✓ Policy web-verified 2026-05-31
Air India runs a hybrid baggage system: a single weight-based allowance on domestic and most Asia/Gulf/Africa routes, and the piece concept (counted bags of up to 23 kg each) on flights to and from the USA, Canada and parts of Europe. After the Vistara merger completed in November 2024, all former Vistara routes now fly under the Air India brand with allowances harmonised to Air India’s structure, so this is the policy you’ll see across the whole network in 2026.
What you actually get depends on your fare bundle — Comfort, Value, Classic or Flex — not just your cabin class. The headline numbers below are for Economy; Premium Economy, Business and First carry more. Always check the allowance printed on your specific ticket, because it varies by route, fare and frequent-flyer tier.
Quick facts
| Personal item | 1 item (handbag/laptop bag), must fit under seat, up to ~3 kg | Free, all fares |
| Cabin bag (Economy) | 55 × 40 × 20 cm, up to 8 kg | Free, all fares |
| Checked (domestic Economy) | 15–25 kg depending on fare | Included per fare |
| Checked (international, weight zones) | 25–30 kg (Gulf/Asia/Africa) | Included per fare |
| Checked (USA/Canada/Europe, piece) | 1 × 23 kg (Value) up to 2 × 23 kg (Classic/Flex) | Included per fare |
| Excess baggage | ~₹500/kg domestic; ~₹1,200/kg international at airport | Cheaper if pre-paid online |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal / under-seat item | Small handbag or laptop bag that fits under the seat in front. One personal item in addition to the cabin bag, up to roughly 3 kg; must comply with security screening |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 55 × 40 × 20 cm (approx. 22 × 16 × 8 in) · 8 kg (Economy); 12 kg combined in Business/First Free on all fares — one piece only under India's BCAS single-hand-baggage rule |
Checked baggage & fees
| Checked allowance | Weight-based on domestic/Asia/Gulf/Africa (15–30 kg); piece-based (1–2 × 23 kg) on USA, Canada and many Europe routes |
| Weight limit | 23 kg per piece on piece-concept routes; 15–30 kg total on weight-concept routes depending on fare and zone |
| Typical fee | Excess ~₹500/kg domestic, ~₹1,200/kg international at the airport; 20–30% cheaper if pre-purchased online. Extra-piece and overweight charges vary by route. |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comfort / Value (lowest Economy) | Included | 1 × 8 kg + personal item | Domestic 15 kg; international piece routes 1 × 23 kg; weight zones ~25 kg |
| Classic (mid Economy) | Included | 1 × 8 kg + personal item | Domestic ~25 kg; international piece routes 2 × 23 kg; weight zones 25–30 kg |
| Flex (top Economy) | Included | 1 × 8 kg + personal item | Domestic 25 kg; international up to 2 × 23 kg or 30 kg by zone |
| Premium Economy | Included | Higher combined cabin allowance | Typically 2 × 23 kg internationally / higher weight allowance |
| Business / First | Included | 2 pieces, up to ~12 kg combined | 2–3 × 32 kg internationally |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
What Air India’s cheapest fare actually gives you at deal prices: Air India is unusually generous for a flag carrier — even its lowest Economy bundle includes a checked bag, not just hand luggage. On long-haul (USA, Canada, Europe and other piece-concept routes) the cheapest fare bundles 1 × 23 kg checked plus an 8 kg cabin bag. On short-haul and domestic, the cheapest fare still includes a checked bag, typically 1 × 15 kg, plus the same 8 kg cabin allowance.
This matters for deal-hunters: a cheap Air India long-haul fare almost always travels with a free checked bag, unlike the European full-service carriers whose lowest fares strip checked baggage out entirely. When you compare a headline price, factor that an Air India ticket usually already has the bag built in.
Oversize, sports & special items
Oversize, sports and musical equipment: Items exceeding standard checked dimensions (commonly a 158 cm / 62 in linear-sum limit per piece) are accepted as oversize for an extra fee or as part of a piece allowance. Sports gear such as golf clubs, skis, bicycles and surfboards is carried as checked baggage; if it pushes you over your weight or piece limit, excess charges apply. Bicycles and large items should be declared in advance.
Musical instruments: Small instruments can travel as your cabin bag if within 8 kg and 55 × 40 × 20 cm. Larger instruments either go as checked baggage (suitably packed in a hard case) or, for fragile high-value instruments, can travel in the cabin on a purchased extra seat — arrange this with Air India before travel.
Power banks and lithium batteries: Power banks and spare lithium batteries must be in cabin baggage only, never checked. Power banks must not be used or charged during the flight per Air India’s 2026 in-cabin rules.
2026 note — Vistara integration: With Vistara fully merged into Air India, former Vistara routes now follow Air India’s bundle and allowance structure. Allowances on those routes were harmonised, so check your fare bundle rather than assuming legacy Vistara rules still apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much cabin baggage can I bring on Air India in 2026?
Economy passengers get one cabin bag up to 8 kg and 55 × 40 × 20 cm (about 22 × 16 × 8 in), plus one personal item such as a handbag or laptop bag that fits under the seat. Business and First allow more, around 12 kg combined. India's security rules permit only one hand-baggage piece per passenger.
Does Air India's cheapest fare include a checked bag?
Yes. Unlike many European carriers, even Air India's lowest Economy fare includes a checked bag. On long-haul piece-concept routes (USA, Canada, much of Europe) that's 1 × 23 kg; on short-haul and domestic it's typically 1 × 15 kg. An 8 kg cabin bag is included on every fare.
What is Air India's checked baggage allowance to the USA and Canada?
Flights to and from the USA and Canada use the piece concept: 1 × 23 kg in the lowest Economy fare, rising to 2 × 23 kg in Classic and Flex fares. Business and First passengers get more pieces at up to 32 kg each. Allowance is printed on your ticket.
How much does excess baggage cost on Air India?
At the airport, excess is roughly ₹500 per kg on domestic flights and around ₹1,200 per kg internationally, varying by route. Pre-purchasing extra baggage online is usually 20–30% cheaper than paying at check-in. Overweight and extra-piece charges differ by zone.
What is the difference between Air India's Value, Classic and Flex fares for baggage?
Value (lowest) gives the smallest checked allowance — 15 kg domestic or 1 × 23 kg internationally. Classic adds more weight or a second piece. Flex is the most generous Economy bundle with the full checked allowance plus flexible changes. Cabin allowance (8 kg) is the same across all three.
Can I carry a power bank on Air India?
Power banks and spare lithium batteries must be carried in cabin baggage only and are not allowed in checked luggage. Under Air India's 2026 rules, power banks may not be used or recharged during the flight.
Has the Vistara merger changed Air India baggage rules?
Yes. Since the Vistara–Air India merger completed in November 2024, all former Vistara routes operate under the Air India brand with allowances harmonised to Air India's bundle structure. Check the fare bundle (Comfort/Value/Classic/Flex) on your ticket rather than assuming old Vistara rules.
What are Air India's rules for sports equipment and musical instruments?
Sports gear (golf clubs, skis, bicycles, surfboards) travels as checked baggage and incurs excess fees if it exceeds your weight or piece limit; declare large items in advance. Small instruments can be your cabin bag if within 8 kg; larger ones go checked in a hard case or on a purchased extra cabin seat.
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