Cathay Pacific Baggage Policy Fees & Allowance. On this page, you can find everything you need to know about Cathay Pacific’s baggage allowance and fees.
Cathay Pacific has a generous baggage allowance policy across the board.
You’ll notice even carry-on bags get a higher weight consideration with each bump up in cabin class.
A perk pertaining to overweight baggage is that you’re paying in excess per kilo on most routes outside the Americas, meaning if you’re only a little bit over, you aren’t charged 1 single hefty fee.
Cathay Pacific Carry-On Cabin Baggage Allowance
Passengers on Cathay Pacific flights are entitled to one carry-on bag no larger than 56 x 23 x 23cm and one small personal item (such as a laptop bag).
The weight limit for this item is 7kg.
If your bag exceeds these limits then you should book a checked bag.
| Baggage Type | Size | Weight Allowance | Fees | Additional Fees |
| Carry-on luggage | 56 x 36 x 23cm | 7kg | None | |
| Checked baggage | 2 bags | 30kg combined(23kg for some destinations) | Excess baggage fees applied for oversize / overweight baggage | Extra piece of luggage USD 30-60 |
| Excess baggage | 203cm (height + length + width) | 32kg | Fee charged per excess kilogram | |
Cathay Pacific Checked Baggage Allowance
For standard tickets on Cathay Pacific flights, you are allowed 2 pieces of checked baggage per passenger with a combined weight of 30kg.
This weight allowance increases if you are travelling premium economy (35kg) or business class (45kg).
The luggage allowances for flights to/from Hong Kong, New Zealand, and America are slightly different to standard, so make sure you check the allowance as stated on your ticket before you fly.
| Route/Fare Type | Economy Light | Economy Essential/Flex | Premium Economy | Business | First |
| Hong Kong SAR To/From Mainland China/Taiwan China | 1 x 50 pounds (23 kg) | 2 x 50 pounds (23 kg) | 2 x 50 pounds (23 kg) | 2 x 70 pounds (32 kg) | 3 x 70 pounds (32 kg) |
| Hong Kong SAR To/From Africa/Americas/Asia/Australia/Europe/Middle East | 1 x 50 pounds (23 kg) | 2 x 50 pounds (23 kg) | 2 x 50 pounds (23 kg) | 2 x 70 pounds (32 kg) | 3 x 70 pounds (32 kg) |
| Hong Kong SAR – New Zealand | 1 x 50 pounds (23 kg) | 2 x 50 pounds (23 kg) | 2 x 50 pounds (23 kg) | 3 x 50 pounds (23 kg) | N/A |
| China(Mainland, Hong Kong, and Taiwan) To/From Africa/Americas/Asia/Australasia/Europe/Middles East | 1 x 50 pounds (23 kg) | 2 x 50 pounds (23 kg) | 2 x 50 pounds (23 kg) | 2 x 70 pounds (32 kg) | 3 x 70 pounds (32 kg) |
| Africa To/From China/Americas/Asia/Australasia/Europe/Middle East | 1 x 50 pounds (23 kg) | 2 x 50 pounds (23 kg) | 2 x 50 pounds (23 kg) | 2 x 70 pounds (32 kg) | 3 x 70 pounds (32 kg) |
| Americas To/From China/Africa/Asia/Australasia/Europe/Middle East | 1 x 50 pounds (23 kg) | 2 x 50 pounds (23 kg) | 2 x 50 pounds (23 kg) | 2 x 70 pounds (32 kg) | 3 x 70 pounds (32 kg) |
| Asia To/From China/Africa/America/Asia/Australasia/Europe/Middle East | 1 x 50 pounds (23 kg) | 2 x 50 pounds (23 kg) | 2 x 50 pounds (23 kg) | 2 x 70 pounds (32 kg) | 3 x 70 pounds (32 kg) |
| Australasia To/From Mainland China/Taiwan China/Africa/Americas/Asia/Europe/Middle East | 1 x 50 pounds (23 kg) | 2 x 50 pounds (23 kg) | 2 x 50 pounds (23 kg) | 2 x 70 pounds (32 kg) | 3 x 70 pounds (32 kg) |
| Europe – China/Africa/Americas/Asia/Australasia/Middle East | 1 x 50 pounds (23 kg) | 2 x 50 pounds (23 kg) | 2 x 50 pounds (23 kg) | 2 x 70 pounds (32 kg) | 3 x 70 pounds (32 kg) |
| Middle East – China/Africa/Americas/Asia/Australasia/Europe | 1 x 50 pounds (23 kg) | 2 x 50 pounds (23 kg) | 2 x 50 pounds (23 kg) | 2 x 70 pounds (32 kg) | 3 x 70 pounds (32 kg) |
Cathay Pacific Excess/Overweight Baggage Policy
If your bag weighs more than the luggage allowance for your journey, Cathay Pacific has an excess baggage fee.
