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Korean Airline Baggage Policy
So, you’ve been at the airport, bogged down with your luggage and moving from one bag to another bag while a long line of fellow travellers endlessly sighing and shifting behind you? Travellers experience baggage policy confusion with Korean Air and anyone can become a victim.
No traveller wants their trip to start with surprises like additional baggage fees, or worse stressing out on - “I should have checked the baggage policy before I packed!”. Hence, it’s important to know the baggage policy with Korean Air before you pack. When you know what you can take, you can save money (or space!), worry less when you arrive at the check-in counter, and for sure, position yourself to make the most of your trip when you are able to start off on the right foot.
In order for you to get prepared, below is a simple guide to Korean Air's baggage allowance provides information on carry-on baggage, checked baggage, personal items, size and weight restrictions, differences between ticket classes (Economy, Prestige, or First Class), and other obscure exceptions that may help you. I hope this allows and you to pack better, travel smarter, and feel more relaxed to enjoy a great trip on Korean Air.
Carry-on luggage
Along with one free personal item on Korean Air, Economy Class passengers may bring one additional free carry-on bag as their main cabin baggage, but working together cannot exceed 22 lbs total. First and Prestige Class passengers may bring a maximum of two pieces of carry-on luggage, as well as one free personal item, but all bags must not exceed a maximum weight of 40 lbs.
If you're traveling with a child, the child will have the same free baggage allowance as the adult, and the adult may also carry one stroller and one car seat or one bassinet. If you're traveling with an infant on domestic travel, only one stroller and one car seat are permitted and there is no baggage allowance. If you are traveling with an infant on international travel, there is one stroller and one car seat permitted and an extra piece of luggage (the normal 22 lbs and total of 45 inches).
Lastly, smaller musical instruments may be brought in place of a carry-on baggage item, if the total size does not exceed a total of 45 inches, and you are okay with placing it in storage either in the overhead storage or under the seat. Larger instruments must be accompanied by an additional purchase.
Similar to other airlines, you can't carry items that can harm other passengers such as lithium battery-powered apparatus, explosives, compressed gas cylinders, and any combustible material.
You can carry one lighter or matchbox, powders of not more than 12oz in weight, and liquids in 100ml capacity containers, all contained in a 1-liter plastic resealable bag.
Checked luggage
No matter what class you ticketed, where you are going, and what membership level you hold, checked baggage allowances vary based on Korean Air policy - but the first checked bag is free. For Economy passengers, the checked bag must not exceed 62" in total dimension or 50 lbs. Prestige and First Class passengers may check bags weighing up to 70 lbs.
If you want to take more than your allowed number of bags, the fees may also vary on your itinerary. Below is a summary of possible routes and fees for baggage:
| Route | Economy | Prestige | First |
| To/From America (except Brazil) |
First two checked bags: Free From third piece: $200 each Overweight bags: $100-$200 Oversized bags: $200-$400 |
First two checked bags: Free From third piece: $200 each Overweight bags: $100-$200 Oversized bags: $200-$400 |
First three checked bags: Free From fourth piece: $200 each Overweight bags: $100-$200 Oversized bags: $200-$400 |
| To/From Brazil |
First two checked bags: Free From third piece: $175 each Overweight bags: $175 Oversized bags: $175-$350 |
First two checked bags: Free From third piece: $175 each Overweight bags: $175 Oversized bags: $175-$350 |
First three checked bags: Free From fourth piece: $175 each Overweight bags: $175 Oversized bags: $175-$350 |
| To or From Europe/Middle East/Africa/Oceania |
First checked bag: Free Second checked bag: $130 From third piece: $200 each Overweight bags: $100-$200 Oversized bags: $200-$400 |
First two checked bags: Free From third piece: $200 each Overweight bags: $100-$200 Oversized bags: $200-$400 |
First three checked bags: Free From fourth piece: $200 each Overweight bags: $100-$200 Oversized bags: $200-$400 |
| Korea to Asia |
First checked bag: Free Second checked bag: $70 From third piece: $100 each Overweight bags: $50-$100 Oversized bags: $100-$200 |
First two checked bags: Free From third piece: $100 each Overweight bags: $50-$100 Oversized bags: $100-$200 |
First three checked bags: Free From fourth piece: $100 each Overweight bags: $50-$100 Oversized bags: $100-$200 |
| Within Asia |
First checked bag: Free Second checked bag: $100 From third piece: $150 each Overweight bags: $75-$150 Oversized bags: $150-$300 |
First two checked bags: Free From third piece: $150 each Overweight bags: $75-$150 Oversized bags: $150-$300 |
First three checked bags: Free From fourth piece: $150 each Overweight bags: $75-$150 Oversized bags: $150-$300 |
| USA to Brazil |
First two checked bags: Free From third piece: $75 each Overweight bags: $75 Oversized bags: $75-$150 |
First two checked bags: Free From third piece: $75 each Overweight bags: $75 Oversized bags: $75-$150 |
First three checked bags: Free From fourth piece: $75 each Overweight bags: $75 Oversized bags: $75-$150 |
How to avoid checked bag fees on Korean Air
1. Use Carry-On Only
Travel light by bringing either one carry-on bag and a personal item that adhere strictly to Korean Air's allowable size and weight dimensions. This enables you to avoid carrying checked baggage altogether!
