Yemenia Baggage Policy: Allowance, Fees & Rules Explained

Yemenia (Yemen Airways) allows Economy passengers one checked bag up to 23 kg and Business passengers two bags up to 32 kg each. Carry-on baggage is limited to one piece measuring 55 × 38 × 20 cm and weighing up to 7 kg. Excess baggage fees vary by route, ranging from about USD 4 to USD 11.3 per kilogram.

Packing for a Yemenia flight comes with a few rules worth knowing before you reach the airport. As the flag carrier of Yemen, Yemenia connects Sana’a, Aden, and other hubs to destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and South Asia and its baggage rules reflect that international spread, with fees that change depending on where you fly.

What is Yemenia’s baggage allowance?

Yemenia’s baggage allowance depends on your cabin class. Economy passengers get one checked bag up to 23 kg, while Business Class passengers get two bags up to 32 kg each. Carry-on is capped at one 7 kg piece. Sama loyalty members can earn 20–40 kg of additional free allowance depending on their tier.

Here’s how the standard allowance breaks down by class:

For checked bags, the total dimensions (length + width + height) should not exceed 158 cm a standard international measurement.

How does Sama Club change your allowance?

Yemenia’s Sama loyalty program grants extra free baggage based on your membership tier. Bronze members receive 20 kg of additional allowance, Silver members get 30 kg, and Gold members enjoy 40 kg of free excess baggage plus airport lounge access. These perks stack on top of your standard ticket allowance.

• Bronze: +20 kg free allowance
• Silver: +30 kg free allowance
• Gold: +40 kg free allowance + lounge access

For frequent flyers, this is a genuine money-saver. A Gold member flying with 63 kg of checked baggage (23 kg standard + 40 kg free) would pay nothing extra compared to a non-member who could face hundreds of dollars in excess charges.

Yemenia checked baggage: what you need to know

Yemenia checked baggage follows a weight-based system for Economy and a piece-based system for premium classes. Each Economy passenger gets one bag up to 23 kg, and each Business passenger gets two bags up to 32 kg each. Bags exceeding these limits are charged per kilogram at rates that depend on your departure city.

A few practical notes:

• Weigh your bags at home before leaving overweight fees add up fast.
• The 158 cm total-dimension rule applies regardless of weight.
• Allowances can differ slightly by route and fare type, so confirm at booking.

Yemenia operates Airbus A310, A320, and A330 aircraft. The A310 and A320 offer Economy and Business cabins, while the A330 includes a First Class configuration worth noting if you’re expecting premium baggage perks on a specific route.

Yemenia carry-on baggage rules

Yemenia carry-on baggage is limited to one piece per passenger. The bag must fit within 55 × 38 × 20 cm and weigh no more than 7 kg. This applies across all cabin classes. Personal items such as laptops and handbags may be permitted separately, but the main carry-on must stay within these limits.

What is the Yemenia carry-on size limit?

The Yemenia carry-on size limit is 55 × 38 × 20 cm according to the airline’s official FAQ. Some third-party booking sites list the depth as 55 × 40 × 20 cm, so measure conservatively. To avoid gate-check surprises, use a bag that meets the smaller 55 × 38 × 20 cm dimensions.

What is the Yemenia carry-on weight limit?

The Yemenia carry-on weight limit is 7 kg (about 15.4 lbs) for one cabin bag. This limit is standard across Economy and Business classes. If your carry-on exceeds 7 kg at the gate, staff may require you to check it potentially triggering excess baggage fees if you’re already at your checked allowance.

Packing tip: Wear your heaviest items (jacket, boots) onboard and keep dense objects like chargers, books, or shoes in your checked bag to stay under the 7 kg cabin limit.

Yemenia baggage fees: route-by-route breakdown

Yemenia baggage fees are charged per kilogram of excess and vary significantly by departure city. Rates from Yemen range from about USD 4 per kg (Khartoum) to USD 11.3 per kg (Amman). Fees are collected in local currency, and the exact charge depends on your specific route and any loyalty allowance already applied.

Here are the official excess baggage (EXBAGG) rates from Yemen outbound:

For flights returning to Yemen, rates are set in local currency for example, 3,000 YER per kg for Sana’a.

