Emirates Airlines Baggage Allowance: What Travelers Must Know

Travelling with Emirates can be smoother and less stressful when you know exactly what you’re allowed to carry. Their baggage rules vary depending on your route, class, and ticket type, and mixing up baggage allowances can result in unexpected fees or last-minute panic. 

This guide walks you through what you need to know, including standard checked baggage, cabin or carry-on baggage, special allowances for infants, mobility, or medical gear, and how to handle extra baggage or prohibited items.

How Emirates Determines Baggage Allowance

Emirates decides your baggage allowance using two systems.

• On most routes, they use the weight system, which means you can check in multiple bags as long as the total weight stays within your limit.

• For flights to and from the Americas and Africa, they use the piece system, where the number of bags and the weight of each one is fixed.

Which system applies to you depends on your route, ticket type, and cabin class. The easiest way to be sure is to check your e-ticket or look under Manage Your Booking before you pack.

Cabin or Carry-On Baggage: What You Can Bring Onboard

Here’s what you’re allowed to bring with you into the cabin, depending on your travel class. Emirates keeps it simple, but the limits do change slightly by route and ticket type.

Economy Class:

• One carry-on bag up to 7 kg.

• Bag size must not exceed 55 × 38 × 22 cm (typical dimension limit) for many airports.

Premium Economy:

• One carry-on, up to 10 kg, with the same typical size limit.

Business Class or First Class:

Two carry-on pieces allowed:

• A single briefcase with maximum dimensions of 45 × 35 × 20 cm

• Plus one handbag or one garment bag (max 55 × 38 × 22 cm, or folded garment bag max 20 cm thick).

Total weight must stay within the allowance for your route.

Important cabin baggage caveats:

• Bags should be small enough to fit under the seat ahead or in the overhead bin. Items blocking aisles or flight exits are not allowed.

• Rolling bags (“wheelie” luggage) are allowed only if total dimensions (length + width + height) remain within cabin-size limits. If too large, they may be checked in.

• Normal carry-on items like a laptop, duty-free items in permissible volume, etc., are allowed, but follow local airport security rules for liquids, gels, powders, and batteries when boarding or transiting via airports with stricter security.

Also read Emirates Airlines Business Class

Emirates Airlines Checked Baggage Allowances

Always confirm your exact allowance in Manage Your Booking or on your e-ticket, as it varies by route, fare, cabin class, and Skywards tier.

1. Weight-Based Routes (most destinations except the Americas & Africa):

Total weight allowance (no single bag over 32 kg):

Skywards bonus (weight routes): Silver +12 kg | Gold +16 kg | Platinum +20 kg

2. Piece-Based Routes (to/from the Americas & Africa):

Each bag must not exceed the dimensions of 158 cm (length + width + height).

Skywards bonus (piece routes): Gold and Platinum +1 extra piece

Exceeding your allowance? Buy extra baggage online (cheaper than at the airport) before you travel.

Also read How Do I Make a Group Booking on Emirates Airlines?

Extra Baggage: When You Need More Than Free Allowance

If your bags go beyond what’s included in your free allowance, whether that’s extra kilos on weight-based routes or extra pieces or heavier bags on piece-based routes, Emirates lets you buy extra allowance.

For piece-based flights, any extra bag you purchase must follow the same rules as your regular allowance.

• Economy and Premium Economy: extra bags can weigh up to 23 kg each.

• Business and First Class: extra bags can weigh up to 32 kg each.

• All extra bags must also meet the standard size and dimension rules.

Purchases of extra baggage are valid only for the flight(s) and date(s) specified.

If you’re part of Emirates’ loyalty program, you may receive additional baggage perks or allowances, but these depend on the route and concept applied.

Special Items, Accessibility & Non-Standard Baggage

Emirates is very accommodating with non-standard items; most can travel free of charge in addition to your regular baggage allowance.

