Riyadh Air Baggage Policy: Allowances, Fees & Rules

Riyadh Air uses a weight-based baggage system. International economy passengers get 25–35 kg of checked baggage depending on fare bundle, plus a 7 kg carry-on and a 7 kg personal item. Each bag can weigh up to 32 kg and measure up to 158 cm total. Extra baggage costs less when pre-purchased online.

Riyadh Air is Saudi Arabia‘s second national carrier, led by CEO Tony Douglas and flying a modern Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet. As the airline expands across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, more travelers are booking their first Riyadh Air flight and running into the same question: how much luggage can I bring, and what will it cost?

Baggage rules can make or break a trip budget. Pack over your limit and you could pay steep fees at the airport. Choose the wrong fare bundle and you might leave allowance unused.

What Is the Riyadh Air Baggage Allowance?

Riyadh Air uses a “weight concept” for baggage, meaning your allowance is based on total combined weight not the number of bags. On international flights, economy allowances range from 25 to 35 kg, premium economy from 35 to 45 kg, and business class from 45 to 65 kg, depending on your fare bundle.

You can check as many bags as you like, as long as the total stays within your limit and no single bag exceeds 32 kg. Your allowance depends on three things: your cabin, your fare bundle (Lite, Smart, Flex, or Elite), and whether you’re flying internationally or within Saudi Arabia.

What Is the Riyadh Air Checked Baggage Allowance by Cabin?

International checked baggage ranges from 25 kg on an Economy Lite fare up to 65 kg on a Business Elite fare. Domestic allowances are lower, and notably, the Economy Lite domestic fare includes no free checked bag at all you must purchase one separately.

International flights:

Domestic flights:

Key checked baggage rules:

• Each bag can measure up to 158 cm total (length + width + height)
• No single bag may exceed 32 kg, regardless of your total allowance
• Bags between 158–300 cm incur an oversized fee, paid at check-in
• Bags over 300 cm cannot be checked use Riyadh Cargo instead
• Mobility aids travel free and don’t count toward your allowance

Compared to Emirates: On weight-concept routes, Emirates business class typically offers 40 kg. Riyadh Air’s Business Flex (50 kg) and Business Elite (65 kg) are considerably more generous a real advantage for heavy packers.

What Are the Riyadh Air Carry-On Baggage Rules?

Every Riyadh Air passenger, in every cabin, may bring one carry-on bag plus one personal item. The carry-on size limit is the same across all classes, but the weight allowance increases with your cabin: 7 kg in economy, 12 kg in premium economy, and 15 kg in business.

Both bags must fit in the overhead locker or under the seat in front of you. You can’t place items behind your legs, on your lap, in the aisle, or near an emergency exit.

What Is the Riyadh Air Carry-On Size Limit?

The Riyadh Air carry-on size limit is 56 x 36 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 in) for all cabin classes. The separate personal item such as a laptop bag, handbag, or small backpack must not exceed 45 x 35 x 25 cm. These dimensions apply whether you fly economy or business.

What Is the Riyadh Air Carry-On Weight Limit?

Carry-on weight depends on your cabin. Economy passengers get 7 kg, premium economy gets 12 kg, and business class gets 15 kg. The personal item must weigh under 7 kg across every cabin. So an economy traveler can bring up to 14 kg total in the cabin (7 kg carry-on + 7 kg personal item).

Practical tip: Economy’s 7 kg carry-on is tighter than some rivals. Pack heavy items shoes, books, chargers in checked luggage, and keep valuables, documents, and medication in your hand luggage.

What Are the Riyadh Air Baggage Fees?

Riyadh Air lets you pre-purchase extra baggage online in blocks of 5 kg, saving up to 30% versus airport rates. Fees are dynamically priced, so there’s no fixed per-kg rate the cost varies by route and timing. You must buy extra allowance at least four hours before departure to get the discount.

After that four-hour cutoff, standard excess baggage rates apply at the check-in counter, and these are higher.

Cost-saving scenario: Say you booked an Economy Smart fare (30 kg) but you’re carrying 38 kg. You’d need to pre-purchase 10 kg two 5 kg blocks online before the cutoff to lock in the discount. Paying for that same 8 kg overweight at the airport counter would cost noticeably more.

Extra baggage rules:

• Pre-purchase in 5 kg blocks online for up to 30% off
• Prepaid baggage is non-refundable unless Riyadh Air cancels your flight or denies boarding
• Prepaid baggage transfers automatically if your itinerary changes
• Sometimes upgrading your fare bundle beats paying excess fees compare both

When to upgrade instead: Moving from Economy Lite (25 kg) to Economy Smart (30 kg) adds 5 kg. If the fare difference is smaller than the cost of buying 5 kg of excess, upgrade the bundle you also gain flexibility and seat perks.

How Does Riyadh Air Handle Special Items and Pets?

