KE · South Korea · Full-service
Korean Air Carry-On Size 2026 55 x 40 x 20 cm
By Caden SorensonVerified Oct 2026Sourced from the official Korean Air policy
Exact Korean Air carry-on dimensions, weight limits, and fees for 2026.
Quick answer
Korean Air carry-on bags can be up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm (21.7 x 15.7 x 7.9"), with a 10 kg (22 lb) weight limit, and no carry-on fee on any fare, including the Economy Saver fare.
- Carry-on size: up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm (21.7 x 15.7 x 7.9")
- Weight limit: 10 kg (22 lb)
- Carry-on fee: free on every fare, including the Economy Saver fare
- Personal item: up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm (15.7 x 11.8 x 5.9"), free on every fare
- Gate-check risk: Low
- Last verified: Oct 2026
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
- 10 kg (22 lb)
- Fee
- Free
- Gate-check risk
- Low
Total weight of carry-on plus personal item must not exceed 10 kg (22 lb) in Economy. First/Prestige allows 2 bags up to 18 kg total. Total linear dimensions must not exceed 115 cm (45 in).
Personal Item
- Max dimensions (cm)
- 40 x 30 x 15 cm
- Max dimensions (in)
- 15.7 x 11.8 x 5.9"
- Included
- Yes, free
- Weight
- Counts toward 10 kg total
A handbag, briefcase or laptop bag up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm in addition; it counts toward the 10 kg total.
See checked bag fees & moreDoes your bag fit on Korean Air?
Alliance and loyalty
- Alliance
- SkyTeam
- Loyalty program
- SKYPASS
Korean Air cabin bag dimensions and bag size
The maximum Korean Air 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.
Korean Air carry-on weight limit
Korean Air limits carry-on bags to 10 kg (22 lb).
Does Korean Air charge for carry-on bags?
No. Korean Air includes a free carry-on bag plus a free personal item on every fare, including the Economy Saver fare.
What bags fit as a Korean Air personal item
Common bag types compared against the Korean Air personal item limit. Sizes are typical retail dimensions and vary by brand.
| Bag type | Typical size | On Korean Air |
|---|---|---|
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" | Fits |
Under-seat roller Mini wheeled bag | 16 x 14 x 8" | Too big |
Korean Air carry-on by fare class
| Fare | Carry-on | Personal item | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | Included | Included | 1 piece up to 10 kg and within 115 cm total (L+W+H). Plus 1 small personal item. |
| Prestige (Business) | Included | Included | 2 pieces, combined up to 18 kg, each within 115 cm sum. |
| First | Included | Included | 2 pieces, combined up to 18 kg, each within 115 cm sum. |
What counts as a personal item on Korean Air
Allowed
- Handbag
- Laptop bag
- Small item that fits under the seat
Korean Air vs Japan Airlines carry-on
Korean Air and JAL both give Economy 10 kg of carry-on, so they tie on weight. Korean uses a 115 cm linear sum while JAL enforces a fixed 55x40x25 cm box, which means Korean is more forgiving of tall or deep bags as long as the total stays under 115 cm. In premium cabins Korean pulls ahead: Prestige and First get two bags with 18 kg combined, while JAL keeps the same 10 kg combined cap across all classes on standard international aircraft. Both allow one personal item on top. If you pack heavy up front, Korean is the more generous ticket.
See Japan Airlines carry-on sizeKorean Air checked baggage fees
On flights to and from the Americas (except Brazil), Economy includes 2 checked bags at 23 kg / 51 lb each, except Economy Saver, which includes 1. On other international routes, every Economy fare includes 1 bag at 23 kg. Prestige includes 2 bags and First Class 3 bags, at 32 kg each. Some countries restrict single bags over 32 kg / 70 lb or 158 cm / 62 in total, even if you pay excess fees. SKYPASS Morning Calm Club and higher elite members can check additional baggage free of charge.
Ways to skip the Korean Air checked bag fee
- Pack carry-on only. Confirm your bag fits the Korean Air carry-on size.
