Korean Air baggage policy offers a generous baggage allowance when it comes to checked as well as carry-on luggage. Regardless of class of service, the airline offers standard carry-on, personal item and checked luggage with all fares. Howevers, the baggage allowance would be on a higher side if booked First Class or Prestige Class.
Below is the overview of the Korean AIr baggage fee and allowance for all domestic and international flights.
Korean Air Checked Baggage Policy
As per Korean Air baggage policy, the free baggage allowance depends on your travel itinerary. The weight varies with the class of service. The Korean Air checked baggage size remains the same for all classes of service.
Checked baggage allowance
Free baggage allowance for infants and children – For the Korean air baggage allowance is the same as adults. For infants, 1 bag under 10 kg + 1 foldable stroller + 1 car seat is allowed for free.
Checked baggage size – Length + Width + Height – 158 cm/62 inches
Domestic Travel – 1 bag within 30 kg for Prestige Class. 1 bag within 20 kg for Economy Class.
International Travel – Below is the overview
| Class | Number of Bags Allowed | Maximum Weight per Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Economy Class | 1 | 23 kg |
| Prestige Class | 2 | 32 kg |
| First Class | 3 | 32 kg |
Travel to/from the United States – Below is the overview of the free baggage allowance for travel to/from the United States.
| Class | Number of Bags Allowed | Maximum Weight per Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Economy Class | 2 | 23 kg each |
| Prestige Class | 2 | 32 kg each |
| First Class | 3 | 32 kg each |
Travel to/from Brazil – Below is the table for Korean Air baggage weight allowance for travel to/from Brazil
| Class | Number of Bags Allowed | Maximum Weight per Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Economy Class | 2 | 32 kg |
| Prestige Class | 2 | 32 kg |
| First Class | 3 | 32 kg |
Korean Air Carry On Baggage Policy
As per Korean Air baggage policy, the airline has 1 personal item for free and free carry-on bag depending on the class of service.
- Personal Item size restriction – Information nor disclosed on the airline’s website.
- Personal Item weight restriction – Information nor disclosed on the airline’s website.
- Baggage limit for Economy Class – 1 Free
- Baggage limit for First/Prestige Class – 2 Free
- Baggage weight for Economy Class – 22 pounds (10 kg)
- Baggage weight for First/ Prestige Class – 40 pounds (18 kg)
- Baggage size restriction – 15.7 x 7.9 x 21.6 inches (40 x 20 x 55 cm). This is applicable for all classes of service.
- Lap infant carry-on policy – An infant traveling on lap can bring 1 piece up to 22 pounds (10 kg). The size of the baggage must not exceed 45 inches. ! car seats are allowed as carry-on allowance.
- Stroller Check Policy – Large strollers are not permitted as carry on baggage.
Know About Korean Air Baggage Fees
Korean air baggage fees are chargeable if the size or weight of the checked baggage beyond the permitted baggage allowance exceeds. For instance –
Extra baggage fee for piece concept
Additional baggage fee is applied for 3rd or more bags. Below is the fee overview for all travel route alongside the class of service
| Route | Economy (23 kg) | Prestige (32 kg) | First (32 kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| To/From America (U.S. and Canada) | 200 USD each | 200 USD each | 200 USD each |
| Asia – Guam | 150 USD each | 150 USD each | 150 USD each |
| Korea – Northeast Asia/Mongolia | 100 each | 100 each | 100 each |
| Korea – Central/Southeast/Southwest Asia & Russia (Asian part) | 150 each | 150 each | 150 each |
| Within Asia | 150 each | 150 each | 150 each |
| To/From Europe,Middle East, Africa, Oceania | 200 each | 200 each | 200 each |
| Domestic Korea | NA | NA | NA |
Extra baggage for overweight and oversized baggage
Additional baggage fee is applied for oversized bags up to 292 cm. Any bag beyond that size is not permitted.
