If you’ve never flown Emirates and are about to for the first time, you might wonder how strict the airline is about carry-on and personal item size.
I’m going to fill you in on some of Emirates’ current rules and policies and then answer common questions I hear about them.
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Let’s get going!
How Strict is Emirates With Its Carry-on Baggage Policy?
Among travelers, Emirates is considered to be relatively strict regarding carry-on items. The carrier’s cabin baggage allowance varies depending on your point of origin, class of travel, and your “Emirates Skywards” membership tier. Passengers are allowed one to two carry-on items.
The airline maintains that your carry-on item(s) need to fit underneath the seat in front of you or in the overhead luggage bin. Emirates recommends carefully measuring your carry-on item(s) before traveling.
Emirates, like other airlines, establishes and implements its own policies. Note that if your luggage is deemed to be “oversize,” you could very well have to pay additional check-in fees at your boarding gate.
Including handles and wheels, your carry-on luggage (e.g., bag, backpack, suitcase) on Emirates Economy Class flights should not exceed:
22” l x 15” w x 8” h (55 x 38 x 20 cm), or 45 total linear inches/113 linear cm (l + w + h), and should not exceed 15 lbs/7 kg.
Premium Economy Class passenger carry-ons can up to weigh 22 lbs/10kg.
Business and First Class passengers are allowed two carry-ons (A briefcase that may not exceed 18” x 14” x 8” inches/45 x 35x 20 cm, and a handbag may not exceed 22” x 15” x 8”/55 x 38 x 20 cm) that each weigh no more than
15 lbs/7 kg.
Note:
- Passengers traveling with infants can bring a baby seat or a collapsible stroller if there is room in the cabin; if not, the item can be checked for free.
- Customers boarding in India are allowed one piece of carry-on baggage, not to exceed 45 linear inches/ 115 cm (length + width + height).
- Customers departing from Brazil are allowed up to 22lbs/10 kg of carry-on baggage.
- Additional baggage allowances are available for purchase.
Take some proactive steps beforehand and invest in some Emirates-compliant carry-on luggage, so that you can travel and relax.
How Can I Measure My Carry-on Bag to Make Sure It Fits on an Emirates Flight?
To help you verify your baggage conforms with Emirates’ carry-on size restrictions, the carrier recommends taking note of bag sizers at airport locations that feature its required 22” x 15” x 8” dimensions.
It’s also a good idea to measure your carry-on bag before you leave for the airport to ensure that your entire bag, along with the wheels and handles, falls within Emirates’ carry-on size requirements.
It’s important to remember that the three dimensional measurements together – length + height + width – cannot add up to more than 45 linear inches/113 linear cm. If you happen to be traveling with a soft-sided or expandable suitcase, you may want to measure your carry-on again after it’s packed it, to ensure it still complies.
My Emirates-compliant Luggage Recommendations
Need some suggestions for carry-on luggage that I would recommend for flying with Emirates? I personally recommend the following Emirates-compliant carry-on luggage bags because of the carrier’s strictness with its luggage policies.
This is a great carry-on bag if you’re looking for long-lasting value from your travel baggage investment.
This Travel Pro bag is one you’ll love (I know I love it!), and it just might end up being the last carry-on bag you’ll ever purchase.
Emirates’ Carry-on Luggage Allowance
What is Emirates’ carry-on baggage allowance?
Including handles and wheels, your carry-on luggage (e.g., bag, backpack, suitcase) on Emirates Economy Class flights should not exceed:
22” l x 15” w x 8” h (55 x 38 x 20 cm), or 45 total linear inches/113 linear cm (l + w + h), and should not exceed 15 lbs/7 kg.
Premium Economy Class passenger carry-ons can up to weigh 22 lbs/10kg.
Business and First Class passengers are allowed two carry-ons (A briefcase that may not exceed 18” x 14” x 8” inches/45 x 35x 20 cm, and a handbag may not exceed 22” x 15” x 8”/55 x 38 x 20 cm) that each weigh no more than
15 lbs/7 kg.
Items which do not fit into a sizing device or which are considered to be oversized will need to be checked, with gate-checked baggage fees assessed accordingly. Oversized bag fees start at $75 USD, and overweight bag charges start at $150.
You can see all the details regarding Emirates’ checked bag policies here.
Bringing Carry-on Liquid Items Onto Emirates Flights
You can bring liquid items onboard Emirates flights in your carry-on baggage as long as they pass through security checkpoints. Items in violation of regulations will be confiscated.
Toiletries and items in the form of liquids, gels, and aerosols in containers of 3.4 fl. Oz. (100 ml/100g) or less must be packed neatly in a clear, resealable one-quart (1 liter) plastic bag, no more than 7.8 in x 7.8 in (20 cm x 20 cm) in size. Try these Ziploc one-quart baggies. One plastic bag is allowed per passenger.
Duty-free liquids, aerosols, and gels of more than 3.4 oz. / 100 ml are allowed to be brought on board Emirates flights, as long as they are contained in a duty-free issued Secure Tamper-Evident Bag (STEB).
You’ll find plenty more information here on our TravelontheFly site about what items you are and aren’t allowed to bring on a plane with you.
Note that on flights to, from, or through the United States and flights from or through Australia and New Zealand, powders in containers of 350ml or more are not allowed in carry‑on items.
How Strict Is Emirates With Your Carry-on Size?
Though Emirates is considered to be somewhat strict regarding carry-on size, you shouldn’t have any problems at all, as long as your item(s) fit in the overhead bin above you or underneath the seat in front of you.
