Emirates Baggage Policy 2025: Weight Limit, Fees & Restrictions

Emirates is a UAE-based air carrier known for its luxurious and comfortable travel experience. People worldwide book with Emirates for several reasons, and Emirates does a commendable job in most of its travel services, especially regarding baggage. You can find flexible and easy baggage carriage on domestic and international flights. Before starting your journey with Emirates, you must know its rules and regulations, restrictions, and more. Let's dive in and find out about what Emirates baggage policy allows you and what it does not in this comprehensive guide.

Emirates Cabin Baggage Policy

Your cabin baggage is the luggage and items you carry and keep with you. Emirates has allowed carry-on baggage plus one personal item for every traveller, regardless of their fare class. Below are the key highlights about Emirates' cabin baggage rules, which are given for your reference.

• You must take care of the dimensions that should not exceed 55 cm x 38 cm x 22 cm (21.6 inches x 14.9 inches x 8.6 inches) for the carry-on bag and 45 cm x 35 cm x 20 cm for the briefcase.
• You are permitted to bring one carry-cot or collapsible baby stroller with you.
• On flights departing from Brazil, the maximum carry-on weight allowance is 10 kg.
• You are also permitted to carry your laptop, headphones, edibles, and personal care items in your carry-on bag, which are not restricted.
• The weight limit varies depending on your fare class, so if you have booked with-
  • Economy Class, Emirates allows you to carry 7 kg of baggage.
  • Premium Economy, Emirates does not allow over 10 kgs.
  • Business & First Class, Emirates has allowed you 7 kg of cabin bag plus an extra 7 kg of a briefcase or garment bag allowance. 

Emirates Check-in Baggage Policy

The baggage that you checked at the gate and dropped off must align with the Emirates checked luggage rules. Here are some important rules you must remember and consider before reaching the airport. Generally, your baggage is defined under two main concepts, and requirements for the weight and size vary accordingly: the Weight Concept and the Piece Concept.

• Based on your travel class and flight route, your checked baggage allowance changes or is affected.
• Under the piece concept, each bag must be 23 (for Economy fares) or 32 kg or less and can be carried up to two pieces based on travel class.
• Under the weight concept, all baggage is subject to a specific weight limit based on fare and travel class.
• Economy fares allow for carrying bags up to 35 kg, and other fares allow for carrying up to 50 kg of total baggage weight
• If you choose the weight concept, the size limit for an individual checked bag must not exceed 300 cm or 118 inches in total dimensions.
• If your baggage allowance is as per the piece concept, then the total size limit for each piece must not exceed 150 cm or 59 inches, and it can go up to 300 cm (118 inches)
• The weight concept will apply to flights routed from Australia, New Zealand, or Asia.

Excess baggage rules & Charges

When you have booked a ticket and are heading to the airport to check your baggage, some Emirates excess baggage charges may apply if the allowed limit is breached due to excess baggage weight or size. Find out about the charges and important considerations when excess baggage situations occur.

• Excess baggage fees apply when your baggage exceeds the baggage allowance.
• Excess baggage charges must be paid for carrying the baggage in the cabin or for checking it.
• The rates for excess baggage fees vary depending on numerous factors, such as fare type and flight schedules.
• You can use your miles plus cash to pay for excess baggage charges.
• Emirates allows you to add up to 15 additional bags with you by paying the applicable fees, and the general oversized and overweight policy applies.
• If your baggage is oversized or overweight, your excess baggage charges can range between $75 and $400.

Infant Baggage Policy

Emirates welcomes every little traveller with lots of love and care. If you are carrying an infant, then considering the Emirates cabin baggage allowance in mind, here are some essential infant baggage policies you must keep in mind.

• Emirates can allow baby strollers, bassinets, and other such items in the cabin for your infant's comfortable travel experience.
• You may be unable to add an extra baggage allowance to Emirates infant tickets, but you can on a Child or adult ticket.
• You must inform Emirates about carrying an infant on board and request strollers or bassinets quickly, since these are limited in number.
• The availability of space for strollers and carry-cots is highly important since having no space causes you to check at the gate. 
• Ensure that if you are carrying your own stroller and harnesses, then they meet the Emirates regulations and fit into the overhead space easily.
• If you are carrying a stroller or carry-cot, then it must be checked in special circumstances.
• Emirates accepts restraint harnesses, which you can carry for travel, such as Amsafe CARES, Crelling/Houdini Model 27, Meru TravelChair, etc., in the cabin.

Special Baggage

Sometimes, some special items, such as musical instruments, sports equipment, or large items, need to be carried. Some special policy guidelines need to be followed, and these include-

• You must inform Emirates about the carriage of any special item.
• Emirates does not provide a special allowance for carriage of your special baggage; it must either align with the checked baggage allowance or be shipped.
• You can also carry it in the cabin, but you must pay in advance for a passenger's seat.
• Regular excess baggage charges and policies will apply when carrying your special baggage.

Restricted & Prohibited Items

For the safety and security of the passengers, Emirates has restricted or prohibited some items or materials from being carried inside the cabin or in checked luggage as per the Domestic flight baggage policy in India. Find out these items and objects below.

