Emirates Airlines Baggage Fees & Tips To Cover The Expenses

Emirates baggage policy can be a bit confusing when it comes to its allowance for carry-on items, using the word “handbag” instead of “standard carry-on bag” or “overhead bag.” These “handbags” however, carry the same size restrictions we usually find allotted for a standard carry-on bag.

Additionally, we have presented the information on maximum weight and size allowances for your baggage, which is highly variable depending on the base fare.

Emirates Carry-on Allowance

First and Business Class:

• Customers are permitted 2 pieces of carry-on baggage — 1 briefcase plus either 1 handbag or 1 garment bag
  • The briefcase may not exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm)
  • The handbag may not exceed 22 x 15 x 8 inches (55 x 38 x 20 cm)
  • The garment bag can be no more than 8 inches (20 cm) thick when folded
  • The weight of each piece must not exceed 15 pounds (7 kg)

Economy:

• Customers are permitted 1 piece of carry-on baggage
  • 22 x 15 x 8 inches (55 x 38 x 20 cm)
  • 15 pounds (7 kg)

Premium Economy:

• Customers are permitted 1 piece of carry-on baggage
  • 55 x 38 x 20 cm (22 x 15 x 8 inches)
  • 22 pounds (10 kg)

Boarding From India:

• Customers boarding in India are permitted 1 piece of carry-on baggage
  • Carry-on baggage may not exceed 45.3 inches or 115 cm (length + width + height)

Travel From Brazil:

• For all flights from Brazil, customers can carry up to 22 pounds (10 kg) of carry-on baggage

Travel to Brazil

• For all flights to Brazil, customers can carry up to 15 pounds (7 kg) of carry-on baggage

Lap Infant Carry-on Policy

• Customers traveling with infants are permitted to bring 1 carry-cot or fully collapsible stroller into the cabin (if there is room)
• If there is no space for these items in the cabin, they will have to be checked; however, if checked, they will not count against your baggage allowance
• Infants are also permitted a piece of carry-on for inflight food and necessities
  • 22 x 15 x 8 inches (55 x 38 x 20 cm)
  • Weight must not exceed 11 pounds (5 kg)

Stroller Check Policy

• Emirates suggests checking your stroller in at the ticket counter and provides families with a complimentary baby stroller (or twin stroller) to help you travel through the airport.

Emirates Checked Baggage Allowance

To/From the Americas (Except Flights Within the Americas and Between the U.S. And Europe) Or Flights Originating in Africa (Also Including Flights Into Africa for Tickets Booked On/After August 9, 2021)

• Economy:
  • Saver, Flex, and Flex Plus: 2 bags — 50 pounds (23 kg) each
  • Special: 1 bag — 50 pounds (23 kg)
• Premium Economy: 2 bags — 50 pounds (23 kg each)
• Business and First: 2 bags — 70 pounds (32 kg each)

The total max linear dimensions of each piece must not exceed 59 inches (150 cm).

Outside of the Americas

• Special: 44 pounds (20 kg)*
• Saver: 55 pounds (25 kg)**
• Flex: 66 pounds (30 kg)
• Flex Plus: 77 pounds (35 kg)
• Business (all fares): 88 pounds (40 kg)
• First (all fares): 110 pounds (50 kg)

* 55 pounds (25 kg) in Economy Special for flights between UAE and India
** 66 pounds (30 kg) in Economy Saver for journeys originating in Australia and New Zealand

You can check as many pieces of baggage as you need, as long as the total weight is less than the maximum baggage allowance of your class (not to exceed 70 pounds/32 kg per piece).

Each piece must not exceed max linear dimensions of 118 inches (300 cm). If exceeding this size, it can’t be checked as baggage and will need to be sent as cargo or freight. There are no exceptions to this rule.

Within the Americas and Between the U.S. and Europe

• Economy:
  • Flex, and Flex Plus: 2 bags — 50 pounds (23 kg) each
  • Special and Saver: 1 bag — 50 pounds (23 kg)
• Premium Economy: 2 bags — 50 pounds (23 kg) each
• Business and First: 2 bags — 70 pounds (32 kg) each

Lap Infant Checked Bag Policy:

To/From the Americas or Flights Originating in Africa:

• Passengers traveling with infants (under 2 years of age) may check 1 piece of baggage for the infant, regardless of cabin class. This baggage allowance will be shown on the infant’s ticket. This piece must weigh 50 pounds (23 kg) or less and have total dimensions (length + width + height) not exceeding 59 inches (150 cm).

Outside of the Americas:

• Passengers traveling with infants (under 2 years of age) may check up to 22 pounds (10 kg) of baggage for the infant. This baggage allowance will be shown on the infant’s ticket.

Additional/Excess Baggage Fees

Flights to/from the Americas and from Africa for tickets purchased before December 21, 2020: $200 per piece (up to 10 pieces permitted — only 5 can be booked online)

If purchased online then a 50% fee reduction will apply for the first additional bag (excluding flights originating in Africa) and 20% for any further additional baggage.

Flights Outside of the Americas (Per Kilogram)

* $15 per kilogram for travel between Larnaca and Malta

If purchased online then a 50% to 60% fee reduction will apply, depending on how much extra weight you purchase. The more weight you purchase, the higher the discount.

Flights To/From the Americas or Africa (Per Piece) for Tickets Purchased on or After December 21, 2020

Overweight/Oversized Baggage (Within Your Allowance)

Overweight/Oversized Baggage (Outside of Your Allowance)

For baggage fees related to sporting equipment or musical instruments, see Emirates’ policies.

Exclusions and Waivers

Emirates Skywards members receive additional baggage allowance*:

• Silver members: an additional 12 kg
• Gold members: an additional 16 kg
• Platinum members: an additional 20 kg

* When traveling under weight concept on Emirates and flydubai flights only

However, please note the following:

• The maximum weight per checked-in item of luggage is 70 pounds (32 kg) on all cross-Atlantic flights
• Economy class baggage to the U.S. cannot weigh more than 50 pounds (23 kg) per item
• Maximum weight limits per bag may vary in accordance with differing international airport regulations
• Excess baggage privileges do not apply to cabin baggage or on flights in which the baggage allowance is given as “number of luggage items” instead of kilograms.

Emirates Skywards members traveling under the piece concept on Emirate flights receive the following baggage allowance:

• Gold members
  • An additional 50 pounds (23 kg) piece in economy class
  • An additional 70 pounds (32 kg) piece in business and first class
• Platinum members
  • An additional 50 pounds (23 kg) piece in economy class
  • An additional 70 pounds (32 kg) piece in business and first class

NOTE: For the piece concept, the maximum allowance in any cabin shall not exceed 3 pieces of checked baggage.

Can I Prepay for Baggage?

Emirates does allow passengers the ability to prepay for luggage online or via the mobile app.

Here are the ways you can prepay:

• Log in to the Manage my Booking area of the Emirates website
• Download and log in to the Emirates app

Credit Cards That Reimburse You for Checked Bag Fees

If you are checking bags on an Emirates flight, one of the cards below can reimburse you for some, if not all, of those fees.

Each card allows you to redeem Capital One miles for 1 cent each as a statement credit for previous travel purchases (within 90 days).

To see more airline baggage fees and policies, click here.