Riyadh Air includes most sports equipment within your standard allowance, with one standout perk: golfers get an extra 15 kg free on top of their normal checked allowance. Musical instruments and other unusual items may need prior approval, while mobility aids always travel free and never count toward your limit.

Sports and special baggage:

• Golf equipment: additional 15 kg free, on top of your standard allowance
• Small gear (yoga mats, snorkeling kits): can travel as carry-on if within size limits
• Large gear (surfboards, bicycles): checked baggage, up to 32 kg and 300 cm
• Gate-checked sports items: if too big for lockers, checked at the gate no fee if the airline requests it for operational reasons
• Musical instruments: may require approval under the Unusual Baggage policy
• Mobility aids: free, and excluded from your allowance

A note on pets and alcohol: Riyadh Air’s public help pages don’t currently list a standard pet-in-cabin or checked-pet policy, so contact the airline directly before booking if you’re traveling with an animal. Also note that alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited in all baggage under Saudi regulations.

Which Items Are Prohibited or Restricted?

Some items are banned entirely, while others like electronics and power banks are allowed only in the cabin. Understanding these rules before you pack prevents delays and confiscations at security.

Carry-on only (never in checked bags):

• E-cigarettes and vaporizers (can’t be used or charged onboard)
• Power banks up to 100 Wh (one per person)
• Laptops, phones, tablets, and spare lithium batteries

Completely prohibited:

• Alcoholic beverages (KSA regulations)
• Firearms, ammunition, and replicas
• Explosives, fireworks, and flammable liquids
• Hoverboards and lithium devices over 100 Wh
• Mercury thermometers, corrosives, and pepper spray

How to Maximize Your Riyadh Air Baggage Allowance

A little planning goes a long way with a weight-based system. Because your allowance is pooled across all bags, smart packing and timing can save real money.

• Weigh bags at home: a digital luggage scale costs under $15 and prevents surprise fees
• Use both cabin bags: your 7 kg personal item is separate from your carry-on fill both
• Pre-purchase early: buy extra weight online 4+ hours before departure for up to 30% off
• Balance the load: spread weight across bags so no single piece tops 32 kg
• Declare golf gear at booking: the free 15 kg only applies to confirmed golf transport
• Compare fare upgrade vs. excess fee: sometimes a higher bundle is cheaper and adds perks

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum single bag weight on Riyadh Air?
No single checked bag may exceed 32 kg (70 lb), regardless of your total allowance or cabin class. Even if you have 65 kg total, each individual piece must stay under 32 kg or it won’t be accepted at check-in.

Does Riyadh Air’s Economy Lite fare include a free checked bag?
On international flights, yes Economy Lite includes 25 kg. On domestic flights, no. The domestic Economy Lite fare includes no free checked baggage, so you’ll need to purchase allowance separately before your flight.

What is the Riyadh Air carry-on size and weight for economy?
Economy passengers may bring one carry-on measuring 56 x 36 x 23 cm and weighing up to 7 kg, plus a personal item up to 45 x 35 x 25 cm and under 7 kg about 14 kg of cabin baggage total.

How much does extra baggage cost on Riyadh Air?
Riyadh Air uses dynamic pricing, so there’s no fixed per-kg rate. You buy extra weight online in 5 kg blocks for up to 30% off airport prices. Actual rates appear at the time of purchase and vary by route.

How early must I buy extra baggage to get the discount?
You must pre-purchase extra baggage online at least four hours before departure to qualify for the discounted rate (up to 30% off). After this cutoff, higher standard excess rates apply at the check-in counter.

Does Riyadh Air charge for oversized bags?
Yes. Bags with combined dimensions between 158 cm and 300 cm incur an oversized baggage fee, paid at check-in. Bags exceeding 300 cm cannot be accepted as checked baggage and must be sent via Riyadh Cargo.

Does Business Elite get more baggage than standard Business class?
Yes. On international flights, Business Elite (Elite Fare) includes 65 kg of checked baggage, compared to 50 kg on Business Flex and 45 kg on Business Smart a meaningful difference for passengers with heavy luggage.

Can I bring golf clubs for free on Riyadh Air?
Yes. Golfers receive an extra 15 kg of free allowance on top of their standard checked baggage a rare perk among Gulf carriers. Declare your golf equipment at booking, since the bonus only applies to confirmed golf transport.

Can I carry a power bank on Riyadh Air?
Yes, but in carry-on baggage only. You may bring one power bank per person up to 100 Wh. It cannot be used onboard, and power banks are never permitted in checked luggage due to fire risk.

Are alcoholic beverages allowed in Riyadh Air baggage?
No. In line with Saudi regulations, guests cannot bring alcoholic beverages onboard, in checked baggage, or transport them to or through any destination. This applies to all passengers on every Riyadh Air flight.