Infants and Young Children:

• Fully collapsible stroller/pushchair + car seat: free (gate-checked if no cabin space)

• Infant cabin bag: 1 piece, max 5 kg (55 × 38 × 22 cm)

• Infant checked allowance (no separate seat):

• Weight-based routes: 10 kg

• Americas / Africa routes: 1 piece up to 23 kg

Mobility Aids & Medical Equipment (free, notify 48 hours in advance):

• Wheelchairs (manual or battery-powered), mobility scooters.

• Crutches, walkers, prosthetic devices.

• CPAP/sleep-apnea machines, portable dialysis machines, and approved portable oxygen concentrators (POCs).

Sports Equipment and Musical Instruments:

(counts toward standard allowance; excess = extra baggage fee)

• Golf bag, skis/snowboard set, and properly packed non-motorised bicycles.

• Surfboards/kiteboards: max length usually 300 cm, some routes 200 cm.

• Small instruments: allowed in cabin if within carry-on size/weight limits.

• Larger instruments: checked or require the purchase of an extra seat.

Strictly Prohibited Items:

• Explosives, fireworks, flammable liquids/solids.

• Hoverboards, self-balancing devices, smart bags with non-removable lithium batteries.

• Dangerous goods of any kind.

Important Notes:

• Lithium batteries must be removable or ≤100 Wh; 100–160 Wh requires prior approval.

• Flights to the USA, Australia, and New Zealand: inorganic powders >350 ml must go in checked baggage.

• Always confirm oversized or special items in advance via the official website or Manage Your Booking to avoid surprises.

Also read Emirates Low Fare Calendar

When and Why Your Baggage Allowance Changes

The Emirates Airlines baggage allowances depend on multiple variables like route, fare type, cabin class, and even booking class. That’s why two passengers in the same cabin might still have different limits.

Always make sure to double-check your baggage allowance:

• On your e-ticket or itinerary.

• Via “Manage Your Booking” on the official website.

• Especially if you have a connecting flight, or if part of the itinerary involves a codeshare with another airline, different baggage rules may apply on non-Emirates legs.

Confirming this ahead of time saves you from overweight charges, check-in surprises, or last-minute packing stress.

Also read The Emirates Airlines Inflight Entertainment Experience

Final Thoughts

Understanding your Emirates Airlines baggage allowances helps you avoid hassles at the airport. Whether you're checking the Emirates Airlines Economy baggage allowance, confirming the Business Class baggage allowance, or reviewing the carry-on baggage allowance, it’s always smart to verify your limits in advance. For long routes, the Emirates Airlines international baggage allowance may vary, and if you need more space, you can easily purchase Emirates Airlines extra baggage allowance before your trip.

If you want a stress-free booking experience and the best flight deals, plan your Emirates trip with Flightsquest today. Book now and travel with confidence.

FAQs About Emirates Airlines Baggage Allowances

Q1. How does Emirates calculate checked baggage allowance?

Emirates uses either the weight system (most routes) or the piece system (Americas and Africa routes), depending on your destination and ticket type.

Q2. What is the carry-on allowance for Emirates?

Most passengers can take one cabin bag, while Business and First Class travelers get two cabin bags, all within size and weight limits stated on their ticket.

Q3. Does Emirates allow extra baggage?

Yes, you can purchase extra baggage online or at the airport, and online rates are usually cheaper.

Q4. Are there different allowances for Economy, Business, and First Class?

Yes, each cabin class has its own baggage limits, with Business and First Class receiving higher allowances.

Q5. What items are prohibited in Emirates baggage?

Dangerous items like explosives, flammable materials, and certain lithium batteries are restricted. Some items may be allowed only with special approval.

Q6. Can I check in special items like sports gear or musical instruments?

Yes, Emirates accepts many special items, but rules and fees vary by type, so it’s best to check the guidelines for your specific item.

Q7. Where can I confirm my exact baggage allowance?

You can view your allowance anytime through your e-ticket or the Manage Your Booking section on the Emirates website.