Korean Air Baggage Guide

The Korean Air baggage policy is pretty standard when it comes to baggage allowance. The number of free checked bags and pricing for excess baggage will depend on your travel class, destination, and other factors. 

Below is a snapshot of the Korean Air baggage allowance for domestic and international flights:

• The free carry-on baggage allowance on all routes is:
  • Economy Class 1 standard carry-on bag + 1 personal item 
  • Prestige/First Class 2 standard carry-on bags 

Carry-on baggage size and weight limits

• The standard carry-on bag must not exceed 55cm x 40m x 20cm (L x W x H).
• The personal item (size undisclosed) must fit under your front seat/overhead bin.
• The total weight of the carry-on baggage (incl. personal item) must not exceed 25lb/12kg for Economy Class and 40lb/18kg for Prestige and First Class.
  
• The free checked baggage allowance for different routes is as follows:
  • Domestic routes within Korea
    • Economy Class 44lb/20kg
    • Prestige Class 66lb/30kg
  • To/from Asia, Africa, Middle East, Europe, and Oceania
    • Economy Class 1 bag x 50lb/23kg
    • Prestige Class 2 bags x 70lb/32kg
    • First Class 3 bags x 70lb/32kg 
  • To/from North/South America (excluding Brazil)
    • Economy Class 2 bags x 50lb/23kg
    • Prestige Class 2 bags x 70lb/32kg
    • First Class 3 bags x 70lb/32kg 
  • To/from Brazil
    • Economy Class 2 bags x 70lb/32kg
    • Prestige Class 2 bags x 70lb/32kg
    • First Class 3 bags x 70lb/32kg 

Checked baggage size limit. The combined dimensions of a checked bag cannot exceed 158cm/62in.

• SkyPass members are entitled to check extra baggage privileges:
  • Morning Calm Club members are allowed 1 additional bag of 70lb/32kg for Prestige and First Class and 50lb/23kg for Economy Class (except when flying on Economy Class to/from the Americas).
  • Morning Calm Premium Club members are allowed 1 additional bag of 70lb/32kg for Prestige and First Class and 50lb/23kg for Economy class.
  • Million Miler Club members are allowed 1 additional bag of 70lb/32kg each on Economy, Prestige, and First Class.

Note. The additional free baggage allowance on weight concept flights is 22lb/10kg for Morning Calm Club members, 44lb/20kg for Morning Calm Premium Club members, and 66lb/30kg for Million Miler Club members. 

• SkyTeam members. Elite members receive an extra baggage allowance of 22lb/10kg, Elite Plus members get an extra 44lb/20kg (or 1 additional bag on piece concept flights).

• The additional/excess baggage fees for international flights are USD 50 – 175 for overweight bags weighing 50 – 70lb and USD 75 – 200 for bags weighing 70 – 99lb. Oversized bags measuring 158 – 203cm in combined linear dimensions will incur a fee of USD 75 – 200, depending on your route.
  
• Wheelchairs, assistive devices, and medical aids like POCs can be carried free of charge (if using).

Korean Air Cabin Baggage Allowance

What is Korean Air’s carry-on baggage allowance?

Korean Air’s carry-on baggage requirements are as follows: 

• Prestige/First Class passengers are allowed 2 standard carry-on bags and 1 personal item. 

• The carry-on baggage size limit for Prestige/First Class passengers is: 
  • 55cm x 40m x 20cm (L x W x H) for each standard carry-on bag. 
  • Undisclosed for the personal item, but it must fit under your front seat/overhead bin.
• The baggage weight limit for the standard carry-on bag plus the personal item is 40lb/18kg.
• Economy Class passengers are allowed 1 standard carry-on bag and 1 personal item.
  • The carry-on baggage size limit for Economy Class passengers is: 
    • 55cm x 40m x 20cm (L x W x H) for the standard carry-on bag. 
    • Undisclosed for the personal item, but it must fit under your front seat/overhead bin.
  • The baggage weight limit for the standard carry-on bag plus the personal item is 22lb/10kg.

Exceptions

The cabin baggage allowance for flights departing from other countries can vary by itinerary according to local security regulations. For example, regardless of seating class:

• Passengers departing on flights from India are allowed only a laptop and a carry-on bag. 
• Passengers departing from the United States and/or connecting to a domestic U.S. flight are allowed only 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item.

