Emirates Baggage Policy

Emirates Airlines Baggage Allowance

Piece Concept—Flights To/From Americas and From Africa

Before making your Emirates reservations, do read the baggage rules. Your baggage allowance will depend on your route, class of travel, and your Emirates Skywards membership tier.

Carry-on Baggage Allowance

Your Emirates booking allows you to carry 1 or 2 bags (1 in Economy, 2 in First and Business)—subject to the weight and size limitations mentioned below:

Economy Class Carry-on Allowance: 1 Bag

• Max Size (L x W x H): 55cm x 38cm x 20cm, or 22in x 15in x 8in 
• Max Weight: 15lbs / 7kg

Business or First Class Carry-on Allowance: 1 Handbag / Garment Bag + 1 Briefcase 

• Handbag or Garment Bag
  • Max Handbag Size: 55cm x 38cm x 20cm, or 22in x 15in x 8in 
  • Max Garment Bag: 20cm / 8in when folded
  • Max Weight: 15lbs / 7kg 
• Briefcase 
  • Max Size (L x W x H): 45cm x 35cm x 20cm, or 18in x 14in x 8in
  • Max Weight: 15lbs / 7kg

Note

• All carry-on bags must fit under the seat in front of you or in the overhead lockers. 
• You’re not allowed to keep the bags behind your legs, in the aisles or in front of emergency exits.
• Duty-free purchases in reasonable quantities are permitted in addition to your 15lh/7kg allowance.

Checked Baggage Allowance

If you’re traveling to/from America, you can check-in 1 or 2 bags (1 in Economy, 2 in all other classes)—subject to the weight and size limitations.

If you’re traveling to a different destination, view your checked baggage allowance.

Overweight and Oversized Baggage Charges

If you’re traveling with the allowed number of pieces in your baggage but the total size and weight restrictions exceed, you will need to pay the following additional charges:

If you’ve purchased additional pieces of baggage and their size and weight exceed the limits, you will need to pay the following additional charges:

What to Do If Your Baggage is Missing on Emirates

If you can’t locate your checked baggage upon arrival:

• Report your missing bag to the baggage services desk in the Arrivals hall
  • You’ll be asked to fill out a report
  • Make your report as descriptive as you can by mentioning the color, make, marks, etc. 
  • The report will have a unique reference number which will be used to trace your baggage 
  • The Emirates staff will try to locate your missing baggage as soon as possible
• If you don’t receive your missing baggage within 3 days, you’ll need to:
  • Fill out a Baggage Inventory Form and email it to the address on the form. 
  • To fill the form, you will need the following documents:
    • Your Baggage Inventory Form (duly filled out)
    • Your photo ID
    • Copies of receipts for any clothing items you purchased
    • Receipts for any items contained in your bag, such as a receipt for your suit, wedding dress, etc.
    • Your receipt for excess baggage (if you were carrying excess baggage)
• You will also need to register a claim with your travel insurance company.

If you did not file a report and left the airport, call your local Emirates office as soon as possible—and inform them.

If your baggage is located and found: 

• You will be informed immediately
• A suitable (to you) delivery time will be arranged by Emirates 

How to Check the Status of Your Missing Baggage on Emirates

To check the status of your missing baggage: 

• Go to the Delayed and damaged baggage page 
• Enter your 10-digit file reference number (PIR) and your last name 
• Click on the ‘Submit’ button

Your current baggage status will appear.

What to Do If Your Baggage is Damaged on Emirates

If your baggage arrives damaged:

• You will need to contact the airport’s baggage service office
• You will be asked to fill out a report of the damage

If you did not file a report and left the airport, you will need to call your local Emirates office as soon as possible, and report the damage to your baggage.

What to Do If Some Items Are Missing from Your Baggage 

If you find any items missing from your bags:

• You will need to contact the airport’s baggage service office
• You will be asked to fill out a report of the missing items

If you did not file a report and left the airport, you will need to call your local Emirates office as soon as possible, and report the missing baggage items.