| Route | Overweight(23 to 32 kg) | Overweight(33 to 45 kg) | Oversized(158 to 203 cm) | Oversized(204 to 292 cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| To/From America (U.S. and Canada) | 100 USD | 200 USD | 200 USD | $400 |
| Asia – Europe, Middle East, Africa, Oceania | 100 USD | 200 USD | 200 USD | $400 |
| Korea – Asia (Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macao, Mongolia) | 50 USD | 100 USD | 100 USD | 200 USD |
| Within Asia (excluding Korea ↔ Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macao, Mongolia/ including Guam, Palau) | 75 USD | 150 USD | $150 | 300 USD |
| To/From Europe, Middle East, Africa, Oceania | 100 USD | 200 USD | 200 USD | 400 USD |
| Domestic Korea | 2 USD per kg | N/A | undisclosed | undisclosed |
Baggage fee for Sports Item
Domestic – KRW 2,000 per 1kg if exceeds free baggage allowance.
International – Equipment can be checked for free within the free Korean Air baggage allowance.
Can you pay for Korean Air Excess Baggage with miles?
Excess baggage in terms of overweight or overpriced can be redeemed using frequent flyer miles.
Additional baggage fee
- Domestic travel – If the weight exceeds the free Korean Air baggage allowance, 200 miles will be deducted per kg.
- International travel – Below is the overview of the miles required for international travel based on the travel route, weight and the size of the checked luggage.
| Region | Extra Baggage(Per Piece) | Weight (24kg – 32kg) | Overweight ( 32kg – 45kg) | Size (159cm – 203cm) | Oversie ( 203cm – 292cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan/China/Northeast Asia | 10,000 | 5,000 | 10,000 | 10,000 | 20,000 |
| Southeast Asia/Southwest Asia/Tashkent/Guam | 15,000 | 7,500 | 15,000 | 15,000 | 30,000 |
| North America/Europe/Middle East/Oceania | 20,000 | 10,000 | 20,000 | 20,000 | 40,000 |
How to Avoid Korean Air Baggage Fees?
Korean Air offers free baggage allowance with all classes of service. Baggage fee may apply if passengers purchase an extra piece or pay for the overweight/oversized bag. You can register for the SKYPASS membership that offers –
- Applicable to Morning Calm Club – 1 extra bag (70 pounds/32 kg) for first and Prestige classes. For Economy class, 1 extra bag up to 50 pounds/ 23 kg. For Economy Class, 1 extra baggage is not applied for travel to/from the US.
- Applicable to Mornin
- g Calm Premium Club – 1 extra bag (70 pounds/32 kg) for first and Prestige classes. For Economy class, 1 extra bag up to 50 pounds/ 23 kg.
- Applicable to Million Miler Club – 1 additional piece for 70 pounds/32 kg.
The aforementioned details about the Korean Air baggage allowance sums all of the concerns when traveling with Korean Air. This will avoid the last minute confiscations at the airport and saves you from the unexpected fees.
Korean Air Military Baggage Policy
No information is available on the airline’s website regarding military baggage allowance offered by Korean Air.
Korean Air Baggage Restrictions
Below is the list of items that are prohibited, partly restricted as carry-on bag and restricted checked items.
Restricted Items – Following is the list of items that are not allowed as checked as well as carry-on baggage.
- Gasoline, paint, lighter fluid and other combustible/flammable materials.
- Firearms and firecrackers.
- Electronic devices with lithium batteries that have capacity more than 160Wh.
- Electronic devices with non-detachable lithium batteries such as smart bag
- Hair straighteners with non-removable batteries
Partly restricted carry-on item – The following items are permitted but in small quantity –
- Liquids and gels carried in a container less than 100 ml.
- MacBook Pro provided it has not been recalled
- Medicine provided a doctor’s prescription is required.
- One lighter or safety match box per passenger.
