East Asia · South Korea
Korean Air Baggage Rules
Published personal item, carry-on and checked bag allowances for Korean Air (KE), verified against the carrier's own policy page on August 16, 2026.
Official Korean Air baggage policyWill my bag fit Korean Air?
Measure your bag including wheels and handles, then check it against Korean Air's published limit.
Korean Air carry-on limit: 21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in (55.1 × 39.9 × 20.1 cm) · 26.5 lb
Allowance
Personal Item
| Cabin / fare | Route | Max size | Max weight | Fees & notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| economy | All routes | 15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in (39.9 × 30 × 15 cm) | None published | Free |
Allowance
Carry-On
| Cabin / fare | Route | Max size | Max weight | Fees & notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| economy | All routes | 21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in (55.1 × 39.9 × 20.1 cm) | 26.5 lb (12 kg) | Included |
Allowance
Checked Bag
| Cabin / fare | Route | Max size | Max weight | Fees & notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| economy | All routes | 62 in total (L+W+D) / 157.5 cm | 50.7 lb (23 kg) | Included on international economy |
Security rules for flights from South Korea
These are government security and safety rules — separate from your airline's baggage allowance. They are set by the aviation authority at your departure point, not by the airline.
Screening at major departure airports
Seoul Incheon International (ICN)
- Authority:
- MOLIT
- Liquids:
- 100 ml containers in one 1 L bag
- Scanners:
- CT scanners at selected lanes
- Electronics:
- Power banks kept with the passenger, not in overhead bins
Lithium batteries and power banks
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT)Power banks must be kept on the passenger or in a seat pocket rather than overhead bins, and may not be charged in flight. Spare batteries are cabin-only.
- Carry-on:
- Yes - kept with the passenger, not in overhead bins
- Checked:
- No
- Watt-hour ceiling:
- 160 Wh
- Medication:
- Medical equipment batteries are exempt with documentation.
Korean carriers announce power bank handling rules before departure.
Last verified August 16, 2026Official source
ICAO dangerous goods baseline
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)ICAO Technical Instructions set the worldwide baseline that national regulators adopt: no spare lithium batteries in checked baggage, no flammable gases or liquids, no strike-anywhere matches, and e-cigarettes carried in the cabin only and never charged in flight.
- Carry-on:
- E-cigarettes and vapes: cabin only, charging prohibited
- Checked:
- Spare batteries, flammable liquids and gases prohibited
- Watt-hour ceiling:
- 160 Wh
- Medication:
- Medical oxygen and battery-powered medical devices require advance airline arrangement.
Where your departure country publishes no separate rule, carriers apply this ICAO baseline.
Last verified August 16, 2026Official source
FAQ
Korean Air baggage questions
- What is Korean Air's carry-on size limit?
- Korean Air's published cabin bag limit is 21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in (55.1 × 39.9 × 20.1 cm).
- Does Korean Air weigh carry-on bags?
- Yes — the published cabin bag weight limit is 26.5 lb (12 kg), and gate staff can weigh bags at any time.
- What size personal item does Korean Air allow?
- The under-seat personal item allowance is 15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in (39.9 × 30 × 15 cm).
- What is Korean Air's checked bag size and weight limit?
- Checked bags are limited to 62 in total (L+W+D) / 157.5 cm, with a 50.7 lb weight limit. Bags over the limit are charged overweight or oversize fees.
- How do I know if my bag will fit on Korean Air?
- Measure your bag with the wheels and handles included, then run the measurements through the Travel Review HQ bag size checker. It compares your bag against Korean Air's published limits and, for connecting itineraries, against the strictest carrier on your route.
- Are Korean Air's baggage rules the same as airport security rules?
- No. Korean Air sets the size, weight and fee allowance. Liquids, power banks and prohibited items are set by the security authority in your departure country (South Korea for most Korean Air departures), and both sets of rules apply to the same bag.
Check your own bag against Korean Air
Enter your bag's measurements and we'll tell you whether it clears the sizer — including on connecting flights with other carriers.
You may also need
- Best personal item bags for Korean AirTRHQ-scored bags verified against this airline's sizer.
- Compare carry-on bagsSide-by-side dimensions, weight and TRHQ scores.
- Packing cubes for personal itemsFit more into a smaller bag.
- Travel electronics & power banksWhat's allowed in the cabin, and what we pack.
- TSA liquid & security rulesScreening rules for your route, with the CT scanner status.
- All airline baggage guidesCarry-on and checked limits for carriers worldwide.
Airline and airport baggage policies can change. Travel Review HQ verifies requirements against official sources, but travelers should confirm current restrictions with their airline before departure.