Understanding airline baggage rules can save Saudi expats hundreds of riyals in excess fees and prevent travel delays. This comprehensive guide covers luggage allowances for 15 major airlines operating flights to and from the Kingdom, with specific details for expatriate travelers.
Table of Contents
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Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia)
Carry-on baggage
- Economy class: 7kg maximum, total dimensions not exceeding 56cm x 45cm x 25cm
- Business/First class: 12kg handbag plus 9kg briefcase, with dimension limits of 56cm x 45cm x 25cm and 45cm x 20cm x 35cm respectively
Checked baggage
- International flights: Economy allows 23kg x 2 bags, Business/First class permits 32kg x 2 bags
- Maximum single bag weight: 32kg
Flynas
Carry-on baggage
- All classes: 7kg maximum with dimensions 56cm x 36cm x 23cm
- Premium class: 12kg maximum with same dimensions
Checked baggage
- Economy: Varies by route between 20-30kg (1 piece)
- Premium class: 2x23kg for international flights
- Maximum single bag weight: 32kg
- 10kg for Infant passangers
- Money-saving tip: Save up to 50% by pre-booking excess baggage online
Emirates
Carry-on baggage
- Economy: 7kg with dimensions 55cm x 38cm x 22cm
- Premium Economy: 10kg with dimensions 55cm x 38cm x 22cm
- Business/First class: 2 pieces at 7kg each
Checked baggage
Emirates operates two systems depending on your destination:
Weight concept (most destinations):
- Economy Special: 20kg, Saver: 25kg, Flex: 30kg, Flex Plus: 35kg
- Business class: 40kg
- First class: 50kg
Piece concept (Americas/Africa):
- Economy: 1-2 pieces at 23kg each
- Business/First: 2 pieces at 32kg each
Skywards members receive additional allowances: Silver (+12kg), Gold (+20kg), Platinum (+32kg)
Qatar Airways
Carry-on baggage
- Economy: 7kg with dimensions 50cm x 37cm x 25cm
- Business/First class: 2 pieces with combined weight of 15kg
Checked baggage
- Economy Lite: 20kg (1 x 23kg for Africa/Americas)
- Economy Classic: 25kg (2 x 23kg for Africa/Americas)
- Economy Convenience: 30kg, Economy Comfort: 35kg
- Business: 40kg (2 x 32kg Africa/Americas)
- First: 50kg (2 x 32kg for Africa/Americas)
Air India
Carry-on baggage
- Economy/Premium Economy: 7kg with dimensions 55cm x 40cm x 20cm
- Business/First class: 10kg
Checked baggage for Saudi Arabia routes
- Economy Value: 25kg, Classic: 30kg, Flex: 35kg
- Premium Economy Classic: 30kg, Flex: 35kg
- Business class: 40-45kg depending on fare type
- First class: 45kg
- Maharaja Club members receive additional allowances based on membership tier
- Maximum Weight per Piece: Economy: 23kg, First/Business: 32kg
IndiGo
Carry-on baggage
- All classes: 7kg cabin bag (55cm x 35cm x 25cm) plus 3kg personal item
- Personal item dimensions: 45cm x 35cm x 20cm
Checked baggage
- 30kg (varies by destination)
- Maximum single bag weight: 23kg
- Cost-saving feature: Pre-booking excess baggage offers significant savings
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)
Carry-on baggage
- Economy: 7kg with dimensions 38cm x 22cm x 55cm
- Executive Economy/Business: 12kg plus small compact case of 5kg
Checked baggage
- Saudi Arabia to Pakistan: Economy 30kg, Executive Economy 46kg
- Pakistan to Saudi Arabia: Economy 20kg, Executive Economy 46kg
- Maximum single bag weight: 32kg
- Special benefit: Free Zam Zam water bottle provided
Biman Bangladesh Airlines
Carry-on baggage
- All classes: 7kg with dimensions 56cm x 36cm x 23cm
- Business class: 10kg
Checked baggage
- Bangladesh to Riyadh, Dammam, Madinah & Jeddah: Economy 30kg, Business 40kg
- Riyadh/Dammam to BD: Economy 45kg, Business 55kg
- Madinah/Jeddah to BD: Economy 50kg, Business 60kg
- Infant: 10kg
- Maximum single piece: 30kg with total dimensions 158cm
US-Bangla Airlines
Carry-on baggage
- All classes: 7kg with dimensions 15cm x 22cm x 35cm
Checked baggage
- Bangladesh to KSA: Economy: 30kg, Business: 40kg (max. 2 pcs)
- Jeddah/Madinah to BD: Economy: 50kg, Business: 60kg (max. 2 pcs)
- Riyadh/Dammam to BD: Economy: 45kg, Business: 60kg (2pcs)