Restricted Items In The Cabin

• Alcoholic beverages are restricted to 5L and contain between 24%-70% alcohol by volume.
• Drones.
• Non-flammable and non-toxic aerosols
• Oxygen to a gaseous cylinder needs approval.
• Mercury-based thermometer to barometer.
• Permeation Devices
• For Ammunition needs approval

Restricted Items In Checked Baggage

• Batteries are restricted to a limit of 20 as spares.
• E-cigarettes
• Fuel cells
• Dry Ice.
• Lithium-powered batteries or electronic devices.

Prohibited Items For The Carriage

• Personal Motorised Vehicles
• Attache cases
• Matchboxes, safety or cigarette lighters
• Pepper spray or any item that contains an irritant or incapacitating ingredient. 
• Electro Shock Weapons
• Items that contain any kind of explosives.

Tips to Avoid Extra Baggage Charges

Nobody loves paying an extra amount for something that can be managed for less. When travelling for a long weekend or an international trip, carrying extra baggage is necessary, but when you purchase it at the airport, extra charges apply. There are some ways, such as prebooking additional baggage during Emirates web check-in or flight reservation, that can help you avoid paying extra baggage charges. Find some more useful tips below this line.

• Using Emirates Skywards: If you have an Emirates Skywards membership, you may get complimentary baggage or pay less in service charges.
• Use Credit Card Programs: Emirates offers several credit card programs with benefits and perks, including complimentary baggage or a waiver of baggage fees.
• Utilise your Infant allowance: If you are travelling with an infant, you may get an extra allowance, which you can smartly use for better weight management.
• Pack Essential Only: Remove items from your baggage that you don't consider important for the trip. Carry only items that you might not find at your travel destination. This will save you from packing unnecessary items and eventually carrying loads for which you would be paying extra.
• Use Your Baggage Allowance Strategically: Use the cabin allowance by carrying most of your essentials with you, which helps you to minimise the check-in luggage.
• Pack light clothes: You can pack only light clothes and wear heavy ones. If you carry heavy wearables, such as boots, jackets, and more, then wear them with you instead of packing them in your luggage.

Conclusion

Managing baggage before the flight is essential, and learning about the baggage allowance and associated policy is one of the vital things one should be aware of. Hopefully, this guide has helped you become aware of Emirates Baggage allowance for hand luggage and check-in baggage, including restrictions, baggage allowance for infants, and special items. You have also learned tricks to save more on purchasing additional baggage on your Emirates reservations.

FAQS: Emirates Baggage Policy

1. How much baggage is free on Emirates?

Depending on the travel classes, your free baggage allowance varies. You can carry up to 50 kg for free on first class fare, up to 40 kg on business, 35 kg on Premium Economy, and between 20 and 35 kg on Economy fares for free.

2. Can I carry a laptop bag with my cabin luggage?

Yes, you can carry a laptop bag on most of the Emirates flights as a personal item with your cabin baggage.

3. How can I avoid excess baggage charges on Emirates?

The best way to avoid excess baggage charges on Emirates is to ensure that baggage remains under the allowed weight and size limit. You can do that by packing light, distributing weights, and utilising cabin allowance well..

4. What happens if my check-in bag exceeds the 15 kg limit?

When you check in baggage that exceeds the 15 kg allowed limit, then you will incur excess baggage fees as per the fare rules, or you will need to be checked outside the gate. 

5. Can I carry a baby stroller for my infant?

Yes, baby strollers are permitted to be carried in the cabin if an infant is travelling with you, but it depends on whether there is space available. 

6. Can I carry food or snacks in my cabin baggage on Emirates?

Yes, you can carry food or snacks in your cabin baggage on Emirates, but these items should be appropriately packed and include permitted items only in the allowed quantity as per the regulations. 

7. How can I add extra baggage to my Emirates booking?

Adding extra baggage is like increasing your Emirates weight limit, which can be easily done at the Manage My Booking site. You can go to My Trip section to find your flight, then go to the baggage area and click on Add baggage option. You can also visit the nearest Emirates city office for this. 

8. What is the cabin baggage allowance for Emirates?

As per the cabin allowance policy, Emirates has different allowances for all travel classes, where the size must not exceed 55 cm x 38 cm x 22 cm and between 7 kg and 14 kg of weight, depending on the class of service.

9. Does Emirates allow carrying power banks in checked baggage?

Yes, but only in a cabin bag, not in checked baggage, and you must carry it with proper care and protection.

10. Is there a baggage allowance difference for Emirates Flexi fares?

Yes, you can find a baggage allowance difference for Emirates Flexi fares. Generally, allowances are quite different for the economy and premium economy flexi fares. For example, special and saver fares come with 20 and 25 kg of allowance, but flex and flex plus come with 30 kg of allowance. High-class fares like business and first class have up to 50 kg of allowance.

11. What happens if I exceed the cabin baggage weight limit?

Suppose you have exceeded the Emirates cabin baggage weight limit, then either you have to manage its weight or it must be checked as per the Emirates baggage policy.

12. Can I check in my cabin baggage voluntarily?

Yes, you can check-in your cabin baggage voluntarily on Emirates, but ensure your hand luggage does not exceed the  Emirates check-in baggage limit otherwise, additional penalties will apply.

13. Are duty-free items allowed in addition to cabin baggage?

Yes, Emirates allows Duty Free purchases like liquor, cigarettes, and perfume to be carried in cabin baggage under reasonable amount as per the rules.

14. Can I carry a musical instruments on Emirates?

Yes, you can carry musical instruments in the Emirates, but sadly, there is no special free allowance for that. You must carry it under the checked allowance, and applicable checked regulations will apply.