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2. Book in a Premium Cabin (Premium Economy, Prestige, or First Class)
If your budget can support it, book in a a higher cabin. Usually they allow significant amounts of free checked baggage to accompany you on your travels. Often, with international First and Prestige fares, you could expect to get 2-3 free bags included in your fare.
3. Sign up to the SkyPass Frequent Flyer Program
The Korean Air SkyPass's loyalty program provides free baggage benefits to members:
Morning Calm Club: This allows lucky members to check-in a second free bag up to 70 lb / 32 kg.
Morning Calm Premium Club: Members are allowed two extra free bags.
Million Miler Club: Generous baggage allowance based on mile flown.
4. Credit Card Benefits
If you charge your purchase with a Korean Air SKYPASS co-branded credit card, this may provide you and (maybe your companions) with a free first checked bag which will save each person approximately $100 round-trip. Some general travel credit cards also reimburse the checked bag charges.
5. Beyond Baggage Policy, Make Sure You Double Check Codeshare Policies
If your ticket is issued by one of the following airlines (Delta, Virgin Atlantic), then your baggage rules will apply under the issuing airline's policy not Korean Air's. Always double check which rules apply.
6. Pre-Purchase Extra Baggage (When Online Option is Available)
Pre-purchasing fee(s) for extra bags (if permitted) can potentially save you between 10% to 15% relative to the airport cost. However, pre-purchasing baggage online is only available for certain itineraries, if you are no to able to pre-purchase, you will pay full price at the airport.
7. Potentially use SkyPass Miles to pay for Extra Baggage
You may be able to use your SkyPass miles to pay for extra baggage at the airport versus cash or credit. For example, 20,000 miles to add one bag on U.S. – ICN routes. This generally would need to be arranged at check-in.
Does Korean Air provide baggage transfer on connecting flights?
Baggage transfer service is provided for transfers from one international flight to another international flight (e.g. Incheon-Tokyo-Los Angeles) within the same airline or, for transfers to a domestic flight within Europe (e.g. Incheon-Frankfurt-Hamburg). Your baggage generally gets transferred automatically to your next flight with any airline; in those cases you do not have to claim your baggage at the transfer airport.
There are some exceptional circumstances where:
When arriving in Korea and transferring to a Korean domestic flight, you must claim baggage and check it in again, except if you have a throughfare itinerary to Busan with a Korean Air Transit Exclusive Domestic Flight (your baggage would be considered as connected to the final destination at Busan).
When connecting to domestic flights in the U.S. and Canada (e.g., Incheon-LA-Phoenix) and most other countries (e.g., Australia, China, Japan, India, Russia): If you come from another country to one of these countries and are transferring to a domestic flight, you will have to claim your baggage at the first initial stopover.
Sports Equipment
If your total baggage count, even including sports equipment, exceeds a free allowance, you will be charged an extra piece fee. If any item is over 23 kg (50 lbs), you will be charged an overweight fee. Any item over 158 cm (62 in) will be charged an oversize fee. The maximum weight and dimensions per sports bag, regardless of fee, is 32 kg (70 lbs) and linear total of 292 cm (115 in).
For golf, ski, snowboard and scuba equipment, bicycles, surfboards (with one exception, on domestic flights, if the surfboard exceeds 158 cm, an oversized fee will apply) and fishing equipment there will be no applicable oversized fee.
For golf, ski, and snowboard equipment, fee waivers apply for Korean Air flights only if the total weight of one sports bag and one checked bag is:
23 kg (50 lbs) or less—the sports bag is regarded as one piece of baggage.
23-32 kg (50-70 lbs)—an overweight fee applies.
Over 32 kg—no waiver, standard baggage policies apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bags can you carry on korean Airline ?
For passengers occupying Economy class, Korean Air permits 1 personal item and 1 carry-on item – for first class or Prestige passengers – allows 2 regulation-size carry-on items. Korean Air doesn't specify maximum dimensions but for Economy class the combined weight of both items cannot exceed 22 pounds (10 kg) and 40 pounds (18 kg) for first class or Prestige class.
How much is excess baggage in korean airline ?
Korean Air has a charge of $50 to $100 per bag, with overweight bags weighing 24 to 32 kilograms and overweight bags weighing 33-45 kilograms have fees from $75 to $200. Oversized bags with maximum linear dimensions of 159 to 292 centimeters are charged $75 to $400 based on their route.
How many bags can you check on korean airline ?
To and from the Americas, Korean Air allows economy passengers to bring 2 checked bags for free (23 kilograms). For all other international routes, 1 checked bag is free for economy (23 kilograms), 2 for Prestige (32 kilograms), and 3 for first class (32 kilograms).
Is korean air strict with baggage allowance ?
Korean Air has a strict baggage policy, with many forums detailing passenger accounts of being asked to pay excess fees or repack baggage. So consider your baggage allowance carefully and be prepared to pay if you exceed them.