✓ Policy web-verified 2026-05-31
Shenzhen Airlines (ZH) is a Star Alliance member and a Shenzhen-based subsidiary of Air China, flying domestic Chinese routes plus regional and longer-haul services across Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Its baggage system splits in two: a weight concept on domestic China routes and a piece concept on international and regional routes. That distinction drives almost everything below, so check whether your flight is domestic or international before you pack.
The headline numbers: economy passengers get one cabin bag plus a personal item, and a free checked allowance of 1 × 23 kg on international routes or 20 kg on domestic flights. Unlike Western low-cost carriers, Shenzhen Airlines includes a checked bag in every published fare — there is no bag-free “basic economy” tier. Below are the current 2026 figures, the fee variances by route, and the rules for oversize, sports and instrument baggage.
Quick facts
| Personal item | Small bag (handbag/laptop), fits under seat |
| Carry-on (Economy) | 55 × 40 × 20 cm, combined 5 kg with personal item |
| Checked — International economy | 1 × 23 kg (free, included) |
| Checked — Domestic economy | 20 kg total (weight system, free) |
| Max piece size | 203 cm total (L+W+H), 2–32 kg per piece |
| Excess / overweight | Varies by route — weight system (domestic) / piece system (intl) |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal / under-seat item | No separately published dimensions; must fit under the seat in front. One small personal item (handbag, laptop bag or camera) allowed in addition to the cabin bag. Its weight counts toward the combined cabin limit. |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 55 × 40 × 20 cm (Economy) · 5 kg combined (cabin bag + personal item) in Economy Free — included in all fares |
Checked baggage & fees
| Checked allowance | International/regional economy: 1 piece. Domestic economy: weight-based, no fixed piece count. |
| Weight limit | International economy: 23 kg per piece. Domestic economy: 20 kg total. Premium cabins higher (see fare classes). |
| Typical fee | Free allowance included; excess charged by weight (domestic) or per piece (international/regional), varying by route. |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy (International) | 1 small item | 55×40×20 cm, 5 kg combined | 1 × 23 kg |
| Premium Economy (International) | 1 small item | 55×40×20 cm | 1 × 23 kg |
| Business (International) | 1 small item | Cabin bag + personal item | 2 × 23 kg |
| First (International) | 1 small item | Cabin bag + personal item | 2 × 32 kg |
| Economy (Domestic China) | 1 small item | 55×40×20 cm, 5 kg | 20 kg (weight system) |
| Business (Domestic China) | 1 small item | Cabin bag + personal item | 30 kg (weight system) |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
What you actually get at deal prices: Shenzhen Airlines is generous where it matters for bargain hunters. Even on its cheapest published economy fares, you get a checked bag included free (1 × 23 kg international, 20 kg domestic) plus a cabin bag — there is no stripped-out, bag-free fare class to trip you up. That makes a cheap ZH ticket genuinely cheap: the advertised price already covers a full-size suitcase.
The catch is the cabin allowance, not the checked one. The 5 kg combined hand-luggage limit (cabin bag plus personal item) is among the tightest in the industry, so the real packing constraint on a deal fare is what you carry on, not what you check. Pack heavy items in the checked bag and keep hand luggage light to avoid a gate weigh-in.
Oversize, sports & special items
Route-specific allowances worth knowing:
- Middle East and Japan/Singapore routes are the exception to the single-bag economy rule — they allow 2 × 23 kg in economy and premium economy, the same as Business on other routes.
- Europe–Asia and intra-Asia routes (excluding Japan/Singapore) follow the standard 1 × 23 kg economy allowance.
- Infants on a paid infant ticket get 1 × 23 kg, and a stroller, bassinet or car seat is checked free.
Star Alliance status: Shenzhen Airlines is a full Star Alliance member, so Star Alliance Gold members typically receive one extra checked piece (32 kg in premium cabins, 23 kg in economy) on top of the fare allowance. Always confirm the bag rules for your specific route and fare at the time of booking, as the domestic-vs-international split and the regional exceptions mean a single “Shenzhen Airlines allowance” figure does not exist.
Frequently asked questions
How many bags can I bring free on Shenzhen Airlines in economy?
On international and regional routes, economy passengers get one free checked bag up to 23 kg, plus one cabin bag (55 × 40 × 20 cm) and a small personal item with a 5 kg combined cabin limit. On domestic China routes the free checked allowance is a 20 kg weight allowance rather than a piece count. Middle East and Japan/Singapore routes are more generous, allowing 2 × 23 kg in economy.
What is the Shenzhen Airlines carry-on size and weight limit?
Economy passengers may bring one cabin bag measuring up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm plus one small personal item such as a laptop bag or handbag. The combined weight of both must not exceed 5 kg — a noticeably low limit compared with many carriers, so weigh your hand luggage before flying.
Does Shenzhen Airlines include a checked bag in the cheapest fare?
Yes. Shenzhen Airlines does not sell a bag-free basic economy tier. Every published fare includes a free checked allowance — 1 × 23 kg internationally or 20 kg domestically — so even the cheapest deal-priced ticket comes with checked baggage.
How much does excess or overweight baggage cost on Shenzhen Airlines?
Fees vary by route and are not flat. Domestic Chinese routes use a weight system charged per kilogram over the free allowance; international and regional routes use a piece system with a set charge per extra bag. Each piece must stay within 2–32 kg and 203 cm total dimensions. Buy any extra allowance at check-in or in advance, as airport rates are higher — confirm the exact figure for your route when booking.
What are the maximum bag dimensions and weight per piece?
Each checked piece must measure at least 60 cm and at most 203 cm in total dimensions (length + width + height, including wheels and handles) and weigh between 2 kg and 32 kg. Anything over 32 kg or 203 cm is treated as oversize/overweight and must be arranged separately, subject to acceptance and extra fees.
Can I bring sports equipment or musical instruments?
Sports equipment such as skis, golf clubs and bicycles is accepted as checked baggage, counting toward your allowance and subject to the 32 kg / 203 cm per-piece limits — oversize items incur excess charges. Small musical instruments can travel as cabin baggage if they fit the 55 × 40 × 20 cm / 5 kg limit; larger instruments must be checked or, for fragile items, booked an extra cabin seat. Notify the airline in advance for bulky or oversize items as acceptance is not guaranteed.
Does the domestic weight system differ from international?
Yes. Within mainland China, Shenzhen Airlines uses a weight concept: 20 kg free in economy, 30 kg in business and 40 kg in first, with excess charged per kilogram. International and regional routes switch to a piece concept (number of bags at 23 kg each), and excess is charged per additional piece.