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G9 · United Arab Emirates · Low-cost

Air Arabia Carry-On Size 2026 55 x 40 x 20 cm

By Caden SorensonVerified Nov 2026Sourced from the official Air Arabia policy

Exact Air Arabia carry-on dimensions, weight limits, and fees for 2026.

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On this page
  1. Quick answer
  2. Air Arabia dimensions
  3. Weight limit
  4. Carry-on fee
  5. Bag fit matrix
  6. Fare class breakdown
  7. Overhead bin size
  8. Avoiding gate-check
  9. What counts as a personal item
  10. Common mistakes
  11. Gate-check process
  12. vs flydubai
  13. Checked bag fees
  14. Special items
  15. Basic economy
  16. FAQ
  17. Sources

Quick answer

Air Arabia carry-on bags can be up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm (21.7 x 15.7 x 7.9"), with a 7 kg (15.4 lb) weight limit, and no carry-on fee on any fare, including the Basic fare.

  • Carry-on size: up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm (21.7 x 15.7 x 7.9")
  • Weight limit: 7 kg (15.4 lb)
  • Carry-on fee: free on every fare, including the Basic fare
  • Personal item: up to 33 x 25 x 20 cm (13 x 9.8 x 7.9"), free on every fare
  • Gate-check risk: High
  • Last verified: Nov 2026
Air Arabia carry-on maximum size, 55 x 40 x 20 cm (21.7 x 15.7 x 7.9 inches)55 cm (21.7")20 cm (7.9")40 cm(15.7")LHW
Air Arabia maximum carry-on dimensions, including wheels and handles.

Carry-On Bag

Max dimensions (cm)
55 x 40 x 20 cm
Max dimensions (in)
21.7 x 15.7 x 7.9"
Weight limit
7 kg (15.4 lb)
Fee
Free
Gate-check risk
High

Total cabin allowance is 10 kg: one carry-on bag (max 55x40x20 cm, 7 kg) plus one personal item (max 33x25x20 cm, 3 kg), including duty-free purchases. If a bag still exceeds the limit at the boarding gate, a fee of AED 100 per piece may apply. Infants get an extra 3 kg bag for baby essentials.

Personal Item

Max dimensions (cm)
33 x 25 x 20 cm
Max dimensions (in)
13 x 9.8 x 7.9"
Included
Yes, free
Weight
3 kg (6.6 lb), within 10 kg total

One personal item such as a laptop bag, handbag, or small backpack. Weight limit 3 kg (6.6 lb). Combined with carry-on must not exceed 10 kg total.

See checked bag fees & more

Does your bag fit on Air Arabia?

Check it against every airline

Alliance and loyalty

Alliance
None
Loyalty program
AirRewards

Air Arabia cabin bag dimensions and bag size

The maximum Air Arabia carry-on size is 55 x 40 x 20 cm, which works out to 21.7 x 15.7 x 7.9 inches. These measurements include wheels, handles, and any external pockets, so a bag marketed as "22 inch" can go over if its wheels push the total past 55 cm. Always measure your bag packed, not empty.

Air Arabia carry-on weight limit

Air Arabia limits carry-on bags to 7 kg (15.4 lb).

Does Air Arabia charge for carry-on bags?

No. Air Arabia includes a free carry-on bag plus a free personal item on every fare, including the Basic fare.

What bags fit as an Air Arabia personal item

Common bag types compared against the Air Arabia personal item limit. Sizes are typical retail dimensions and vary by brand.

Bag typeTypical sizeOn Air Arabia
Standard backpack
Everyday daypack, laptop backpack
18 x 13 x 8"Too big
Tote bag
Canvas or leather tote
15 x 14 x 5"Too big
Laptop bag
Messenger or slim briefcase
16 x 12 x 4"Too big
Small duffel
Gym or weekender
18 x 11 x 11"Too big
Purse
Handbag or crossbody
12 x 10 x 5"Too big
Under-seat roller
Mini wheeled bag
16 x 14 x 8"Too big

Air Arabia carry-on by fare class

FareCarry-onPersonal itemNotes
BasicIncludedIncluded10 kg total (7 kg cabin bag + 3 kg personal item). No checked bag included.
ValueIncludedIncluded10 kg total cabin. Checked baggage included (20/30 kg on UAE flights). Free standard seat from row 8.
UltimateIncludedIncluded10 kg total cabin. 30/40 kg checked baggage included on UAE flights. Any seat from row 2 and a hot meal included.
BusinessIncludedIncludedCabin bag included. 20 kg checked bag included free.

