✓ Policy web-verified 2026-06-20
Book the cheapest Light fare on SCAT and you get exactly one thing in the hold: nothing. Light is hand-baggage only — no checked bag is included. What you do get is one cabin bag up to 10 kg at 55 x 40 x 25 cm, and that allowance is identical across every SCAT fare, which is unusually generous for a low-cost carrier — most rivals cap the cheap fare at a personal item. SCAT runs a single Economy cabin, so there’s no business-class bag bump to chase; the only lever is which of the three fares you buy.
The fare ladder is simple: Light (cabin only), Optimum (one checked piece up to 23 kg), and Flex (two checked pieces up to 23 kg each, plus refundability). If you’re flying SCAT it’s almost certainly because the Kazakhstan-domestic or Central Asia / Istanbul fare is dirt cheap — just know the headline price is the Light price, and the hold is empty until you pay.
Quick facts
| Cheapest fare | Light — cabin bag only, no checked baggage |
| Cabin bag | 1 bag, up to 10 kg, 55 x 40 x 25 cm (all fares) |
| Personal item | Not a separate allowance — the 10 kg cabin bag is it |
| Optimum checked | 1 piece up to 23 kg included |
| Flex checked | 2 pieces up to 23 kg each (158 cm linear) |
| Extra/checked bag fee | approx. EUR 20-70 per piece up to 23 kg, varies by route |
| Single-piece weight cap | 32 kg max per bag (hard limit) |
| Istanbul routes | Enhanced 30 kg checked + 5 kg cabin |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal item / under-seat | No separate personal-item allowance; the single cabin bag covers it |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 1 bag, up to 10 kg, max 55 x 40 x 25 cm including handles and wheels — included on Light, Optimum and Flex |
Checked baggage & fees
| Light (cheapest) | No checked baggage included — add it as a paid extra |
| Optimum | 1 piece up to 23 kg included |
| Flex | 2 pieces up to 23 kg each, max 158 cm linear (H+W+D) |
| Extra / paid checked bag | approx. EUR 20-70 per piece (up to 23 kg), varies by route and when you buy |
| Weight limit per piece | 32 kg maximum — bags over 32 kg are refused (health & safety) |
| Istanbul routes | Enhanced allowance: 30 kg checked plus 5 kg cabin |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light | 1 cabin bag 10 kg | Included (55x40x25 cm) | None |
| Optimum | 1 cabin bag 10 kg | Included | 1 x 23 kg |
| Flex | 1 cabin bag 10 kg | Included | 2 x 23 kg (refundable fare) |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
On a cheap SCAT Light deal fare you get a real 10 kg cabin bag (55 x 40 x 25 cm) and zero hold luggage. For a weekend in Almaty or Shymkent with a 10 kg carry-on, that’s genuinely all you need and you pay nothing extra. The catch is anyone packing for longer: there’s no bag in the hold and no separate personal item to lean on — it’s the one cabin bag or pay up.
To add a checked bag, you’ve got two routes: buy a paid extra piece (budget roughly EUR 20-70 for up to 23 kg, route-dependent and cheaper if you add it online rather than at the airport), or step up to the Optimum fare which folds one 23 kg piece into the ticket. If you need two bags or want a refundable ticket, Flex (2 x 23 kg) is the only fare that gets you there. Add the bag at booking — airport-counter excess is where SCAT, like every LCC, makes the margin.
Oversize, sports & special items
Single checked pieces over 32 kg are not accepted at all — split the load into multiple bags rather than one heavy one, since each piece is weighed against its own limit. Oversize, sports equipment (skis, bikes, golf) and musical instruments are carried as special/excess baggage subject to size and weight surcharges and, for fragile or bulky items, advance notice — confirm the exact fee and any pre-booking requirement with SCAT before you travel, as these vary by route and item.
Two route-specific notes worth knowing in 2025/2026: SCAT applies an enhanced 30 kg checked + 5 kg cabin allowance on Istanbul services, and some sources still quote an older 5 kg / 55 x 40 x 20 cm cabin figure tied to specific routes such as Baku — the current standard cabin allowance is 10 kg at 55 x 40 x 25 cm.
Frequently asked questions
Does SCAT Airlines' cheapest fare include a checked bag?
No. The Light fare is cabin-baggage only — it includes one 10 kg cabin bag (55 x 40 x 25 cm) but no checked luggage. You either pay for an extra piece or buy the Optimum or Flex fare.
How big and heavy can my SCAT carry-on be?
One cabin bag up to 10 kg with maximum dimensions of 55 x 40 x 25 cm including handles and wheels. This allowance is the same on Light, Optimum and Flex fares.
Does SCAT allow a separate personal item plus a cabin bag?
No separate personal item is officially allowed. Your allowance is the single 10 kg cabin bag, so pack the essentials inside it.
What checked allowance comes with Optimum and Flex?
Optimum includes one checked piece up to 23 kg. Flex includes two checked pieces up to 23 kg each (max 158 cm linear) and is refundable.
How much does it cost to add a checked bag to a SCAT Light fare?
Roughly EUR 20-70 for one piece up to 23 kg, depending on the route and whether you add it online or at the airport. It’s cheaper to buy the bag at booking than at the counter.
What is SCAT's maximum weight for a single bag?
32 kg per piece. Any single bag heavier than 32 kg is refused for health and safety reasons — split it into two bags instead.
Do SCAT flights to and from Istanbul have a different allowance?
Yes. SCAT applies an enhanced allowance on Istanbul routes — around 30 kg of checked baggage plus 5 kg of cabin baggage.
Can I take skis, a bike or a musical instrument on SCAT?
Yes, as special or excess baggage subject to size/weight surcharges and, for bulky or fragile items, advance notice. Confirm the exact fee and any pre-booking requirement directly with SCAT before travelling.
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