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Japan Airlines’ (JAL) baggage policies are pretty generous when it comes to your allowance, with 2 checked bags included for all economy/premium economy passengers and 3 checked bags included for business and first.
That’s why, when looking at additional baggage fees, extra pieces may seem slightly expensive. When you consider the initial inclusions, the fee is actually pretty average because each passenger is starting at their third (or fourth) piece from the get-go.
1 personal item: FREE
1 standard carry-on bag: FREE
Size Restrictions
Total weight combined not to exceed 22 pounds (10 kg).
Lap Infant Carry-on Policy
Stroller Check Policy
* Stroller lending service available at the following airports: Narita International, Kansai International, Chubu Centrair International, Frankfurt International, London Heathrow
All checked bags must adhere to a max weight of 50 pounds (23 kg) for economy and premium economy or 70 pounds (32 kg) for business and first class fares and must adhere to max linear dimensions of 80 inches (203 cm).
Economy and Premium Economy: 2 checked bags FREE (50 pounds/23 kg)
Business and First : 3 checked bags FREE (70 pounds/32 kg)
| Route | Additional Bag per Piece | Overweight 23 to 32 kg | Overweight 32 to 45 kg | Oversized |
| Between Japan, Asia, India, Oceania and Hawaii, North/Central/South America, Europe, Russia (Moscow), Middle East, Africa | ¥20,000 ($200/CA$200) | ¥10,000 ($100/CA$100) | ¥60,000 ($600/CA$600) | ¥20,000 ($200/CA$200) |
| Between Japan and Asia, Guam, Russia (Vladivostok), Oceania | ¥10,000 ($100/CA$100) | ¥6,000 ($60/CA$60) | ¥30,000 ($300/CA$300) | ¥10,000 ($100/CA$100) |
| Domestic Japan* | ¥5,000 ($50/CA$50) | ¥1,000 ($10/CA$10) | ¥15,000 ($150/CA$150) | ¥5,000 ($50/CAD50) |
* Consumption tax excluded
On select routes, checked baggage exceeding 70 pounds (32 kg) for 1 piece cannot be accepted. Passengers are advised to split up and pack baggage before attempting to check it.
For baggage fees related to special luggage (sporting equipment, pets, etc.) please refer to Japan Airlines’ policy.
JMB Fly On and JGC Members:
JMB CRYSTAL Members Without JGC Status:
With a generous free baggage allowance, Japan Airlines does not allow passengers the ability to prepay for extra luggage.
This means passengers must pay any excess baggage fees during the check-in process at the airport.
Unlike many airlines, Japan Airlines allows all passengers at least 2 free checked bags. If you need a third checked bag, the price is quite steep. You can use one of the Capital One cards below and be reimbursed for some or all of those fees at a rate of 1 cent per mile (for travel purchases in the last 90 days):
To see more airline baggage fees and policies, click here.
We’ve also covered the best ways to fly to Japan using points and miles!
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An experienced points hacker, Erin is Alex’s partner-in-crime and contributes to Upgraded Points with in-depth guides and relationship management. Erin’s work has been cited in multiple major publications.
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28 comments
Jim Duncan
March 30, 2019
I am flying to Manila from Atlanta. I will be taking an expensive violin that cannot be placed in checked luggage due to the risk of damage. I also will have my regular carry on bag with my computer and personal items. Will this airline allow me to take the violin on board along with my usual carry on small bag?
Erin Miller
March 31, 2019
Hi Jim, JAL’s conditions of carriage state: “JAL will permit a Passenger to carry into the cabin articles not suitable for Carriage in a cargo compartment (such as fragile musical instruments) only if a prior due notice of such article is given to, and a prior permission to such Carriage is granted by, JAL. Carriage of such Baggage shall be subject to a charge provided in JAL’s Regulations.”
I would go ahead and call their customer service line and inquire with them directly for the most accurate information. (1 (800) 525-3663 from the U.S.)
Eric
May 17, 2019
I am aware of JAL international flight free check in luggage policy but what about its domestic flights within japan? Any charge on checked in luggage flying JAL?
Thx
Catherine Luther
May 18, 2019
Hi Eric,
For domestic flights, JAL has a free checked allowance of 20kg for economy passengers and 45kg for first class passengers. This works on a weight concept so there is no limit to the number of bags you can bring, as long as the combined weight does not exceed 20kg. The maximum dimensions for a checked bag are 50cm x 60cm x 120cm.
If you’re flying on a combined international + domestic ticket, then the allowance from the longest leg of the journey would apply.
Opie
May 20, 2022
Is there any free baggage for military?
Katie Seemann
June 06, 2022
Hi Opie,
Since Japan Airline’s baggage policy already allows 2 free checked bags, they don’t have any special allowances for military.
Sami
April 17, 2019
How many checked bags and hand carry are allowed for a trip to Japan. I’m an economy passenger.
I have 1 suitcase, 1 hand carry and 1 backpack, is this available or not?
Catherine Luther
April 18, 2019
Hi Sami,
Japan Airlines has a checked baggage allowance of 2 x 23kg bags for Economy passengers. For carry-on, the allowance is 1 carry-on bag measuring 22″ x 16″ x 10″ and 1 personal item (the size is undisclosed but would include items such as a handbag or laptop bag). So if you intend to take your carry-on and backpack into the cabin, be prepared to have to check this, if they decide it is too large.
Clive
May 13, 2019
We (3 of us) are flying from Australia to Spain on JAL (on a code share Iberia aircraft on the leg from Japan to Spain), travelling Economy. We are travelling to a sailing event and will be carrying our competition sails. The will fit in the weight and number of pieces for checked luggage, however they are oversize, basically contained in a tube of 230cm length with a diameter of 15cm. How will this be treated and does the length break an maximum restriction?