Air Arabia overhead bin size by aircraft

Air Arabia operates an all-Airbus A320/A321 fleet. Overhead bins on the A320 are standard narrowbody size and fill quickly on full flights, especially from SHJ hub during peak travel seasons.

Avoiding gate-check on Air Arabia

Air Arabia boards by zone with Business Class and passengers needing assistance first. There is no credit card or loyalty-based priority boarding for economy passengers. Boarding early is the best way to guarantee overhead bin space.

What counts as a personal item on Air Arabia

Allowed

  • Laptop bag
  • Handbag
  • Small backpack within 33x25x20 cm

Counts as a second carry-on

  • Full-size backpack
  • Second rolling suitcase
  • Large tote exceeding personal item dimensions

Common Air Arabia carry-on mistakes

  • Assuming the 10 kg is per bag. It is 10 kg combined across the carry-on and personal item (7 kg + 3 kg split).
  • Not pre-booking checked baggage online. Pre-booking can save up to 90% of the baggage charges paid at the airport.
  • Bringing a carry-on that meets dimensions but exceeds 7 kg. Air Arabia enforces weight at the gate with an AED 100 penalty.
  • Expecting free checked bags. Air Arabia is an LCC; even Value fare checked bags are part of the bundle price, not free.

What happens if your bag does not fit on Air Arabia

Overweight or oversized cabin bags are tagged at the gate and checked into the cargo hold with an AED 100 penalty fee. Pre-booking checked baggage avoids this surcharge. Bags are collected at the carousel on arrival.

Air Arabia vs flydubai carry-on

Air Arabia and flydubai are the two main Gulf-based low-cost carriers operating from neighboring UAE airports (SHJ vs DXB). flydubai offers a slightly larger personal item and more generous cabin allowance on Flex fares, while Air Arabia's 10 kg combined limit is stricter. Both charge for checked bags on base fares. flydubai has a broader route network and codeshare with Emirates, while Air Arabia offers lower base fares on overlapping routes. For budget travelers, Air Arabia is typically cheaper but stricter on baggage enforcement.

See flydubai carry-on size
Air Arabia checked baggage fees
Domestic economy
1st bagNot published
2nd bagNot published
Long-haul / international
1st bagNot published
Weight limit70 lb
Linear dim62 in
Overweight & oversize
51–70 lbNot published
71–100 lbNot published
63–80 inNot published

No checked baggage on Basic fares (except Cairo flights). Checked baggage is pre-booked in 20, 30, or 40 kg total options; 20 kg is one piece, 30 and 40 kg can be split into up to 2 pieces. Maximum 32 kg and 158 cm (62 in) per bag. Fees vary by route and are shown only in the booking flow, so no flat first-bag figure is published. On UAE flights the Value fare includes 20/30 kg and Ultimate 30/40 kg. Airport bag prices are typically higher than pre-booking online. AED 100 per piece at the boarding gate for an oversize or overweight cabin bag.

Ways to skip the Air Arabia checked bag fee

  1. Pack carry-on only. Confirm your bag fits the Air Arabia carry-on size.
  2. Check your AirRewards status. See whether your tier includes a free checked bag on Air Arabia.
Air Arabia special items & sports equipment
Ski / snowboard
As a checked bagsee details below
Golf clubs
As a checked bagsee details below
Bicycle
As a checked bagsee details below
Pet in cabin
Not published
Pet as cargo
Not published

Musical instruments: Small instruments allowed in cabin if within carry-on dimensions and weight. Larger instruments can be checked or require an extra seat purchase.

