Cathay Pacific flies to destinations world-wide. It is a member of the OneWorld airline alliance.
For 2023, Cathay Pacific has switched over entirely to a Piece Concept baggage allowance, meaning there is now a set number of bags each passenger can bring, with a weight limit per bag. The previous Weight Concept of a set total weight for multiple bags no longer applies.
Even though Cathay Pacific includes what they call an "Economy Light" fare as their cheapest option, the Economy Light tickets still include 1 piece of 23 kg checked baggage free of charge, whereas the Economy Standard ticket includes 2 pieces of 23 kg each.
When flying on Cathay Pacific, beware the hefty Excess Baggage fees, especially when it comes to Oversize baggage, which could get very expensive very quickly.
Carry-On Allowance | 8 / 10 |
Checked Bag Allowance | 8 / 10 |
Excess Baggage Fees | 5 / 10 |
Overall Grade | 7.0 / 10 |
For all classes, each passenger (except an infant) can bring a free baggage allowance of one cabin bag not exceeding 56 x 36 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 inches) in size. These dimensions include wheels, handles and side pockets.
The total weight entitlements of your cabin baggage are as follows:
First Class: 15kg (33 lbs)
Business Class: 10kg (22 lbs)
Premium Economy Class: 7kg (15lbs)
Economy Class: 7kg (15lbs)
In addition to the standard cabin baggage allowance, you may carry onboard one of the following items free of charge:
A small handbag or
A small backpack or
A briefcase or
A laptop bag
Mobility Aids and Assistive Devices
Passengers requiring mobility aids and/or assistive devices such as Medical Portable Electronic Devices, canes, walkers, crutches and a wheelchair (subject to wheelchair stowage criteria), may carry onboard the following item(s) free of charge:
U.S. Flights - No limit on mobility aids and assistive devices required for the duration of the trip.
European and Other Flights - One assistive device and two pieces of mobility aids per passenger.
Passengers travelling on two segments where there are different baggage policies for mobility and assistive devices can enjoy the greater allowance for the whole journey.
Travelling with Children
When you are travelling with a child or an infant, you may carry onboard the following item(s) free of charge:
An approved car safety seat,
A small bag of food and nappies (for consumption on the flight),
An umbrella type collapsible stroller (if cabin stowage is available).
Baby buggies must be checked in as hold baggage.
TSA - (USA): TSA Carry-On Regulations and TSA 3-1-1 Carry-On Liquids Rules
CATSA - (Canada): CATSA Carry-On Prohibited Items and CATSA Carry-On Liquids and Gel Restrictions
E-Cigarettes / Vape: TSA Rules for Flying with Electronic Cigarettes and Vape Pens 2023
Guns / Firearms: How to Fly with a Gun - TSA Rules 2023
Bluetooth Headphones: Using Bluetooth Headphones on an Airplane
You are entitled to a free baggage allowance, which varies depending on your route, class and member tier. You can take extra bags with you for an additional fee.
Cathay Pacific has switched over to a Piece Concept for baggage allowance for all of its routes in 2023. This means that passengers have a specified number of bags/suitcases allowed, with a maximum weight limit per bag/suitcase.
Cathay Pacific Baggage Allowance 2023 – All Routes
Economy Light
1 Piece - max weight 23kg/50lbs
Economy Essential - Adults
2 Pieces - max weight 23kg/50lbs each
Economy Flex - Adults
2 Pieces - max weight 23kg/50lbs each
Premium Economy - Adults
2 Pieces - max weight 23kg/50lbs each
Business Class - Adults
2 Pieces - max weight 32kg/70lbs each
*** 3 Pieces - max weight 23 kg / 50 lbs each - between Hong Kong and New Zealand
First Class - Adults
3 Pieces - max weight 32kg/70lbs each
Total dimensions of each piece must not exceed 158cm (62in)
Linear Dimensions: What are Linear Dimensions?
Piece vs Weight: What is Piece Concept vs Weight Concept
Packing List: Travel Packing Checklist 2023
Marijuana / Cannabis: Rules for Flying with Marijuana / Cannabis in 2023
Wheelchairs: Flying with Wheelchairs on Cathay Pacific
Delayed/Cancelled Flights: How to Claim Compensation for Flight Delays
Guns / Firearms: How to Fly with a Gun - TSA Rules 2023
Extra Bags on Cathay Pacific
You may bring extra pieces above your free baggage allowance by paying for an extra suitcase either online or at the airport. It is 10% cheaper to prepay for your bags online on the Cathay Pacific website rather than waiting to pay for your extra bags at the airport.
