✓ Policy web-verified 2026-05-31
Air China (Star Alliance, China’s flag carrier) splits its checked baggage rules into two systems: a piece concept for long-haul intercontinental routes and a weight concept for domestic and some regional flights. The single most important thing to know: on flights to/from the Americas (US and Canada), economy gets 2 free checked pieces, while economy on routes to/from Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australia/New Zealand and most of Asia gets just 1 free piece — each up to 23 kg. The good news for deal hunters is that even Air China’s cheapest published fares still bundle a full checked bag (no stripped-out “basic” fare on long-haul), so a cheap Air China ticket almost always includes both carry-on and hold luggage.
Quick facts
| Personal item | Fits under the seat (handbag, laptop bag, camera bag) |
| Carry-on (economy) | 55 × 40 × 20 cm, 5 kg |
| Checked (economy, to/from Americas) | 2 pieces × 23 kg |
| Checked (economy, Europe/other regions) | 1 piece × 23 kg |
| Max per checked piece | 32 kg, 158 cm (L+W+H) international |
| Excess fee (per kg, weight routes) | approx. USD 8/kg to/from Asia, USD 10/kg to/from Europe & Oceania (varies by route) |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal / under-seat item | Must fit under the seat in front of you. One personal item (handbag, laptop bag, camera bag or small briefcase) in addition to the carry-on. Business/First get a higher carry-on weight (typically up to 8 kg per piece). |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 55 × 40 × 20 cm · 5 kg (economy) Free |
Checked baggage & fees
| Checked allowance | Economy: 2 pieces to/from the Americas (US/Canada); 1 piece to/from Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia & New Zealand |
| Weight limit | 23 kg per piece (max 32 kg before it must be shipped as cargo) |
| Typical fee | Free up to the fare allowance; excess charged per kg or per extra piece |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy (to/from Americas) | 1 under-seat item | 55 × 40 × 20 cm, 5 kg | 2 × 23 kg |
| Economy (Europe/Asia/ME/Africa/Oceania) | 1 under-seat item | 55 × 40 × 20 cm, 5 kg | 1 × 23 kg |
| Economy (domestic China) | 1 under-seat item | 55 × 40 × 20 cm, 5 kg | 20 kg (weight concept) |
| Business | 1 under-seat item | Higher carry-on weight (≈8 kg) | 2 × 32 kg (piece routes) |
| First | 1 under-seat item | Higher carry-on weight (≈8 kg) | 3 × 32 kg (piece routes) |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
What you actually get on a cheap Air China fare: Unlike European full-service carriers that have introduced stripped “Light” fares, Air China’s cheapest economy ticket on long-haul routes still includes a checked bag. At deal prices you can expect 1 × 23 kg checked plus the 5 kg carry-on and a personal item as standard — and 2 × 23 kg if you’re flying to or from the US or Canada. That makes a low Air China fare genuinely cheaper than a comparable European-carrier “Light” fare once you add a bag back on. Always confirm the piece count printed on your specific ticket, since the Americas (2 pieces) vs. rest-of-world (1 piece) split is the one place travelers get caught out.
Oversize, sports & special items
Oversize and overweight: Any piece over 23 kg (in economy) or exceeding 158 cm total dimensions on international routes attracts an overweight/oversize charge. A single bag may never exceed 32 kg or 203 cm (L+W+H) — heavier or larger items must travel as cargo. Excess pieces and excess weight each carry their own fee.
Excess fees: On weight-concept routes, per-kg excess is roughly USD 8/kg for flights to/from Asia and USD 10/kg to/from Europe and Oceania, but rates vary by route and direction — check Air China’s excess baggage table for your exact itinerary. On domestic China flights, excess is charged at about 1.5% of the published one-way economy fare per kg.
Sports & musical instruments: Folding bikes, golf bags, skis and similar count toward your free allowance if within size/weight limits; otherwise oversize fees apply. A musical instrument too large for the overhead bin can be carried in the cabin by purchasing an extra seat, or checked. Notify Air China in advance for bulky sports gear and large instruments.
Frequently asked questions
How many bags does Air China include for free in economy?
On long-haul piece-concept routes, economy includes 1 free checked bag (up to 23 kg) to/from Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Oceania, and 2 free checked bags (23 kg each) to/from the Americas (US/Canada). Domestic China flights use a 20 kg weight allowance instead.
What is Air China's carry-on size and weight limit?
Economy passengers may bring one carry-on up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm and 5 kg, plus one personal item (handbag, laptop bag or camera bag) that fits under the seat in front. Business and First allow a higher carry-on weight (around 8 kg).
Does the cheapest Air China fare include a checked bag?
Yes. Unlike European carriers' stripped 'Light' fares, Air China's cheapest long-haul economy fares still include a checked bag — typically 1 × 23 kg (2 × 23 kg to/from the US/Canada) plus carry-on and a personal item.
How much does Air China charge for excess baggage?
On weight-concept routes, excess is roughly USD 8/kg for flights to/from Asia and USD 10/kg to/from Europe and Oceania, varying by route. On domestic China flights it's about 1.5% of the published one-way economy fare per kilogram. Extra pieces on piece-concept routes carry a separate per-bag charge.
What is the maximum weight for a single checked bag on Air China?
A single checked piece must weigh no more than 32 kg and no less than 2 kg, with total dimensions not exceeding 203 cm (L+W+H). Anything heavier or larger must be shipped as cargo. Economy's free per-piece limit is 23 kg.
Why does Air China give 2 bags to the US but 1 to Europe?
Air China applies the IATA 'piece concept' on the Americas, which historically allows 2 free pieces in economy, while routes to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Oceania allow 1 free piece. Always check the allowance printed on your specific ticket.
What are the checked baggage dimensions on Air China international flights?
On international routes, a single free-allowance piece should not exceed 158 cm total (length + width + height). The absolute maximum any checked piece may reach is 203 cm; beyond that it must travel as cargo. Domestic free pieces are limited to 100 × 60 × 40 cm.