Unusual Baggage and Special Allowances by Emirates

Emirates allows special allowances to passengers carrying non-standard or unusual types of baggage, such as for:

• Passengers with disabilities can carry the following extra baggage free of charge:
  • Fully collapsible wheelchair
  • Braces or crutches 
  • Portable dialysis machine, with all its associated parts
    (as checked baggage)
  • Assistance dogs if visually or hearing impaired, but not in the cabin
  • CPAP or PAP devices
    (Allowed onboard as checked baggage only for U.S. route—subject to weight and size limits. But as checked baggage for all other routes, subject to health and special needs)

• Passengers traveling with infants (under 2 years) are provided an itinerary based baggage allowance.
  • For all routes to/from the Americas and originating from Africa
    You can carry:
    • 1 cabin baggage, max size: 22in x 15in x 8in (55cm x 38cm x 20cm)
    • 1 checked baggage, max weight: 11lbs/5 kg 
    • 1 of these (subject to space availability): Fully collapsible pushchair/stroller, Infant’s carrycot, or infant’s cars seat

To purchase an additional aircraft seat, contact your local Emirates office.
For more details, refer to the traveling with infants page.

• For all other routes (except routes to/from the Americas and originating from Africa)
  You can carry:
  • 1 cabin baggage, max size: 22in x 15in x 8in (55cm x 38cm x 20cm)
  • 1 checked baggage, max weight: 22lbs/10 kg 
  • 1 of these (subject to space availability): Fully collapsible pushchair/stroller, Infant’s carrycot, or infant’s cars seat

To purchase an additional aircraft seat, contact your local Emirates office.
For more details, refer to the traveling with infants page.

Sports Equipment

You’re allowed to carry a wide range of sports equipment as checked baggage, such as: 

• Golf equipment
• Bicycle (notify at least 24 hours in advance)
• SCUBA equipment such as diving suits, buoyancy control devices, masks, flippers, snorkels, etc.
• Sporting weapons and ammunition (in checked baggage), such as:
  • Air guns
  • Target pistols
  • Hunting rifles 

Note

• The firearms must be unloaded and dismantled (if possible) and packed in a gun case or suitcase.
• You must store the ammunition in a strong, sealed box surrounded by other items, and the suitcase must be marked with an ‘Explosive’ label.
• The max gross weight permissible is 11lb/5kg per passenger.
• The carriage of such weapons and ammunition must be pre-approved at least 3 days before your flight.
• To start the approval process, you will need to fill out the Firearms Form and contact Emirates’ Help Center. 
• Ski equipment and water ski equipment
  • Snow skis include one pair of:
    • Skis 
    • Ski poles
    • Ski boots
  • Water skis include:
    • Standard water skis (1 pair), or
    • Slalom water ski (1)

Additional charges may apply in certain situations. 

• For more information, contact your local Emirates office.
• For travel rules to/from North, Central or South America, see this page.

• Other sports equipment like surfboards, kayaks, kite-surfing equipment, and pole vaults are allowed as checked baggage and part of your standard baggage allowance—on the conditions that:
  • The equipment is properly packed in hard-shell case.
  • The sails are collapsible and detachable.
• For more information about other sports equipment or to know any related rules and regulations, contact your local Emirates office. 

• Pets
  • Pets are not allowed in the cabin, except:
    • Guide dogs for blind passengers, subject to certain conditions 
    • Falcons on select flights (between Dubai and certain parts of Pakistan)
  • Pets can be carried as cargo or as checked baggage in the hold. 
  • Pet charges will depend on the size and weight of your pet, including the cage. 
• Ship Models

If you’re departing from Mauritius, you will need to pay a charge for carrying a ship model—subject to the following conditions: 

• It can’t be included in your standard baggage allowance.
• The maximum permissible weight is 20kg
• The first 10kg will cost you EUR 150, and the next 10kg will cost you EUR  50
• Musical instruments
  • All musical instruments will be handled as normal checked or cabin baggage 
  • They will be subject to weight and size restrictions 
  • They can be transported on a seat on a chargeable basis
  • You can check in your musical instrument subject to rules and charges 
  • For more details, check out the cabin baggage limitations or contact your local Emirates office

How to Pay Baggage Fee on Emirates 

On an Emirates booking, you can pay your baggage fee in any of the following ways:

• Online before check-in
• Via the mobile app 
• At the airport check-in desks 
• Through Emirates offices in advance 

How to Buy Extra Baggage Allowance Online on Emirates 

You can purchase extra baggage allowance online up to 4 hours before your flight’s departure. Emirates will offer you a special discount if you purchase your additional allowance online. This will save you both time and money at the airport. 

