The full specification
| Item | Limit |
|---|---|
| Number of cabin bags | 1 main bag + 1 personal item |
| Main bag — Economy/Premium Economy | Max 7 kg, 55 × 40 × 20 cm |
| Main bag — Business/First | Max 10 kg, 55 × 40 × 20 cm |
| Personal item | ~3 kg (airline policy — Air India/IndiGo/Akasa; SpiceJet counts it WITHIN the 7 kg total), fits under the seat |
| Personal item examples | Handbag, laptop bag, small backpack, small waist pouch |
| Lap infants (under 2 years) | Airline-specific: IndiGo grants infants 7 kg hand baggage (+ free stroller); Air India gives an infant CHECKED allowance (10 kg Economy) + carry-on infant items |
Pre-May-2024 ticket exemption
Tickets issued before 2 May 2024 keep the earlier airline allowances (8 kg Economy / 10 kg Premium Economy / 12 kg Business on full-service carriers). The exemption LAPSES if the ticket is reissued or rescheduled on/after that date. Carry your booking confirmation showing the ticket-issue date.
Cabin baggage per Indian airline
| Airline | Economy main bag | Premium tier |
|---|---|---|
| IndiGo | 7 kg, 55×35×25 cm (UpFront seats: hand baggage stays 7 kg) | IndiGoStretch: 12 kg |
| Air India | 7 kg Economy + Premium Economy, 55×40×20 cm (tickets from 2 May 2024; older tickets 8-12 kg) | 10 kg Business/First |
| Air India Express | 7 kg (all fares incl. Xpress Biz — Biz differs on CHECKED) | Paid Xtra Carry-on: 2 pieces, 12 kg combined (₹700) |
| SpiceJet | 7 kg all fares, 55×35×25 cm (50×35×23 on Q400; SpiceMax adds legroom/meal, NOT cabin weight) | Paid extra cabin weight: ₹750/kg up to 12 kg |
| Akasa Air | 7 kg, 55×35×25 cm | — |
| Star Air | 7 kg, 55×35×25 cm | — |
| Alliance Air | 5 kg, 40×30×15 cm (ATR ops — the bag INCLUDES laptop/purse; policy eff. Aug 2025) | — |
What if your cabin bag is overweight
- Repack at airport. Move heavy items to checked-in. Free.
- Gate-check. Bag goes to cargo hold, collect at baggage claim — free if you're within your checked allowance; excess rates apply beyond it.
- Pay excess. Domestic airport rates ≈ ₹600-700/kg (IndiGo/Air India ₹600, SpiceJet ₹700); prepaid online slabs are cheaper and airline-specific.
- Buy a cabin add-on. AIX sells Xtra Carry-on (+3 kg / second piece, ₹700); SpiceJet sells extra cabin weight (₹750/kg up to 12 kg). Akasa's paid add-ons are for CHECKED baggage only — it sells no cabin bump.
Frequently asked questions
What is the BCAS one-bag rule in India?
BCAS restricts each passenger to ONE piece of cabin baggage plus one small personal item (laptop bag/purse) — a security rule from BCAS AVSEC circulars, enforced strictly at all Indian airports since December 2024. The weight caps come from airline policy: 7 kg Economy/Premium Economy and 10 kg Business/First on Indian carriers (tickets issued on/after 2 May 2024), around 55 × 40 × 20 cm.
How many bags can I take on flight in India cabin?
ONE main cabin bag (7 kg Economy / 10 kg Business on Indian full-service carriers) PLUS one personal item (~3 kg; SpiceJet counts it within the 7 kg). The personal item must fit under the seat in front. Lap infants: allowance is airline-specific — IndiGo grants infants 7 kg hand baggage; Air India gives an infant checked allowance plus carry-on infant items.
What is the cabin baggage weight limit on Indian flights?
Economy/Premium Economy: 7 kg. Business/First: 10 kg (full-service carriers). Dimensions ≈ 55 × 40 × 20 cm including wheels and handles (IndiGo/SpiceJet/Akasa publish 55×35×25). Exceptions: Alliance Air ATR flights allow only 5 kg at 40×30×15 cm, and IndiGoStretch allows 12 kg.
Can I carry handbag in addition to cabin bag in India?
Yes on most carriers — one small personal item (~3 kg) in addition to your 7 kg main cabin bag, kept under the seat. Exception: SpiceJet requires the personal item to fit WITHIN the 7 kg total, and Alliance Air's 5 kg ATR allowance includes the laptop/purse.
What was the BCAS rule change in December 2024?
December 2024 was an ENFORCEMENT drive, not a new standard: BCAS/CISF began strictly applying the long-standing one-hand-bag circulars (AVSEC 06/2000 and 11/2000, incl. the laptop-bag carve-out) at all Indian airports. The 7 kg / 55×40×20 weight-size standard itself entered via airline policies effective 2 May 2024.
Are tickets booked before May 2024 exempt from new baggage rules?
Yes — tickets issued before 2 May 2024 are grandfathered under the previous limits (8 kg Economy / 10 kg PE / 12 kg Business on full-service carriers). The exemption lapses if the ticket is reissued or rescheduled. Carry your booking confirmation to the airport.
What happens if my cabin bag exceeds 7 kg?
At the gate, your bag is weighed. Over 7 kg: move items to a checked-in bag (if any), pay airline excess (≈₹600-700/kg domestic — IndiGo/Air India ₹600, SpiceJet ₹700), or gate-check the bag (free within your checked allowance). SpiceJet also sells extra cabin weight at ₹750/kg up to 12 kg.
Does the BCAS one-bag rule apply to international flights from India?
The one-bag SECURITY rule applies to all departures from Indian airports, domestic and international. But the 7 kg / 55×40×20 weight-size caps are Indian-carrier POLICY — foreign airlines ex-India apply their own allowances (e.g., British Airways permits a cabin bag + personal item up to 23 kg combined; Emirates Economy allows one piece ≤115 cm).
Sources
- BCAS AVSEC Circulars 06/2000 + 11/2000 — the one-hand-bag rule + laptop-bag carve-out (strictly enforced by BCAS/CISF from Dec 2024)
- Airline cabin-baggage policies effective 2 May 2024 (Air India, IndiGo) — the 7 kg / 55×40×20 standard
- Alliance Air baggage policy (effective 07-08-2025) — 5 kg / 40×30×15 on ATR
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