Check Out the Baggage Weight Regulations for International Flights by Airline, from Garuda Indonesia to Qatar Airways

One of the most common mistakes made by people traveling abroad is overpacking. Overpacking can cause your luggage to exceed the baggage weight limits imposed by airlines.

It’s important to know that each airline has its own regulations regarding baggage weight for international flights. Before you start packing for your overseas trip, you should first check the baggage weight rules of the airline you're flying with.

Below is a breakdown of international baggage weight rules from various airlines, both domestic and international.

Garuda Indonesia Baggage Allowance

Garuda Indonesia is often regarded as the best airline in Indonesia. As the first Indonesian airline to join the SkyTeam alliance, Garuda divides baggage into two categories: Unchecked Baggage and Checked Baggage.

• Unchecked Baggage refers to carry-on items stored in the overhead bin or under the seat.
• Checked Baggage refers to registered items stored in the aircraft’s cargo hold.

Below is the registered baggage weight allowance for international flights with Garuda Indonesia:

AirAsia Baggage Allowance

For international flights with AirAsia, passengers are allowed to bring carry-on luggage weighing a maximum of 7 kg.

• The cabin luggage must not exceed dimensions of 36 cm (L) x 23 cm (W) x 56 cm (H).
• A small bag is also allowed with maximum dimensions of 10 cm (L) x 30 cm (W) x 40 cm (H).

For checked baggage, the maximum weight allowed is 32 kg. AirAsia does not accept any single item over 32 kg for safety reasons. However, passengers may upgrade their baggage allowance to 50 kg or even 60 kg.

This upgrade can be done while booking through AirAsia’s official website or app, or at the airport counter at least four hours before departure.

Singapore Airlines Baggage Allowance

Singapore Airlines, one of the world’s leading airlines, has standard baggage weight policies for all international destinations except the United States. Here’s the breakdown by class:

Cabin baggage is categorized into two types:

Japan Airlines (JAL) Baggage Allowance

Japan Airlines (JAL) divides baggage into two types: Checked Baggage and Cabin Baggage.

• Checked baggage refers to items stored in the aircraft’s cargo hold.
• The baggage allowance varies depending on the travel class.

Checked baggage must not exceed total dimensions (L+W+H) of 203 cm.

Cabin baggage is limited to a maximum weight of 10 kg with total dimensions not exceeding 115 cm.

All Nippon Airways (ANA) Baggage Allowance

For ANA's international flights, the baggage allowance depends on travel class, bag size, and quantity.

Qatar Airways Baggage Allowance

Qatar Airways’ baggage allowance varies depending on the route and class of service:

Economy Class

Business Class

First Class

Packing Tips to Avoid Overweight Baggage on International Flights

Overpacking and exceeding the airline’s baggage allowance can be avoided by following these practical packing tips:

Choose Clothes You Can Mix & Match

Pack clothing items that can be easily mixed and matched to create multiple outfits. This saves space and reduces the number of items you need. Also, pack based on the destination’s weather and avoid items you’ll wear only once.

Create a Packing Checklist

A checklist of essential items helps you prioritize what truly needs to be packed — like clothes, medications, and travel documents. This helps prevent unnecessary items that add to the baggage weight.

Fold Clothes Neatly

Neatly folded clothes maximize suitcase space. It’s also helpful to categorize items by type — clothing, electronics, medicine, etc.

Use Compression Bags

Compression bags reduce the volume of packed items by removing excess air. This makes your luggage more compact and maximizes the space inside your suitcase.

Weigh Your Luggage at Home

Weigh your luggage before heading to the airport. This is the simplest way to ensure you’re within the baggage limit. If your bag is overweight, you still have time to remove or adjust items before leaving.

Remember, if your baggage exceeds the airline’s weight limit, you may be charged additional fees. Always check your airline’s specific baggage policy before traveling.