To purchase your baggage allowance online: 

1. Go to Emirates’ official website
2. Click on ‘Manage’ (appears on top)
3. Now click on ‘Baggage’, and then on ‘Purchase more baggage’
4. Enter your last name and 6-digit booking reference number*
   (*comprises letters and numbers that appear under your name)
   The excess baggage allowance fees will now be displayed 
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to purchase your extra baggage

How to Buy Extra Baggage Allowance at the Airport 

If your baggage exceeds your base allowance, you can buy your extra baggage allowance at the Emirates airport counter. If you’re carrying extra baggage, reach the airport early to allow for the extra time it might take to weight your baggage and pay the additional fee. 

How to Buy Extra Baggage Allowance at an Emirates Office

You can also buy your extra baggage allowance from an Emirates office near you. To do so, check out the local Emirates offices in your area and speak with a representative.

Emirates Musical Instruments Policy

If you’re holding an Emirates booking, you can carry your musical instrument for free if it fits in your baggage allowance. 

Per Emirates musical instruments policy, you can carry your musical instruments:

• As normal cabin baggage, per the usual limitations. 
• As cabin baggage on an unoccupied passenger seat, per the usual weight and size limitations for carry-on items.  
• As normal checked baggage, per the usual limitations. 

Note

• If the instrument’s weight or size exceeds limitations, additional charges will apply
• Paid-for seat bookings cannot be done online—but only through your local Emirates office
• If your itinerary includes a non-Emirates operated flight, different baggage rules may apply 
• For more information, contact your local Emirates office

How to Carry Oversized Musical Instruments on Emirates

You’re allowed to carry large musical instruments as checked baggage on your Emirates booking—but on the following conditions:

• You have packed your musical instrument in a hard case with adequate cushioning material. 
• You will pay excess baggage charges if the weight and dimensions exceed your free baggage allowance. 

For more information, call your local Emirates office.

Emirates Pet Policy 

Pets are not allowed in the cabin—but can be carried as cargo or checked baggage in the hold.
However, the following animals are allowed: 

• Guide dogs for passengers with special needs, such as blind passengers.
• Falcons on select flights between Dubai and certain parts of Pakistan.

Other animals like pet birds, dogs, and cats can travel either as checked baggage in the hold or cargo.

The other conditions you need to know are: 

• If the combined dimensions (length + width + height) of your pet carrier are more than 300cm (118in), your pet can only travel as cargo.
• You need to submit your pet related paperwork at least one week prior to your flight.
• There is no restriction on the number of pets you can carry on your Emirates booking. However, some countries have restrictions on the number of pets allowed, such as India (2 pets).
• The charges payable by you will be the combined weight of your pet plus cage—even if you’re not carrying any checked baggage.
• For all flights:
  • Connecting or terminating in Dubai, animals can only be transported as cargo per UAE regulations.
  • From Dubai to countries allowing animals to enter as “excess baggage” (and not as manifested cargo), animals like falcons, pet birds, dogs, and cats can be carried as checked baggage in the hold —provided that:
    • The full journey time (incl. transit time) is not more than 17 hours
    • The necessary conditions are met

• If the connecting time for pets transiting Dubai is more than 6 hours, the pets can be accepted as cargo only.
• All pets must have a valid import permit, incl. health certificate, vaccination records, etc.
• For more information, contact Emirates SkyCargo or your local Emirates office. 

Excess Baggage Charges for Animals 

Banned and Restricted Items on Emirates

Dangerous goods that can endanger the aircraft and passengers are not allowed on your Emirates booking. Before packing your bags, make sure you avoid taking them with you.

• Personal Motorized Vehicles

Personal motorized vehicles such as hoverboards, mini-Segways or smart wheels are banned on Emirates flights—as well as on connecting flights. 

• Attaché Cases

Unless authorized, security type attaché cases, cash boxes or cash bags incorporating lithium batteries or pyrotechnic material are banned on Emirates flights. 

• Matches and Cigarette Lighters

Strike anywhere matches, blue fame or ‘cigar’ lighters are forbidden on flights.

• Disabling Devices 

Mace or pepper sprays that contain irritants or incapacitating substances are completely forbidden on flights. 

• Electro Shock Weapons

Tasers and other shock weapons containing explosives, lithium batteries, compressed gases, etc. are forbidden.

• Explosives or Items Containing Explosives

Christmas crackers, firecrackers, poppers, bottle rockets and sparklers are forbidden on your Emirates Airline flight booking.
For more information, read Emirates dangerous goods policy.