Ethiopian Airlines carry-on size and personal item rules
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Full-service
- Star Alliance
- Verified 28 September 2026
Ethiopian Airlines (ET) allows one cabin bag of 23 × 40 × 55 cm (9.1 × 15.7 × 21.7 in) and 7 kg (15.4 lb) on its Economy Class fare, plus a personal item. Verified on 28 September 2026 from the official Ethiopian Airlines baggage page.
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Ethiopian Airlines carry-on allowance by fare
| Fare | Route / class | Personal item | Cabin bag | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy Class(standard) | All routes · Economy | size not published, 5 kg | 23×40×55 cm, 7 kg | cabin bag 7 kg; personal item 5 kg |
| Business Class | All routes · Business | size not published, 5 kg | 23×40×55 cm, 7 kg | cabin bag 7 kg; personal item 5 kg |
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What to know about Ethiopian Airlines carry-on rules
- From ADD, Ethiopian Airlines mainly connects Ethiopia with United States, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and India.
- Among the 6 verified airlines from sub-Saharan Africa, Ethiopian Airlines has the 2nd largest cabin bag allowance; the strictest is RwandAir (22×15×8 in).
- In volume terms the Ethiopian Airlines cabin bag reaches about 50.6 L; 12 of the 60 airlines with published sides allow a bigger box.
- Ethiopian Airlines ranks 11th of 66 verified airlines by cabin bag size in the standard fare: its 118 cm (46.5 in) total is bigger than 62% of them.
- The average cabin bag of the 6 verified carriers from sub-Saharan Africa adds up to 117.1 cm (46.1 in); Ethiopian Airlines' limit is 1 cm (0.4 in) more than that.
- Of the 17 Star Alliance airlines verified here, Ethiopian Airlines comes 2nd by cabin bag size; the range runs from United Airlines at 114.3 cm (45 in) to TAP Air Portugal at 120 cm (47.2 in).
- On Ethiopian Airlines, a standard US carry-on of 22 × 14 × 9 in (55.9 × 35.6 × 22.9 cm) is 0.9 cm (0.3 in) too big on the length (limit: 23×40×55 cm).
- Tested against Ethiopian Airlines' 23×40×55 cm limit, a typical European cabin case of 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in) fits exactly at the limit on the length.
- Across its 2 fares, Ethiopian Airlines changes the rules: all 2 include a cabin bag.
- 7 kg (15.4 lb) for the cabin bag: 0 of the 57 airlines with a published limit are stricter than Ethiopian Airlines, 34 are more generous.
- Exceptions noted on the official Ethiopian Airlines page: “Bussines Class — 7Kg — + — 7Kg — The briefcase may not exceed 23 x 40 x 55 (cm) the handbag may not exceed 23 x 40 x 55 (cm)”
Ethiopian Airlines personal item: what fits under the seat
- Every one of the 2 Ethiopian Airlines fares listed here also includes a cabin bag, so the personal item always comes on top of it.
- Ethiopian Airlines sets a separate 5 kg (11 lb) limit for the personal item; only 14 of the 80 verified airlines publish a weight for this bag.
Ethiopian Airlines carry-on questions
- Does the Business Class fare of Ethiopian Airlines include a cabin bag?
- Yes. Ethiopian Airlines' Business Class fare includes a cabin bag of 23 × 40 × 55 cm (9.1 × 15.7 × 21.7 in) and 7 kg (15.4 lb).
- Does Ethiopian Airlines have a weight limit for carry-on bags?
- Yes. On the Economy Class fare, Ethiopian Airlines publishes 7 kg (15.4 lb) for the cabin bag.
- Will a 55 × 40 × 20 cm carry-on fit Ethiopian Airlines' limit?
- Yes: against Ethiopian Airlines' 23×40×55 cm limit, a hard 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in) case fits exactly at the limit on the length.
Airlines related to Ethiopian Airlines
- Air India carry-on size — Star Alliance partner
- Lufthansa carry-on size — Star Alliance partner
- Singapore Airlines carry-on size — Star Alliance partner
- South African Airways carry-on size — Star Alliance partner
- Turkish Airlines carry-on size — Star Alliance partner
- Air Canada carry-on size — Star Alliance partner
Official sources
- https://www.ethiopianairlines.com/us/information/baggage-information/carry-on-baggage — checked on 28 September 2026