Cathay Pacific Baggage Allowance 2024 Pay Less, Save More

Passengers traveling with Cathay Airways may feel very comfortable after choosing the airline for their travel. This is because Cathay Pacific baggage allowance is very flexible for passengers traveling anywhere around the globe. Traveling with Cathay can carry 1 bag as cabin luggage and 1 personal item such as a laptop backpack, purse, briefcase, etc. Passengers need to make sure that all the items inside the cabin whether cabin luggage or personal items must fit under the seat in front of them or inside the overhead bin. The baggage allowance depends on the different cabin classes selected for travel. 

Cathay Pacific Carry on Size Allowance

Passengers traveling in Cathay Airways can carry 1 carry on bag and 1 personal item 40 x 30 x 15 cm inside the cabin. The personal item must be anyone from a  laptop backpack, purse, briefcase, etc. Also, passengers need to ensure that they fit under the seat in front of them or inside the overhead bin inside the cabin. The cabin luggage maximum dimensions must not exceed 56 x 36 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 in). 

For Economy Class passengers, Cathay Pacific carry on weight limit must not exceed 15 lbs (7 kg). For Cathay Pacific Business class baggage allowance, passengers can carry a maximum weight of 22 lbs (10 kg) for carry-on luggage, and First class passengers are eligible to carry 33 lbs (15 kg) of maximum weight as carry-on luggage. Check the below table to completely understand the Cathay Pacific baggage allowance: 

Note: Passengers traveling in First and Business Class are also eligible to carry 1 flexible garment bag not more than 20 cm (8 in) thick.

Cathay Pacific Checked Baggage Allowance

Passengers can carry up to 2 checked bags if booked on a flight to/from Central, North, or South America and the maximum linear size dimension must not exceed 157 cm (62 inches) with a maximum weight of 70 lbs (32 kg). 

Similarly, passengers who are traveling to/from any other destination excluding the USA can carry 2 pieces of luggage. The maximum linear size dimensions must not exceed 157 cm (62 in). The allowed weight limit depends on the cabin class selected for travel. 

Economy Class passengers are allowed to carry a maximum weight of 44 lbs (20 kg), Business class passengers can carry 66 lbs (30 kg), and First class passengers are eligible to carry 88 lbs (44 kg) of maximum allowed weight. Check the table to clearly understand the Cathay Pacific international baggage allowance as well as domestic: 

Note: Passengers must ensure that baggage size and weight do not exceed 203 cm in linear dimensions and 32 kg in total respectively. Otherwise, the airline will not accept the excess baggage. 

Cathay Pacific Excess Checked Baggage Fees & Policy

If in case, checked baggage limit exceeds the restricted limit, then the baggage will come under excess checked baggage and passengers will have to pay for the same. Cathay Pacific excess checked baggage fee will be applicable depending on the destinations selected, and route travelled. Generally, the price range starts from $60 to $150 for each piece of the overweight bag. Additionally, the airline will not accept luggage weighing more than 32 kg. Passengers carrying items with a maximum linear size dimension of 158 cm will pay a fee of $200. Also, the airline will not accept the item if the size exceeds 203 cm in total. Cathay Pacific allowed baggage limit for a specific category must be under the restricted limit to avoid additional charges. 

Purchasing Excess Baggage

All Flights (Except Direct Flights of Hong Kong to/from Auckland/Christchurch: Purchasing the excess baggage allowance is not a herculean task anymore. You can directly connect with the airline through the chatbot option or quickly through the “Manage Booking” option on the official website. The airline considers either the piece or the weight system. We are taking the piece system here as it is the most used baggage concept in the aviation industry. Check the below table for the baggage allowance in piece system for most flights:

Note: 

• Cathay Pacific doesn’t allow passengers to carry baggage over 70 lbs (32 kg) of weight and 203 cm (80 in) of size. If so, the airline will refuse to accept the luggage.
• Passengers will have to contact the customer support of Cathay Pacific in case their bag is oversized or overweight.
• The exceeding-sized bags must be repacked to follow the restrictions to avoid any airline denial.
• The airline makes special arrangements for exceptional items such as sporting equipment, medical and musical instruments, travel with pets, etc. So, it’s necessary to inform the airline on time.

Cathay Pacific distributed different areas in several zones to charge the excess baggage charges accordingly. Check the table below for everything about the costs: 

Charges for Every Additional Piece Carried

If you are carrying any additional piece of bag, the charges mentioned in the table will apply depending on the Zone you are traveling:

For Each Overweight Piece

Passengers traveling with any overweight bag will have to pay the amount mentioned in the table below: 

Note: 

• All the above charges apply to your baggage allowance depending on the class selected but must not exceed 70 lbs (32 kg). 
• The airline will charge 4x baggage fees per piece if you carry over 70 lbs (32 kg).
• Passengers must inform the airline at least three working days before the flight departure by contacting customer care.
• Passengers carrying items with a maximum linear size dimension of 158 cm will pay a fee of $200.
• The airline will only accept the item if the size is 203 cm.

Direct Flights of Hong Kong to/from Auckland/Christchurch: Passengers traveling between Hong Kong, Auckland/Christchurch, and New Zealand have to follow a specific extra baggage allowance and fees. The fees applicable per piece for the Hong Kong and Auckland/Christchurch route is NZD 300/HKD 1720. Also, each extra luggage must weigh at most 50 lbs (23 kg) and under 158 cm (62 in) in size dimension.

Overweight/Oversized Charges for Direct flights between Hong Kong and New Zealand

Passengers must pay additional baggage charges for each piece between Hong Kong and New Zealand. Check the further details in the table mentioned below:

Redeem Extra Baggage with AsiaMiles

Passengers having Asia Miles will get the benefits to redeem Extra Baggage Awards. Required Asia Miles (each extra piece) depends on the travel distance shown in the table below:

Sports Equipment

Passengers carrying sports equipment can be transported as checked items and passengers will have to pay the additional luggage handling fee. The fees depend on the size, fragility, etc. Passengers planning to travel with sports equipment can directly contact Cathay Pacific to know the exact allowed limit and fees for the allowance. 

Musical Instruments

If you want to carry a musical instrument, Cathay Pacific baggage policy allows you to do the same. However, you need to ensure that the baggage size limit does not exceed the carry-on luggage limit to carry it inside the flight. If the carry-on limit is exceeded, the instrument will be carried as checked luggage. The baggage then must not exceed the checked baggage allowance limits. Also, there is an option available to purchase an extra seat, and then you’ll be able to carry it. You need to make sure that the weight must not exceed 32 kg and the size dimension will be under 36 x 48 x 44 cm in size.

Cathay Pacific is one of the airlines that offers some flexible policies to carry baggage while traveling. That is why, the passengers will likely prefer Cathay Pacific again if they’ve traveled with the airlines in the past. Cathay Pacific baggage allowance will provide an option to carry 1 cabin luggage plus 1 personal item as a carry-on bag inside the cabin. The weight limit of the bag depends on the cabin class selected. Similarly, the allowed number of checked bags and weight limit depend on the cabin class selected. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)