Air India’s baggage allowance depends on your ticket class, fare type, and route. Domestic Economy allows 15–25 kg checked baggage, while international routes to the US, Canada, and Europe use a piece system (1–2 bags of 23 kg each). All economy passengers get a 7 kg carry-on plus one 3 kg personal item.

Nothing derails a smooth departure faster than an unexpected baggage fee at the check-in counter. Air India overhauled its baggage structure when it unbundled domestic fares into tiered “Smart Fares,” which means the allowance you get now hinges on the exact fare you booked not just your cabin class.

What is Air India’s baggage policy?

Air India’s baggage policy sets the free allowance, size, and weight limits for carry-on and checked bags based on your travel class, fare family (Value, Classic, or Flex), route, and Maharaja Club status. Exceeding these limits triggers excess baggage charges, which are cheaper when prepaid online.

Two systems govern checked baggage. The weight concept applies to domestic and most short-haul routes you get a total kilogram limit. The piece concept applies to long-haul routes like the US, Canada, and Europe you get a set number of bags, each capped at 23 kg.

What is Air India’s baggage allowance by ticket class?

Your free baggage allowance is tied to your fare family, not just your cabin. In domestic Economy, Value gets the least and Flex gets the most. First and Business class receive the highest allowances across the network. Infants are entitled to 10 kg of checked baggage plus a collapsible stroller.

Air India domestic baggage allowance

A common mix-up: travelers assume Classic includes 25 kg. It doesn’t Classic caps at 20 kg, and only Flex reaches 25 kg.

Air India international baggage allowance

International allowances shift by region. Here’s a snapshot of Economy limits:

Note: No single bag may exceed 32 kg / 70 lb anywhere on the Air India network. This is a global occupational safety rule, not a fee tier.

What is Air India’s carry-on baggage size and weight limit?

Air India allows Economy and Premium Economy passengers one cabin bag up to 7 kg, plus one personal item up to 3 kg. First and Business class passengers get 10 kg. The cabin bag must not exceed 55 cm × 40 cm × 20 cm (total 115 cm), measured externally including wheels and handles.

Your personal item (max 3 kg, dimensions up to 40 × 30 × 20 cm) can be a handbag, laptop bag, camera bag, or folding umbrella. If it exceeds a combined 90 cm, it counts as part of your main cabin allowance.

The BCAS single-bag rule: Under India’s security regulations (BCAS Circular 6/2000), you’re officially limited to one hand baggage piece plus one personal item on all domestic and international flights regardless of loyalty tier. Gate agents at Indian airports enforce this strictly, so a laptop bag with its own compartment inside your carry-on avoids friction.

If your cabin bag is oversized or overweight and must be checked at the gate, expect a flat charge of INR 3,000 (domestic) or USD 75 (international).

How much are Air India’s checked baggage and excess fees?

Excess baggage is charged when you exceed your free allowance. Domestic excess costs INR 700 per kg at the airport. International rates range from USD 17 to USD 37 per kg on weight-concept routes, or up to USD 250 per extra piece on piece-concept routes. Prepaying online saves up to 20%.

Excess baggage fees (weight concept)

Extra piece fees (piece concept)

Real cost example: Say you’re flying Delhi to New York on an Economy Value fare (1 bag, 23 kg) and want to bring a second bag. That extra piece costs USD 240 if bought online before departure or up to USD 250 at the counter. Prepaying saves you money and time.

Oversized baggage (over 158 cm combined) costs INR 2,000 per piece (domestic) or USD 125 per piece (international). Bags over 200 cm or 32 kg won’t be accepted as checked baggage and must ship as cargo.

What items are prohibited or restricted on Air India flights?

Air India prohibits liquids over 100 ml in cabin baggage, power banks in checked baggage, and hazardous items like the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 and self-balancing lithium devices. Power banks up to 100 Wh are allowed in the cabin only; anything over 160 Wh is banned entirely from the aircraft.

Key restrictions to remember:

• Liquids, aerosols, gels: Max 100 ml per container in cabin baggage, sealed in a 1-litre transparent bag.
• Power banks & spare batteries: Cabin only, never checked. Lithium-ion capped at 100 Wh (roughly 20,000 mAh); 100–160 Wh needs airline approval; over 160 Wh is banned. Maximum 2 spare batteries.
• Drones: Only nano, micro, and small drones up to 2 kg are permitted as cabin baggage.
• Kirpan: Allowed on domestic flights only, with blade under 15.24 cm and total length under 22.86 cm.
• Arms & ammunition: One licensed firearm plus 50 cartridges in checked baggage, with a handling fee of INR 5,000 (domestic) or USD 100 (international).

How does Air India handle sports gear and musical instruments?

