Icelandair Baggage Allowance 2026: Fees, Sizes & Tips 

Icelandair gives all passengers one free carry-on (55 x 40 x 20 cm, 10 kg) plus one personal item (40 x 30 x 15 cm) on international flights, regardless of fare. Checked baggage depends on ticket type: Economy Light includes none, Economy Standard and Flex include one 23 kg bag, and Saga Premium includes two 32 kg bags. Extra bags cost from ~$60 online.

What Does Icelandair’s Baggage Allowance Look Like at a Glance?

Before diving into the details, here’s a quick snapshot of what each fare type includes on international flights.

All checked bags must not exceed 158 cm (62 inches) in total linear dimensions (length + width + height, including handles and wheels).

Does Icelandair Have Free Carry-On Baggage?

Yes. Icelandair includes one free carry-on bag and one personal item for every passenger on every fare, including the cheapest Economy Light ticket. This applies to all international routes regardless of cabin class. The carry-on must fit in the overhead bin, and the personal item must go under the seat in front of you.

This is a meaningful advantage over ultra-low-cost carriers, which often charge for cabin bags entirely. On Icelandair, your carry-on allowance is a guaranteed baseline not an upsell.

The one notable upgrade: Saga Premium Flex passengers get two carry-on bags (each up to 10 kg) plus one personal item, giving them up to 20 kg of cabin luggage. Regular Saga Premium passengers only get one carry-on, matching the Economy allowance in the cabin.

What Is the Icelandair Carry-On Baggage Size Limit?

The Icelandair carry-on size limit for international flights is 55 x 40 x 20 cm (21.6 x 15.7 x 7.8 inches), including handles and wheels. The bag must fit in the overhead compartment.

Domestic flights within Iceland use a slightly different size: 55 x 30 x 20 cm narrower than the international allowance. Greenland flights revert to the 55 x 40 x 20 cm international dimension.

Quick carry-on size reference:

All measurements include handles and wheels.

A standard cabin-sized rolling suitcase typically meets the 55 x 40 x 20 cm limit, but always measure with the wheels extended. Soft bags with flexible sides are easier to fit when overhead bins are close to full.

What Is the Icelandair Carry-On Baggage Weight Limit?

Icelandair’s carry-on baggage weight limit is 10 kg (22 lbs) on international routes. On domestic Iceland and Greenland flights, that limit drops significantly to just 6 kg (13 lbs) less than most laptops, a change of clothes, and a pair of shoes combined.

This is a critical detail many travelers miss when booking a domestic Iceland leg onto an international trip. If you’re flying into Reykjavík and connecting to a domestic route within Iceland, your carry-on that comfortably met the 10 kg international limit may need to be checked for the domestic leg.

Carry-on weight limits by route:

Icelandair reserves the right to check your carry-on if it exceeds the weight or size limits, and fees may apply at the gate.

What Is Icelandair’s Personal Item Rule and How Much Can It Weigh?

Icelandair allows one personal item per passenger on all fares. The maximum size is 40 x 30 x 15 cm (15.7 x 11.8 x 5.9 inches), and it must fit under the seat in front of you.

Common qualifying personal items include:

• Handbags and purses
• Laptop bags
• Small backpacks
• Camera bags
• Tote bags (when not overstuffed)

What about Icelandair’s personal item weight limit? This is a genuine gap in most guides on this topic. Icelandair does not publish a specific weight limit for personal items unlike the carry-on, which has a clearly stated 10 kg cap. The personal item simply needs to fit within the size dimensions and be stowable under the seat. In practice, it should be light enough to lift and place comfortably. Overstuffed, rigid items that don’t compress to fit the size requirement will be treated as a second carry-on, which is not permitted on Economy fares.

The 40 x 30 x 15 cm footprint accommodates a 15-inch laptop, power cables, a jacket, travel documents, and a set of headphones making it genuinely useful rather than token.

What Can You Bring as Both a Carry-On and Personal Item Together?

On international Icelandair flights, every passenger is entitled to one carry-on bag (55 x 40 x 20 cm, 10 kg) and one personal item (40 x 30 x 15 cm) at no extra charge. These two pieces together form the full cabin allowance for Economy Light, Standard, Flex, and Saga Premium passengers.

A practical packing strategy for carry-on-only travel:

• Carry-on: Rolling cabin suitcase with clothes, shoes, and toiletries
• Personal item: Laptop bag or backpack with electronics, snacks, book, and in-flight essentials

Saga Premium Flex passengers get an even more generous setup: two carry-on bags (each 55 x 40 x 20 cm, 10 kg) plus one personal item totaling 20 kg of cabin baggage before you even check anything in.

