Ethiopian Airlines' economy allowance is 2 checked pieces of 23 kg each, plus 1 hand bag of 7 kg measuring 23 x 40 x 55 cm (9 x 16 x 22 in). Cloud Nine business class gets 3 pieces of 23 kg or 2 of 32 kg, and each bag can total 158 cm (62 in). Some routes use a weight system that Ethiopian doesn't publish by zone.
Economy passengers get 2 checked pieces of 23 kg each. Cloud Nine, the business cabin, gets 3 pieces of 23 kg each or 2 pieces of 32 kg. Hand baggage is 1 piece of 7 kg in economy and 2 pieces of 7 kg in Cloud Nine. Fare brands inside a cabin generally share that allowance, so check the bag line shown at booking.
Ethiopian's allowance FAQ shortens Cloud Nine to C-9, so that label on a fare rule means business class.
| CABIN | CHECKED BAGS | HAND BAGGAGE |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | 2 x 23 kg | 1 x 7 kg |
| Cloud Nine (business) | 3 x 23 kg or 2 x 32 kg | 2 x 7 kg |
Not published route by route. The allowance page says some weight systems depend on the routes you fly, yet no zone table appears on it. Two rules show both systems are in use: an infant gets 10 kg under the weight system or 23 kg under the piece system, and Star Alliance Gold members get 20 kg or 1 extra piece. Your booking confirmation shows the allowance that applies to your ticket.
| SYSTEM | INFANT BAG | STAR ALLIANCE GOLD EXTRA |
|---|---|---|
| Piece system | 1 x 23 kg | 1 piece |
| Weight system | 10 kg | 20 kg |
| Adult weight-system totals | Not published | Not published |
Economy allows 1 hand bag up to 23 x 40 x 55 cm (9 x 16 x 22 in) weighing no more than 7 kg. Cloud Nine passengers can bring 2 bags at 7 kg each. Ethiopian's own pages disagree on depth: the baggage calculator and allowance FAQ list 55 x 40 x 20 cm. A bag no deeper than 20 cm meets both versions.
Up to 5 kg of extra items rides free on top of the 7 kg hand bag, according to the carry-on page. The list covers a handbag, laptop, coat or blanket, small camera, reading material, infant food, an infant carrying basket and duty-free purchases. The allowance FAQ gives a lower figure of 3 kg for a laptop, books, purse and one iPad or phone. Neither page sets dimensions.
Each checked bag can measure up to 158 cm (62 in) in total, handles and wheels included. On the standard economy allowance each piece weighs up to 23 kg, and where the 2 x 32 kg allowance applies a piece can reach 32 kg. Sports gear longer than 280 cm (110 in) has to travel as cargo.
Not published as a fee table. Ethiopian prices extra, overweight and oversize bags through its online baggage calculator, so you see a rate only after entering your route. Each passenger can buy up to 6 extra pieces. Flights departing Washington are temporarily capped at 2 extra pieces per passenger.
An infant gets 1 checked bag of 10 kg on weight-system routes or 23 kg on piece-system routes. A baby stroller and a car seat also travel free. In the cabin, the infant carrying basket and food for the flight are on the list of free extra items.
Sports gear flies free as your 2nd piece when you check only 1 other bag and the item stays within 158 cm (62 in) and 32 kg. Outside that rule Ethiopian charges a flat USD 80, 100 or 200, depending on the item, for gear up to 280 cm (110 in). Golf bags, skis and bicycles cost USD 100; surfboards and kayaks cost USD 200.
Yes. Cats and dogs can ride in the cabin in a container up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm, with pet and container at 8 kg or less. On international routes the cabin fee is USD 150, EUR 120 or GBP 110 per direction, and US routes cost USD 300. Heavier pets go in the hold for USD 370 up to 32 kg or USD 500 from 32 to 45 kg, and anything over 45 kg ships as cargo. Snub-nosed breeds are refused, and you pay the fee even when your free allowance has room.
These charges took effect for sales and travel on June 20, 2025.
| OPTION | FEE | LIMIT |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin, international | USD 150 / EUR 120 / GBP 110 per direction | 55 x 40 x 20 cm, 8 kg |
| Cabin, US routes | USD 300 | 8 kg |
| Cabin, domestic | USD 100 per direction | 8 kg |
| Hold, international | USD 370 (8 to 32 kg), USD 500 (32 to 45 kg) | 45 kg |
| Over 45 kg | Cargo | n/a |
Yes, seeing-eye and hearing-ear dogs fly in the cabin at no charge when harnessed and muzzled. Emotional support animals are refused in the cabin unless you carry a letter no older than 1 year from a licensed mental health professional on official letterhead. Hearing-ear dogs need advance arrangements.
Star Alliance Gold members get 1 extra checked piece on piece-system routes or 20 kg more on weight-system routes, within 158 cm (62 in). Gold members in First or Business also get at least 2 carry-on pieces of 7 kg each. The baggage pages we checked list no military, resident or credit card waivers.
No. Ethiopian's calculator says its results are valid only for flights Ethiopian operates, and a leg flown by another airline can carry different baggage rules. Look at the operating carrier for each flight on your itinerary, since the 2 x 23 kg economy allowance is an Ethiopian rule.
Yes. Every economy ticket includes 1 hand bag up to 7 kg, and Cloud Nine includes 2 at 7 kg each. You can also bring extra items such as a laptop or handbag free, up to 5 kg on the carry-on page.
Two pieces of 23 kg each, according to the allowance page. Some routes run on a weight system instead, and Ethiopian does not publish which ones, so confirm the allowance printed on your booking.
No published rule says the carrier replaces your hand bag. The pet fee is charged whether or not the pet fits in your free allowance, so the cabin fee of USD 150 per direction on international routes applies either way.
Up to 6 pieces per passenger. On flights departing Washington, Ethiopian has temporarily limited excess baggage to 2 pieces per passenger. The price comes from the online baggage calculator, not a published table.
Yes. Ethiopian carries 1 baby stroller and 1 baby car seat free for an infant, on top of the infant's checked bag of 10 kg or 23 kg depending on the route's baggage system.
Yes. Golf equipment is free as your second piece if you check only 1 other bag and it stays within 158 cm and 32 kg. Otherwise Ethiopian charges a flat USD 100 sports fee.
Verified October 3, 2026 by BaggageLimits editors. Rules change often; confirm with the airline before you fly.