✓ Policy web-verified 2026-05-31
Tianjin Airlines (IATA code GS) is a Chinese carrier in the HNA Group, flying a domestic network across mainland China plus international and regional routes to Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Europe and the South Pacific. Its baggage policy follows the standard Chinese model: a tight 5 kg cabin allowance, and a checked allowance that switches between the weight concept (most routes) and the piece concept (long-haul routes touching North America).
This guide covers what you can bring in 2026, what is free, and what you pay for extra weight. Allowances and fees vary by route, cabin and ticket type.
Quick facts
| Carry-on | 1 bag, 5 kg, 55 x 40 x 20 cm |
| Personal item | 1 small item (laptop bag / handbag) |
| Checked (domestic economy) | 20 kg free, weight concept |
| Checked (international economy) | Typically 23 kg (1 piece) on piece-concept routes; weight allowance varies elsewhere |
| Business class | 30 kg domestic / up to 2 x 32 kg international |
| Excess baggage | ~1.5% of one-way adult economy fare per kg (weight concept) |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal / under-seat item | No separate published dimensions; small under-seat item. One personal item such as a laptop bag, handbag or small backpack in addition to the carry-on. |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 55 x 40 x 20 cm · 5 kg Free (included) |
Checked baggage & fees
| Checked allowance | Domestic economy 20 kg; international economy typically 1 x 23 kg on piece-concept routes |
| Weight limit | 23 kg per piece (piece concept) / 20 kg free (domestic weight concept) |
| Typical fee | Excess ~1.5% of economy fare per kg; extra piece charged by route |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy (domestic) | 1 item | 5 kg | 20 kg free (weight concept) |
| Economy (international) | 1 item | 5 kg | Weight allowance varies; piece-concept routes to/from North America typically 1 x 23 kg |
| Business class | 1 item | 5 kg (often 2 pieces) | 30 kg domestic; international up to 2 pieces at 32 kg each on piece-concept routes |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
What you actually get on a cheap Tianjin Airlines fare: at the deal prices we track, the cheapest Tianjin Airlines economy ticket still bundles a checked bag (1 x 23 kg) plus a cabin bag — it is not a strip-it-back budget fare. That makes it noticeably better value than European low-cost carriers where the headline price excludes everything.
One catch to plan around: the published cabin allowance is just 5 kg, tighter than the 7-8 kg most international airlines allow. So load your heavy items (shoes, electronics, toiletries) into the free checked bag and keep the carry-on light — that way you use the generous checked allowance and avoid a gate weigh-in on the cabin bag.
Oversize, sports & special items
Weight concept vs piece concept. Most Tianjin Airlines routes use the weight concept: you get a total free weight (e.g. 20 kg domestic economy) regardless of how many bags, and excess is charged per kilogram. Long-haul routes connecting to North America use the piece concept, where allowance is counted in bags (typically 1 x 23 kg economy, 2 x 32 kg business). Check which applies to your route — it changes how excess is calculated.
Oversize and overweight. A single checked piece should not exceed 32 kg or 158 cm (length + width + height combined); heavier or larger items must be shipped as cargo. Overweight and oversize surcharges are added on top of any excess weight charge.
Restricted items. As with all Chinese carriers, power banks and spare lithium batteries must be in carry-on only (not checked), and there are strict limits on their capacity. Liquids in the cabin follow the standard 100 ml container rule.
Australia ↔ China — you get 2 bags, not 1. Tianjin Airlines’s official baggage page lists only 1 checked piece to/from Australia and New Zealand — but the real allowance on a Standard Economy ticket to mainland China is 2 × 23 kg. This is the long-standing Oceania–China rule that the major Chinese carriers run for the student, family and daigou market, and it is what your ticket actually carries. The one exception is the cheaper “Economy Light” / “Saver” fare, which gives 1 × 23 kg; a standard economy fare gives you two.
Frequently asked questions
How much carry-on baggage does Tianjin Airlines allow?
One carry-on bag up to 5 kg and within 55 x 40 x 20 cm, plus one small personal item such as a laptop bag or handbag. The 5 kg cabin limit is enforced more strictly than on many Western carriers.
Is checked baggage included in a Tianjin Airlines ticket?
Yes on most fares. Domestic economy includes 20 kg free; international economy on piece-concept routes typically includes one 23 kg piece. Some promotional fares may include less.
What is the checked baggage weight limit per bag?
On weight-concept routes the allowance is a total weight rather than per-piece, but no single bag should exceed 32 kg. On piece-concept routes each economy piece is limited to 23 kg and each business piece to 32 kg.
How much does excess baggage cost on Tianjin Airlines?
On weight-concept routes excess is roughly 1.5% of the one-way adult economy fare per kilogram, so the price scales with your route. On piece-concept routes extra pieces are charged at a fixed regional rate.
What is the business class baggage allowance?
Typically 30 kg on domestic routes and up to two pieces of 32 kg each on international piece-concept routes. Cabin allowance stays at 5 kg, often as two pieces.
Can I bring sports equipment or musical instruments?
Yes, with conditions. Bulky gear counts as excess or must travel as cargo; a small instrument fits the cabin if within 5 kg / 55 x 40 x 20 cm, otherwise it needs its own purchased seat. Arrange and price these in advance with the airline.