To make your flight as worry-free as possible, I suggest complying with Emirates’ policies. If you need a new carry-on bag that will fit Emirates’ guidelines, get this bag and don’t have to worry about it ever again.
How Strict Is Emirates With Your Carry-on Baggage Weight?
Most airlines are not concerned with carry-on/personal item weight, though Emirates places a maximum weight of 15 lbs – 22 lbs (7 kg – 10 kg). You should also be concerned with spaces in the cabin where carry-on items can be stowed comfortably. Meeting the size dimensions of your carry-on bags I mentioned above should cover your baggage size bases.
Should I Risk Flying on Emirates With an Oversized Carry-on?
Should you risk flying on Emirates with an oversized carry-on bag? I say, “Why take the chance?” Most frequent flyers would probably agree with me. Do you like paying extra fees? Note that if your bag is only slightly larger than Emirates’ specified size dimensions, you’ll likely be OK. Worst-case scenario if your carry-on is too large, is that you will have to check your bag at the gate and possibly be assessed a $75 fee for checking an oversized bag.
PRO TIP – You have a better chance of getting away with a slightly larger piece of luggage if your carry-on is soft-sided. That‘s why I have highlighted and pointed you toward soft-sided bags like this one here. They are a little easier to squeeze into tight spots, including into the overhead bins on a plane!
Emirates Checked Baggage Fees
According to Emirates’ website, “Your allowance is based on the total weight of all your baggage:
- You can check in as many bags as you like up to the weight allowance for your travel class. Each bag must not weigh more than 70 lbs/32 kg.
- The weight concept applies to all routes, except when you travel to and from the Americas and from Africa.”
I travel with a bag that is slightly larger than many airline regulations and I have never been asked to check it. I can’t guarantee that you won’t be asked to.
Your best bet is to travel with baggage that is within Emirates’ size regulations, and then you will never have to worry about it!
You can read more about Emirates’ checked bag policies here, as you’re preparing for a specific upcoming flight. Additional luggage allowances are available for purchase.
Where Can I Find a Quality Travel Bag That’s Within Emirates’ Carry-on Item Limits?
I highly recommend this great carry-on bag that is an incredible value for the cost.
And this Travel Pro bag is an excellent choice for even the most particular travelers.
How Strict Is Emirates With Its Personal Item Policy?
How strict is Emirates regarding its “personal item” policy? Emirates is considered to be relatively strict regarding carry-on items. The carrier’s cabin baggage allowance varies depending on your point of origin, class of travel, and your “Emirates Skywards” membership tier. Passengers are allowed one to two carry-on items.
The airline maintains that your carry-on item(s) need to fit underneath the seat in front of you or in the overhead luggage bin.
Emirates expects carry-on items to be 22” l x 15” w x 8” h (55 cm x 38 cm x 20 cm) or less in size, and to weigh no more than 15 lbs – 22 lbs (7 – 10 kg), but as long as your item can easily be carried and stored underneath the seat in front of you or in the overhead luggage bin, Emirates representatives probably won’t ask you about it. Additional luggage allowances are available for purchase.
Emirates’ Personal Item Policy
What about Emirates’ personal item policy? Emirates offers a generous baggage allowance, but your “personal item” is considered to be part of your carry-on allowance. Carry-on items must fit under the seat in front of you, and dimensions should not exceed 22” l x 15” w x 8” h (55 cm x 38 cm x 20 cm).
Carrying Additional Items Onto Emirates Flights
In addition to your carry-on bag(s) and personal item onboard Emirates flights, you are also allowed to bring small items, such as a jacket/sweatshirt, blanket, umbrella, book, strollers*, car seats, diaper bags, duty-free items, a reasonably sized stuffed animal, food/drink purchased past the security checkpoint, crutches, strollers, camera, etc. These won’t count as personal items unless larger things that take up space overhead or underneath a seat, like purses, shoulder bags, backpacks, briefcases, large camera cases, etc.
*Children’s items that do not fit in the cabin will be checked free of charge.
Is the First Checked Bag Free on Emirates Flights?
Does Emirates check your first bag for free? According to Emirates’ website:
“Enjoy one of the most generous baggage allowances in the world. Your free baggage allowance is based on the total weight or on how many pieces of luggage you have. This is called the weight or piece concept.
The weight concept applies to most routes. The piece concept applies only on flights to and from the Americas and Africa. Your allowance depends on where you’re traveling, your fare, and your travel class.
There are general rules and guidelines for baggage allowance on Emirates flights. To check the baggage rules specific to your journey and how much extra baggage will cost, visit Manage Your Booking. If you’re an Emirates Skywards Platinum, Gold, or Silver member, you could also enjoy extra baggage allowance on routes that use the weight concept.
When traveling on piece concept routes on Emirates flights only, Emirates Skywards Platinum and Gold members are eligible for one additional piece of checked baggage at 50 lb/23 kg per piece in Economy Class and 70 lb/32 kg per piece in Business Class and First Class over the ticketed limit.”
Read more about Emirates’ checked bag policy here.
So, How Strict is Emirates About Carry-on and Personal Items?
Emirates passengers can take one to two carry-on bags on board its flights. These items should be able to fit in an overhead luggage bin, or at least one of them should be able to fit underneath the seat in front of you. Invest in carry-on baggage that complies with Emirates’ size requirements, like this one.
If you choose to take a risk by bringing a larger bag onto an Emirates flight, be sure to use a soft-sided bag at least so you’ll be able to navigate it into a tight space better.
If your carry-on or personal item is deemed “oversized,” you could be charged a bag check-in fee at your boarding gate. Bags deemed both oversized and overweight run the risk of being charged for both infractions, not just one.