Japan Airlines Baggage Fees & Tips To Cover The Expenses
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Japan Airlines’ (JAL) baggage policies are pretty generous when it comes to your allowance, with 2 checked bags included for all Economy/Premium Economy passengers and 3 checked bags included for Business & First.
That’s why, when looking at additional baggage fees, extra pieces may seem slightly expensive. When you consider the initial inclusions, the fee is actually pretty average because each passenger is starting at their 3rd (or 4th) piece from the get-go.
Table of contents
Table of Contents
Japan Airlines Carry-On Allowance
1 personal item: FREE
1 standard carry-on bag: FREE
Size Restrictions
- Personal: undisclosed
- Standard: 22 x 16 x 10 inches (55 x 40 x 25 cm)
* total weight combined not to exceed 22 pounds (10 kg)
Lap Infant Carry-On Policy
- Undisclosed
Stroller Check Policy
- In most cases, Japan Airlines allows you to bring your stroller with you until reaching the boarding gate, however, they suggest asking airport personnel upon check-in about the amount of space available on the aircraft. In order to prevent issues, the airline also suggests you check the stroller at the ticket counter and use the free baby stroller service provided.*
- Infants are permitted 1 piece of checked luggage with the same total dimensions and weight as the accompanying adult.
* Stroller lending service available at the following airports: Narita International, Kansai International, Chubu Centrair International, Frankfurt International (Germany), London Heathrow (UK)
Japan Airlines Checked Baggage Allowance
All checked bags must adhere to a max weight of 50 pounds (23 kg) for Economy & Premium Economy; 70 pounds (32 kg) for Business and First Class fares; must adhere to max linear dimensions of 80 inches (203 cm).
Economy & Premium Economy: 2 checked bags FREE (50 pounds/23 kg)
Business & First Class: 3 checked bags FREE (70 pounds/32 kg)
Additional / Excess Baggage Fees
| Route | Additional Bag per Piece | Overweight 23kg – 32kg | Overweight 32kg – 45kg | Oversized |
| Between Japan, Asia, India, Oceania & Hawaii, North/ Central/ South America, Europe, Middle East, Africa | JPY20,000 ($200/CAD200) | JPY10,000 ($100/CAD100) | JPY60,000 ($600/CAD600) | JPY20,000 ($200/CAD200) |
| Between Japan and Asia, Guam, Oceania | JPY10,000 ($100/CAD100) | JPY6,000 ($60/CAD60) | JPY30,000 ($300/CAD300) | JPY10,000 ($100/CAD100) |
| Domestic Japan** | JPY5,000 ($50/CAD50) | JPY1,000 ($10/CAD10) | JPY15,000 ($150/CAD150) | JPY5,000 ($50/CAD50) |
* On select routes, checked baggage exceeding 70 pounds (32 kg) for 1 piece cannot be accepted in principle. Please split up and pack baggage before attempting to check it.
** Consumption tax excluded
For baggage fees related to special luggage (sporting equipment, pets, etc.) please refer to Japan Airlines’ policy here.
Can I Pre-pay for Baggage?
With a generous free baggage allowance, Japan Airlines does not allow passengers the ability to pre-pay for extra luggage.
This means passengers must pay any excess baggage fees during the check-in process at the airport.
Credit Cards That Reimburse You For Checked Bag Fees
Unlike many airlines, Japan Airlines allows all passengers at least two free checked bags. If you need a third checked bag, the price is quite steep. You can use one of the cards below and be reimbursed for some or 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 100,000 bonus miles when you spend $20,000 on purchases in the first 12 months from account opening, or still earn 50,000 miles if you spend $3,000 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 10+ travel loyalty programs. |
Exclusions & Waivers
JMB Fly On & JGC Members:
- First Class: 4 bags free at 70 pounds (32 kg)
- Business: 4 bags free at 70 pounds (32 kg)
- Premium Economy: 3 bags free at 70 pounds (32 kg)
- Economy: 3 bags free at 70 pounds (32 kg)
JMB CRYSTAL members without JGC status:
- Premium Economy / Economy: 3 bags free at 50 pounds (23 kg)
To see more airline baggage fees and policies, click here.
We’ve also covered the best ways to fly to Japan using points and miles!
I am flying to Manila from Atlanta. I will be taking an expensive violin that cannot be placed in checked luggage due to the risk of damage. I also will have my regular carry on bag with my computer and personal items. Will this airline allow me to take the violin on board along with my usual carry on small bag?
Hi Jim, JAL’s conditions of carriage state: “JAL will permit a Passenger to carry into the cabin articles not suitable for Carriage in a cargo compartment (such as fragile musical instruments) only if a prior due notice of such article is given to, and a prior permission to such Carriage is granted by, JAL. Carriage of such Baggage shall be subject to a charge provided in JAL’s Regulations.”
I would go ahead and call their customer service line and inquire with them directly for the most accurate information. (1 (800) 525-3663 from the U.S.)
I am aware of JAL international flight free check in luggage policy but what about its domestic flights within japan? Any charge on checked in luggage flying JAL?
Thx
Hi Eric,
For domestic flights, JAL has a free checked allowance of 20kg for economy passengers and 45kg for first class passengers. This works on a weight concept so there is no limit to the number of bags you can bring, as long as the combined weight does not exceed 20kg. The maximum dimensions for a checked bag are 50cm x 60cm x 120cm.
