Checked baggage policies

International Flights

• Economy & Premium Economy:

  • Free allowance: 2 pieces, each up to 23 kg (50 lb).

  • Maximum size: total dimensions (L + W + H) up to 203 cm (80 in). 

• Business & First Class:

  • Free allowance: 3 pieces, each up to 32 kg (70 lb).

  • Same 203 cm size limit.

• Infants (without their own seat):

  • Allowed one checked bag with same size/weight as accompanying passenger. Maximum number of checked bags:

• • Economy / Premium Economy: Up to 9 total (free allowance + 7 extra).

  • Business / First: Up to 10 total.

Excess Baggage Fees (International Routes):

• Extra bag: ¥20,000 (~USD 200) per piece.

• Overweight:

  • 23–32 kg: ¥10,000 (~USD 100)

  • 32–45 kg: ¥60,000 (~USD 600)

• Oversize (over 203 cm): ¥20,000 (~USD 200)
  
  

All baggage must not exceed 45 kg per piece.

Domestic Flights (Within Japan)

• Economy:

  • Free allowance: Up to 20 kg per passenger (total weight across bags). No limit on number of pieces.

  • Size limit: Up to 50 cm × 60 cm × 120 cm. First Class (Domestic):

• • Total free allowance: 45 kg. No piece count limit.

Overweight or oversize baggage will incur charges.

Free checked baggage allowance

International Flights

• First Class & Business Class
  Passengers may check 3 pieces of baggage, each weighing up to 32 kg (70 lb), with a combined total dimension (length + width + height) not exceeding 203 cm (80 in). 

• Premium Economy & Economy Class
  Passengers are allowed 2 pieces of baggage, each up to 23 kg (50 lb) and with overall dimensions up to 203 cm (80 in).

• Infants (without a seat)
  One free checked bag is allowed, with the same weight and size limit as their accompanying adult.

Domestic Flights (Within Japan)

• Economy Class
  A total of 20 kg free checked baggage is allowed per passenger, with no limit on the number of bags. However, each bag must fit within 50 cm × 60 cm × 120 cm. 

• First Class
  Free allowance is increased to 45 kg total per passenger, also with no limit on number of bags, and the same size restrictions apply. 

Quick Overview Table

When it comes to “baggage requiring inquiry”, such as bulky items and musical instruments on Japan Airlines (JAL), here’s what you need to know—based on the most up-to-date official policies:

Bulky Baggage & Musical Instruments (International Flights)

On international flights, certain items cannot be automatically accepted as checked baggage and must be inquired about in advance:

• Baggage exceeding 203 cm (80 in) in total linear dimensions (length + width + height).

• Baggage that cannot be laid on its side and exceeds 150 cm (59 in) in height (or 79 cm (31 in) for Boeing 737 aircraft).

• Large musical instruments (e.g. cellos, contrabasses) or any baggage weighing more than 32 kg (70 lb).
  
  

These items must be declared and confirmed in advance, either via JAL’s International Reservation Desk or your travel agency.

Musical Instruments (Domestic Flights Within Japan)

JAL allows musical instruments with special handling depending on their size and how you plan to transport them:

1. Carry-On (if dimensions ≤ 115 cm total; ≤ 100 cm on small aircraft)

   • Allowed in cabin as carry-on baggage.

   • If any dimension exceeds 55 cm, 40 cm, or 25 cm (or 45 cm, 35 cm, 20 cm on smaller planes), check with staff.
     
     

2. Purchase an Extra Seat

   • For larger instruments exceeding carry-on dimensions, you may transport them in the cabin by buying a seat.

   • Multiple small instruments (e.g., violins) may be secured in one seat if combined width is ≤ 43 cm.
     
     

3. Loaner Cases for Large Instruments

   • JAL provides loaner instrument cases for certain instruments (e.g., violins, guitars) on domestic flights.

   • These must be reserved at least 48 hours before departure.
     
     

4. Checking Instruments as Baggage

   • Instruments too large for carry-on or without extra seats can be checked—but must fit within baggage weight/size limits or incur excess/oversize fees.
     
     

Excess baggage charges

International Flights (Between Japan and Other Regions)

Charges vary depending on the route and the type of excess:

• Extra checked bag (beyond your free allowance):

  • ¥20,000 (~USD 200) for long-haul routes (e.g., Japan ↔ Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa)

  • ¥10,000 (~USD 100) for regional routes (e.g., Japan ↔ Asia, Guam, Russia (Vladivostok), Oceania) 

• Overweight baggage:

  • 23–32 kg: ¥10,000 (~USD 100) for long routes; ¥6,000 (~USD 60) for regional routes

  • 32–45 kg: ¥60,000 (~USD 600) for long routes; ¥30,000 (~USD 300) for regional routes 

• Oversize baggage (over 203 cm in total dimensions):

  • ¥20,000 (~USD 200) for long routes; ¥10,000 (~USD 100) for regional routes Stacked example from JAL’s travel page:
    Includes the same figures for extra bag, overweight, and oversize charges on routes between Japan and North America, Europe, etc. 

Domestic Flights (Within Japan — When International Conditions Apply)

If your flight falls under JAL's "International Conditions of Carriage" even on domestic legs:

• Extra bag: ¥5,000 (~USD 50) per piece

• Overweight:

  • 23–32 kg: ¥1,000 (~USD 10)

  • 32–45 kg: ¥15,000 (~USD 150)

• Oversize (over 203 cm): ¥5,000 (~USD 50)

Route-based checked baggage rules

International Flights – Route Zones & Rules

JAL determines baggage regulations based on travel routes, divided into the following zones:

Zone 1

Routes Between: Japan ↔ Asia, India, Oceania, Hawaii, Americas (North, Central, South), Europe, Middle East, Africa.

• Free Checked Baggage:

  • Economy / Premium Economy: 2 pieces, up to 23 kg (50 lb) each.

  • Business / First: 3 pieces, up to 32 kg (70 lb) each.
    All pieces must be within 203 cm total dimensions (L + W + H).

• Special Restrictions:

  • On certain routes (e.g. London, Paris, Helsinki, Dubai, Australia), baggage over 32 kg may be unaccepted, regardless of allowance.

  • At Seoul-Gimpo airport, any baggage exceeding 200 × 90 × 90 cm is not accepted.
    
    

Zone 2

Routes Between: Japan ↔ Asia (some), Guam, Vladivostok, Oceania.

• Same free baggage allowances apply as Zone 1.

Zone 3

Routes Within Japan, when the International Conditions of Carriage apply (e.g., domestic leg of an international itinerary).

• Free Checked Baggage:

  • Economy: Up to 20 kg total per passenger; no piece limit; max size 50 × 60 × 120 cm.

  • First Class: Up to 45 kg total; no piece limit; same size restriction.
    If your domestic flight is part of an international ticket, international baggage rules apply, not domestic.
    
    

Excess Baggage Charges by Route

Beyond free allowances, extra fees apply depending on the route zone: