✓ Policy web-verified 2026-05-31
Lion Air (IATA: JT) is Indonesia’s largest low-cost carrier, and its baggage policy changed materially in 2025. Since 17 July 2025, the free checked allowance was cut to 10 kg on all domestic and international routes — down from the previous 15–20 kg. Cabin baggage stays at 7 kg. Anything beyond 10 kg must be bought as a prepaid baggage voucher, and those prices are set per route rather than as one flat fee.
This guide covers what’s included, the size and weight limits, and how the extra-baggage charges work in 2026. Note that Lion Air (the Indonesian carrier, code JT) and Thai Lion Air (code SL) publish separate policies; the figures below are for Indonesian Lion Air unless stated.
Quick facts
| Cabin bag | 7 kg, 40 x 30 x 20 cm — free |
| Personal item | 1 allowed (handbag/laptop bag etc.) — free |
| Free checked | 10 kg (economy, since 17 July 2025) |
| Business checked | Up to 30 kg domestic / 20 kg international |
| Extra checked | Prepaid vouchers in 5/10/15/20/25/30 kg, route-priced |
| Cheapest fee tier (indicative) | From ~Rp 36,000–48,000 for the first 5 kg on short domestic routes |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal / under-seat item | Must fit under the seat / in the cabin alongside the 7 kg bag. One personal item allowed in addition to the cabin bag — e.g. a handbag, laptop bag, reading material, binoculars, or baby equipment. No separate published dimensions. |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 40 x 30 x 20 cm · 7 kg Included free |
Checked baggage & fees
| Checked allowance | 10 kg free (since 17 July 2025); extra bought as prepaid vouchers |
| Weight limit | Free tier 10 kg; vouchers sold in 5/10/15/20/25/30 kg increments |
| Typical fee | Route-priced — see fees note below |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | Yes | 7 kg (40 x 30 x 20 cm) + 1 personal item | 10 kg free |
| Business (domestic) | Yes | 7 kg + 1 personal item | Up to 30 kg |
| Business (international) | Yes | 7 kg + 1 personal item | Up to 20 kg |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
What you actually get on a cheap Lion Air ticket: at deal prices you fly on the standard economy fare, which includes the 7 kg cabin bag plus one personal item and — since July 2025 — 10 kg of free checked baggage. That 10 kg is tight: a typical packed suitcase often runs 13–18 kg, so most travellers with a real bag will need to buy extra.
Buy any extra checked weight online before departure through Lion Air’s website or app, where prepaid vouchers are noticeably cheaper than the excess-baggage rate charged at the airport counter. Because Lion Air prices baggage per route, always check the figure for your specific flight rather than assuming a flat fee — short domestic hops cost a few dollars per 5 kg, while longer or international sectors cost considerably more.
Oversize, sports & special items
Prepaid vs. airport excess: prepaid baggage (bought before the airport) is cheaper than excess baggage charged at check-in. On short domestic routes the gap is around Rp 36,000 prepaid vs Rp 48,000 excess for an indicative tier; on longer routes both rise (e.g. roughly Rp 70,000 prepaid vs Rp 92,000 excess on some sectors). Exact amounts depend entirely on the route — Lion Air publishes a per-route price list.
Sports and bulky items: oversized or special items (sports equipment, musical instruments, surfboards, bicycles) are accepted as checked baggage and counted against your weight allowance/voucher; very large items may need to be declared in advance. Lion Air does not publish a single flat oversize fee — it is handled within the weight-based prepaid/excess system.
2026 watch-outs: the headline change is the 10 kg free allowance (cut from 15–20 kg in July 2025). Older third-party pages still quote 15–20 kg or even “no free checked baggage” — both are out of date. Tickets bought or rescheduled before 17 July 2025 keep the old higher allowance.
Frequently asked questions
How much baggage is included free on Lion Air in 2026?
Economy passengers get a 7 kg cabin bag (max 40 x 30 x 20 cm) plus one personal item, and 10 kg of free checked baggage. The 10 kg free checked allowance has applied to all domestic and international routes since 17 July 2025.
Does Lion Air still give 20 kg of free checked baggage?
No. Lion Air reduced the free checked allowance to 10 kg from 17 July 2025. The previous 15–20 kg only still applies to tickets bought or rescheduled before that date. Business-class fares get more (up to 30 kg domestic / 20 kg international).
What is Lion Air's carry-on size and weight limit?
One cabin bag up to 7 kg and not exceeding 40 x 30 x 20 cm, plus one personal item such as a handbag or laptop bag. The cabin allowance was not changed by the 2025 update.
How much does extra checked baggage cost on Lion Air?
Lion Air prices extra baggage per route, not as a flat fee. Prepaid vouchers are sold in 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 kg increments. On short domestic routes the first 5 kg can be around Rp 36,000–48,000; longer and international routes cost more. Always check the price for your specific route.
Is prepaid baggage cheaper than paying at the airport?
Yes. Prepaid baggage bought online via the Lion Air website or app is cheaper than the excess-baggage rate charged at the airport counter — often roughly 20–25% less for the same weight. Buy it before you travel to avoid the higher counter price.
Can I bring sports equipment or a musical instrument on Lion Air?
Yes. Sports equipment, instruments and similar bulky items are carried as checked baggage and counted against your weight allowance or prepaid voucher. There is no single flat oversize fee — it is handled through the weight-based prepaid/excess system, and very large items should be declared in advance.
Is Lion Air the same as Thai Lion Air for baggage?
No. Indonesian Lion Air (code JT) and Thai Lion Air (code SL) publish separate baggage policies. The 10 kg free checked figure and IDR fees here are for Indonesian Lion Air. Check Thai Lion Air's own page if you're flying SL.