Air China's economy allowance on most long-haul routes is about 2 checked bags of 23 kg each, while Business gets 2 bags of 32 kg. Every economy passenger may also carry one 55 x 40 x 20 cm (22 x 16 x 8 in) cabin bag up to 5 kg plus a personal item. On domestic China flights, liquids are banned from carry-on apart from small cosmetics.
On most international routes Air China counts bags by the piece. Economy and Premium Economy passengers usually get 2 free checked bags of 23 kg (50 lb), Business gets 2 bags of 32 kg (70 lb) and First gets 3 bags of 32 kg. Each free bag must stay within 158 cm (62 in) in total size. Some Asia routes and the cheapest economy fares can carry a lower allowance, so the figure printed on your e-ticket is the one that counts.
Air China publishes separate allowance tables for weight concept and piece concept routes, so the same cabin can carry a kilogram allowance on one trip and a piece allowance on another.
| CABIN | FREE CHECKED BAGS | WEIGHT EACH |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | 2 (about) | 23 kg (50 lb) |
| Premium Economy | 2 (about) | 23 kg (50 lb) |
| Business | 2 (about) | 32 kg (70 lb) |
| First | 3 (about) | 32 kg (70 lb) |
Each cabin bag on Air China can measure up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm (22 x 16 x 8 in). Economy and Premium Economy (called Super-Economy on the carry-on page) allow 1 piece of 5 kg (11 lb). Business and First allow 2 pieces of 8 kg (17 lb) each. A bag that is too big, too heavy or will not fit in the overhead bin or under the seat is moved to the hold at the gate.
| CABIN | PIECES | WEIGHT EACH | SIZE |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | 2 | 8 kg (17 lb) | 55 x 40 x 20 cm |
| Business | 2 | 8 kg (17 lb) | 55 x 40 x 20 cm |
| Premium Economy | 1 | 5 kg (11 lb) | 55 x 40 x 20 cm |
| Economy | 1 | 5 kg (11 lb) | 55 x 40 x 20 cm |
Besides the main cabin bag, every passenger may bring 1 personal item that fits under the seat in front, such as a handbag, briefcase, laptop bag or camera bag. Air China gives no size or weight for it. Parents may also bring infant food, diapers and a folding stroller up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm, and mobility aids such as crutches or a folding wheelchair travel free.
No checked bag may weigh more than 32 kg (70 lb) or less than 2 kg, and its length, width and height together must fall between 60 cm and 203 cm (24 to 80 in). Free bags on international and regional flights must stay within 158 cm (62 in). Anything heavier than 32 kg has to be repacked or sent as cargo, and bags over 158 cm attract excess fees.
Flights inside mainland China use a weight allowance instead of pieces. Economy passengers get about 20 kg in total, Business about 30 kg and First about 40 kg, and you can split it across bags. Each free bag on these flights must measure no more than 100 x 60 x 40 cm (39 x 24 x 16 in). A domestic leg booked on an international ticket keeps the international size rule instead.
Carry-on liquids are banned on domestic China flights apart from cosmetics up to 100 ml per item, one item per type.
Extra bags are priced by IATA world area, and Air China lists the rates in a fee schedule linked from its checked baggage page. On long-haul routes an extra bag costs from about USD 140, with higher charges for bags that are overweight or over 158 cm. Passengers who need more space can also buy an extra seat for baggage, holding up to 75 kg within 100 x 60 x 40 cm.
An extra seat for baggage must be booked at the same fare class as your own ticket and must sit next to you, not across an aisle.
Star Alliance Gold members and PhoenixMiles Gold or Platinum members flying Air China usually get one extra free bag on piece routes, or about 20 kg extra on weight routes. Infants without a seat typically get one bag of 23 kg plus a folding stroller on international flights. Check the allowance printed on your e-ticket, since Air China applies the benefit at check-in.
Cats and dogs can fly on Air China as checked baggage in the hold, booked as special baggage with its own fees. Pets in the cabin are generally not accepted, with service dogs the main exception. Other live animals are refused unless Air China says otherwise. Book the pet when you buy your ticket, since space in the hold is limited.
Sports gear, fishing tackle and large musical instruments travel as special baggage. Air China applies separate booking steps, packing rules and charges to these items. On international routes a sports bag that falls outside your free allowance costs from about USD 100. Packed sports items still count against the 32 kg and 203 cm limits for any single bag.
Fireworks, flammable liquids, firearms, knives with blades over 150 mm and lighters are banned from both cabin and hold. Power banks and lithium batteries above 160 Wh, self-heating hot pots, durian and drinks over 70% alcohol are also refused. Strong-smelling or strongly magnetic items can also be turned away at check-in.
Report the problem at the Air China baggage desk before leaving the airport and keep the Record of Baggage Transport Irregularities. Claims for damage must reach Air China within 7 days, and claims for delay within 21 days of delivery. Under the Montreal Convention the limit is 1,288 SDR per passenger, while domestic China flights pay up to RMB 100 per kg.
International passengers connecting in Beijing to a Chinese city can check bags through to the final stop on many routes from the Americas, Europe and Oceania.
Two bags of 23 kg (50 lb) each on most long-haul international routes, with each bag up to 158 cm in total size. Domestic China flights use a total of about 20 kg instead.
55 x 40 x 20 cm (22 x 16 x 8 in) per bag. Economy allows 1 bag of 5 kg, while Business and First allow 2 bags of 8 kg each, plus a personal item.
32 kg (70 lb) per bag. Anything heavier must be repacked or shipped as cargo, and each bag must also measure no more than 203 cm in total.
No. Liquids are banned from carry-on on domestic China flights, except personal cosmetics up to 100 ml per container, one item per type, packed in a separate bag.
No, in most cases. Cats and dogs travel as checked baggage in the hold under special baggage fees, and service dogs are the main cabin exception.
21 days from the date the bag is delivered to you. Damage claims have a shorter window of 7 days from when you collect the bag.
Verified October 3, 2026 by BaggageLimits editors. Rules change often; confirm with the airline before you fly.