Cost example: how much would 8 kg of excess cost?

Say you’re flying Sana’a to Amman with 31 kg checked that’s 8 kg over the 23 kg Economy limit. At USD 11.3 per kg, you’d pay roughly USD 90.40 in excess fees. On the same 8 kg overage to Khartoum (USD 4 per kg), you’d pay just USD 32. The lesson: excess costs can more than double depending on your destination.

Special items, infants, and prohibited goods

Yemenia’s general carriage conditions cover more than standard suitcases. Understanding restrictions ahead of time prevents items being confiscated at security.

What items are banned from Yemenia flights?

Yemenia prohibits dangerous goods in both checked and carry-on baggage. Banned items include compressed gases, firearms, ammunition, knives and swords, explosives, flammable and toxic materials, chemical reagents, and bags fitted with alarms or lithium batteries. Additional rules apply to flights to and from the US and EU.

For US- and EU-bound flights, extra security measures apply:

• No liquids, gels, toothpaste, liquid cosmetics, or perfumes in carry-on baggage.
• No cigarette lighters in any baggage.

A note on special items: Yemenia’s public documentation doesn’t publish specific fees for sports equipment, musical instruments, or mobility aids. Because policies for these items can vary by route and aircraft, contact Yemenia directly before travel to confirm handling and any charges.

What about infant and child baggage?

Yemenia does not publish a separate infant baggage allowance in its official FAQ. Most international carriers permit a small checked allowance plus a stroller or carrycot for infants, but because Yemenia’s terms aren’t specified publicly, families should confirm their infant allowance with the airline at the time of booking.

Tips for hassle-free travel with Yemenia

A little preparation goes a long way when flying with a carrier whose schedules can shift due to regional conditions.

• Weigh bags at home. A cheap luggage scale pays for itself the first time you avoid an overweight charge.
• Arrive early. Yemenia notes that departure times can depend on operational windows, so buffer extra time at the airport.
• Keep valuables in your carry-on. Electronics, documents, and jewelry should never go in checked luggage.
• Know the booking fees. Changing a flight costs USD 20; a no-show or a cancellation made within 72 hours of departure incurs a USD 100 penalty.

What should you do if your baggage is lost or damaged?

If your Yemenia baggage is lost or damaged, report it to the airline’s baggage desk at the arrival airport immediately and before leaving. Request a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) with a reference number, keep your baggage tags and boarding pass, and follow up using Yemenia’s help desk at iy.hd@yemenia.com.

Frequently asked questions

How much is Yemenia’s Economy baggage allowance?
Economy passengers receive one checked bag up to 23 kg (50 lbs), plus one 7 kg carry-on.

What is Yemenia’s Business Class baggage allowance?
Business Class allows two checked bags at up to 32 kg (70 lbs) each, plus a 7 kg cabin bag.

How much does Yemenia charge for excess baggage?
Excess fees range from USD 4 per kg (Khartoum) to USD 11.3 per kg (Amman), depending on your departure city.

What is the Yemenia carry-on size and weight limit?
One carry-on bag measuring 55 × 38 × 20 cm and weighing up to 7 kg is permitted per passenger.

Does Sama Club give extra baggage allowance?
Yes Bronze members get +20 kg, Silver +30 kg, and Gold +40 kg free, with Gold adding lounge access.

Can I carry liquids on US or EU Yemenia flights?
No. Liquids, gels, toothpaste, cosmetics, and perfumes are banned from carry-on bags on US- and EU-bound flights.

What is the maximum size for a Yemenia checked bag?
Checked bags must not exceed 158 cm in total dimensions (length + width + height).

Are lithium batteries allowed on Yemenia flights?
Bags with installed lithium batteries or alarms are prohibited in both checked and carry-on baggage.

How much does it cost to change a Yemenia booking?
Changing a booking costs USD 20; a no-show or cancellation within 72 hours incurs a USD 100 penalty.

Does Yemenia have a First Class baggage allowance?
First Class is offered only on A330 aircraft. Confirm the specific allowance with Yemenia, as it isn’t published publicly.