✓ Policy web-verified 2026-05-31
Hainan Airlines (HU) is a Chinese full-service carrier, and on long-haul international routes it remains relatively generous: most intercontinental economy tickets include two free checked bags, which is more than many European or US carriers offer at the same fare level. The picture is tighter on domestic Chinese and intra-Asia regional flights, where allowances and weights drop. Hainan refreshed its free checked-baggage rules effective 16 March 2026, so always confirm the allowance printed on your specific ticket.
This guide covers the carry-on size and weight limits, what the checked allowance looks like by cabin and region, and the fees for extra, overweight, and oversize bags. Figures below are quoted in the currency Hainan publishes for each market (mostly USD for North America routes) and vary by route, cabin, and fare bundle.
Quick facts
| Personal item | Free — approx. 30 x 30 x 20 cm (12 x 12 x 8 in), fits under the seat |
| Carry-on | Free, 1 piece economy / 2 pieces business — up to 115 cm (45 in) linear, max 10 kg (22 lb) |
| Checked (international economy) | 2 x 23 kg (50 lb) free on most intercontinental routes, max 158 cm linear |
| Checked (business) | 2 x 32 kg (70 lb) free, max 158 cm linear |
| First extra checked bag | Around USD 220 (varies by route) |
| Overweight (23–28 kg / 50–62 lb) | Around USD 140 |
| Oversize (158–203 cm) | Around USD 140 |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal / under-seat item | Approx. 30 x 30 x 20 cm (12 x 12 x 8 in). A small bag such as a handbag, laptop bag, or camera bag that fits under the seat in front of you. Carried in addition to the cabin bag on most international routes. |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | Up to 115 cm (45 in) total linear (L+W+H) · 10 kg (22 lb) Free — 1 piece in economy, 2 pieces in business (US routes limited to 1 piece in all cabins) |
Checked baggage & fees
| Checked allowance | 2 pieces free on most intercontinental economy/super-economy tickets; business gets 2 pieces. Domestic China and some regional fares are weight-based or reduced — check your ticket. |
| Weight limit | Economy/super-economy 23 kg (50 lb) per piece; business 32 kg (70 lb) per piece. Each piece must be at least 2 kg. |
| Typical fee | Extra/excess bags charged per piece — roughly USD 220 first extra, USD 300 second, varying by route |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy (intercontinental) | 1 free | 1 x 10 kg | 2 x 23 kg free |
| Business (intercontinental) | 1 free | 2 pieces (1 on US routes) | 2 x 32 kg free |
| Domestic China / regional Asia economy | 1 free | 1 x 10 kg | Often weight-based (e.g. 20 kg) or reduced piece count |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
What you actually get at a deal price: Hainan Airlines is one of the carriers worth flagging on a long-haul fare, because unlike most European and US airlines it does not strip the checked bag out of its cheapest international economy ticket. At deal prices you can generally expect a cabin bag of around 8–10 kg plus 1 x 23 kg checked bag included — and on most intercontinental economy routes a second 23 kg checked bag comes free as well.
That makes a cheap Hainan long-haul ticket genuinely better value than a similarly priced European full-service “Light” fare, where you would pay extra for any hold bag. The caveat: domestic China and short regional Asia segments carry smaller allowances, so the generous two-bag rule is a long-haul perk, not a guarantee on every Hainan flight. Confirm the allowance on your booking before you pack.
Oversize, sports & special items
Weight and size limits to remember: each checked piece must weigh between 2 kg and 32 kg and have total dimensions (including wheels and handles) between 40 cm and 203 cm (80 in). Anything heavier than 32 kg or larger than 203 cm cannot travel as normal checked baggage and must be sent as cargo.
US-route quirk: on flights to and from the United States, all cabins — including business — are limited to a single cabin bag rather than the usual two, so plan your hand luggage accordingly.
2026 update: Hainan’s revised free checked-baggage rules took effect on 16 March 2026. Because allowances and fees differ by route, cabin, and fare bundle, the figures here are representative — always check the exact allowance shown on your ticket and confirm fees for your specific itinerary on Hainan’s website.
Frequently asked questions
How many bags can I check for free on Hainan Airlines?
On most intercontinental routes (North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Southwest Pacific), economy and super-economy passengers get two free checked bags of up to 23 kg (50 lb) each, and business class gets two bags of up to 32 kg (70 lb) each. Domestic Chinese and some intra-Asia regional fares are smaller and may be weight-based, so check the allowance printed on your ticket.
What is Hainan Airlines' carry-on size and weight limit?
The cabin bag must not exceed about 115 cm (45 in) total linear dimensions (length + width + height) and must weigh no more than 10 kg (22 lb). Economy passengers may bring one cabin bag, business class may bring two, except on flights to and from the US where all cabins are limited to one cabin bag. You may also carry a small personal item that fits under the seat.
How much does an extra checked bag cost on Hainan Airlines?
Fees vary by route, but on Americas and Asia/Europe routes the first additional checked bag is around USD 220 and the second around USD 300. Buying allowance in advance through Hainan's prepaid baggage service (available from ticket issuance up to about 6 hours before departure) is cheaper than paying at the airport.
What are the overweight and oversize baggage fees?
A bag between roughly 23–28 kg (50–62 lb) typically costs around USD 140, and 28–32 kg (62–70 lb) around USD 200. An oversize bag with total dimensions between 158 cm and the 203 cm (80 in) maximum is also around USD 140. Bags over 32 kg or over 203 cm generally cannot be checked as normal baggage and must be shipped as cargo.
Does Hainan Airlines' cheapest fare include a checked bag?
On its long-haul international routes, yes — even Hainan's lowest economy fares typically include a checked allowance, which is unusual compared with European and US carriers that strip the bag out of their cheapest tickets. At deal prices you can generally expect a cabin bag of about 8–10 kg plus one checked bag of 23 kg included; the second free checked bag applies on most intercontinental economy tickets. Always confirm against your specific ticket.
How do I bring sports equipment or a musical instrument?
Sporting equipment (such as golf clubs, skis, or bicycles) and musical instruments can usually be carried as checked baggage and count against your allowance, with excess/oversize fees if they exceed limits. A small instrument may be brought into the cabin if it fits the carry-on limits, or you can buy an extra seat for a larger one. Notify Hainan in advance, as special items often require pre-arrangement.
Can I buy extra baggage allowance in advance?
Yes. Hainan's prepaid baggage service lets you purchase extra allowance — up to a maximum of 35 kg of additional baggage per passenger — from the date of ticket issuance until about 6 hours before departure and before check-in. Pre-purchasing is cheaper than paying excess fees at the airport.