• 17 Jun, 2025
  • Travel tips

A famous saying is "Exploring the world one backpack at a time", but when travelling with Cathay Pacific, you can pack stress-free. Cathay Pacific is a wonderful airline committed to providing its passengers with unparalleled flight services, including baggage allowance. Passengers pack stuff without thinking or planning, which might lead to chaos at the airport. The airlines might ask for a penalty from the passenger for carrying additional weight beyond the airline's allowed weight. But if you want to save money, energy, and time, you must familiarise yourself with Cathay Pacific's baggage policy. Today, you are going to learn about the dos and don'ts related to Cathay Pacific Baggage. 

Checked-in Baggage allowance on Cathay Pacific   

Packing the check-in luggage before learning the checked-in baggage policy of Cathay Pacific for a passenger can be challenging. This will ensure you do not have to leave any of your favourite clothing or other items at the airport. If you have a flight with Cathay Pacific, then you must go through the check-in baggage policy that is listed here: 

  • Cathay Pacific advises its passengers to bring two checked bags on flights to/from South America, Central, or North America. The allowed weight is around  70 lb/32 kg, and the maximum size should not be more than 70 lb/32 kg. 
  • Two pieces of checked-in baggage are acceptable on Cathay Pacific flights travelling to/from any destination other than the USA. The baggage weight is 44 lb/20 kg in Economy class, 88 lb/44 kg in First Class, and 66 lb/30 kg in Business Class. The bag's dimensions should not exceed 62 linear inches/157 cm. 

Carry-on baggage allowance on Cathay Pacific 

For their comfort, passengers have the right to carry cabin baggage with them in Cathay Pacific's cabin. You can bring one personal item and one luggage in the cabin. However, the weight of the baggage depends on the type of class you have booked. Here is the prominent cabin luggage policy 

  • Passengers can carry 15 lb/7 kg of cabin luggage in the Economy Class.  
  • For the Business Class, passengers can bring cabin luggage up to 22 lb/10 kg. 
  • If passengers have booked a flight in First Class, 33 lb/15 kg of cabin baggage can be carried.  
  • Apart from this, a sift bag or one garment is permitted on the flight as cabin baggage, but it must be within 8in/20cm thick. 
  • Remember that the maximum weight of the cabin luggage should not be more than 22in x 14in x 9in/56cm x 36cm x 23cm. 

Cathay Pacific baggage allowance 

The airline does not allow passengers who are more than 203cm / 80 in total dimension and 32kg /70lb in weight. The passengers might need to pay the airlines extra baggage fees for excess baggage weight. Moreover, the fees for additional baggage depend on the location of the departure and arrival, divided into zones. If you are eager to know in-depth, here is the information: 

  • Zone 1: Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Chinese Mainland, Macao SAR, Taiwan, China, Japan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia (in Asia), Myanmar. 
  • Zone 2: Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, Maldives. 
  • Zone 3: Israel, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia.    
  • Zone 4: Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Czech Republic, Denmark, Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Switzerland, United Kingdom, South Africa, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy. 
  • Zone 5: Canada, United States, Mexico
  • Zone 6: Brazil, Peru, Chile 

Charges for overweight luggage as per the flight zones for Cathay Pacific 

Before flying with Cathay Pacific, you are advised to look at its baggage policy so that you do not have to pay additional money. However, the prices for the overweight luggage may range between 60 and 150 USD. The prices depend on the Zone's location. 

Cathay Pacific Sports Equipment Policy  

Sports equipment for skiing, windsurfing, golf, fishing, surfing, climbing, hockey, and other sports can be fetched on Cathay Pacific flights by the passengers. If you are a sports lover or are going to attend a sports event, flying with Cathay Pacific will be a lifetime experience. Adhere to the policies that are given in the following lines: 

  • If you are travelling with sporting firearms, the airlines permit 5kg / 11 lb of ammunition, a noise suppressor and small rifle tools, one shooting mat, and one rifle case, but not more than two rifles.  
  • Passenger can easily carry their sports equipment as checked-in luggage if the length of the item is not more than 203 cm.  
  • If passengers bring a bicycle on Cathay Pacific, they must contact the airline's customer service at least 3 days before the flight's departure. 
  • On the flight, passengers are eligible to fetch an avalanche rescue backpack. Moreover, passengers must try to pack it securely so that it completes the flight journey without accidentally activating it. 

Cathay Pacific Musical Instruments policy   

Musical instruments are fragile, making the passengers worry about their safety while travelling. But with Cathay Pacific, your musical items are safe. The terms and conditions related to musical instruments on Cathay Pacific are written here: 

  • As per the rules, passengers can carry a musical instrument, such as violins and flutes, in a carry bag. But it must be within 7 Kg, with the case. The musical instruments' size should not be over 93 x 39 x 24cm or 36 x 15 x 9in (height x width x depth). 
  • A guitar or a Cello can be accepted on the flight as checked baggage. The standard check-in policy will be imposed here. The musical instrument's size with its case is 136 x 48 x 44cm or 54 x 19 x 17in (height, vertical position x width x depth). However, the weight must not be over 32 Kg. 
  • If you do not want to carry it as checked-in luggage, you can add a seat for the musical instruments.  

Restricted items on Cathay Pacific  

The majority of airlines introduce policies that ensure the safety of the passengers from the ground to the sky. Similarly, Cathay Pacific also has a policy that provides information about the items you can not fetch on Cathay Pacific. If you are wondering about the stuff that can be harmful while flying, proceed with the details that are given in the beneath lines: 

  • Airlines strictly prohibit bringing explosives and incendiary substances such as dynamite, gunpowder and plastic explosives, replica or limited explosive devices, fireworks and other pyrotechnics, etc. 
  • Flammable items like flammable solids, such as non-safety matches, disposable BBQ and coal,
  • Flameless Ration Heater, like Self-heating Meal Ready-to-Eat (MRE) and self-heating instant hotpot, camping gas, glazing torches and other harmful gases are not allowed on the flight. 
  • You can not carry or incorporate lithium batteries or pyrotechnic materials, as these are considered dangerous items. 
  • Kindly do not fetch e-cigarettes or e-liquids on the flight, including destinations India, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan. 

Can I buy an additional bag on Cathay Pacific? 

Yes, you can easily buy an additional bag on Cathay Pacific. You can access the manage booking option by arriving at the airline's official site. 

Can I bring a musical instrument as cabin luggage? 

Yes, you can bring a musical instrument as cabin luggage on Cathay Pacific, but the musical instrument must be within the size 93 x 39 x 24cm or 36 x 15 x 9in. 

Conclusion 

Cathay Pacific's baggage policy is quite strict, so the airline suggests that passengers pack their luggage according to the policy. By availing yourself of the knowledge mentioned earlier, you can pack the bag and enjoy the flight with utmost comfort with Cathay Pacific. Happy Travelling!