Cabin Luggage Size Limits for Indian Airlines 2026

Flying within India? Understanding the cabin luggage size specifications by Indian airlines saves airport stress. From May 2025 onwards, rules tightened: one carry-on bag, specific dimensions, and weight limits. Let's break down what matters.

Cabin Luggage Size and Weight Limits

Indian airline baggage rules follow one rule: one piece of cabin-sized luggage.

Those dimensions total 115 cm. Exceed them? Your bag gets checked. You need a cabin bag with smart compartments, not one cavity, that maximizes your 20 liters.

Beyond your main carry-on size in India, you get one personal item (3 kg max): laptop, phone, documents, medications. It fits under the seat in front of you.

Flight Luggage Size: Air India vs IndiGo

Both carriers follow BCAS regulations (government-mandated):

Air India:

• 1 cabin bag: 7 kg, 55 x 40 x 20 cm
• 1 personal item allowed
• Business class: 10 kg cabin bag

IndiGo:

• 1 cabin bag: 7 kg, 55 x 40 x 20 cm
• 1 personal item: up to 3 kg
• International routes have higher allowances

Every flight's luggage size limit is set by BCAS, not airlines. You're comparing the same thing regardless of carrier.

Cabin Bag Packing Strategy That Works

You have 20 liters with a 7 kg limit. What matters:

• Smart compartments (not one large cavity)
• Quick-access pockets (skip unpacking at security)
• Expandable sides (flexibility without exceeding limits)
• Structured frame (prevents slouching that looks oversized)

For winter trips, bulky sweaters eat up space fast. The Mokobara Cabin bags use tiered organization: a dedicated laptop compartment plus a structured body that holds shape, maximizing every millimeter without gaming dimension rules.

When You Exceed the Limit

Airlines don't flex:

1. Gate-check: Compliant bag checks for free if the bin fills
2. Pay excess charges: ₹600 per kg over on domestic flights
3. Repack at counter: Slow, stressful, backs up the line

Better approach: Buy a bag engineered for these limits from day one.

Your Next Move

You now know carry-on size rules in India, dimensions, weight limits, and what fits. Pack once, pack right. Get a cabin bag built for these specs, test it before your trip, and skip airport stress forever.

Flying? A cabin bag that respects these limits means one less worry.

Ready for #GoingPlaces?

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What happens if my cabin bag is 1 cm over the height limit? 

It gets checked in at the gate. Airlines measure strictly to prevent overhead bin overflow.

2. Can I carry my winter jacket as my personal item instead of packing it? 

Yes, wear it onboard; that's smarter than packing it since your 7 kg cabin allowance is limited.

3. Do airlines weigh cabin bags, or just check dimensions? 

Both. Gates use scales, so a bag that fits dimensionally but weighs 8 kg still gets flagged on domestic flights.

4. Is the 115 cm dimension rule the same for all Indian airlines?

Yes, BCAS (Bureau of Civil Aviation Security) sets this for every Indian carrier, domestic and international.

5. Can I use an expandable cabin bag if it's within limits when collapsed?

Only if it stays within 115 cm when fully expanded; airlines consider expanded dimensions at check-in.

6. What's the easiest way to pack 7 kg of winter clothes? 

Wear your heaviest jacket, roll thermal layers, and use packing cubes. Design matters more than bag size here.