Note

• It is recommended that fragile and valuable items such as jewelry, important documents, keys, cameras, laptops, and medicines be carried in the cabin. 
• Cabin baggage items must either fit under your front seat or in the overhead bin. 
• Sharp/pointed objects, kitchen knives, blunt instruments, etc., are not allowed in carry-on luggage. 

Korean Air Checked Baggage Allowance 

All passengers travelling on Korean Air are entitled to a free checked baggage allowance, subject to number, weight, and dimensions (depending on your route and travel class). However, the free baggage allowance on domestic flights within Korea is limited by weight only. This means you can carry as many baggage items as you like, as long as you don’t exceed the weight limit. 

The checked baggage size limit (L + W + H) is 158cm/62in. Bags exceeding 158cm/62in in combined linear dimensions are subject to oversized baggage charges ranging from USD 75 – 200, depending on your route.

Additional Baggage Allowance for SkyPass Members

SkyPass members are entitled to additional baggage privileges, as shown below.

Korean Air Infant Baggage Allowance

The baggage allowance for lap infants and children will depend on your route and travel class. 

• Baggage allowance for infants and children on domestic flights within Korea: 
  • The baggage allowance for lap infants is 1 foldable stroller + 1 car seat/bassinet.
  • The baggage allowance for children is the same as that of the accompanying adult + 1 foldable stroller + 1 bassinet/car seat. 
• Baggage allowance for infants and children on international flights: 
  • The baggage allowance for lap infants is 1 bag not exceeding 115cm/45in and 22lb/10kg + 1 foldable stroller + 1 car seat/bassinet.
  • The baggage allowance for children is the same as that of the accompanying adult + 1 foldable stroller + 1 bassinet/car seat. 

Korean Air Excess Baggage Rates

What is Korean Air’s additional baggage fee?

If you’re travelling with more than your free baggage allowance, you will be charged an excess baggage fee. The Korean Air baggage price (i.e., excess baggage fee) will depend on your destination and the type of excess baggage you’re carrying (additional, overweight, or oversized baggage). 

Delayed, Lost, and Damaged Baggage

• Delayed or Lost Baggage 
  • If your baggage does not arrive with you, notify a Korean Air staff immediately.

Note. You must report the delayed/lost baggage within 21 days of checking in your baggage with Korean Air. Download the Property Claim Form.

• Korean Air will file a baggage delay report.
• You must have your baggage claim tags when filing a report.
• Once the delayed baggage arrives, you will be paid a daily necessity fee of approx. USD 50 per passenger.
• Damaged Baggage
  • If your baggage arrives damaged, you must inform a Korean Air staff member immediately, but no later than 7 days after receiving it. Alternatively, you can report damaged baggage online.
  • You may be entitled to compensation, depending on the extent of the damage. Minor dents, scratches, stains, etc., and loss of or damage to accessories are not liable for compensation.
  • If your baggage was damaged due to random screening by the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA), it will either bear a written notice inside the bag or a seal outside it. If your bag was damaged by the search, you must contact TSA at +1-866-289-9673.

Korean Air Musical Instruments Policy 

Korean Air allows you to carry musical instruments for free as part of your free carry-on or checked baggage allowance, or by purchasing an additional seat for it.

• Musical Instruments as Carry-on Baggage
  You can travel with a small musical instrument on board (such as a violin), as long as its combined dimensions (L + W + H) do not exceed 115cm/45in and it fits under your front seat or in the overhead bin. 

• Musical Instruments on a Paid Seat
  If you’re travelling with a delicate musical instrument or if its combined dimensions exceed 115cm/45in—such as a Geomungo, double bass, or cello—you can purchase a separate seat for it. 

• Musical Instruments as Checked Baggage

You can also travel with larger or delicate musical instruments as part of your free checked baggage allowance. If the weight, size, and total dimensions exceed 70lb/32kg or 203cm/80in, you will either have to purchase an additional seat for it and carry it onboard or send it by air freight. 

Be sure to securely pack your musical instrument in a padded hard case designed for air travel, and fill out the Limitation of Liability (Musical Instrument) when you check it in.​

Korean Air Sports Baggage Policy 

According to Korean Air’s sports baggage policy: 

• Sporting items exceeding 50lb/23kg will be charged an overweight fee. 
• Sporting items exceeding 158cm/62in in linear dimensions will be charged an oversized baggage fee. 
• The maximum permissible dimensions of a sports bag are 292cm/115in and the maximum weight is 70lb/32kg, regardless of fee. 
• No oversize fee applies to the following sporting equipment, as long as the combined linear dimensions do not exceed 292cm/115in: 
  • Golf equipment 
  • Ski, snowboard, and scuba equipment
  • Bicycles
  • Surfboards (surfboards exceeding 158cm on domestic flights will be subject to an oversized baggage fee)
  • Fishing equipment
• If your total baggage count exceeds your free baggage allowance, an additional baggage fee will apply. 