Only falcons may travel in the cabin: book at least 48 hours ahead, charged at three times the normal excess baggage rate, extra seat needed for more than one falcon per handler (max two per extra seat). Other pets are not carried in the cabin. Sports equipment is accepted as checked baggage within your purchased allowance.

Air Arabia basic economy restrictions
BasicAir Arabia's lowest fare tier
Carry-on allowed
Yes
Personal item allowed
Yes
Checked bag surcharge
Not published
  • No checked baggage included (except Cairo flights)
  • Seat selection is paid
  • Meals are paid
  • One change allowed up to 24 hours before departure (minimum AED 200 fee); no refunds, value kept as travel credit

Frequently asked questions

What is the Air Arabia carry-on size limit?

Air Arabia allows carry-on bags up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm (21.7 x 15.7 x 7.9"), including wheels, handles, and any external pockets. The weight limit is 7 kg (15.4 lb).

What are the Air Arabia carry-on dimensions in cm?

The Air Arabia carry-on size limit in centimeters is 55 x 40 x 20 cm. In inches that converts to 21.7 x 15.7 x 7.9". Both measurements include wheels, handles, and external pockets.

What is the Air Arabia hand luggage allowance?

Air Arabia hand luggage (the cabin bag that goes in the overhead bin) can measure up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm and weigh up to 7 kg. A personal item that fits under the seat is also included on every fare.

What is the Air Arabia carry-on weight limit?

Air Arabia limits carry-on bags to 7 kg (15.4 lb).

Does Air Arabia charge for carry-on bags?

No. Air Arabia includes a free carry-on bag plus a free personal item on every fare, including the Basic fare.

What is the Air Arabia personal item size?

The personal item on Air Arabia must fit within 33 x 25 x 20 cm (13 x 9.8 x 7.9") and slide fully under the seat in front of you. One personal item such as a laptop bag, handbag, or small backpack. Weight limit 3 kg (6.6 lb). Combined with carry-on must not exceed 10 kg total.

Will my bag be gate-checked on Air Arabia?

Our guidance rates the gate-check risk on Air Arabia as High. It is our own rating, not a figure Air Arabia publishes. Plan on your carry-on being sized at the gate and be prepared to pay if it does not fit the sizer.

Can I bring a carry-on on Air Arabia Basic?

Yes. Air Arabia Basic passengers can bring one carry-on bag plus one personal item.

Does a 22-inch suitcase fit as an Air Arabia carry-on?

No. A standard 22 x 14 x 9 inch carry-on (55.9 x 35.6 x 22.9 cm) is over the Air Arabia limit of 55 x 40 x 20 cm (21.7 x 15.7 x 7.9"). Longest side 55.9 cm, limit 55 cm: 0.9 cm over; Shortest side 22.9 cm, limit 20 cm: 2.9 cm over. Choose a bag within the limit, measured with wheels and handles.

Does a backpack count as a personal item on Air Arabia?

Only a small one. A standard daypack (roughly 18 x 13 x 8 inches) is larger than the Air Arabia personal item limit of 33 x 25 x 20 cm (13 x 9.8 x 7.9"). A backpack within that limit counts as the personal item, and a bigger one counts as the carry-on.

Is there a weight limit for personal items on Air Arabia?

Yes. Air Arabia limits the personal item to 3 kg (6.6 lb). It also counts toward the 10 kg (22 lb) total for all cabin bags.

How much does a checked bag cost on Air Arabia?

Air Arabia does not publish one flat first checked bag fee. The price varies by route and fare class.

Flying Air Arabia out of these airports?

Check terminal layouts, connection times, and layover tips for major Air Arabia hubs and focus cities.

Sources

Facts, costs, and travel details in this carry-on guide were verified against the following sources. See our research methodology for how we vet and update data.

If a figure looks wrong, email hello@vient.org, see how we handle corrections, or browse past fixes in our public changelog.

Helpful guides

Gear, tactics, and packing help for your Air Arabia flight.

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