Air Arabia Baggage and Hand Baggage Rules

Air Arabia is an excellent choice for those who want to save on flights, but not on comfort. To ensure check-in goes smoothly and your wallet doesn’t suffer from extra fees, let’s understand the rules of the game with suitcases and bags in the cabin.

Air Arabia Hand Baggage Requirements

Low-cost carriers are not particularly lenient with cunning passengers who decide to travel light, so they impose strict rules for carrying hand baggage. And Air Arabia is no exception. The standard 10 kg for most similar airlines is divided here into two categories — hand baggage and personal items. The first is reserved for 7 kg of total weight, and the second for another three. Everything must be clear, no room for doubt. Air Arabia also includes Duty Free purchases in this allowance, so be careful with airport shopping.

• Hand baggage dimensions: no more than 55×40×20 cm (including handles and wheels), up to 7 kg.

• Personal item dimensions: 25 × 33 × 20 cm, up to 3 kg.

If your hand baggage exceeds the specified parameters, you will be offered three solutions: check it in as baggage at the check-in counter for a fee; rearrange your belongings so that the bag complies with the regulations; or pay a 100 AED fee for a gate-side check. So, it’s better to make sure your backpack meets all strict parameters if you decide to buy tickets to Sharjah on Kupi.com with Air Arabia.

Carrying Liquids in Hand Baggage

International standards apply here:

1. All containers — up to 100 ml.

2. Total volume — no more than 1 liter.

3. All these items must be placed in one transparent, resealable bag (zip-lock). Anything over 100 ml (even if only a small amount remains inside) will be ruthlessly confiscated at security. Exceptions include baby food and medications that may be needed during the flight.

Baggage Allowance on Air Arabia Flights

Baggage is often not included in basic fares, but it can be ‘built’ like a constructor. Air Arabia offers a weight system: you can choose 20, 30, or 40 kg. The maximum weight of a single piece must not exceed 32 kg and 158 cm in total dimensions (length + width + height). A maximum of two pieces of baggage per passenger.

Special Baggage

If you are carrying something fragile, valuable, or simply unusual (for example, a large painting), it is considered special baggage. Such items must be agreed upon with the airline in advance. Musical instruments in cases can be carried in the cabin if they meet hand baggage dimensions; otherwise, you must purchase an extra seat or check them in as baggage with a ‘Fragile’ tag. If you are carrying a television with a diagonal of 40 inches or more, you will be charged 150 AED plus a handling fee (per item). And if the baggage is of an irregular shape, it may not be accepted on board at all.

Carriage of Sports Equipment

Air Arabia loves active travelers. Bicycles, diving, or golf equipment are transported at special rates. The main thing is to pack everything in protective covers. For example, if you are taking tickets to Dubai to surf there, add ‘sports baggage’ in your personal account in advance — this will save up to 50% of the cost compared to paying at the airport.

Baggage and Hand Baggage for Passengers with Children

Hand baggage exceptions apply to passengers with infants under two years old (though these are minor): they can take one additional small bag up to 3 kg for baby essentials. Such a bag must fit under the seat. You can also carry one foldable stroller or bassinet for free — these are usually collected right at the aircraft door and returned immediately after landing.

Cost of Additional Baggage with Air Arabia

The golden rule: pay online. At the airport, excess baggage fees can be ‘biting’.

• Online additional payment starts from approximately $15–20 for 20 kg (depends on the destination).

• At the airport, for each extra kilogram, you will have to pay a fixed amount, which often exceeds the cost of the ticket itself.

If you realize that souvenirs from your vacation don’t fit in your suitcase, visit the airline’s website at least 12 hours before departure and purchase the necessary weight.

Have light suitcases and a pleasant flight!