Note. For golf, snowboard, and ski equipment:

• If the total weight of [1 sporting bag + 1 bag] is 50lb/23kg or less, it will be treated as one checked baggage item. 
• If the total weight of [1 sporting bag + 1 bag] is between 50 – 70lb (23 – 32kg), it will be treated as one checked baggage item but overweight charges will apply (23–32kg).
• If the total weight of [1 sporting bag + 1 bag] is more than 70lb/32kg, it will be treated as two checked baggage items. 

Liability for Delayed, Lost, and Damaged Baggage 

Korean Air’s liability for delayed, damaged, or lost baggage for journeys covered under the Warsaw Convention is limited to the equivalent of:

• 250 French Gold Francs (~USD 20) per kilogram for checked baggage.
• 5,000 French Gold Francs (~USD 400) per passenger for unchecked-in baggage/other property. 

For journeys covered under the Montreal Convention, Korean Air’s liability is limited to SDR 1,288 for checked and unchecked baggage. For unchecked baggage and personal items, Korean Air will be liable for the damage if it resulted from its staff or agents. 

Note. If you declare a higher value for your checked baggage and pay for it before your journey commences, Korean Air’s liability will be limited to the higher value declared by you, as long as you can prove the amount of loss and don’t claim more than the loss.

For part-delivery or part-damage of checked baggage, Korean Air’s liability for the undelivered or damaged portion of the baggage will be proportionately reduced. 

Korean Air Baggage Restrictions 

The items listed below are prohibited and cannot be transported in carry-on or checked baggage.

• Combustible/Flammable Materials, such as paint, gasoline, lighter fluid, and other flammable or combustible materials.
• Pressurized Gas Containers, such as butane gas cans, oxygen cans, etc.
• Weapons and Explosives, such as firearms and crackers.
• Other Hazardous Materials, such as aerosols, fire extinguishers, insecticides, perm products, bleaching materials, etc., that endanger other passengers.
• Electronic devices powered by lithium batteries that exceed 160Wh (except wheelchairs and mobility aids); personal mobility devices (batteries with up to 160Wh can be removed and carried onboard); smart luggage items with non-detachable lithium batteries; hair straighteners with non-removable lithium batteries (not allowed only on flights departing from Japan).

Partly Restricted Carry-on Items 

The items listed below can be carried on board (in carry-on baggage) but only in small quantities. 

• Liquids (for international flights)
  • Liquids and gels like beverages, food items, sprays, creams, cosmetics, etc.
  • Up to 100ml per container and not exceeding 1 liter per person. 
  • Must be sealed in a plastic bag.
• Personal Medication, along with a doctor’s prescription/letter.
• Battery-recall MacBook Pros 
• Other Items
  • Up to 1 lighter/safety matchbox per passenger
    (except on flights from China).
  • Dry ice not exceeding 5.5lb/2.5kg per passenger. 
  • Carrier-approved medical items. 
  • Powder-like substances not exceeding 12oz/350ml per passenger on flights to/from the U.S. and flights from Australia.

Restricted Checked Items

The following items are not allowed in checked baggage but are permitted in carry-on baggage. 

• Fragile/Perishable items, such as ceramics, glassware, frames, etc.
• Expensive Electronic devices, such as mobile phones, cameras, laptops. 
• Valuable items, such as jewelry, cash, securities, important documents, samples, etc.
• Spare Batteries for PEDs (portable electronic devices), such as nickel-cadmium, nickel hydride, manganese, alkaline, etc.
• Spare lithium batteries incl. electronic devices powered by lithium batteries

• Spare batteries not exceeding 160Wh as long as they are protected individually from short-circuiting. You can carry up to 20 spare (100Wh) + 2 batteries (100 – 160Wh) onboard. 
• E-cigarettes powered by up to 100Wh batteries (charging on board is strictly prohibited).
• Batteries exceeding the maximum limit are not permitted in carry-on or checked baggage. 

Frequently Asked Questions on Korean Air Baggage