- Infants: 10kg allowance
- Loyalty program: Sky Star Miles members earn benefits and miles
Serene Air
Carry-on baggage
- All classes: 7kg with total dimensions of 45 inches
- Serene Plus: Up to 12kg
Checked baggage
- Pakistan to Riyadh: Nil Baggage: N/A, Free Baggae: 20kg (1pc), Economy Regular: 40kg (2 pcs), Serene Plus: 80kg (3pcs)
- Riyadh to Pakistan: Nil Baggage: N/A, Free Baggae: 20kg (1pc), Economy Regular: 40kg (2 pcs), Economy Value: 60kg (2pcs), Serene Plus: 80kg (3pcs)
- Pakistan to Jeddah: Nil Baggage: N/A, Free Baggae: N/A, Economy Regular: 40kg (2 pcs), Serene Plus: 80kg (3pcs)
- Jeddah to Pakistan: Nil Baggage: N/A, Free Baggae: 20kg (1pc), Economy Regular: 40kg (2 pcs), Serene Plus: 80kg (3pcs)
Philippine Airlines
Carry-on baggage
- All classes: 7kg combined weight with dimensions 56cm x 36cm x 23cm
- Personal item: 45cm x 35cm x 20cm
Checked baggage
- Economy 2 pieces x 23kg
- Business 2 pieces x 32kg
- Sports equipment: Counted as 1 piece regardless of actual size
Oman Air
Carry-on baggage
- Economy: 7kg with total dimensions of 115cm
- Business/Business Studio: 2 pieces at 7kg each
Checked baggage
- Super Saver: 0kg (carry-on only)
- Comfort: 20kg
- Flex: 30kg
- Business Comfort: 40kg
- Business Flex: 50kg
- Business Studio: 60kg
- Sindbad members receive additional allowances: Gold (+15kg), Silver (+10kg)
Gulf Air
Carry-on baggage
- Economy: 6kg with dimensions 45cm x 40cm x 30cm
- Business: 9kg with dimensions 55cm x 40cm x 30cm
Checked baggage (new weight-based system from October 27, 2024)
- Economy Lite: 35kg
- Economy Smart/Flex: 40kg
- Business: 40-50kg
- FalconFlyer benefits: Silver (+10kg), Gold (+15kg), Black (+25kg)
- Student allowance: Additional 23kg bag with valid student ID
Turkish Airlines
Carry-on baggage
- Economy: 8kg with dimensions 55cm x 40cm x 23cm plus 4kg personal item
- Business: 2 pieces at 8kg each plus personal item
Checked baggage
- Economy 20kg, Business 30kg
- Star Alliance Gold members receive additional piece allowance
Air Arabia
Carry-on baggage
- All classes: 10kg (1 carry-on baggage + 1 personal item)
- Main bag: 55cm x 40cm x 20cm
- Personal item: 25cm x 33cm x 20cm
- Infants: Additional 3kg allowance
Checked baggage
- Pre-book options: 20kg, 30kg, or 40kg
- Maximum per piece: 32kg with dimensions of 158cm
- Regional variations: UAE, Egypt, and Morocco have different pricing structures
- Cost-saving feature: Significant savings when pre-booking online
Money-saving tips for KSA expats
Pre-booking strategies
- Book excess baggage online to save up to 50% compared to airport rates
- Airlines like flynas, Air Arabia, and IndiGo offer substantial online discounts
- Check for promotional rates during booking process
Loyalty program benefits
- Join airline frequent flyer programs for additional baggage allowances
- Saudia AlFursan, Emirates Skywards, Air India Maharaja Club, and Gulf Air FalconFlyer provide significant benefits
- Status tiers often include extra weight or additional pieces
Route-specific considerations
- Many airlines offer higher allowances for Saudi Arabia routes compared to other destinations
- Student travelers can access special allowances with proper documentation
- Umrah and Hajj passengers may receive additional allowances during peak seasons
Practical packing advice
- Weigh bags at home using a luggage scale to avoid airport surprises
- Most airlines limit individual bags to 32kg maximum weight
- Distribute weight across multiple bags when traveling with companions
- Consider shipping heavy items separately for long-term moves
Special allowances
- Free Zam Zam water permitted on PIA flight from Saudi Arabia
- Business class upgrades often provide significantly higher baggage limits
- Codeshare flights may have different baggage policies than direct bookings
Always verify current baggage policies directly with airlines before travel, as rules and fees change frequently. Consider your specific travel needs when choosing airlines, as baggage allowances can significantly impact total travel costs for expatriates making regular trips to home countries.