CXChecked 21 Oct 2026 against flights.cathaypacific.com
Cathay Pacific cabin bag size 2026
On Cathay Pacific’s cheapest fare (Economy Light) you can bring one free under-seat bag up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm. A cabin bag up to 56 × 36 × 23 cm and 7 kg is included too.
Check my bag against Cathay Pacific- Free under-seat bag
- 40 × 30 × 15 cmOn Economy Light
- Overhead cabin bag
- 56 × 36 × 23 cmup to 7 kgIncluded on Economy Light
Check your bag against Cathay Pacific’s limits
Cathay Pacific hand luggage and cabin bags by fare
What each ticket type includes, as published by Cathay Pacific.
| Fare | Under-seat bag | Cabin bag |
|---|---|---|
Economy Light
| Included 40 × 30 × 15 cm One small item that fits under the seat in front, such as a small handbag, laptop bag, small backpack, camera bag or briefcase. Up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm including wheels, handles and side pockets. Cathay's calculator prints this as 40 × 15 × 30 cm. | Included 56 × 36 × 23 cm · 7 kg One cabin bag up to 56 × 36 × 23 cm. Including wheels, handles and side pockets. Cathay's calculator prints the size as 36 × 23 × 56 cm. The calculator shows 7 kg as the total weight limit. |
Economy Essential and Economy Flex
| Included 40 × 30 × 15 cm One small item that fits under the seat in front, such as a small handbag, laptop bag, small backpack, camera bag or briefcase. Up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm including wheels, handles and side pockets. Cathay's calculator prints this as 40 × 15 × 30 cm. | Included 56 × 36 × 23 cm · 7 kg One cabin bag up to 56 × 36 × 23 cm. Including wheels, handles and side pockets. Cathay's calculator prints the size as 36 × 23 × 56 cm. The calculator shows 7 kg as the total weight limit. |
Premium Economy
| Included 40 × 30 × 15 cm One small item that fits under the seat in front, such as a small handbag, laptop bag, small backpack, camera bag or briefcase. Up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm including wheels, handles and side pockets. Cathay's calculator prints this as 40 × 15 × 30 cm. | Included 56 × 36 × 23 cm · 7 kg One cabin bag up to 56 × 36 × 23 cm. Including wheels, handles and side pockets. Cathay's calculator prints the size as 36 × 23 × 56 cm. The calculator shows 7 kg as the total weight limit. |
Business Class
| Included 40 × 30 × 15 cm One small item that fits under the seat in front, such as a small handbag, laptop bag, small backpack, camera bag or briefcase. Up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm including wheels, handles and side pockets. Cathay's calculator prints this as 40 × 15 × 30 cm. | Included 56 × 36 × 23 cm · 10 kg One cabin bag up to 56 × 36 × 23 cm. Including wheels, handles and side pockets. Cathay's calculator prints the size as 36 × 23 × 56 cm. The calculator shows 10 kg as the total weight limit. |
First Class
| Included 40 × 30 × 15 cm One small item that fits under the seat in front, such as a small handbag, laptop bag, small backpack, camera bag or briefcase. Up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm including wheels, handles and side pockets. Cathay's calculator prints this as 40 × 15 × 30 cm. | Included 56 × 36 × 23 cm · 15 kg One cabin bag up to 56 × 36 × 23 cm. Including wheels, handles and side pockets. Cathay's calculator prints the size as 36 × 23 × 56 cm. The calculator shows 15 kg as the total weight limit. |
Cathay Pacific measures the whole bag, including wheels, handles and pockets.
If your bag is too big at the gate
Cathay Pacific's conditions of carriage say a cabin bag over your allowance has to go in the aircraft hold, and you may have to pay a separate charge. Check in any bag you cannot lift into the overhead locker yourself.
It’s almost always cheaper to add the right bag when you book or online before you fly.
Other Cathay Pacific cabin rules worth knowing
- Your own allowance is on your e-ticket receipt and in Manage Booking. The baggage calculator shows it by route, cabin and membership tier.