How Strict Is Icelandair About Carry-On Enforcement?

Icelandair is widely reported to be stricter than average about carry-on size and weight, particularly at Keflavík International Airport (KEF). Staff at check-in and gate areas actively check bag dimensions using size gauges, and bags that exceed limits are required to be gate-checked.

Key things to know:

• Size gauges are used. If your bag doesn’t fit in the designated sizer, it will be flagged.
• Weight checks happen, especially if your bag looks heavy. Staff have the authority to weigh carry-ons at the gate.
• Gate-checked bags incur checked baggage fees at airport prices the more expensive option compared to pre-purchasing online.
• Enforcement tends to be tighter on busy transatlantic routes where overhead bin space is limited.

The practical takeaway: don’t assume a marginally oversized bag will slip through. Icelandair’s enforcement record is notably firmer than many full-service carriers, and getting flagged at the gate after boarding has started is a stressful and expensive situation.

If your carry-on is borderline, either pack lighter or pre-purchase a checked bag online before you travel.

What Is Icelandair’s Baggage Allowance for International Flights?

On Icelandair international flights, baggage allowance is determined by fare class. Economy Light is the only fare with zero checked baggage included. All other fares include at least one checked bag, with Saga Premium fares adding a second.

Here’s a breakdown with weight limits and the linear dimension cap that applies to all checked bags:

Route-specific note for Greenland flights: The included baggage weight for Economy Standard and Flex drops to 20 kg per bag (versus 23 kg on international routes). Adverse weather conditions on Greenland routes can also result in bags being offloaded to the next available flight for safety reasons.

Saga Club members (Gold and Silver tier) receive one additional checked bag beyond what their fare includes, with the weight limit matching their ticketed cabin class. This benefit applies on all routes except domestic Greenland flights.

What Happens If My Luggage Is 2 kg Overweight on Icelandair?

If your checked bag is overweight meaning it exceeds the weight limit included in your fare you’ll be charged an overweight fee at the airport. Bags between 24–32 kg cannot be pre-purchased online; they must be paid for at the airport check-in desk only.

Here’s a real-world scenario to illustrate the cost:

You’re flying Economy Standard (New York to Reykjavík) and your checked bag weighs 25 kg 2 kg over the 23 kg limit. Icelandair applies an overweight surcharge at the airport. The exact fee varies by route and is not capped at a flat rate; airport prices are also approximately 20% higher than online pre-purchase rates.

Key overweight rules:

• Bags 24–32 kg: Charged at airport only; cannot be added online in advance.
• Bags over 32 kg: Not accepted under any circumstances, regardless of willingness to pay.
• Economy Light passengers: Buying a bag at the airport is significantly more expensive than purchasing online in advance.

If you know your bag might be heavy, the cheapest option is always to redistribute weight between bags at home, or pre-purchase an additional checked bag online through Manage Booking before you fly.

What Are Icelandair’s Checked Baggage Fees for Extra Bags?

Extra checked bags can be purchased online through Icelandair’s Manage Booking tool up to 7 days before departure. Buying online saves roughly 20% compared to paying at the airport.

Online pre-purchase pricing (per additional bag, one-way):

Airport prices are approximately 20% higher than the figures above.

Important exceptions:

• Hunting gear: Can only be purchased and paid for at the airport. Online pre-purchase is not available.
• Bags weighing 24–32 kg: Must be paid for at the airport. Cannot be added online.
• Connecting flights on partner airlines: Extra bags can only be purchased at the airport during check-in for those segments.
• Maximum of 3 additional bags per passenger can be purchased online, giving you up to 5 checked bags total when combined with a Saga Premium fare.

Cost comparison for Economy Light travelers: On the Europe–North America route, adding one checked bag at the airport could cost upward of $110+ USD. For most itineraries, upgrading to Economy Standard (which includes one bag) is the better financial choice if you need to check anything.

What Special Items Can You Bring on Icelandair?

Icelandair accepts a wide variety of special and oversized items, but all carry additional fees and specific packaging requirements.

Sports equipment highlights:

• Bicycles: Must be packed in a hard protective case or bike box; maximum weight 25 kg; pre-registration required
• Skis and snowboards: Must be properly packed in a protective ski bag or hard case
• Golf clubs: Should be in a dedicated golf travel bag or hard case
• Diving equipment: Securely packed; advance arrangements recommended

Musical instruments:

• Small instruments can travel in the cabin if packed in a hard-shell case, within carry-on size limits, and with advance notice to Icelandair
• Large instruments must be checked in a hard-shell case only soft bags are not accepted for checked instruments

Children and infants:

• Infants (under 2): One checked bag (all fares except Economy Light), plus one free stroller, car seat, or carrying basket. No cabin baggage allowance.
• Children (2–11): Same allowance as adults. Free approved child seat if the child occupies a seat; free folding stroller.

