✓ Policy web-verified 2026-05-31
Asiana Airlines (OZ) is South Korea’s second-largest carrier and a Star Alliance member, though that is about to change: Asiana is being absorbed into Korean Air, with the brand scheduled to disappear around December 17, 2026. Until then it operates under its own published baggage rules, which split into two systems depending on where you fly.
Routes to and from the Americas (and a few others) use the piece concept — your allowance is counted in bags, each up to 23 kg in Economy. Most other international routes and Korean domestic flights use the weight concept, where you get a total kilogram allowance regardless of how many bags you split it across. This distinction drives almost every confusion about Asiana baggage, so confirm which system applies to your specific itinerary before you pack.
Quick facts
| Personal item | 40 × 30 × 20 cm, fits under seat | Free |
| Carry-on | 55 × 40 × 20 cm, 10 kg | Free (1 Economy / 2 Business) |
| Checked (Economy, Americas) | 2 × 23 kg, max 158 cm each | Free |
| Checked (Economy, other intl) | ~20–30 kg total | Free (varies by route) |
| Checked (Business) | 2 × 32 kg (piece) / 30–40 kg (weight) | Free |
| Extra checked bag | Per piece | ~USD 60–200+ (route-dependent) |
| Overweight 24–32 kg | Per bag | ~USD 35–110 (USD 100 on US routes) |
| Oversize 159–203 cm | Per bag | ~USD 90–210 |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal / under-seat item | 40 × 30 × 20 cm. One personal item (handbag, laptop bag, briefcase or small backpack) that fits under the seat in front, in addition to the carry-on. No extra charge. |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 55 × 40 × 20 cm (sum ≤ 115 cm), incl. handles/wheels · 10 kg (22 lb) Free — 1 bag in Economy, 2 in Business |
Checked baggage & fees
| Checked allowance | Piece system (Americas etc.): Economy 2 × 23 kg; Business 2 × 32 kg. Weight system (most other intl): Economy ~20–30 kg total; Business ~30–40 kg. Korea domestic: Economy 20 kg / Business 30 kg total. |
| Weight limit | 23 kg per bag (Economy piece), 32 kg per bag (Business); single bag must never exceed 32 kg |
| Typical fee | Free within allowance; extra/over-limit fees below |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy — piece routes (Americas) | 1 under-seat item | 1 × 10 kg | 2 × 23 kg free |
| Economy — weight routes (most intl) | 1 under-seat item | 1 × 10 kg | ~20–30 kg total free |
| Business — piece routes | 1 under-seat item | 2 × 10 kg | 2 × 32 kg free |
| Business — weight routes | 1 under-seat item | 2 × 10 kg | ~30–40 kg total free |
| Korea Domestic | 1 under-seat item | 1 × 10 kg | Economy 20 kg / Business 30 kg total |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
On the cheapest Asiana Economy fares we see at deal prices, the headline is genuinely generous compared with European or budget carriers: you keep a full 10 kg carry-on plus an under-seat personal item, and at least one checked bag of 23 kg is included free — there is no stripped-back “hand-baggage-only” fare to trap you. On trans-Pacific and Americas routes the included allowance jumps to two 23 kg checked bags, which is exceptional value on a long-haul deal fare and rare among full-service carriers in 2026.
The catch to watch on a cheap fare is the weight vs piece split: a sub-€500 Europe–Seoul or intra-Asia fare may give you a total kilogram allowance (often ~20–30 kg) rather than the two-bag Americas standard, so it pays to confirm before assuming “2 bags free.” Either way, Asiana’s cheapest fare bundles a checked bag — so a low headline price is rarely undercut by a surprise baggage charge.
Oversize, sports & special items
Oversize and overweight: The maximum size for any checked bag is 158 cm (62 in) total (length + width + height, including wheels and handles). Bags over 158 cm up to 203 cm incur an oversize fee (~USD 90–210 by distance; USD 200 on US routes). Any single bag over 32 kg cannot be checked — it must be repacked or shipped as cargo, for handler safety. Overweight bags of 24–32 kg attract a fee (~USD 35–110, or USD 100 / KRW 100,000 on US routes).
Sports & special items: A golf bag can be combined with one general bag and counted as a single piece if the total stays under 32 kg. Bicycles, skis and similar gear follow standard piece/weight rules but may need packing in a hard case. Musical instruments can travel as checked baggage, or in the cabin if you buy an extra seat for large instruments; advance notice is required if dimensions exceed 203 cm total.