- In the calculator for London to Hong Kong, Cathay Silver and Gold members get a 10 kg cabin limit in Economy and Premium Economy, and Diamond members get 15 kg.
- On flights to or from Auckland and Christchurch, the calculator gives Premium Economy and Business two cabin bags and a small item, 14 kg in total.
- Cabin crew cannot lift or carry bags for you.
- An oversized item can come into the cabin only if you buy an extra seat. Book it through Cathay's reservations office, not online, at least 3 working days before you fly.
- On flights marketed or operated by other airlines, the cabin allowance may differ, so check with the other airline.
Also check before you fly Cathay Pacific
Power banks on Cathay Pacific
Spare batteries and power banks must go in your hand luggage, never in the hold.
Power-bank rules and Wh calculatorLiquids depend on the airport
The airline doesn’t set the liquids limit. The departure airport’s security does. Some now allow up to 2 litres.
Liquids rules by airportCathay Pacific cabin bag questions
What size is Cathay Pacific’s free under-seat bag (personal item)?
40 × 30 × 15 cm on the Economy Light fare. It must fit under the seat in front of you.
What size cabin bag can I take on Cathay Pacific?
Up to 56 × 36 × 23 cm and 7 kg. It’s included with Economy Light, Economy Essential and Economy Flex, Premium Economy, Business Class and First Class.
Do Cathay Pacific’s size limits include wheels and handles?
Yes. The limits are for the whole bag, including wheels, handles and side pockets.
What is the Cathay Pacific hand luggage weight limit?
The cabin bag can weigh up to 7 kg. Cathay Pacific’s published rules give no weight limit for the free under-seat bag.
What happens if my bag is too big for Cathay Pacific?
Cathay Pacific's conditions of carriage say a cabin bag over your allowance has to go in the aircraft hold, and you may have to pay a separate charge. Check in any bag you cannot lift into the overhead locker yourself.
What are the Cathay Pacific cabin bag dimensions in inches?
Free under-seat bag (40x30x15 cm): 15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in. Cabin bag (56x36x23 cm): 22 × 14.2 × 9.1 in.
How many litres is the Cathay Pacific cabin bag allowance?
At most 18 litres for the free under-seat bag (40x30x15 cm) and at most 46.4 litres for the cabin bag (56x36x23 cm). That is the volume of a square-cornered box with exactly those measurements. A real bag has rounded corners, so check the size on the label as well as the litres.
Can I use a backpack as my free under-seat bag on Cathay Pacific?
Usually yes. The limit is on size, not on the type of bag, so a backpack that measures 40 × 30 × 15 cm or less when packed fits the free allowance. Straps and pockets count towards the size.
What are the liquids rules for Cathay Pacific hand luggage?
Cathay Pacific doesn’t set the liquids limit. The airport you fly from does: some airports still enforce 100 ml, while others now allow containers up to 2 litres. Check your departure airport on our liquids rules page.
Shopping for a bag? See cabin bag size in litres to turn centimetres into litres.
How Cathay Pacific compares
Free allowances on the cheapest fare of similar airlines.
| Airline · cheapest fare | Free under-seat bag | Overhead cabin bag | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cathay PacificEconomy Light | Under-seat40 × 30 × 15 cm | Cabin bag56 × 36 × 23 cm · 7 kg | |
| Air FranceBasic | Under-seat40 × 30 × 15 cm | Cabin bagPaid add-on · 55 × 35 × 25 cm · 12 kg | |
| American AirlinesBasic Economy | Under-seat45 × 35 × 20 cm | Cabin bag56 × 36 × 23 cm | |
| British AirwaysEconomy (no checked bag) | Under-seat40 × 30 × 15 cm | Cabin bag56 × 45 × 25 cm | |
| Delta Air LinesDelta Main Basic (Basic Economy) | Under-seatIncluded · size not published | Cabin bag56 × 35 × 23 cm |