Before you start packing your luggage for a flight or adding a laptop to your luggage, it’s essential to know the weight restrictions on flights.
It’s embarrassing to get to the airport and then realize you have overpacked your bags.
This happens a lot and it’s common for people to have to leave things behind or get them confiscated at the airport. As you can imagine, this is a real hassle for people when they are already anxious about flying to a different place.
With this in mind, we have also taken the time to understand what the weight restriction for flights can be and what to account for.
In general, the rule of thumb is for passengers to have one carry-on bag and one personal item (laptop, briefcase, small backpack). This rule is applied by the FAA for all fights within the US.
You will want to account for this when you are packing your bags before a flight.
Having too much weight in your luggage is only going to slow you down later, so it’s better to be prepared right away.
So, what is the weight restriction on flights?
For the most part, the weight restriction on flights is going to be 40 pounds. It can be slightly higher or lower depending on the airline.
It’s also important to note there are restrictions on the size of the carry-on luggage. It needs to be less than 45 linear inches.
We always recommend fliers take the time to read through the guidelines for their airlines. This is going to make it easier to follow the set regulations and/or weight restrictions on airlines.
Let’s dig deeper and figure out what the rules are for weight restrictions before flying.
Weight Restriction For Carry-On Luggage
- Air Canada – 26.5 pounds
- Air New Zealand – 15 Pounds
- Aer Lingus – 22 Pounds
- Air France – 22 Pounds
- Aeromexico – 22 Pounds
- Alitalia – 17 Pounds
- Cathay Pacific – 33 Pounds
- All Nippon Airways – 22 Pounds
- Frontier – 35 Pounds
- Japan Airlines – 22 Pounds
- Hawaiian – 25 Pounds
- Korean Air – 26 Pounds
- Philippine Airlines – 15 Pounds
- Lufthansa – 17 Pounds
- KLM – 26 Pounds
- Qantas Airways – 15 Pounds
- Singapore Airlines – 16 Pounds
- Scandinavian Airlines – 17 Pounds
- Saudi Arabia Airlines – 15 Pounds
- Sun Country Airlines – 35 Pounds
- Virgin – 30 Pounds

General Rules For Checked Luggage On Flights
If you are going to be heading to the airport, you will want to know what the rules are for checked luggage at the airport.
In general, you are going to have the chance to take one carry-on luggage and one general bag. There will be a limit for the bag itself as you cannot go past 40 pounds but it’s important to note this will vary depending on the airport.
We are looking more at US airports with these rules. International airports can have different rules including the airlines themselves.
Let’s assume you are thinking about taking additional weight onto the flight with your checked luggage.
You will have to pay more for this.
Each airline is going to have a set fee per pound. This is what you are going to have to pay or you will be asked to empty the bag until you hit the necessary weight. It is a hassle to deal with under pressure and we do not recommend putting yourself in such a situation.
Be smart and make sure you are looking at the restrictions in greater detail.
The one thing we started using was a scale for luggage. This is essential because it can be used at home and you can easily weigh the luggage before leaving. If it is too close, we would recommend taking a few items out at home. This is a lot easier than having to deal with it at the airport.
You are going to have to struggle with what to take out and you are not going to have a lot of time to make the choice.
If you are going to be taking fragile items, we would recommend wrapping them tightly. This is essential as you don’t want them to break as soon as the luggage is tossed around on the flight. It is a major issue that does happen when you start putting these items into the bag recklessly.
Always wrap them and make sure soft clothing is around them to nestle any blow that occurs.
Final Thoughts
These are the weight restrictions on flights based on our research.
We know it is confusing as to how much weight you can take on a flight but the best option is always to be diligent and research the airlines you are going to be taking.
Learn more about taking scissors on a flight and taking razors on a flight.

Amanda Harper is a travel enthusiast with 10+ years of traveling experience across the planet. Her passion for writing and travel makes her a walking bibliography on modern-day tourism.