This is calculated by subtracting the checked luggage allowance from the total weight of your bag.
You will then pay a fixed fee per kilogram over the limit.
Check out this page for a breakdown of the fees.
Please note that if your bag weighs more than 32kg or exceeds 203cm in size (height + length + width), Cathay Pacific will not accept it on board.
Overweight
| Per KG | To Hong Kong | To Zone 1 | To Zone 2 | To Zone 3 | To Zone 4 |
| From Hong Kong | – | $13 | $20 | $25 | $45 |
| From Zone 1 | $13 | $15 | $20 | $30 | $45 |
| From Zone 2 | $20 | $20 | $35 | $40 | $45 |
| From Zone 3 | $25 | $30 | $40 | $45 | $65 |
| From Zone 4 | $45 | $45 | $45 | $65 | $65 |
Additional Piece
If your bags are within the weight allowance, but you have an extra piece, you can work out how much your extra bag charge will be per piece.
| Per Piece | To Hong Kong | To Zone 1 | To Zone 2 | To Zone 3 | To Zone 4 |
| From Hong Kong | – | $30 | $30 | $30 | $60 |
| From Zone 1 | $30 | $30 | $30 | $30 | $60 |
| From Zone 2 | $30 | $30 | $30 | $30 | $60 |
| From Zone 3 | $30 | $30 | $30 | $30 | $60 |
| From Zone 4 | $60 | $60 | $60 | $60 | $60 |
Cathay Pacific Sports Equipment
For most sports, Cathay Pacific will accept equipment as part of your checked or carry on luggage so long as it is within the size and weight limits.
If your sports equipment is larger then you will have to pay for excess baggage.
If you are travelling with a bicycle, make sure to contact the airline 72 hours before your flight to make sure they have room on board for your bike.
Cathay Pacific Musical Instruments
If your instrument is within the size and weight allowances for carry-on luggage (56 x 36 x 23cm and 7kg) you can bring it on board with you.
If your instrument is larger than this, you can either travel with it as checked luggage in the hold, or book a seat on board for your instrument.
The weight must not exceed 32kg, and the case must not be larger than 136 x 48 x 44cm.
Pro tip: Due to pressure and temperature variations while flying, it is a good idea to loosen the strings of your instrument before you fly so as to avoid damage.
Contact Cathay Pacific
If you need to get in touch with Cathay Pacific, we recommend calling the team based in your country of departure or destination.
The relevant telephone numbers can be found on this page.
How many carry-on bags allowed Cathay Pacific?
With Cathay Pacific you can take 1 personal item and 1 standard piece of carry-on.
The personal item must not exceed 6 x 12 x 16 inches and the standard carry-on 22 x 14 x 9 inches.
Size Restrictions
- Personal (small item): 6 x 12 x 16 inches (15 x 30 x 40 cm)
- Standard: 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm)*
- Economy and Premium Economy: up to 15 pounds (7 kg)
- Business: up to 22 pounds (10 kg)
- First: up to 33 pounds (15 kg)
* Marco Polo Silver and Gold members are allowed up to 22 pounds (10 kg) for economy, premium economy, and business, as well as 33 pounds (15 kg) for first class. Marco Polo Diamond members are allowed up to 33 pounds (15 kg) for economy, premium economy, business, and first class.
Does Cathay Pacific charge for baggage?
No Cathay Pacific does not charge for baggage within the baggage allowance.
See our guide above for the allowance by route and fare type.
Does Cathay Pacific weigh carry-on baggage?
It’s possible Cathay Pacific could weigh carry-on baggage, so it is best to adhere to the published rules to avoid additional checked baggage fees.
If you’re traveling in economy or premium economy then your carry-on can weigh up to 15 pounds (7 kg), business is up to 22 pounds (10 kg), and first class up to 33 pounds (15 kg).
How much is excess baggage in Cathay Pacific?
Cathay Pacific charges $13 to $65 per kilogram for overweight baggage that exceeds the standard allowance for each cabin class.
If your baggage is within the weight allowance but you need an additional piece then this ranges from $30 to $60 per piece, per way.
For flights to/from or via the Americas (U.S., Canada, Central and South America) the fees for an additional piece are $200 to $260.
This depends on the zone you’re flying to and from and details can be found in the table above.