Thanks in advance for you advice.
Erin Miller
May 14, 2019
Hi Clive, please be advised we are not Japan Airlines, we are Upgraded Points – a website that produces informational content based on points and miles as well as other travel related content such as this baggage fee article.
We took a look at both JAL’s and Iberia’s websites searching for baggage fees concerning sailing equipment however were unable to find any information. Since this is a special case, and again we are not JAL or Iberia, we suggest you contact JAL directly by phone at their reservations/customer service line in order to receive the most accurate information. They can also tell you if you need to contact Iberia since you’re flying on Iberia metal for one leg of your trip.
Sorry we couldn’t be of more assistance!
Jean A.
June 27, 2019
Hi Erin,
I am travelling via JAL on economy class and I have 2 luggages to check in already where one weighs much much less than the maximum allowed weight for a luggage. My husband has ordered 2 golf clubs packed in an elongated box and asked me to bring it. Will this count as a 3rd piece luggage and will be charged excess baggage fee of JPY20000? Is it possible to handcarry this instead?
Catherine Luther
June 27, 2019
Hi Jean,
As the checked baggage allowance is allocated by piece not weight, unfortunately you would be charged to take a 3rd bag. Your only options are to pay the excess fee for an extra bag (I don’t know where you’re flying from but it’s either JPY10,000 or JPY20,000) or try to use your 10kg carry-on weight for what you would have packed in your 2nd checked bag, freeing up your 2nd checked bag for the golf clubs.
patricia K
August 14, 2019
Are Laptop bags included in kilos that are 10Kg?
Erin Miller
August 15, 2019
Hi Patricia, JAL’s policy is that your carry-on weight PLUS your personal item weight is not to exceed 10kg total. So if your laptop bag is your personal item, then yes it is included in this policy.
Joyce
November 07, 2019
I believe I was overcharged today with my third bag. I should get two free bags and the third one which was my small carry on should have been charged 10,000 yen and not 20,000.
Can someone please advise how to revisit the charge and see if there was an error by the service agent who could barely hold a conversation in English yet along Japanese
Catherine Luther
November 08, 2019
Hi Joyce,
Please be aware that we are not Japan Airlines, we are UpgradedPoints.com. You will need to contact Japan Airlines to query the baggage charge.
Diane
October 13, 2020
I understand that your not Japan Airlines, but I’m wondering if you may know the answer.
I am a OneWorld Alliance Member (Sapphire Level) (Qantas Gold) and will be travelling soon from Australia to UK via Japan on JAL which is a OneWorld Member Airline.
I am struggling to interpret the extra allowances for frequent flyers, as JAL’s website makes it very confusing.
Without Frequent Flyer status I would be entitled to 2 x 23kg bags in Economy.
It looks like if you are a One World Frequent Flyer Sapphire equivalent to JAL’s membership lebvel names I would be entitled to 3 x 32kg bags.
Does that seem correct to you?
I have tried calling, but due to Covid, the lines are always busy. I will continue trying to call JAL direct, but am also trying to locate the information myself. And am hoping you also might know.
Jarrod West
October 16, 2020
Hi Diane,
Here are the extra baggage benefits for Oneworld Sapphire members per the Oneworld website:
“As a Sapphire frequent flyer, the following special checked baggage privileges will apply when you fly on oneworld airlines:
On international or domestic itineraries using the baggage allowance “weight” system – 15 kgs in addition to the ticketed Economy Class baggage allowance.
On international itineraries, that include domestic sectors, using the baggage allowance “piece” system – one additional bag*, weighing up to 23kgs, up to a maximum of two pieces.
On purely domestic itineraries, using the baggage allowance “piece” system, for tickets with no ticketed baggage entitlement – the assurance of one piece of checked baggage, weighing up to 23 kgs.”
I hope this helps!
Adira Nofeadri Ryofi
October 15, 2020
For economy class, may I bring 1 luggage with a weight of 38kg?
Jarrod West
October 16, 2020
Hi Adira,
The maximum luggage capacity for economy flights is 23kgs. You may bring a bag that weighs 38kgs, but it will be subject to additional fees between $150-$600 depending on what route you’re flying.
JR Harvell
November 16, 2020
I was curious about how much will it cost to fly from Austin, Texas to Tokyo and back in economy with 1 carry-on backpack and 2 luggage suitcases?
Jarrod West
November 19, 2020
Hi JR,
Economy tickets allow for a 1 carry-on item and 2 checked bags that weigh up to 50 pounds each. So you should not be charged any extra for these bags.
Jennifer Diz
December 05, 2020
Hello
I’m flying from San Francisco to Manila, how much would an extra checked bag cost? I have a layover in Narita.
Catherine Luther
December 05, 2020
Hi Jennifer,
For this route, an extra bag would cost $200.
Jae
January 04, 2022
Hi. We are flying through Japan airlines from Texas to Manila through Narita lay-over. How many extra checked in baggage per passenger is allowed? Because I’m planning to bring 4 luggage. I’m aware that 2 check in is free and the extra will cost $200 per 23kg. Am I allowed to bring additional 2 luggage? Thanks
Jarrod West
January 10, 2022
Hi Jae,
Yes, you’re allowed to bring 2 extra pieces of checked luggage as long as you know that you’ll have to pay for it. Safe travels!
Ernest Gabriel
March 14, 2022
I am planning a trip to Chicago from Manila with 2 flights within this itinerary. I am going to bring an extra check-in bag. What is the weight limit of this check-in bag? Furthermore, will I be paying the extra $200 for the whole flight itinerary or that is just for 1 flight?
Jarrod West
March 25, 2022
Hi Ernest,
The weight limit of the extra bag is the same 23 kg (50 pounds), and the $200 should apply to the whole trip.
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