Emirates Baggage Allowance Simplified: Fees, Dimensions & Tips

Joanna Teljeur

By:  Joanna Teljeur

Last Updated:  May 7, 2026

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Emirates claims to have one of the most generous baggage allowance policies in the world, but do they? Understanding the intricacies of what you can check and bring along in the cabin is vital for your peace of mind as well as for avoiding extra fees that can quickly add up!

Emirates Baggage Allowance Basics

Your baggage allowance is determined by your seating class. The more expensive your seating class, the more luggage you can check and bring with you in the cabin. 

Emirates has 7 seating classes, each with their own baggage limits.

• Economy Special
• Economy Saver
• Economy Flex
• Economy Plus
• Premium Economy
• Business Class
• First Class

Emirates Cabin Baggage Allowance 

The following table shows what you’re allowed to bring onboard the plane based on the different cabin classes. If you exceed the amount for your ticket, then your bags will be sent to the hold and you’ll be charged extra if you have already met the allowable checked bags.

Smart Bags

Smart bags are permitted in the cabin but the battery must be removable. All you have to do is remove it, turn it off and stow it.

If you plan to take a small suitcase with wheels, remember that the total dimensions, including wheels and handles must not be more than 115 cm (45 inches) when adding length + width + height.

• If your flight is leaving from Dubai and your cabin baggage exceeds the limits, it will be sent to the hold luggage and you will be charged excess bag rates.
• If you are departing from an airport in India, you can bring (1) carry-on item that must be smaller than 115 cm or 45.3 inches (length + width + height).
• If you are departing from Brazil or you bought your ticket there, you can bring one carry-on bag weighing up to 10kg (22lbs).
• If you are departing from other countries to Brazil, you can take one piece of cabin baggage that weighs no more than 7kg (15lbs).

Emirates Checked Baggage Allowance

How much checked luggage you can bring on an Emirates flight is determined by your travel route and fare type. If you go over these amounts, you’ll be charged extra baggage fees in 5 kg units at the airport.

Travel routes are separated into 2 groups:

• The weight concept routes: All routes except routes to and from Africa and the Americas
• The piece concept routes: Africa and the Americas

You can find out more about these route concepts and your ticket by going to Manage Your Booking on the Emirates site or app.

Smart Bags can be checked but the battery must be removed and carried with you in your cabin bags.

Emirates Weight Concept Allowances

If you’re flying anywhere EXCEPT Africa and the Americas, your checked baggage allowance is based on the total weight of what you are checking. In other words, you can bring as many pieces of luggage as you want provided you stay within the limits of your seating class.

Each bag should not exceed:

• 32kg (70 lbs)
• 300 cm (118 inches) in total dimensions when you add length + width + height

If you are departing from Dammam, each bag must be smaller than 215 cm (84.64 inches)

So, if your maximum allowance is 20 kg (44 lbs) you can check as many bags as you’d like, but they must not weigh more than this amount combined. 

But, if you are flying in First Class then you can bring up to 50 kg (110lb) in checked bags, but each piece must not exceed 32 kg (70 lbs).

Emirates Weight Concept Allowance by Seating Class

Emirates Skywards Platinum, Gold, or Silver members get extra baggage allowance on weight concept routes.

Checked Baggage Allowance for Africa and Americas Flights

Flights to and from these areas are determined by the number of pieces checked. 

• Each piece of luggage must not be more than the total dimensions of 150 cm (59 inches) (length + width + height).
• You can see the weight limitations in the table below by seating class. 

Emirates Skywards Platinum and Gold members can get 1 additional piece of checked baggage. 

• Economy Class passengers, you can get 1 additional piece of checked baggage. not to exceed 23kg
• Business Class and First Class, you can get 1 additional piece of a maximum 32 kg per piece.

Potential changes for flights from Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Africa

• Passengers travelling from Asia, Australia, or New Zealand with flights in Europe or a layover in Dubai that lasts longer than 24 hours will have the weight concept applied for your entire trip.
• Also, if you are flying to Africa with a layover that lasts longer than 24 hours, the weight concept may apply.

Buying Extra Emirates Baggage Allowance

You can buy extra baggage allowance, but to save money, make your purchase online. Purchasing extra prior to check-in will save you quite a bit of money, but more on this in the next sections. Of course, you can also do this at the airport, but it will be considerably more expensive. 

Extra Baggage by Weight Concept (All Routes EXCEPT Africa & the Americas) 

1. Extra baggage is sold in units of 5 kg (11 lbs)
2. Each bag must not exceed 32 kg and 300cm (118 inches) in total dimensions. 
3. The total maximum cannot be over 50 kg(110 lbs)

If you make this purchase online before check-in, you will save between 50-60% off the price you would be charged at the airport. You save more when you buy more, and you can do this until 4 hours before departure.