Asiana Club / Star Alliance elites receive extra allowance (typically one additional bag for Silver/Gold and one full-size extra bag for Diamond Plus/Platinum) — though note Asiana Club closes at the merger and miles transfer 1:1 to Korean Air SKYPASS.
2026 change to plan around: Asiana is merging into Korean Air, with the Asiana brand retired around 17 December 2026 and a shift from Star Alliance to SkyTeam. After integration, baggage rules, fees and elite benefits will align to Korean Air’s policy. For travel into 2027, check Korean Air’s allowances rather than Asiana’s. Pre-purchasing excess baggage online or in the app can save up to ~10% versus airport counter rates.
Baggage by region & route
Asiana gives the two-piece bonus to and from the USA and Canada; one piece elsewhere. Like Korean Air, the cheapest Economy Saver fare to the US is one piece.
| Region / route | Cheapest economy checked allowance | System |
|---|---|---|
| Europe / Asia / Australia | 1 × 23 kg | Piece |
| USA / Canada | 2 × 23 kg (Economy Saver = 1 × 23 kg) | Piece |
✈️ Star Alliance (Gold +1 piece) until 17 Dec 2026, when Asiana merges into Korean Air and joins SkyTeam.
Korea’s carriers are strict about the single-bag limit to Australia. Allowances are for the cheapest bookable economy fare, web-verified June 2026; always confirm on your e-ticket as fares and routes change.
✈️ Compare airlines: Korean Air vs Asiana Airlines (2026): Which Should You Actually Book?
🧳 Related baggage guides: Korean baggage
Frequently asked questions
How many bags can I check for free on Asiana Airlines?
It depends on the route system. On piece-concept routes (the Americas and a few others), Economy gets 2 free checked bags of 23 kg each and Business gets 2 × 32 kg. On weight-concept routes (most other international flights), you get a total free kilogram allowance — typically around 20–30 kg in Economy — that you can split across bags. Korean domestic is 20 kg Economy / 30 kg Business total.
What is Asiana's carry-on size and weight limit?
One carry-on up to 10 kg (22 lb), maximum 55 × 40 × 20 cm including handles and wheels, with the three dimensions summing to no more than 115 cm. Business Class passengers may bring two carry-on bags. Everyone also gets one under-seat personal item up to 40 × 30 × 20 cm.
How much does an extra checked bag cost on Asiana?
Extra-piece fees vary by route and distance, roughly USD 60–140 on non-US international routes and around USD 200 per bag on US routes. Overweight (24–32 kg) runs about USD 35–110, or USD 100 / KRW 100,000 on US routes. Buying allowance online in advance can save up to about 10% versus the airport counter.
What is the maximum weight and size for a single Asiana checked bag?
Each checked bag may be no larger than 158 cm (62 in) total dimensions for the standard free allowance, and absolutely no single bag may exceed 32 kg — bags over 32 kg are refused at check-in and must be repacked or shipped as cargo. Bags 159–203 cm incur an oversize fee.
Does Asiana's cheapest Economy fare include a checked bag?
Yes. Unlike many low-cost or European full-service Light fares, Asiana's standard cheapest Economy fare includes at least one free 23 kg checked bag plus a 10 kg carry-on and a personal item. On Americas/trans-Pacific routes that rises to two free 23 kg checked bags.
Is Asiana's baggage policy changing in 2026 because of the Korean Air merger?
Yes. Asiana is being absorbed into Korean Air, with the Asiana brand expected to retire around 17 December 2026 and a switch from Star Alliance to SkyTeam. After integration, baggage allowances, fees and elite perks will follow Korean Air's rules, and Asiana Club miles transfer 1:1 to Korean Air SKYPASS. For travel into 2027, check Korean Air's policy.
Can I bring golf clubs or a musical instrument on Asiana?
A golf bag can be combined with one general bag and counted as a single piece if the total is under 32 kg. Musical instruments can be checked, or carried in the cabin if you purchase an extra seat for larger ones; advance notice is required when dimensions exceed 203 cm total.
What's the difference between Asiana's piece system and weight system?
The piece system (used on Americas routes and select others) counts your allowance in bags — e.g. 2 × 23 kg in Economy. The weight system (most other international and Korean domestic routes) gives you a total kilogram allowance regardless of bag count. Always confirm which applies to your specific itinerary, as it changes how much you can bring for free.
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