CemAir carry-on size and personal item rules

CemAir carry-on allowance by fare

CemAir checked baggage by fare

Checked baggage verified 11 October 2026. Your booking confirmation shows the exact allowance for your trip.

Checked bag fees (we never show prices, they change by route and date): see the official page

What to know about CemAir carry-on rules

• Among the 24 verified airlines from sub-Saharan Africa, CemAir has the 6th largest cabin bag allowance; the strictest is Proflight Zambia (30×25×15 cm).
• In volume terms the CemAir cabin bag reaches about 46.4 L; 79 of the 170 airlines with published sides allow a bigger box.
• Among the 189 verified airlines that include a measured cabin bag, CemAir sits at rank 50; 19% of them allow a smaller total than its 115 cm (45.3 in).
• CemAir's cabin bag totals 115 cm (45.3 in), 1.2 cm (0.5 in) more than the average of the 24 verified airlines from sub-Saharan Africa (113.8 cm (44.8 in)).
• Tested against CemAir's 36×23×56 cm limit, a standard US carry-on of 22 × 14 × 9 in (55.9 × 35.6 × 22.9 cm) fits, but with only 0.1 cm (0 in) to spare on the length.
• On CemAir, a typical European cabin case of 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in) is 4 cm (1.6 in) too big on the width; the limit is 36×23×56 cm.
• 7 kg (15.4 lb) for the cabin bag: 11 of the 177 airlines with a published limit are stricter than CemAir, 93 are more generous.
• CemAir's official text counts wheels and handles in the 36×23×56 cm cabin bag limit.

Our notes on CemAir

CemAir gives each passenger 7 kg of carry-on baggage, with a maximum size of 36 × 23 × 56 cm. The measurement includes handles, pockets and wheels, so the case's outside dimensions are what count.

In addition, you may bring one small handbag or personal bag, or a slimline laptop bag. CemAir also lists other personal items allowed in the cabin, such as an overcoat, an umbrella and one foldable garment bag up to a total of 185 cm. Checked baggage is generous by comparison: 21 kg on domestic routes and 30 kg on regional ones from Johannesburg or Cape Town.

CemAir carry-on questions

Does CemAir have a weight limit for carry-on bags?

Yes. On every fare, CemAir sets 7 kg (15.4 lb) for the cabin bag. CemAir publishes no weight limit for its personal item, only a size.

Will a 55 × 40 × 20 cm carry-on fit CemAir's limit?

No: against CemAir's 36×23×56 cm limit, a hard 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in) case is 4 cm (1.6 in) too big on the width.

Do wheels and handles count in CemAir's carry-on size?

Yes. CemAir's official page says the 36×23×56 cm limit includes wheels and handles.

Airlines related to CemAir

• Airlink carry-on size — also flies from JNB
• FlySafair carry-on size — also flies from JNB
• LIFT carry-on size — also flies from JNB
• South African Airways carry-on size — also flies from JNB

Strictest carry-on airlines · All airlines

Official sources

• https://www.cemair.co.za/TravelInfo.html?id=baggage — checked on 8 October 2026

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