Kenya Airways carry-on size and personal item rules
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Full-service
- SkyTeam
- Verified 28 September 2026
Kenya Airways (KQ) allows one cabin bag of 55 × 25 × 35 cm (21.7 × 9.8 × 13.8 in) on its Economy Class (all other routes) fare, plus a personal item of 40 × 15 × 30 cm (15.7 × 5.9 × 11.8 in). Both bags together may weigh up to 10 kg (22 lb). Verified on 28 September 2026 from the official Kenya Airways baggage page.
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Kenya Airways carry-on allowance by fare
| Fare | Route / class | Personal item | Cabin bag | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy Class (all other routes)(standard) | All routes · Economy | 40×15×30 cm | 55×25×35 cm | 10 kg for both bags |
| Economy Class (flights to/from EU, US & UK) | All routes · Economy | 40×15×30 cm | 55×25×35 cm | 12 kg for both bags |
| Business Class | All routes · Business | 40×15×30 cm | 55×25×35 cm | 18 kg for both bags |
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What to know about Kenya Airways carry-on rules
- Kenya Airways is based in Kenya with its hub at NBO, and its main markets include Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, Nigeria and United Arab Emirates.
- Among the 6 verified airlines from sub-Saharan Africa, Kenya Airways has the 3rd largest cabin bag allowance; the strictest is RwandAir (22×15×8 in).
- In volume terms the Kenya Airways cabin bag reaches about 48.1 L; 28 of the 60 airlines with published sides allow a bigger box.
- Among the 66 verified airlines that include a measured cabin bag, Kenya Airways sits at rank 28; 14% of them allow a smaller total than its 115 cm (45.3 in).
- The average cabin bag of the 6 verified carriers from sub-Saharan Africa adds up to 117.1 cm (46.1 in); Kenya Airways' limit is 2.1 cm (0.8 in) less than that.
- Kenya Airways is 3rd of 8 SkyTeam members by total cabin bag size (Saudia is the most generous, Delta Air Lines the strictest).
- Tested against Kenya Airways' 55×25×35 cm limit, 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 (and 1 other limit).
- On Kenya Airways, a typical European cabin case of 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in) is 5 cm (2 in) too big on the width (limit: 55×25×35 cm).
- Kenya Airways publishes 3 different allowances: all 3 include a cabin bag. Weight limits vary by fare: 10 kg, 12 kg and 18 kg.
- Of 57 verified airlines with a published cabin weight limit, 4 allow more than Kenya Airways' 10 kg (22 lb) for both bags together and 39 allow less.
- Kenya Airways counts both bags in one 10 kg total on the standard fare, so a heavy personal item reduces what the cabin bag may weigh.
- Exceptions noted on the official Kenya Airways page: “Business Class — 2 piece — (max L55xW25xH35cm each) — + — 1 Accessory — (Total weight max 18kgs/39lbs)”
Kenya Airways personal item: what fits under the seat
- Every one of the 3 Kenya Airways fares listed here also includes a cabin bag, so the personal item always comes on top of it.
- Filled as a box, Kenya Airways' 40×15×30 cm personal item holds about 18 litres, right at the median of 18 L across the 56 airlines that publish three personal item sides.
- Kenya Airways gives the personal item no weight of its own: it shares the 10 kg (22 lb) total with the cabin bag.
- By volume, the 40×15×30 cm personal item on Kenya Airways is 37% of the 55×25×35 cm cabin bag: about 18 L against 48.1 L.
- A soft 40 × 30 × 20 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 7.9 in) under-seat bag is 5 cm (2 in) too big on the depth against Kenya Airways' 40×15×30 cm personal item limit.
- With 85 cm in total, the Kenya Airways personal item is bigger than 9 and smaller than 28 of the 57 verified airlines that publish a personal item size.
- Among 6 SkyTeam airlines with a published personal item size, Air Europa allows the largest (40×30×15 cm) and Middle East Airlines the smallest (30×40×15 cm); Kenya Airways sits at 40×15×30 cm.
Kenya Airways carry-on questions
- Does the Economy Class (flights to/from EU, US & UK) fare of Kenya Airways include a cabin bag?
- Yes. Kenya Airways' Economy Class (flights to/from EU, US & UK) fare includes a cabin bag of 55 × 25 × 35 cm (21.7 × 9.8 × 13.8 in).
- Does Kenya Airways have a weight limit for carry-on bags?
- Yes. On the standard fare, Kenya Airways publishes 10 kg (22 lb) for both bags together.
- Will a 55 × 40 × 20 cm carry-on fit Kenya Airways' limit?
- No: against Kenya Airways' 55×25×35 cm limit, a hard 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in) case is 5 cm (2 in) too big on the width.
- How big can a personal item be on Kenya Airways?
- Kenya Airways allows a personal item of 40 × 15 × 30 cm (15.7 × 5.9 × 11.8 in) on the standard fare, stowed under the seat in front.
Airlines related to Kenya Airways
- Saudia carry-on size — SkyTeam partner
- Air Europa carry-on size — SkyTeam partner
- Air France carry-on size — SkyTeam partner
- Air Mauritius carry-on size — full-service airline from sub-Saharan Africa
- Delta Air Lines carry-on size — SkyTeam partner
- Ethiopian Airlines carry-on size — full-service airline from sub-Saharan Africa
Official sources
- https://www.kenya-airways.com/en/plan/baggage-information/hand-baggage/ — checked on 28 September 2026