Many domestic Economy tickets in India include 15 kg of checked baggage and 7 kg of cabin baggage, but this is not a universal allowance. Your airline, fare type and travel class can change what you may carry. Some fares exclude checked baggage, while others include 20 kg, 25 kg, 30 kg or more.
Before packing, check three separate limits on your booking: total weight, number of bags and bag dimensions. Being within the weight allowance does not automatically mean that an extra suitcase is free.
Quick answer: A common domestic allowance is one checked suitcase up to 15 kg and one cabin bag up to 7 kg. However, Air India has fare-dependent allowances, IndiGo Stretch includes more baggage, and Air India Express Xpress Lite does not include checked luggage. Always confirm the allowance attached to your ticket.
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Domestic Flight Baggage Allowance in India: Airline Comparison
This table compares published allowances for common fares. Promotional tickets, special fares, loyalty benefits and connecting itineraries may have different conditions.
| Airline or fare | Included checked baggage | Cabin baggage | Important detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air India Economy | Value: 15 kg; Classic: 20 kg; Flex: 25 kg | 7 kg | Check your fare family and ticket allowance. |
| IndiGo standard domestic fares | 15 kg | 7 kg | A small personal article up to 3 kg is additionally permitted. |
| IndiGo Stretch / Stretch+ | 30 kg / 40 kg, respectively, in two pieces | One piece up to 12 kg | Available on flights offering these products. |
| Air India Express | Lite: none; Value/Classic: 15 kg; Flex: 20 kg | 7 kg | Compare baggage inclusions before selecting the cheapest fare. |
| Akasa Air standard domestic allowance | 15 kg in one piece | One bag up to 7 kg | An extra checked piece can attract a separate charge. |
| SpiceJet standard domestic allowance | 15 kg in one piece | 7 kg total, including permitted personal items | Check whether your ticket is a hand-baggage-only fare. |
Official allowance references: Air India, IndiGo, Air India Express, Akasa Air and SpiceJet.
How Much Baggage Does Air India Allow on Domestic Flights?
Air India’s published domestic checked-baggage table distinguishes between fare families. Beyond the Economy allowances above, Premium Economy lists 15 kg for Value and 25 kg for Flex; Business lists 30 kg for Value and 40 kg for Flex. Confirm availability and the allowance on your booking.
Air India also introduced a Basic Economy fare on selected domestic routes, including 15 kg checked baggage and 7 kg cabin baggage. See its Basic fare announcement.
Air India and Air India Express have different baggage policies. Do not apply one airline’s allowance to the other simply because they belong to the same group.
Cabin Baggage: Weight, Size and Personal Items
Your cabin allowance is separate from your checked allowance. A ticket showing 15 kg checked baggage plus 7 kg cabin baggage does not normally let you place all 22 kg in one checked suitcase.
Cabin bag dimensions differ between airlines
| Airline | Published cabin bag dimensions |
|---|---|
| Air India | 55 × 40 × 20 cm |
| IndiGo | 55 × 35 × 25 cm |
| SpiceJet Boeing flights | 55 × 35 × 25 cm |
| SpiceJet Q400 flights | 50 × 35 × 23 cm |
Measure the complete bag, including protruding wheels and handles. A suitcase marketed as “cabin size” may still exceed your airline’s dimensions.
Is a laptop bag extra?
Air India permits one small personal item up to 3 kg in addition to the cabin bag, subject to its size and under-seat requirements. Economy and Premium Economy cabin bags are limited to 7 kg; Business and First Class allow 10 kg. See Air India’s cabin baggage policy.
IndiGo also permits a small personal article up to 3 kg alongside its standard cabin bag. SpiceJet, however, includes the permitted laptop bag or purse within its 7 kg combined cabin limit. Do not assume every airline offers an additional 3 kg.
The one-hand-bag rule does not establish your checked suitcase allowance. For more detail, read our hand baggage allowance guide and guide to bringing two carry-on bags in India.
Do Infants Get Free Checked Baggage?
There is no universal extra 10 kg checked allowance for infants across Indian airlines. Policies differ, and an infant travelling on an adult’s lap may have a different entitlement from a child occupying a seat.
- Air India: Its baggage FAQ lists 10 kg checked baggage for infants in Economy, with different allowances in higher cabins. Confirm the entitlement on your itinerary.
- Akasa Air: Its infant policy provides an additional cabin baggage allowance up to 7 kg; do not interpret that as checked baggage.
- SpiceJet: Its policy permits an additional infant hand-baggage piece up to 7 kg.
Check stroller, car-seat and carrycot acceptance separately, including whether the item can be taken to the gate. Official references: Air India baggage FAQ, Akasa Air infant policy and SpiceJet baggage policy.
