Emirates baggage policy can be a bit confusing when it comes to their allowance for carry-on items, using the word “handbag” instead of “standard carry-on bag” or “overhead bag”. These “handbags” however, carry the same size restrictions we usually find allotted for a standard carry-on bag.
Additionally, we have presented the information on maximum weight & size allowances for your baggage, which is highly variable depending on the base fare.
Emirates Carry-On Allowance
First & Business Class:
- Customers are permitted two pieces of carry-on baggage – one briefcase plus either one handbag or one garment bag.
- The briefcase may not exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm)
- The handbag may not exceed 22 x 15 x 8 inches (55 x 38 x 20 cm)
- The garment bag can be no more than 8 inches (20 cm) thick when folded.
- The weight of each piece must not exceed 15 pounds (7 kg).
Economy:
- Customers are permitted one piece of carry-on baggage
- 22 x 15 x 8 inches (55 x 38 x 20 cm)
- 15 pounds (7 kg)
Lap Infant Carry-On Policy
- Customers traveling with infants are permitted to bring one carry-cot or fully collapsible stroller into the cabin if there is room.
- If there is no space for these items in the cabin, they will have to be checked. However, if checked, they will not count against your baggage allowance.
- Infants are also permitted a piece of carry-on for inflight food and necessities.
Stroller Check Policy
- Emirates suggests checking your stroller in at the ticket counter and provides families with a complimentary baby stroller (or twin stroller), to help you travel through the airport.
Emirates Checked Baggage Allowance
To/From the Americas or flights originating in Africa (also including flights into Africa for tickets booked on/after 9 August 2021)
- Economy:
- Saver, Flex, and Flex Plus: 2 bags – 50 pounds (23 kg) each
- Special: 1 bag – 50 pounds (23 kg*)
- Business and First: 2 bags – 70 pounds (32 kg each)
Outside of the Americas
- Special: 44 pounds (20 kg)**
- Saver: 55 pounds (25 kg)
- Flex: 66 pounds (30 kg)
- Flex Plus: 77 pounds (35 kg)
- Business (all fares): 88 pounds (40 kg)
- First (all fares): 110 pounds (50 kg)
**55 pounds (25 kg) in Economy Special for flights between UAE and India.
***66 pounds (30 kg) in Economy Saver for journeys originating Australia and New Zealand
You can check as many pieces of baggage as you need, as long as the total weight is less than the maximum baggage allowance of your class (not to exceed 70 pounds/32 kg per piece)
Within the Americas and between US and Europe
- Economy:
- Flex, and Flex Plus: 2 bags – 50 pounds (23 kg) each
- Special and Saver: 1 bag – 50 pounds (23 kg)
- Business and First: 2 bags – 70 pounds (32 kg each)
Max Size per Bag
To/From the Americas or flights originating in Africa:
- The total max linear dimensions of each piece must not exceed 59 inches (150 cm).
- If you check two pieces of luggage (in any of our three classes), the total combined dimensions of both pieces cannot exceed 118 inches (300 cm).
Outside of the Americas:
- Each piece must not exceed max linear dimensions of 59 inches (150 cm) with the total max linear dimensions not exceeding 118 inches (300 cm) across all pieces. If exceeding this size, it can’t be checked as baggage and will need to be sent as cargo or freight. There are no exceptions to this rule.
Lap Infant Checked Bag Policy:
To/From the Americas or flights originating in Africa:
- Passengers traveling with infants (under two years of age) may check one piece of baggage for the infant, regardless of cabin class. This baggage allowance will be shown on the infant’s ticket. This piece must weigh 50 pounds (23 kg) or less and have total dimensions (length + width + height) not exceeding 45 inches (115 cm).
Outside of the Americas:
- Passengers traveling with infants (under two years of age) may check up to 22 pounds (10 kg) of baggage for the infant. This baggage allowance will be shown on the infant’s ticket.
Additional / Excess Baggage Fees
Flights to/from the Americas and from Africa: $200 per piece (up to 10 pieces permitted – only 3 can be booked online)
If purchased online then a 50% fee reduction will apply for the first additional bag (excluding flights originating in Africa) and 20% for any further additional baggage.
Flights outside of the Americas (per kg):
From/to | Middle East/South Asia | Africa | Far East | Europe | Australia and New Zealand |
Middle East/South Asia | $15 | $25 | $25 | $25 | $40 |
Far East | $25 | $30 | $15 | $30 | $30 |
Europe | $25 | $30 | $30 | $15 | $50 |
Australia and New Zealand | $40 | $50 | $30 | £50 | $15 |
If purchased online then a 50-60% fee reduction will apply depending on how much extra weight you purchase. The more weight you purchase, the higher the discount.
Flights To/From the Americas or Africa (per piece)
From/to | From/To Africa | From/To the Americas | From/To Canada |
Middle East/South Asia | $200 | $225 | CAD 280 |
Africa | $200 | $200 | CAD 250 |
Far East | $250 | $250 | CAD 300 |
Europe | $200 | $100 | CAD 125 |
Australia and New Zealand | $250 | $250 | CAD 300 |
Americas | $200 | $100 | CAD 125 |
Overweight/oversized baggage (within your allowance)
| Overweight | Oversized | Overweight and Oversized |
---|
To/From the Americas and To/From Africa | $75 | $75 | $150 |
To/From Canada | CAD 95 | CAD 95 | CAD 185 |
Overweight/oversized baggage (outside of your allowance)
| Overweight | Oversized | Overweight and Oversized |
---|
To/From the Americas and To/From Africa | The cost of the additional piece + $75 | The cost of the additional piece + $75 | The cost of the additional piece + $150 |
To/From Canada | The cost of the additional piece + CAD 95 | The cost of the additional piece + CAD 95 | The cost of the additional piece + CAD 185 |
For baggage fees related to sporting equipment, see Emirates’ policy here.
For baggage fees related to musical instruments, see Emirates’ policy here.
Can I Pre-pay for Baggage?
Emirates does allow passengers the ability to pre-pay for luggage online or via the mobile app.
Here are the ways you can pre-pay:
Credit Cards That Reimburse You For Checked Bag Fees
If you are checking bags on an Emirates flight, one of the cards below can reimburse you for some, if not all, of those fees.
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card - This no annual fee card comes with a 20,000 bonus mile offer after spending $500 in the first 3 months. When you use your card for travel purchases (e.g. baggage fees), use your miles to pay off all, or part of, your statement balance! We've highlighted 30+ benefits of the card. |
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card - The "big brother" card to the VentureOne with a 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. This card is full of benefits and perks and you can redeem your miles on travel (flights, hotels, even paying for baggage fees etc) or transfer your miles to over 15+ travel loyalty programs. |
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card - The newest card in the Capital One lineup with a welcome offer of 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. Not only does the card come with up to $300 in statement credits when booking through Capital One Travel, you'll also get get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary. Earn unlimited 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, plus unlimited 2x miles on all other purchases. |
Exclusions & Waivers
Emirates Skywards members: receive additional baggage allowance:
- Silver members: an additional 12 kg.
- Gold members: an additional 16 kg
- Platinum members: an additional 20 kg
However, please note the following:
- The maximum weight per checked-in item of luggage is 70 pounds (32 kg) on all cross-Atlantic flights
- Economy Class baggage to the U.S. cannot weigh more than 50 pounds (23 kg) per item.
- Maximum weight limits per bag may vary in accordance with differing international airport regulations.
- Excess baggage privileges do not apply to cabin baggage or on flights in which the baggage allowance is given as ‘number of luggage items’, instead of kilograms.
To see more airline baggage fees and policies, click here.
Featured Image Credit:
Emirates and Shutterstock