Cathay Pacific Baggage Allowance & Carry-On Rules

Flying with Cathay Pacific and wondering how much luggage you can bring? Your Cathay Pacific baggage allowance depends on your fare type, cabin class, route, and Cathay membership status.

Economy Light has a smaller checked baggage allowance than Economy Essential and Flex, while Premium Economy, Business, and First Class include more baggage. Some routes and flights involving another airline may follow different rules, so always check the allowance shown on your e-ticket or Manage Booking before you travel.

Cathay Pacific Checked Baggage Allowance

Source: Cathay Pacific

For most Cathay Pacific flights, the standard checked baggage allowance is:

Standard checked baggage should normally be no more than 158 cm in total dimensions, calculated as:

Length + Width + Height

Some routes have different baggage arrangements. For example, certain Business Class journeys between Hong Kong and New Zealand use a different piece and weight allowance. Your e-ticket or Manage Booking should therefore be your final reference.

❤️ Pro Tip: Weigh your suitcase before leaving for the airport and check the baggage allowance shown on your ticket, especially if you have connecting flights.

Cathay Pacific Carry-On and Personal Item Allowance

The amount of cabin baggage you can bring depends on your cabin class.

Your main cabin bag should not be larger than:

56 x 36 x 23 cm

This measurement includes the wheels, handles, and side pockets.

You can also bring a small personal item, such as:

• Handbag
• Small backpack
• Laptop bag
• Briefcase
• Camera bag
• Duty-free item

The maximum size for a small personal item is:

40 x 30 x 15 cm

For Economy and Premium Economy passengers, the item should be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you. Cathay members with certain membership levels may receive different cabin baggage benefits.

Cathay Pacific Extra, Overweight and Oversized Baggage

If you bring more baggage than your ticket includes, extra charges may apply.

Your baggage may be considered:

• Extra baggage: You bring more pieces than your ticket allows.
• Overweight baggage: A bag exceeds the standard weight limit for your fare or cabin.
• Oversized baggage: A bag measures more than 158 cm in total dimensions.

Baggage measuring more than 158 cm and up to 203 cm may be accepted as oversized baggage with an additional charge.

A single bag should not weigh more than 32 kg. Baggage above 32 kg normally needs to be repacked into lighter pieces or discussed with Cathay Pacific before departure. Bags over 203 cm may also require advance arrangements.

Cathay Pacific offers prepaid extra baggage on eligible bookings. Prepaid extra baggage can normally be purchased up to 24 hours before scheduled departure, while regular extra baggage can be purchased closer to departure or during airport check-in.

💡 Pro Tip: If you already know you will need another suitcase, check the extra baggage options before going to the airport.

Cathay Pacific Baggage for Infants and Special Items

Infant Baggage

Passengers traveling with a baby or young child may be able to bring additional baby items.

Cabin items can include:

• A small bag containing food and nappies needed during the journey
• An approved child restraint seat
• One collapsible stroller or pram, subject to cabin storage availability

A stroller carried in the cabin should generally weigh no more than 7 kg and measure no more than 56 x 36 x 25 cm.

Checked baggage allowance for an infant without a separate seat depends on the ticket and itinerary, so check the infant's allowance on the booking before departure.

Sports Equipment

Source: Cathay Pacific

Sports equipment can generally be included as part of your checked baggage allowance.

Examples include:

• Golf equipment
• Ski equipment
• Fishing equipment
• Hockey equipment
• Surfing or windsurfing equipment
• Climbing equipment
• Bicycles

Standard weight limits still apply. Cathay Pacific states that the maximum accepted length for sports equipment is generally 203 cm.

If your sports equipment causes you to exceed your free baggage allowance, additional charges may apply.

Musical Instruments

Source: Cathay Pacific

Musical instruments can travel as cabin baggage, checked baggage, or cabin-seat baggage depending on their size.

Small instruments carried onboard should:

• Be stored in a protective hard case
• Weigh no more than 7 kg including the case
• Measure no more than 93 x 39 x 24 cm including the case
• Fit safely in the overhead compartment

Larger instruments such as guitars or cellos may need to be checked in or carried using an additional seat.

Mobility Aids and Assistive Devices

Source: Cathay Pacific

Mobility aids and assistive devices are accepted in addition to the normal baggage allowance.

These can include:

• Wheelchairs
• Walking canes
• Crutches
• Walking frames
• Other approved assistive devices

Passengers using battery-powered mobility equipment should check the relevant battery requirements and arrange assistance with Cathay Pacific when necessary.