Sports equipment counts toward your free baggage allowance but carries a handling fee: INR 2,375 (domestic) or USD 45 (international). As of July 2026, this fee is waived when you pre-book at least 6 hours ahead on Economy Flex, Premium Economy Flex, or Business tickets. Small musical instruments fly as cabin baggage; larger ones need a checked slot or a purchased extra seat.

What are Air India’s baggage tracking and claims services?

If your baggage is delayed, file a Property Irregularity Report with Air India staff in the arrival hall and track it via the WorldTracer system. Baggage unfound after 21 days is officially classified as lost. Claims require an itemized list of contents with proof of purchase.

Practical points on lost and damaged baggage:

• Track your bags using your booking reference and last name, or your bag tag number, on Air India’s Checked Baggage Tracker.
• Delayed baggage may qualify for reimbursement of essential expenses keep your receipts.
• Damaged baggage must be reported at the arrival hall before you leave the airport. Normal wear and tear (scratches, minor dents) isn’t covered.
• Avoid packing valuables jewelry, cash, electronics, and documents in checked bags, as Air India’s liability is limited under international conventions.

How can you avoid extra baggage fees on Air India?

Prepay excess baggage online up to 2 hours before departure to save up to 20% versus airport rates. Choose lightweight luggage to reclaim packing weight, book the fare tier that matches your needs, and consolidate carry-on items to satisfy the BCAS single-bag rule. Maharaja Club members also gain extra allowance.

Money-saving strategies:

• Match your fare to your load. If you always travel with two bags domestically, Economy Flex (25 kg, 2 pieces) may cost less than paying excess on a Value fare.
• Weigh before you leave. Domestic excess at INR 700/kg adds up fast 5 kg over means INR 3,500.
• Use Maharaja Club perks. Silver members get +5 kg on weight routes; Gold and Platinum get +20 kg or one extra piece on Air India and Star Alliance flights.
• Never split allowances. Air India prohibits pooling baggage between passengers, even on the same booking.

What’s new in Air India’s 2026 baggage rules?

Two updates stand out for 2026. First, India’s Customs Baggage Rules (effective February 2, 2026) raised the resident duty-free allowance to ₹75,000 and added a standalone duty-free exemption for one new laptop. Second, following the Vistara merger, Vistara frequent flyers now transfer to Air India’s Maharaja Club with unified baggage benefits.

The DGCA’s November 2025 power bank advisory also remains in force, keeping all power banks strictly in the cabin. And the July 2026 sports gear handling fee waiver rewards flexible-fare travelers carrying golf clubs, skis, or cricket kits.

Frequently asked questions

What is Air India’s carry-on weight limit for economy?
Economy and Premium Economy passengers can carry one cabin bag up to 7 kg, plus one personal item up to 3 kg. First and Business class allow 10 kg for the cabin bag.

How much does 5 kg of excess baggage cost on a domestic Air India flight?
At the domestic rate of INR 700 per kg, 5 kg of excess baggage costs INR 3,500 plus applicable taxes. Prepaying online can cut this by up to 20%.

Can I carry two checked bags on Air India Economy?
Only on fares with a 25 kg or higher allowance (Economy Flex). Value and Classic fares under 25 kg permit just one checked piece; extra pieces incur charges.

Are power banks allowed in Air India checked baggage?
No. Power banks must travel in cabin baggage only. Capacity up to 100 Wh is allowed freely, 100–160 Wh needs approval, and anything over 160 Wh is banned entirely.

What is the maximum weight for a single Air India checked bag?
No single piece may exceed 32 kg / 70 lb anywhere on the network. Bags between 23 and 32 kg on piece-concept routes attract a heavy-piece fee.

How much is Air India’s excess baggage fee to the USA?
On piece-concept US routes, an extra bag (up to 23 kg) costs around USD 240–250, while a heavy piece (23–32 kg) costs about USD 130, exclusive of taxes.

Can I pool my baggage allowance with family members?
No. Air India prohibits pooling or transferring allowances between passengers, even on the same PNR. Each bag must meet the individual ticket holder’s limit.

What is the carry-on size limit for Air India?
Your cabin bag must not exceed 55 × 40 × 20 cm, with total dimensions under 115 cm, measured externally including wheels and handles.

Does sports equipment count toward my baggage allowance?
Yes, sports gear counts toward your free allowance and carries a handling fee of INR 2,375 (domestic) or USD 45 (international). The fee is waived on Flex and Business fares pre-booked 6 hours ahead.

What baggage allowance do infants get on Air India?
Infants receive up to 10 kg of checked baggage in all classes, plus one collapsible stroller, carrycot, or infant car seat carried free of charge.