If you’re flying on a combined international + domestic ticket, then the allowance from the longest leg of the journey would apply.
How many checked bags and hand carry are allowed for a trip to Japan. I’m an economy passenger.
I have 1 suitcase, 1 hand carry and 1 backpack, is this available or not?
Hi Sami,
Japan Airlines has a checked baggage allowance of 2 x 23kg bags for Economy passengers. For carry-on, the allowance is 1 carry-on bag measuring 22″ x 16″ x 10″ and 1 personal item (the size is undisclosed but would include items such as a handbag or laptop bag). So if you intend to take your carry-on and backpack into the cabin, be prepared to have to check this, if they decide it is too large.
We (3 of us) are flying from Australia to Spain on JAL (on a code share Iberia aircraft on the leg from Japan to Spain), travelling Economy. We are travelling to a sailing event and will be carrying our competition sails. The will fit in the weight and number of pieces for checked luggage, however they are oversize, basically contained in a tube of 230cm length with a diameter of 15cm. How will this be treated and does the length break an maximum restriction?
Thanks in advance for you advice.
Hi Clive, please be advised we are not Japan Airlines, we are Upgraded Points – a website that produces informational content based on points and miles as well as other travel related content such as this baggage fee article.
We took a look at both JAL’s and Iberia’s websites searching for baggage fees concerning sailing equipment however were unable to find any information. Since this is a special case, and again we are not JAL or Iberia, we suggest you contact JAL directly by phone at their reservations/customer service line in order to receive the most accurate information. They can also tell you if you need to contact Iberia since you’re flying on Iberia metal for one leg of your trip.
Sorry we couldn’t be of more assistance!
Hi Erin,
I am travelling via JAL on economy class and I have 2 luggages to check in already where one weighs much much less than the maximum allowed weight for a luggage. My husband has ordered 2 golf clubs packed in an elongated box and asked me to bring it. Will this count as a 3rd piece luggage and will be charged excess baggage fee of JPY20000? Is it possible to handcarry this instead?
Hi Jean,
As the checked baggage allowance is allocated by piece not weight, unfortunately you would be charged to take a 3rd bag. Your only options are to pay the excess fee for an extra bag (I don’t know where you’re flying from but it’s either JPY10,000 or JPY20,000) or try to use your 10kg carry-on weight for what you would have packed in your 2nd checked bag, freeing up your 2nd checked bag for the golf clubs.
Are Laptop bags included in kilos that are 10Kg?
Hi Patricia, JAL’s policy is that your carry-on weight PLUS your personal item weight is not to exceed 10kg total. So if your laptop bag is your personal item, then yes it is included in this policy.
I believe I was overcharged today with my third bag. I should get two free bags and the third one which was my small carry on should have been charged 10,000 yen and not 20,000.
Can someone please advise how to revisit the charge and see if there was an error by the service agent who could barely hold a conversation in English yet along Japanese
Hi Joyce,
Please be aware that we are not Japan Airlines, we are UpgradedPoints.com. You will need to contact Japan Airlines to query the baggage charge.
I understand that your not Japan Airlines, but I’m wondering if you may know the answer.
I am a OneWorld Alliance Member (Sapphire Level) (Qantas Gold) and will be travelling soon from Australia to UK via Japan on JAL which is a OneWorld Member Airline.
I am struggling to interpret the extra allowances for frequent flyers, as JAL’s website makes it very confusing.
Without Frequent Flyer status I would be entitled to 2 x 23kg bags in Economy.
It looks like if you are a One World Frequent Flyer Sapphire equivalent to JAL’s membership lebvel names I would be entitled to 3 x 32kg bags.
Does that seem correct to you?
I have tried calling, but due to Covid, the lines are always busy. I will continue trying to call JAL direct, but am also trying to locate the information myself. And am hoping you also might know.
Hi Diane,
Here are the extra baggage benefits for Oneworld Sapphire members per the Oneworld website:
“As a Sapphire frequent flyer, the following special checked baggage privileges will apply when you fly on oneworld airlines:
On international or domestic itineraries using the baggage allowance “weight” system – 15 kgs in addition to the ticketed Economy Class baggage allowance.
On international itineraries, that include domestic sectors, using the baggage allowance “piece” system – one additional bag*, weighing up to 23kgs, up to a maximum of two pieces.
On purely domestic itineraries, using the baggage allowance “piece” system, for tickets with no ticketed baggage entitlement – the assurance of one piece of checked baggage, weighing up to 23 kgs.”
I hope this helps!
For economy class, may I bring 1 luggage with a weight of 38kg?
Hi Adira,
The maximum luggage capacity for economy flights is 23kgs. You may bring a bag that weighs 38kgs, but it will be subject to additional fees between $150-$600 depending on what route you’re flying.
I was curious about how much will it cost to fly from Austin, Texas to Tokyo and back in economy with 1 carry-on backpack and 2 luggage suitcases?
Hi JR,
Economy tickets allow for a 1 carry-on item and 2 checked bags that weigh up to 50 pounds each. So you should not be charged any extra for these bags.
Hello
I’m flying from San Francisco to Manila, how much would an extra checked bag cost? I have a layover in Narita.
Hi Jennifer,
For this route, an extra bag would cost $200.