All sports equipment and instruments are treated as excess baggage and incur fees beyond standard checked baggage allowances. Icelandair takes no liability for items with insufficient packaging.

How Do You Save Money on Icelandair Baggage Fees?

A few simple decisions can meaningfully reduce what you pay:

• Compare fare tiers before booking. On many routes, Economy Standard with one included bag costs less than Economy Light plus a separately purchased checked bag.
• Buy extra bags online. Pre-purchasing through Manage Booking saves ~20% versus airport rates.
• Weigh bags at home. A cheap luggage scale eliminates the risk of overweight charges, which can only be paid at the airport.
• Maximize your personal item. The 40 x 30 x 15 cm personal item is free on all fares and can carry a significant amount of in-flight essentials, reducing pressure on your carry-on.
• Join Saga Club. Gold and Silver members receive one extra checked bag on all routes (excluding domestic Greenland), which can be worth $60–$95 per trip.
• Book before the 7-day cutoff. Baggage purchases close 7 days before departure on Manage Booking. After that, you pay at the airport.

How Does Icelandair Baggage Compare to Other Transatlantic Airlines?

Icelandair sits in the mid-tier for transatlantic baggage generosity more included than Norse Atlantic’s basic fares, but less generous than legacy carriers like Lufthansa or British Airways in higher cabins.

Icelandair vs. key competitors (Economy Standard equivalent):

The key takeaway: Icelandair’s Economy Standard is competitive with full-service carriers at similar price points. The Economy Light fare, however, is comparable to a low-cost airline model carry-on only, with fees for everything else.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Icelandair charge for carry-on bags?
No. All Icelandair passengers on all fare types receive one free carry-on bag (55 x 40 x 20 cm, 10 kg) and one free personal item (40 x 30 x 15 cm) on international flights. There is no carry-on fee.

What is the Icelandair personal item weight limit?
Icelandair does not publish a specific weight limit for personal items. The personal item must fit within 40 x 30 x 15 cm and be stowable under the seat in front of you. Unlike the carry-on, no official weight cap applies.

What happens if my carry-on is too heavy at the gate?
If your carry-on exceeds the 10 kg weight limit (or 6 kg on domestic/Greenland routes), Icelandair may require it to be checked as hold baggage. Airport-rate checked baggage fees will then apply, which are approximately 20% higher than online pre-purchase prices.

Can I buy a checked bag for Icelandair Economy Light at the airport?
Yes, but it’s significantly more expensive than buying online. Pre-purchasing online through Manage Booking (up to 7 days before departure) costs from ~$60–$95 USD depending on route, while airport purchases are roughly 20% higher.

How many extra bags can I purchase on Icelandair?
You can purchase up to 3 additional checked bags per passenger online, giving Saga Premium passengers a maximum of 5 checked bags total. Economy Standard and Flex passengers can reach up to 4 checked bags with online additions.

Does Icelandair’s baggage allowance change for Greenland routes?
Yes. Economy Standard and Flex passengers on Greenland flights are limited to 20 kg per checked bag (versus 23 kg on international routes). Carry-on weight also drops to 6 kg on Greenland flights, matching the domestic Iceland limit.

Do Saga Club members get extra baggage on Icelandair?
Yes. Saga Gold and Silver members receive one additional checked bag beyond their fare’s standard allowance on all routes except domestic Greenland flights. The extra bag’s weight limit matches the ticketed cabin class.

Can Icelandair refuse my checked bag if it weighs over 32 kg?
Yes. Bags weighing over 32 kg are not accepted on any Icelandair flight, regardless of willingness to pay. This applies to all fare types and routes. Bags between 24–32 kg can be accommodated with an overweight fee paid at the airport.

What is the cheapest way to add a checked bag to an Icelandair booking?
The cheapest method is to add it online through Manage Booking more than 7 days before departure. Prices start from £47 ($60 USD) for Iceland–Europe routes, £55 ($70 USD) for Iceland–North America routes, and £75 (~$95 USD) for transatlantic routes via Iceland.

Can I bring a musical instrument as a carry-on on Icelandair?
Small instruments can travel in the cabin if they fit within carry-on size limits, are in a hard-shell case, and you notify Icelandair in advance. Larger instruments must be checked in a hard-shell case only soft bags are not accepted for checked musical instruments.