You will be subject to the following oversized baggage fees, based on your itinerary:

Overweight Baggage Fees

If your checked bag is heavier than 50 pounds (23 kilograms), it is considered overweight. You will be charged an overweight bag fee at the check-in counter.

Korean Air has two overweight baggage ranges:

• 51 to 70 pounds (24 to 32 kilograms)
• 70 to 100 pounds (33 to 45 kilograms)

However, it’s important to note that many routes don’t allow checked bags that weigh more than 70 pounds. If you plan to travel with checked bags exceeding 70 pounds, I’d advise that you contact Korean Air before booking your ticket to confirm.

Final Thoughts

I hope you’ve enjoyed our exploration of Korean Air’s baggage policy. Let’s quickly go over the highlights.

All cabin classes are entitled to 2 pieces of carry-on baggage. Your weight limit is the combined weight of both items.

Korean Air offers a generous free checked baggage allowance. Economy Class fares include at least one checked bag. However, if you’re flying from/to the US or Canada, you can travel with two bags.

When you go beyond your checked baggage allowance, the baggage fees can quickly add up. This is especially true if you’re traveling with an extra bag that is both oversized and overweight. Depending on your itinerary, you could be charged up to $800! However, Korean Air isn’t unique in this respect. Most airlines have similar baggage fees for excess baggage.

Remember to always check Korean Air’s website or contact their customer service for the latest information on baggage allowances and fees.

Sources

• Korean Air