Cathay Pacific Baggage Allowance Policy - Cabin and Checked Luggage

Cathay Pacific is an airline frequently chosen by many passengers when travelling to destinations in Asia. If you’re having any intention of boarding a flight with Cathay Pacific, it’s a good idea to learn about the airline policies.

Today, we’re going to take a deep dive into Cathay Pacific airline’s baggage allowances, i.e. their dimension limit, weight limit, and excess baggage policy.

Overview of Cathay Pacific

Founded in 1946, Cathay Pacific is a global airline with its headquarters in Hong Kong. Cathay Pacific, a founding member of the oneworld alliance, is currently the fifth-largest airline in the world and flies to more than 190 locations in Asia, Oceania, Europe, Africa, and North America. The seven lounges that Cathay Pacific runs at the Hong Kong International Airport for elite members of the Cargo Clan, Silver, Gold, and Diamond members of the Marco Polo Club, and premium cabin passengers are well-known. The Hong Kong International Airport's Cathay Pacific lounges are also accessible to Oneworld Frequent Flyers.

Although Cathay Pacific's baggage policy isn't overly complicated, naïve passengers may nevertheless be perplexed. Do not be concerned; the CabinZero Crew has you covered. To get our most thorough explanation of Cathay Pacific's confusing luggage policy, scroll down.

Carry-on Baggage Allowance – Cabin Baggage Dimensions Policy

Passengers flying with Cathay Pacific are allowed to carry on board one piece of hand baggage. However, the specific allowance varies depending on the type of ticket they’re flying.

All pieces of baggage to be carried on-board cannot exceed the maximum dimensions of 9 x 14 x 22 in (23 x 36 x 56 cm). In addition to this baggage, passengers are also permitted to carry one small item on-board. This item could be either a small handbag, a laptop bag, a small backpack, a camera bag or a briefcase.

The weight allowance varies among the ticket type, more specifically:

Economy and Premium Economy class passengers’s baggage must not exceed a total weight of 15 lbs (7 kg).
Business class passengers’s baggage must not exceed a total weight of 22 lbs (10 kg).
First class passengers’s baggage must not exceed a total weight of 33 lbs (15 kg).

Checked Baggage Allowance

Similar to the policy of carry baggage, in Cathay Pacific’s checked baggage policy, the dimension allowance of baggage is universal for all ticket types, while the weight allowance as well as the number of pieces allowed change depending on the type of ticket that the passengers are boarding.

Dimension Allowance

Passengers travelling on Cathay Pacific’s carrier, regardless of their ticket type, are permitted to check in baggage that doesn’t exceed the cumulative dimensions of 80 in (203 cm).

Cumulative Weight and Piece Allowance

Passengers can check in more than one piece of baggage, but, according to Cathay Pacific policies, baggage that can be checked in to the hold can’t exceed 70 lbs (32 kg) per piece.

The following information applies to most flights:

Economy class passengers are permitted to check in up to 2 bags with the maximum cumulative weight of 66 lbs (30 kg).
Premium Economy class passengers are permitted to check in up to 2 bags with the maximum cumulative weight of 77 lbs (35 kg).
Business class passengers are permitted to check in up to 2 bags with the maximum cumulative weight of 88 lbs (40 kg).
First class passengers are permitted to check in up to 3 bags with the maximum cumulative weight of 110 lbs (50 kg).

Excess Baggage Policy

Cathay Pacific’s excess baggage policy is quite confusing. Essentially, the excess baggage fees are calculated based on the point of take off and arrival, which are divided into zones, more specifically:

Zone 1: Chinese Mainland, Macao SAR, Taiwan China, Japan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia (in Asia), South Korea Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam

Selected routes: Between Taiwan China and Japan/South Korea, between Thailand and Singapore, between United Arab Emirates and Bahrain

Zone 2: Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka
Zone 3: Bahrain, Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates
Zone 4: Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, South Africa