✓ Policy web-verified 2026-05-31
Lao Airlines (IATA code QV) is the flag carrier of Laos, flying domestic routes plus regional links to Thailand, Vietnam, China, Cambodia and South Korea. Its baggage policy is weight-based rather than piece-based, and the key variable is the fare bundle you book: the cheapest Easy fare carries no free checked bag, while every other Economy fare includes 20 kg. This guide covers the current 2026 allowances, dimensions and the per-kilo excess fees, which Lao Airlines updated effective 15 April 2026.
Quick facts
| Cabin baggage | 1 piece, 7 kg, total dimensions ≤ 115 cm |
| Personal items | Handbag, coat, reading material, etc. — free, in addition to cabin bag |
| Easy fare (cheapest) | No free checked baggage |
| Saving / Promo / Silver / Gold | 20 kg checked (adults & children) |
| Business Class | 30 kg checked |
| Infants | 10 kg checked (on fares with a checked allowance) |
| Excess baggage | Per-kg fee, varies by route — ~$3 domestic, $9–$22 international |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal / under-seat item | No published dimensions. In addition to the 7 kg cabin bag, Lao Airlines allows free personal items: a handbag, overcoat, umbrella, reading material, infant food and bassinet, plus collapsible wheelchairs and mobility aids. |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | Total of three dimensions ≤ 115 cm (approx. 60 x 30 x 18 cm) · 7 kg Free — one piece per passenger |
Checked baggage & fees
| Checked allowance | 20 kg on Saving/Promo/Silver/Gold Economy fares; 30 kg in Business; none on the Easy fare |
| Weight limit | Weight-based, not piece-based — total combined weight up to the fare's limit |
| Typical fee | Excess charged per kg by route: domestic ~$3 USD / 71,000 LAK; international $9–$22 USD per kg |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy | Included | 7 kg | None |
| Promo | Included | 7 kg | 20 kg |
| Saving | Included | 7 kg | 20 kg |
| Silver | Included | 7 kg | 20 kg |
| Gold | Included | 7 kg | 20 kg |
| Business | Included | 7 kg | 30 kg |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
At the deal prices we surface for Lao Airlines, the typical fare on offer is a standard Economy ticket (Saving/Promo or higher), which bundles a useful 1 × 20 kg checked bag plus a 7 kg cabin bag — already enough for most short regional trips with no add-on needed. The trap is the rock-bottom Easy fare: it strips out the checked bag entirely, so a headline price that looks a few dollars cheaper can cost more once you pay per-kilo excess (and on an international route that can be $10–$22 per kg). Before booking the lowest tier, confirm whether checked baggage is included; if you only travel with a cabin bag, Easy is genuinely the cheapest, but for any hold luggage the 20 kg fares are almost always better value than paying excess.
Oversize, sports & special items
Weight system, not pieces: Lao Airlines pools your checked allowance by total weight rather than counting bags, so you can split it across multiple pieces as long as you stay under the fare limit. Infants on fares with a checked allowance get 10 kg.
Route-specific reductions: the LXG–VTE and ODY–VTE domestic sectors carry a reduced 15 kg checked limit and a smaller hand-baggage allowance. Always check your specific itinerary, as small-aircraft routes can differ from the headline 20 kg.
Excess pricing (effective 15 April 2026): charged per kg and route-dependent — domestic about $3 USD / 71,000 LAK per kg (up to $4–$5 / ~94,000–118,000 LAK on some sectors), and international roughly $9–$22 per kg depending on the city pair.
Frequently asked questions
Does the cheapest Lao Airlines fare include a checked bag?
No. The Easy fare is the cheapest Economy bundle and includes no free checked baggage for adults, children or infants. You still get the 7 kg cabin bag, but any checked luggage must be added as paid excess or you must book a higher fare (Saving, Promo, Silver or Gold), which all include 20 kg.
How much carry-on baggage can I bring on Lao Airlines?
One cabin bag up to 7 kg, with the sum of its three dimensions not exceeding 115 cm (roughly 60 x 30 x 18 cm). On top of that you may carry free personal items such as a handbag, coat, umbrella, reading material and infant items.
What is the checked baggage allowance on Lao Airlines?
Most Economy fares (Saving, Promo, Silver, Gold) include 20 kg of checked baggage for adults and children, and 10 kg for infants. Business Class includes 30 kg. The Easy fare includes none. Lao Airlines uses a weight system, so it's the total combined weight that matters, not the number of pieces.
How much does excess baggage cost on Lao Airlines?
Excess baggage is charged per kilogram and varies by route. Domestic routes are around $3 USD (about 71,000 LAK) per kg. International rates run from about $9 up to $22 per kg — for example $10/kg on Vientiane–Bangkok/Hanoi/Danang, $17/kg on Vientiane–Ho Chi Minh and $20–$22/kg on routes to Incheon. Rates were updated effective 15 April 2026.
Are there reduced baggage limits on some Lao Airlines routes?
Yes. Certain smaller domestic routes have lower allowances. The LXG–VTE and ODY–VTE services apply a reduced 15 kg checked limit and a smaller hand-baggage allowance, instead of the standard 20 kg, because of aircraft capacity constraints.
Can I bring sports equipment or a bicycle on Lao Airlines?
Sports equipment counts toward your normal baggage allowance, with anything over the limit charged at the standard overweight per-kg rate. Bicycles must be boxed in cardboard and are limited to 10 kg; one golf set with shoes is also capped at 10 kg. There is no separate flat sports-equipment fee published — it is handled through the per-kg excess system.