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Emirates vs Air India Baggage Allowance
Cabin bag size, checked allowance and excess fees for Emirates and Air India side by side — both from the airlines' official policies, checked 30 October 2026.
Emirates
- Cabin bag: Economy/Premium Economy: 1 piece 55x38x22cm; Business/First: 2 pieces - briefcase 45x35x20cm + handbag 55x38x22cm or garment bag max 20cm thick folded
- Cabin weight: 7.0 kg
- Checked (Economy Special (piece concept, Americas/Africa)): 1 piece up to 23kg
- Prepaid vs airport: Official page: save up to 45% on airport fees buying extra weight in advance (blocks of 5kg, max 50kg, up to 4h before departure); second-bag example Economy Special USA-Europe USD 65 online vs USD 100 airport for tickets issued on/before 7 Sep 2026
Air India
- Cabin bag: 1 piece; 7 kg in Economy/Premium Economy, 10 kg in Business/First (route-page tables)
- Cabin weight: 7.0 kg
- Checked (Economy (domestic)): Value 15 kg; Classic 15 kg; Flex 25 kg
- Overweight: India-USA: part of free allowance and excess weight up to 32 kg USD 130; oversize up to 203 cm USD 130
The short verdict
By cabin volume and weight the two are closely matched — the real difference is in the fare tables below.
Both airlines count baggage differently across fares, so compare the checked tables before you book the cheaper ticket: a fare with no bag included can end up costing more.
Emirates checked baggage by fare
| Fare / class | Checked baggage allowance |
|---|---|
| Economy Special (piece concept, Americas/Africa) | 1 piece up to 23kg |
| Economy Saver/Flex/Flex Plus (piece concept, Americas/Africa) | 2 pieces up to 23kg each |
| Economy Special/Saver (piece concept, within Americas/US-Europe) | 1 piece up to 23kg |
| Economy Flex/Flex Plus (piece concept, within Americas/US-Europe) | 2 pieces up to 23kg each |
| Premium Economy (piece concept) | 2 pieces up to 23kg each |
| Business | 2 pieces up to 32kg each (piece concept) |
| First | 2 pieces up to 32kg each (piece concept) |
Piece concept applies to/from Americas and Africa; weight concept applies on other routes - specific weight-concept kg by fare were not stated on the official pages read, so not recorded. Piece-concept max total dimensions 150cm per bag; 150-203cm oversize fee, over 203cm cargo only. Weight concept: any number of bags up to total allowance, each bag under 32kg, max 203cm.
Air India checked baggage by fare
| Fare / class | Checked baggage allowance |
|---|---|
| Economy (domestic) | Value 15 kg; Classic 15 kg; Flex 25 kg |
| Premium Economy (domestic) | Eco Classic 15 kg; Eco Flex 25 kg |
| Business (domestic) | Classic 25 kg; Flex 35 kg |
| First (domestic) | Flex 40 kg |
| Economy (international, Delhi-Dhaka example) | Value 30 kg; Classic 30 kg; Flex 35 kg |
| Business/First (international, Delhi-Dhaka example) | Business Classic 35 kg, Flex 40 kg; First Flex 40 kg |
| Economy (India-USA) | 2 pieces of 23 kg each |
| Business/First (India-USA) | 2 pieces of 32 kg each |
Official site states checked weight varies by travel class and route. Domestic/international tables above are from official airindia.com route pages read; India-USA is piece concept.
Policy checked: 30 October 2026. Airlines change allowances and fees — confirm on the official page before you travel.
Policy checked: 30 October 2026. Airlines change allowances and fees — confirm on the official page before you travel.