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AirAsia reinforces carry-on bag rules

March 9, 20172 minute read
carry-on baggage

In line with most airlines world-wide, AirAsia has a carry-on baggage allowance of 7kg. This allowance has always been fairly strictly enforced at most departure airports, if you don’t carry more than a small overnight bag and a handbag or laptop bag. They have recently updated the drop-in size checking frames with a reminder of the weight limit and you should find a set of weighing scales nearby.

AirAsia & AirAsia X carry-on baggage

carry-on baggage
klia2 – well labelled size frame, with scales nearby

Making sure you have complied with the rules will ensure you don’t have to fork out extra cash.

Dimensions:
  • One piece of carry-on baggage measuring 56 x 36 x 23cm (including handles and wheels)
  • One small bag (laptop bag or handbag) measuring 40 x 30 x 10cm
  • Total weight of the two pieces must not exceed 7kg
What if I have too much?

Carry-on baggage must not be

  • overweight,
  • oversized or
  • exceeding the allowed quantity

Excess baggage fees will be charged for non compliance. This is charged on a per kilogram basis. Alternately gate baggage fees may apply.

** Note: You may not strap, wrap or tie multiple pieces together. This does not count as one piece of cabin baggage.
carry-on baggage

Exemptions

Duty-free items purchased at the airport are exempt from carry-on requirements and must be

  • packed in a Security Tamper-Evident Bag (STEB) and
  • within the duty-free allowance of the destination country.
  • These purchases must be accompanied by proof of purchase until disembarkation.

** Note: All other purchases, including free gifts from duty-free outlets, will count as part of the cabin baggage allowance.

Other useful Baggage information

Infants below the age of 2 are not allocated any cabin baggage allowance.

Children aged 2 and above will receive the same allocation as adults

Travelling with infants or children? Prams, strollers and buggies cannot be taken onboard but can be checked at no extra charge.

**TIP: Pre-book your checked baggage allowance online when booking your flight (it’s cheaper then) or through Manage My Booking if you need to add more.

If you have a specific query, you can visit the AskAirAsia portal.

# AirAsia, AirAsia X, carry-on baggage
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14 Comments

This Post Has 14 Comments

  1. I was sent back to checkin to have laptop and backpack reweighed first time at KL Air Asia gate in September
    Won’t be flying them again despite many happy years til this practise is discontinued
    Why should I have only a laptop for. 7 hr flight overnight ?
    Other comfort and fragile items plus valuables need to be carried on too
    Not happy
    Flying other airlines now

    1. They must have felt your backpack was too much over the 7kg limit. If that were the case, even with the laptop removed, they were just following the rules.

        1. Hi Simon, this varies depending on the airport you’re departing from. At klia2, (Kuala Lumpur) they’re pretty vigilant and you may have to pay excess baggage charges for the whole bag if it’s too big or too heavy to be used as hand carry. (or you have too many items) Unless, or course, you can remove something. They may take bags that are too big/heavy to be carried in the hold. This is what their website says “Excess Baggage
          If you pre-booked your baggage online but checked-in with heavier baggage, you will also be charged for each additional kg. The excess baggage fee varies depending on the airport from which you depart.”

    1. Hi Bev,
      I don’t see why it should be disallowed, especially if it is a labelled container and the amount is consistent with normal usage. However, you should have the container easily accessible so the customs officers could check it if they wish. If you are unsure, you could also ask the people at the check-in desk for further advice.

  2. Hi if i check in online with only carry on and no check in and i can head straight to the gate. does it mean that my carry on will not be weighted?

    1. You are correct that you can head straight to the gate if you have no checked baggage and you have printed your boarding pass. (Unless you are catching a flight where you need to verify documents.) However, please don’t try and take more hand carry that you are allowed. We were watching passengers going through klia2 last week and the two AirAsia staff stationed there were checking the weight of all bags that looked like they might be over the limit. If you have too much, it will need to be checked in and it will cost you the excess baggage fee.

  3. big mistake by Airasia with this strict 7kg combined weight of carry-on & laptop, i too were a faithful Airasia supporter, but since this new harsher rule i fly with Flyscoot now with its 10kg carry-on allowance, better bigger seats with more room as well and overall cheaper international flights…wake up Airasia & dont be so greedy!

    1. Hi Michelle,
      All your hand carried liquids/aerosols/gels must be carried in a sealable clear plastic bag holding not more than 1 litre. On that point alone, I think your mum would be best to pack them carefully in her checked bag. If she is flying domestically, she should be able to hand carry the box.

  4. Hi if my luggage size is 24 inch carry on, they allowed me to pass ? some of my friend told me they only check the weight

    1. They may stop you, as 24inches exceeds the allowed size of 56 x 36 x 23cm. This is to ensure that the bag will fit in the overhead locker safely. Even if you do manage to get through the first check, you may still have the bag taken away to go in the hold, when you reach the Departure Gate. I have seen this happen on another airline, and there was no guarantee given that the bag would actually travel on the same aircraft.

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