Korean Air Baggage Policy – Fees & Allowance. Have you recently booked a Korean Air flight? If so, then you’ll want to plan accordingly by getting to know the airline’s specific rules and policies—especially as they relate to baggage.
By being familiar with Korean Air’s baggage policies and fees, you can plan and pack accordingly for your flight.
From there, you may be able to avoid over-spending on luggage, which frees up more funds to better enjoy your trip.
Korean Air has a pretty standard baggage policy when it comes to allowances.
The number of complimentary checked bags and pricing for additional bags will vary by destination and a number of other factors.
Carry-On Allowance
All carry-on luggage must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you.
In addition to a personal item (overcoat, laptop, purse) passengers are allowed one carry-on bag whose dimensions (length + height + width) does not exceed 115 cm/45 ins and which does not weigh more than 12 kg/25 lbs.
First and Business Class passengers are allowed two carry-on bags whose dimensions (length + height + width) do not exceed 115 cm/45 ins and which does not weigh more than 18 kg/40 lbs.
REMINDER: Bulkhead seats do not have underseat storage during take-off and landing.
Korean Air Checked Baggage Allowance
All checked bags must adhere to a max weight of 50 pounds (23 kg) for Economy and 70 pounds (32 kg) for First/ Prestige fares; must adhere to max linear dimensions of 62 inches (158 cm).
Free baggage allowances regarding size, weight, and quantity of baggage vary with passenger itineraries, seating classes, and SKYPASS membership grades.
Korean Air advises passengers to use their baggage calculator for information on fees.
We ran a few searches and found the following fees, but do check the calculator for your specific flight.
| Route | Economy (23kg) | Prestige (32kg) | First (32kg) |
| To/From America (except Brazil) | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE 3+ Bags: $200 ea | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE 3+ Bags: $200 ea | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE 3rd Bag: FREE 4th+ Bags: $200 ea |
| USA-Brazil | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE 3rd+ Bags: $75 ea | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE 3rd+ Bags: $75 ea | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE 3rd Bag: FREE 4th+ Bag: $75 ea |
| To/From Brazil (all other) | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE 3+ Bags: $175 ea | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE 3+ Bags: $175 ea | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE 3rd Bag: FREE 4th+ Bag: $175 ea |
| Asia – Europe, Middle East, Africa, Oceania | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: $110 3+ Bags: $175 ea | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE 3+ Bags: $175 ea | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE 3rd Bag: FREE 4th+ Bags: $175ea |
| Korea – Asia | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: $70 3+ Bags: $100 ea | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE 3+ Bags: $100 ea | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE 3rd Bag: FREE 4th+ Bags: $100 ea |
| Within Asia | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: $100 3+ Bags: $150 ea | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE 3+ Bags: $150 ea | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE 3rd Bag: FREE 4th+ Bags: $150 ea |
| To/From Europe, Middle East, Africa, Oceania | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: $130 3+ Bags: $200 ea | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE 3+ Bags: $200 ea | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE 3rd Bag: FREE 4th+ Bags: $200 ea |
| Domestic Korea | Free Baggage Allowance for Economy: 44 pounds (20 kg) | Free Baggage Allowance for Prestige: 66 pounds (30 kg) | undisclosed |
Checked Baggage Allowance for travel to/from US, Canada, Transpacific regions:
- Each Economy Class passenger is allowed two pieces of luggage as long as each piece does not weigh more than 23 kg/50 lbs and the sum of the dimensions of both bags does not exceed 107 in/273 cm.
- Each Business Class passenger is allowed two pieces of luggage as long as each piece does not weigh more than 32 kg/70 lbs and the sum of the dimensions of each bag does not exceed 62 in/158 cm.
- Each First Class passengers is allowed two pieces of luggage as long as each piece does not weigh more than 32 kg/70 lbs and the sum of the dimensions of each bag does not exceed 62 in/158 cm.
Checked Baggage Allowance for travel to/from Asia and Europe:
- Maximum Weight for Economy Class Passengers: 44 lb/20 kg total
- Maximum Weight for Business Class Passengers: 66 lb/30 kg total
- Maximum Weight for First Class Passengers: 88 lb/40 kg total
Excess, Overweight, Oversize Baggage Fees
If you have more bags than the permitted allowance or your bags exceed the weight or linear restrictions, you will be charged additional fees.
| Route | Overweight (23kg – 32kg) | Overweight (33kg-45kg) | Oversized (158cm – 203cm) | Oversized(204 – 292 cm) |
| To/From America (except Brazil) | $100 | $200 | $200 | $400 |
| USA – Brazil | N/A | $75 | $75 | $150 |
| To/From Brazil | N/A | $175 | $175 | $350 |
| Asia – Europe, Middle East, Africa, Oceania | $100 | $200 | $200 | $400 |
| Korea – Asia | $50 | $100 | $100 | $200 |
| Within Asia | $75 | $150 | $150 | $300 |
| To/From Europe, Middle East, Africa, Oceania | $100 | $200 | $200 | $400 |
| Domestic Korea | KRW 2,000/kg | N/A | undisclosed | undisclosed |
Contact Korean Air directly for more information as this will vary by destination and departing airport.
Sports Equipment
Some sports equipment, because of size, fragility, or other handling requirements will be charged an excess fee even if the equipment replaces one of your allowed baggage pieces.
Contact Korean Air directly for more information.
CPAP Devices:
Please notify us at least 48 hours prior to departure if you plan on bringing a device on board.
Device requirements: Must be approved by the FAA or applicable nations and be equipped with a label as proof of certification, only dry-cell battery devices with enough power to last for at least 150% of the maximum flight time will be allowed, (In-flight power supplies are not available), passengers are solely responsible for operation of their devices, and you must submit a physician’s statement for any POC (Portable Oxygen Concentrator) device at the time of your reservation.
How many bags can you carry on Korean Air?
Korean Air allows 1 personal item and 1 carry-on item for Economy passengers and 2 standard carry-on for First Class and Prestige passengers.
Korean Air doesn’t specify maximum sizes but for Economy, the combined weight of both items must not exceed 12kg (25lb) and 18kg (40lb) for First Class and Prestige.
How much is excess baggage in Korean Airlines?
For international flights, Korean Air charges $50-$175 for overweight bags weighing 23kg – 32kg and $75 – $200 for bags weighing 32kg – 45kg.
Oversized bags measuring 158cm – 203cm max linear dimensions will be charged $75 – $200 depending on the route.
How many bags can you check on Korean Air?
To/from the Americas, Korean Air allows Economy passengers to bring 2 checked bags for free (23kg).
For all other international routes, 1 checked bag is free for Economy (23kg), 2 for Prestige (32kg) and 3 for First Class (32kg).
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 do choose to exceed these.