What Happens If Your Luggage Exceeds the Allowance?
Three different charges may matter: extra weight, an extra piece and oversized baggage. Buying additional kilograms does not necessarily pay for an additional suitcase or an unusually large item.
How much does 1 kg extra baggage cost on Air India?
Air India currently publishes an airport excess-baggage rate of ₹800 per kg for travel within India, excluding applicable taxes. At that rate, 3 kg above your allowance would cost ₹2,400 before applicable taxes, assuming no other baggage charges apply. Check the official excess-baggage page before departure.
Air India advertises savings of up to 20% for eligible prepaid excess baggage. Other airlines also sell baggage add-ons, but compare the actual booking quote, purchase deadline and included pieces rather than assuming every advance purchase gives the same saving.
For a practical comparison, see Air India versus IndiGo extra baggage fees. If you are only slightly over the limit, read what happens when luggage is 1 kg overweight. How Much Luggage Is Allowed on Domestic Flights in India?
Compare the total trip price: A cheaper fare with paid baggage may cost more than a higher fare that already includes the weight you need. Include baggage charges for every flight sector when comparing tickets.
Does Your International Baggage Allowance Apply to a Domestic Connection?
Do not assume that an international allowance automatically carries over to a separately booked domestic flight. Check the baggage entry for every segment and ask the airline whether any international-connection concession applies.
Air India publishes provisions for eligible Air India international and domestic connections, including certain separate-ticket connections within 24 hours. Conditions matter; confirm your itinerary with the airline. See its connecting-flight baggage rules.
Our US-to-India baggage guide explains the international-to-domestic allowance problem. Also check whether your bags can be checked to the final destination; baggage transfer arrangements and weight entitlement are separate questions.
Before-You-Fly Baggage Checklist
- Open your ticket: Find the cabin and checked allowances for each flight.
- Check the fare: Look for baggage exclusions, upgrades or special benefits.
- Count the pieces: Confirm how many checked bags are included.
- Weigh each bag: Check both total allowance and individual-bag limits.
- Measure your luggage: Include wheels, handles and expanded compartments.
- Price any extras: Compare prepaid baggage with a fare that includes more luggage.
- Check special items: Arrange sports equipment or unusually large baggage in advance.
A light bag can still contain a prohibited item. Review items not allowed in hand baggage separately from weight rules. For sports equipment, see our cricket bat packing guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the new domestic baggage rules in India for 2026?
There is no single 2026 allowance shared by every airline and fare. Check current airline policies for cabin weight, checked weight, piece limits and dimensions. A general statement such as “every passenger gets 15 kg plus 7 kg” misses important fare exceptions.
How many bags are allowed on a domestic flight in India?
Many standard fares include one checked bag and one main cabin bag, with a small personal item subject to airline conditions. Other fares include additional checked pieces or no checked baggage. Read the piece limit as well as the kilogram allowance.
Are two checked bags allowed on Air India domestic flights?
Air India’s published rule allows one checked piece when the free allowance is below 25 kg and two when it is 25 kg or more. Additional-piece charges may apply outside that entitlement.
Can we carry two bags totalling 30 kg on IndiGo?
IndiGo Stretch includes 30 kg across two checked pieces. A standard domestic ticket generally includes 15 kg, so carrying 30 kg requires a suitable entitlement or paid allowance. Confirm any additional-piece charge too.
Can I put 30 kg in two bags?
Yes, if your ticket or purchased baggage permits both 30 kg total and two pieces. A weight allowance alone does not establish the number of free bags. Each bag must also meet the applicable size and individual-weight limits.
Which flights allow two checked bags?
Look for a fare explicitly including two pieces rather than choosing by airline name alone. Some premium fares include two bags; other bookings require an additional-piece purchase.
What does “2 bags at 23 kg” mean?
It means two checked bags, each weighing no more than 23 kg: up to 46 kg combined. It does not normally permit one 30 kg bag and one 16 kg bag without an overweight charge.
What does “2PC” mean in a baggage allowance?
“2PC” means two pieces of checked baggage. It does not, by itself, specify the weight per bag. Look for the accompanying kilogram limit and size conditions.
Can I use unused cabin allowance for my checked suitcase?
Do not assume the allowances can be combined. If your ticket includes 15 kg checked and 7 kg cabin baggage, packing only 3 kg in the cabin does not automatically raise your checked allowance to 19 kg.
Can I take 30 kg on a domestic flight?
Yes, where your fare includes it or the airline accepts a suitable baggage purchase. Check total weight, number of pieces and per-bag limits. See which airlines and fares allow 30 kg baggage in India.
Last checked: September 17, 2026.
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