If you buy extra weight at the airport, the following rates will apply per 5 kg based on your specific route.

Extra Baggage by Piece Concept (Africa & the Americas) 

If you’re travelling to or from Africa or the Americas, your baggage allowance is measured per item or piece. You can buy 5 extra pieces of luggage in addition to the amount you can bring for your ticket class.

Economy and Premium Economy: 

• The maximum weight for each additional piece is 23kg (50 lbs)

Business Class and First Class: 

• The maximum weight for each additional piece 32kg (70.5 lbs)

We recommend you buy extra baggage allowance online prior to check-in because you will be given a 35-50% discount off the price you would pay at the airport. You can do this until 4 hours before departure. This does not apply to flights to and from Canada.

Extra Checked Baggage Rates by Piece at the Airport

Emirates Oversized & Overweight Baggage Fees

If any piece of your allowable luggage allowance  is larger than the maximum limits, you’ll be charged the following per piece based on your specific route.

Flights to/from the Americas and Africa

Flights to and from Canada

Extra Baggage Exceeding Size and Weight Maximums

If you bought extra baggage allowance and your checked items are larger than the maximum sizes and weights, you’ll be charged as follows.

Flights to/from the Americas and Africa

Flights to and from Canada

Emirates Baggage for Children and Infants

If you’re travelling with a child over 2 years old, they will have the same baggage allowance as adults based on the route and fare class.

Baggage allowance for Babies (under 2 years of age)

The exact baggage allowance will be on your baby’s ticket

All routes based on weight concept: 

• 1 cabin bag that is no bigger than 55 x 38 x 22 cm (22 x 15 x 8 inches) and maximum 5 kg (11 lbs)
• Checked bags up to 10 kg (22 lbs)

Routes to and from the Americas and Africa

• 1 cabin bag not more than 55 x 38 x 22 cm (22 x 15 x 8 inches) and 5 kg (11 lbs)

You can also bring one of the following items on board free of charge, as long as space is available, otherwise it will be checked to the hold.

• Baby car seat
• Carrycot
• Collapsible stroller 

Musical Instruments on Emirates

There are no special fees for musical instruments on Emirates flights. Instead they are subject to the same rules as checked and cabin baggage. If your instrument exceeds the size limits (like a cello) you can also purchase a seat for its placement, but you must do this at an Emirates office as they cannot be booked online.

Travelling with Pets

You won’t be able to travel with your pet in the cabin unless you have a falcon, and you’re travelling between Dubai and Pakistan. Naturally, there are exceptions for Guide and Service dogs.

If you must transport a pet, they must either go as excess checked baggage or in cargo as long as the total journey is less than 17 hours. Be advised that if your final destination is Dubai, your pet will have to travel as cargo.

Fees are based on the combined weight of the animal and the carrier:

• Animal + Carrier are 23 kg and 59 inches (total dimensions) - $500
• Animal + Carrier are 24-32 kg and 59-118 inches (total dimensions) - $650

Anything larger than these amounts must travel as cargo. Contact Emirates Sky Cargo for more information.

Sports Equipment

Sports equipment is generally treated as part of regular checked or cabin baggage unless it is bigger than the maximum limits, like a bicycle. If you do plan to travel with a bike, be sure to contact Emirates at least 24 hours before your flight.

The maximum size for sporting equipment is 300 cm (118 inches) in total dimensions. Anything larger than this will have to be sent as cargo.

Items Restricted from Emirates Flights

Emirates, like other airlines, will not allow you to carry anything into the cabin that could cause harm, including firearms, explosives, sharp objects, or anything flammable. Matches and lighters are completely forbidden from both carry-on and checked baggage. 

For a complete list, visit the Dangerous Goods page on the Emirates site. 

Also, be aware that the UAE has a very rigid drug policy, so remember to always bring a doctor’s note if you are travelling with medications.

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How to Avoid Baggage Problems 

1. Weigh the items you plan to check before going to the airport. The best way to do this is to buy a portable scale for this purpose.
2. Put current contact info on and inside your suitcase in case your baggage gets lost or damaged by Emirates.
3. Photograph both the contents and the outside of your suitcase as you pack. If anything goes wrong, you’ll have photos to prove what was in your suitcase and what your belongings looked like prior to your trip. This will help you get the right amount of compensation.

Had an Issue with Emirates Airlines?

• Claim Compensation from Emirates
• File a Complaint with Emirates
• Leave a Review for Emirates Airlines
• How to Prepare for a Strike

Author:

Joanna Teljeur

Job/Position: Senior Editor & Content Lead

Joanna Teljeur is a senior editor and writer with 15+ years of experience in editorial leadership, journalism, and content development, specialising in consumer rights, aviation law, and public-interest reporting. Her work focuses on transforming complex regulatory and legal topics into clear, accurate, and accessible content for international audiences.

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