- Check your SKYPASS status. See whether your tier includes a free checked bag on Korean Air.
Korean Air special items & sports equipment
- Ski / snowboard
- Not published
- Golf clubs
- As a checked bagsee details below
- Bicycle
- Not published
- Pet in cabin
- Varies by route
- Pet as cargo
- Not published
Musical instruments: Instruments up to 115 cm (45 in) in total, such as violins, can be brought on board free. Larger instruments such as cellos need a seat booked through the Service Center, or can be checked within your baggage allowance in a hard case.
Korean Air allows small pets in the cabin when pet and carrier weigh 7 kg (15 lb) or less, in a carrier up to 32 x 45 x 19 cm; heavier pets up to 45 kg go in the hold. Pets are not accepted in the cabin or as checked baggage to Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong or the UK. International fees are the same for cabin or hold and set by distance: USD 150, 225 or 300 one way for 32 kg or less. Golf equipment has no oversize fee up to 292 cm and counts toward your baggage allowance.
Korean Air basic economy restrictions
- Carry-on allowed
- Yes
- Personal item allowed
- Yes
- Checked bag surcharge
- Not published
- Only 1 checked bag (vs 2 on Standard/Flex)
- No seat selection until check-in
- No changes
- Non-refundable
- Reduced SKYPASS mileage earning
Frequently asked questions
What is the Korean Air carry-on size limit?
Korean Air 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 10 kg (22 lb).
What are the Korean Air carry-on dimensions in cm?
The Korean Air 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 Korean Air hand luggage allowance?
Korean Air 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 10 kg. A personal item that fits under the seat is also included on every fare.
What is the Korean Air carry-on weight limit?
Korean Air limits carry-on bags to 10 kg (22 lb).
Does Korean Air charge for carry-on bags?
No. Korean Air includes a free carry-on bag plus a free personal item on every fare, including the Economy Saver fare.
What is the Korean Air personal item size?
The personal item on Korean Air must fit within 40 x 30 x 15 cm (15.7 x 11.8 x 5.9") and slide fully under the seat in front of you. A handbag, briefcase or laptop bag up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm in addition; it counts toward the 10 kg total.
Will my bag be gate-checked on Korean Air?
Our guidance rates the gate-check risk on Korean Air as Low. It is our own rating, not a figure Korean Air publishes. Overhead bin space is usually sufficient on full flights.
Does a 22-inch suitcase fit as a Korean Air 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 Korean Air 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 Korean Air?
Only a small one. A standard daypack (roughly 18 x 13 x 8 inches) is larger than the Korean Air personal item limit of 40 x 30 x 15 cm (15.7 x 11.8 x 5.9"). 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 Korean Air?
Yes. Korean Air counts the personal item toward the 10 kg (22 lb) cabin baggage limit, so your cabin bags together must weigh no more than 10 kg.
How much does a checked bag cost on Korean Air?
Korean Air includes a first checked bag on most economy fares.
Flying Korean Air out of these airports?
Check terminal layouts, connection times, and layover tips for major Korean Air hubs and focus cities.
Korean Air head-to-head comparisons
In-depth comparisons between Korean Air and another carrier, covering bags, seats, on-time performance, routes, and loyalty.
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.
- Korean Air: Carry on baggage accessed 2026-10-30
- Korean Air: Free baggage accessed 2026-10-02
- Korean Air: Guide accessed 2026-10-23
- Korean Air: Skyteam accessed 2026-10-28
- SkyTeam: Korean air accessed 2026-10-28
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 Korean Air flight.
- Best carry-on bags for Korean Air in 2026Eight carry-ons checked against major airline size rules, from budget to premium.
- How to avoid checked baggage feesSeven tactics and three airline-card combos that save $45 to $100 per trip.
- Checked bag fees for Korean AirFirst, second, and overweight bag fees for every airline we track, in one searchable table.
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- Embed the Korean Air carry-on cardPut a free Korean Air carry-on size card on your travel blog with a short HTML snippet.
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