Airlines with the Heaviest Carry-on Weight Limits

Complete ranking of airlines by maximum carry-on weight allowances. Find the best airlines for heavy luggage and professional equipment.

23kg
Highest weight limit
British Airways
9
No weight limits
Size only
9kg
Average limit
1
Heavy allowances
15kg+ limits

Best Option: Airlines with No Weight Limits

These airlines only restrict size, allowing unlimited weight

Delta Air Lines
DLNorth America
Size: 56×35×23cm
American Airlines
AANorth America
Size: 56×36×23cm
United Airlines
UANorth America
Size: 56×35×23cm
Southwest Airlines
WNNorth America
Size: 61×40×25cm
JetBlue Airways
B6North America
Size: 56×35×23cm
Alaska Airlines
ASNorth America
Size: 61×40×25cm

Complete Weight Limit Ranking

Airlines with weight restrictions, ranked from heaviest to lightest

RankAirlineWeight LimitSize LimitRegionCategory
#1 🏆British Airways
BA
23kg56×45×25cmEuropeheavy
#2 🥈Air France
AF
12kg55×35×25cmEuropemoderate
#3 🥉Kenya Airways
KQ
12kg55×25×35cmAfricamoderate
#4KLM
KL
12kg55×35×25cmEuropemoderate
#5Korean Air
KE
12kg55×40×25cmAsiamoderate
#6Ryanair
FR
10kg55×40×20cmEuropemoderate
#7Jet2
LS
10kg56×45×25cmEuropemoderate
#8Aer Lingus
EI
10kg55×40×24cmEuropemoderate
#9Iberia
IB
10kg56×40×25cmEuropemoderate
#10Royal Air Maroc
AT
10kg55×40×25cmAfricamoderate
#11Air Algérie
AH
10kg55×35×25cmAfricamoderate
#12Avianca
AV
10kg55×35×25cmSouth Americamoderate
#13All Nippon Airways (ANA)
NH
10kg55×40×25cmAsiamoderate
#14Japan Airlines (JAL)
JL
10kg55×40×25cmAsiamoderate
#15Avianca
AV
10kg55×35×25cmSouth Americamoderate
#16Gol Linhas Aéreas
G3
10kg55×35×25cmSouth Americamoderate
#17Copa Airlines
CM
10kg56×36×23cmSouth Americamoderate
#18Egyptair
MS
8kg55×40×23cmAfricalight
#19Tunisair
TU
8kg55×40×20cmAfricalight
#20Libyan Airlines
LN
8kg55×40×23cmAfricalight
#21Lufthansa
LH
8kg55×40×23cmEuropelight
#22Turkish Airlines
TK
8kg55×40×23cmEuropelight
#23China Southern Airlines
CZ
8kg55×40×20cmAsialight
#24LATAM Airlines
LA
8kg55×35×25cmSouth Americalight
#25South African Airways
SA
8kg56×36×23cmAfricalight
#26Air Mauritius
MK
7kg55×35×25cmAfricalight
#27FlySafair
FA
7kg56×36×23cmAfricalight
#28Air Tanzania
TC
7kg55×40×23cmAfricalight
#29Qantas
QF
7kg56×36×23cmAustralia/Oceanialight
#30IndiGo
6E
7kg55×35×25cmAsialight
#31Singapore Airlines
SQ
7kg56×36×23cmAsialight
#32Cathay Pacific
CX
7kg56×36×23cmAsialight
#33Thai Airways
TG
7kg56×36×23cmAsialight
#34Emirates
EK
7kg55×38×22cmMiddle Eastlight
#35Qatar Airways
QR
7kg55×37×25cmMiddle Eastlight
#36Etihad Airways
EY
7kg56×36×23cmMiddle Eastlight
#37Qantas
QF
7kg56×36×23cmAustralia/Oceanialight
#38Jetstar
JQ
7kg56×36×23cmAustralia/Oceanialight
#39Virgin Australia
VA
7kg56×36×23cmAustralia/Oceanialight
#40Air New Zealand
NZ
7kg56×36×23cmAustralia/Oceanialight
#41Ethiopian Airlines
ET
7kg55×40×23cmAfricalight
#42Kenya Airways
KQ
7kg56×36×23cmAfricalight
#43Air Peace
P4
6kg45×33×20cmAfricalight
#44Air China
CA
5kg55×40×20cmAsialight

Heavy Allowance (15kg+)

1 airlines with generous limits

#156×45×25cm

Moderate Allowance (10-14kg)

16 airlines with standard limits

#2Europe
#3Africa
KLM12kg
#4Europe
#5Asia
#6Europe
Jet210kg
#7Europe

...and 10 more

Light Allowance (Under 10kg)

27 airlines with strict limits

#18Africa
#19Africa
#20Africa
#21Europe
#22Europe

...and 21 more

Weight Limits by Region

Regional trends in carry-on weight policies

Europe

Airlines: 9
Average: 11kg
Maximum: 23kg

Africa

Airlines: 13
Average: 8kg
Maximum: 12kg

Asia

Airlines: 9
Average: 8kg
Maximum: 12kg
Top airline:
Korean Air (12kg)

South America

Airlines: 5
Average: 10kg
Maximum: 10kg
Top airline:
Avianca (10kg)

Australia/Oceania

Airlines: 5
Average: 7kg
Maximum: 7kg
Top airline:
Qantas (7kg)

Middle East

Airlines: 3
Average: 7kg
Maximum: 7kg
Top airline:
Emirates (7kg)

Frequently Asked Questions

Which airline allows the heaviest carry-on bags?

British Airways allows the heaviest carry-on bags at 23kg. However, 9 airlines have no weight limits at all, only size restrictions.

What's considered a heavy carry-on weight limit?

Weight limits of 15kg or more are considered generous for carry-on bags. Most airlines with weight restrictions allow 7-10kg, while limits above 20kg are rare and very generous.

Do size limits still apply with high weight allowances?

Yes, all airlines have size restrictions regardless of weight limits. Your bag must fit both the weight allowance and dimensional requirements to qualify as carry-on.

Why do some airlines have higher weight limits?

Airlines with higher weight limits often cater to business travelers, longer routes, or premium services. Some also use weight limits to encourage passengers to consolidate luggage rather than carrying multiple bags.

Find the Right Airline for Your Heavy Luggage