✓ Policy web-verified 2026-07-06
Hong Kong Airlines (香港航空) spent years running a stingy “zero-kg” lite fare that gave economy passengers nothing in the hold. That’s over. Since May 2025 every economy ticket includes 23 kg of checked baggage and a 7 kg cabin bag as standard — the single most useful thing to know before you book, because it means the base fare is now a real fare, not a stripped shell.
Cabin allowance is one bag up to 7 kg at 56 x 36 x 23 cm, plus a personal item. Economy checked is one piece up to 23 kg on international routes (weight concept in Asia; piece concept to the Americas). Domestic and very short regional hops are the one place to double-check — the free checked allowance can drop to zero there.
Quick facts
| Free personal item | Yes — handbag or laptop bag in addition to the cabin bag |
| Cabin bag | 7 kg, 56 x 36 x 23 cm |
| Economy checked (international) | 23 kg included as standard |
| Economy to the Americas | Piece concept — typically 2 x 23 kg |
| Business checked | 64 kg total (2 x 32 kg) |
| Business cabin | 15 kg total across 2 pieces |
| Extra piece fee | About US$30 per extra bag |
| Oversize fee (over 158 cm) | About US$100 per piece |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal item | Handbag, laptop bag or small backpack under the seat |
| Cabin / overhead bag (economy) | 1 piece, up to 7 kg, 56 x 36 x 23 cm |
| Cabin (business) | 2 pieces, 15 kg total |
Checked baggage & fees
| Economy Basic — every ticket | 1 × 23 kg included (piece concept — one bag, max 23 kg) |
| Economy Main / Flexi | 2 × 23 kg included (piece concept) |
| Economy — to/from the Americas | 2 pieces up to 23 kg each (piece concept) |
| Business | 64 kg total, max 32 kg per piece |
| Extra checked piece | About US$30 per bag |
| Oversize (over 158 cm total) | About US$100 per piece |
Baggage by region & route
Checked-bag inclusion on the cheapest fare can depend on where you fly, not just the fare name. Here is what the lowest fare includes by route:
| Route / region | Economy checked included |
|---|---|
| Regional & Asia (weight concept) | 23 kg total checked in economy |
| Australia (Gold Coast, Sydney) | 23 kg checked in economy |
| Americas (piece concept: Vancouver, US) | 2 pieces up to 23 kg each in economy |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
The old advice — “never book HK Airlines’ cheapest fare, it has no bag” — is now out of date. The zero-kg lite fare is gone, and standard economy gives you 23 kg checked and a 7 kg cabin bag on the base price. That makes it one of the better-value carriers out of Hong Kong for anyone travelling with a suitcase, especially against HK Express (its ULCC sibling, where the bag is always an add-on). Watch two things: the 7 kg cabin limit is enforced at the gate on busy routes, and on flights to North America the allowance switches to the piece concept — you get two bags, but each is still capped at 23 kg, so don’t over-stuff one. If you’re near the limit, pre-buy the extra piece online; the roughly US$30 desk fee for an extra bag climbs fast and oversize items over 158 cm run about US$100.
Oversize, sports & special items
Business class is genuinely generous: 64 kg of checked baggage across two pieces (32 kg max each) and 15 kg of cabin baggage, plus priority handling. Sports equipment and oversize items are accepted subject to the oversize fee (around US$100 for anything over 158 cm total dimensions) and should be declared in advance. Fee figures here are the commonly published rates and vary a little by route and point of sale — confirm the exact charge for your itinerary when you add a bag online, which is always cheaper than paying at the airport.
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Frequently asked questions
Does Hong Kong Airlines' cheapest economy fare include a checked bag?
Yes. Since May 2025 the old zero-kg lite fare is gone — every economy ticket includes 23 kg of checked baggage and a 7 kg cabin bag as standard. The exception is some domestic and very short regional hops, where the free allowance can be zero, so check your e-ticket.
How big can my carry-on be on Hong Kong Airlines?
One cabin bag up to 7 kg at 56 x 36 x 23 cm, plus a personal item such as a handbag or laptop bag. Business class gets two cabin pieces totalling 15 kg.
What is the checked allowance to Australia or Japan?
Economy on these weight-concept routes includes 23 kg of checked baggage in one piece. You can split it across bags as long as the total stays within 23 kg.
How does the allowance work on flights to the Americas?
Flights to and from North America use the piece concept: economy typically gets two checked bags of up to 23 kg each, rather than a single weight allowance. Each piece is still individually capped at 23 kg.
How much does an extra checked bag cost?
An additional checked piece is roughly US$30, and oversize baggage exceeding 158 cm in total dimensions is about US$100 per piece. Rates vary by route and are cheaper pre-purchased online than at the desk.
What is the business class baggage allowance?
Business class includes 64 kg of checked baggage across two pieces (maximum 32 kg each) and 15 kg of cabin baggage in two pieces, plus priority handling.
Is Hong Kong Airlines the same as HK Express?
No. HK Express is the low-cost sister carrier where checked bags are always a paid add-on. Hong Kong Airlines is the full-service brand and now includes 23 kg checked in economy by default.