- Dry ice less than 205 kg per passenger
Restricted checked baggage items – The following items are not allowed as Korean Air checked baggage but as carry-on bag –
- Fragile or perishable items – Ceramics, glassware, and frames
- Valuables – This include currency, jewelry, cash, securities, samples, documents and electronic devices.
- Extra batteries for portable electronic gadgets can be transported in the carry-on baggage only.
- Spare batteries within 160Wh
- E-cigarettes that contain batteries within 100Wh
Korean Air Musical Instrument Restriction
As per Korean air baggage policy, passengers are allowed to carry small musical items on board such as violin. You must take a note of the following domesion –
- Size for carry-on – Must not exceed 115cm(45in) including (width + length + height).
- Weight for carry-on – Not disclosed on the Korean Air’s website.
*Note – Items like cello, double bass, Geomungo or any other similar items that exceed 115 cm are not permitted on board.
- Size for checked baggage – Must be within 203 cm/ 80 inches.
- Weight for checked baggage – Must be under 32 kg or 70 pounds.
*Note – Since musical instruments are very fragile and can be at risk while transporting in the baggage hold. It is always recommended to carry musical instruments on board. If the size exceeds 115 cm, you must purchase an additional seat.
Korean Air Sports Item Restriction
As per Korean Air baggage policy, the allowance as well as the travel restrictions for the sports item varies with the travel route, such as
Sports Items Restriction For Domestic Travel
- Item allowed – Fishing equipment, Ski/Snowboard, Bicycle, Scuba diving equipment, Surfboard, and Hockey/Lacrosse.
- Baggage size– 292cm(115in) or less
- Baggage weight – Must not exceed 23 kg
Sports Item Restriction For International Travel
- Items allowed – Fishing equipment, Ski/Snowboard, Bicycle, Scuba diving equipment, Surfboard, and Hockey/Lacrosse. Check Korean Air website for all restrictions.
- Baggage size – 292cm(115in) or less
- Baggage weight – Must not exceed 32 kg
How to purchase luggage with Korean Air?
You can purchase extra baggage allowance –
- At the time of booking the flight.
- Online check-in
- At the airport
- Call Korean Air at 1-800-438-5000 (toll-free).
Note – Extra luggage must be purchased online 3 hours before departure. At the airport, you must add the extra luggage to your travel 120 minutes before departure.
Frequently Asked Questions – (FAQs)
How much luggage can I take on Korean Air?
Passengers traveling on domestic flights can carry 1 checked bag for economy and 2 checked bags for First/Prestige Class of service.
On international flights, the airline allows 1 checked bag up to 23 kg for Economy Class on travel to or from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Oceania. On all other international routes, passengers are allowed to carry 2 checked bags up to 23kg each.
Is Korean Air strict with luggage weight?
Yes. If the checked baggage size is 158 cm/62 inches or exceeds 32 kg in weight, you may be asked to pay an additional baggage fee.
How much baggage is allowed in Korean Air Economy International?
In Economy Class, the airline allows
1 checked bag up to 50lb/23kg on flights to/from Asia, Africa, Middle East, Europe, and Oceania.
2 checked bags up to 23kg each on flights to/from North/South America excluding Brazil.
2 checked bags up to 32 kg each on flights to/from Brazil.
Can I bring food on Korean Air?
Food is allowed on board but needs to be carried in a small quantity on international flight. The container in which food is carried must be 100 ml or less.
Does Korean Air give you a blanket?
In First/ Prestige Class, the airline offers a blanket to passengers. They also offer complimentary headphones, a pair of slippers, and a toothbrush/toothpaste to each passenger.
Is the Korean Air economy comfortable?
Yes, the Economy Class offers a reclining seat up to 118 degrees. It ensures a much needed comfort when the backrest is tilted, the seat automatically moves forward.
Related Pages
Korean Air Cancellation Policy
Korean Air Check In
Korean Air Pet Policy
Korean Air Name Change Policy
Korean Air Change Flight Policy