Cathay Pacific Power Bank and Battery Rules

Cathay Pacific has strict rules for carrying power banks.

Passengers should follow these requirements:

• Maximum 2 power banks per passenger
• Power banks must be in cabin baggage
• Do not put power banks in checked baggage
• Do not place power banks in overhead compartments
• Store them securely in cabin baggage under the seat in front of you
• Do not use a power bank to charge your phone or other devices during the flight
• Do not recharge a power bank using the aircraft's in-seat power supply

These rules apply to all Cathay Pacific flights under the airline's current power bank safety policy.

Spare Batteries

Spare batteries must also be carried correctly.

For common spare lithium batteries under 100 Wh:

• Carry them in cabin baggage
• Protect the battery terminals from short circuits
• Keep them in the original packaging, tape the terminals, or place each battery in a separate protective bag
• Do not put spare batteries in checked baggage

Different requirements apply to larger lithium batteries between 100 Wh and 160 Wh.

Smart Bags

If your suitcase has a built-in lithium battery:

• The battery should be removable.
• Remove the battery if the bag is checked in.
• Carry the removed battery in your cabin baggage.
• A smart bag with a non-removable battery may not be accepted, depending on the battery specifications.

Check the battery design before taking a smart suitcase to the airport.

🔋 Pro Tip: Check your suitcase before baggage drop. Power banks and spare batteries are easy to forget inside checked luggage.

Liquids in Cathay Pacific Cabin Baggage

Source: Cathay Pacific

Liquids, aerosols, and gels carried in cabin baggage normally need to follow airport security limits.

They should be:

• In individual containers of 100 ml or less
• Placed inside one transparent, resealable plastic bag
• Kept in a bag with a capacity of no more than 1 litre
• Limited to one liquid bag per passenger
• Presented separately during security screening when required

Essential medicines and baby food required during the journey may be allowed in quantities above 100 ml, although they may need to be presented separately for inspection.

Some destinations, including the United States and Australia or New Zealand, may also have additional rules for powders.

Important Items to Keep in Your Cabin Baggage

Important or difficult-to-replace belongings are better kept with you instead of inside your checked suitcase.

Where permitted, keep these items in your cabin baggage:

• Passport and identification
• Money and bank cards
• Jewellery and valuables
• Laptop and personal electronics
• Camera
• Keys
• Important documents
• Medicines needed during your journey
• Essential medical items

Sharp objects such as certain scissors, knives, and pointed items should instead be placed in checked baggage when required by security rules.

❤️ Pro Tip: Keep one set of essential items and any medicines you may need in your cabin bag in case your checked suitcase is delayed.

What to Do if Your Cathay Pacific Baggage Is Delayed or Damaged

Source: Cathay Pacific

If your checked baggage does not arrive, report it as soon as possible.

Cathay Pacific has baggage service counters near the baggage carousels in the Arrival Hall before customs clearance.

For delayed baggage:

• Report the missing bag at the baggage service counter.
• Keep your baggage report reference number.
• Use the reference number to track your baggage online.
• Contact the local baggage service office if you need more assistance.

Cathay Pacific provides an online baggage tracking service after a delayed baggage report has been created.

Damaged Baggage

If your suitcase arrives damaged, report it at the baggage service counter.

If you notice the damage after leaving the airport, Cathay Pacific states that it should be reported within seven days of receiving your baggage.

Normal wear and tear, such as minor scratches, dents, damage to wheels, locks, or other external parts, may not be covered.

Items Left on the Aircraft

If you leave something onboard a Cathay Pacific aircraft, contact the local baggage service office.

If the item was left on a codeshare flight, contact the airline that operated the flight.

Cathay Pacific Baggage on Connecting and Codeshare Flights

Baggage rules can become more complicated when your journey includes more than one airline.

For cabin baggage, check the rules of the airline operating the flight. For checked baggage, the applicable allowance can depend on the carriers included in your itinerary.

For baggage through-check:

Through-checking on separate tickets depends on agreements between Cathay Pacific and the connecting airline.

❤️ Pro Tip: Check your baggage tag after check-in. The airport code printed on it can help you confirm whether your suitcase is going directly to your final destination.

How to Check Your Exact Cathay Pacific Baggage Allowance

The easiest places to check your exact allowance are:

• Your e-ticket receipt
• Cathay Pacific Manage Booking
• Cathay Pacific's baggage calculator

You may see codes such as:

• 2PC: Your allowance is two pieces of checked baggage.
• 23K: Your allowance is measured by weight and includes 23 kg.

The allowance shown on your booking is more important than a general baggage guide because routes and airlines can have different rules.