Cathay Pacific Extra Bag Fees 2023
From/to Hong Kong - From/to Zone 1: USD 100
From/to Hong Kong - From/to Zone 1: USD 130
From/to Hong Kong - From/to Zone 1: USD 150
From/to Hong Kong - From/to Zone 1: USD 200
From/to Zone 1 - From/to Hong Kong: USD 100
From/to Zone 1 - From/to Zone 1: USD 120
From/to Zone 1 - From/to Zone 1: USD 150
From/to Zone 1 - From/to Zone 1: USD 170
From/to Zone 1 - From/to Zone 1: USD 210
From/to Zone 2/3 - From/to Hong Kong: USD 130
From/to Zone 2/3 - From/to Zone 1: USD 150
From/to Zone 2/3 - From/to Zone 1: USD 170
From/to Zone 2/3 - From/to Zone 1: USD 200
From/to Zone 2/3 - From/to Zone 1: USD 230
From/to Zone 4 - From/to Hong Kong: USD 150
From/to Zone 4 - From/to Zone 1: USD 170
From/to Zone 4 - From/to Zone 1: USD 200
From/to Zone 4 - From/to Zone 1: USD 220
From/to Zone 4 - From/to Zone 1: USD 250
From/to Zone 5/6 - From/to Hong Kong: USD 200
From/to Zone 5/6 - From/to Zone 1: USD 210
From/to Zone 5/6 - From/to Zone 1: USD 230
From/to Zone 5/6 - From/to Zone 1: USD 250
From/to Zone 5/6 - From/to Zone 1: USD 260
Oversize Baggage on Cathay Pacific
The size limit for a standard suitcase on Cathay Pacific is 158 cm / 62 inches linear dimensions (sum of Length + Width + Height). If your suitcase is larger than this limit, between 158-203 cm / 62-80 inches, you will be charged an Oversize Baggage Fee.
Cathay Pacific Oversize Baggage Fee 2023: $200 USD per Bag
If your baggage is larger than 203 cm / 80 inches in linear dimensions, you may still be able to bring it, but you must contact Cathay Pacific at least 3 business days before your flight to confirm. Expect to pay 4x the Extra Bag fee for your route to bring such a large item.
Overweight Baggage on Cathay Pacific
The change to a Piece Concept baggage allowance system on Cathay Pacific means that overweight fees are no longer charged per Kilogram, but there is a flat fee for an overweight bag. An Overweight bag is a bag weighing between 23-32 kg / 50-70 lbs.
The Overweight Bag fee depends on the origin and destination of your flight, with different fees set by Zone. If you don't know which zones you are flying to and from, please refer to the Zone Definitions list below.
Cathay Pacific Overweight Baggage Fees 2023
From/to Hong Kong - From/to Zone 1: USD 60
From/to Hong Kong - From/to Zone 1: USD 100
From/to Hong Kong - From/to Zone 1: USD 130
From/to Hong Kong - From/to Zone 1: USD 150
From/to Zone 1 - From/to Hong Kong: USD 60
From/to Zone 1 - From/to Zone 1: USD 80
From/to Zone 1 - From/to Zone 1: USD 100
From/to Zone 1 - From/to Zone 1: USD 130
From/to Zone 1 - From/to Zone 1: USD 150
From/to Zone 2/3 - From/to Hong Kong: USD 100
From/to Zone 2/3 - From/to Zone 1: USD 100
From/to Zone 2/3 - From/to Zone 1: USD 100
From/to Zone 2/3 - From/to Zone 1: USD 150
From/to Zone 2/3 - From/to Zone 1: USD 150
From/to Zone 4 - From/to Hong Kong: USD 130
From/to Zone 4 - From/to Zone 1: USD 130
From/to Zone 4 - From/to Zone 1: USD 150
From/to Zone 4 - From/to Zone 1: USD 150
From/to Zone 4 - From/to Zone 1: USD 150
From/to Zone 5/6 - From/to Hong Kong: USD 150
From/to Zone 5/6 - From/to Zone 1: USD 150
From/to Zone 5/6 - From/to Zone 1: USD 150
From/to Zone 5/6 - From/to Zone 1: USD 150
From/to Zone 5/6 - From/to Zone 1: USD 150
Note: Zone Definitions
Hong Kong
Zone 1
Mainland China, Macao SAR, Taiwan China
Central/East Asia: Japan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia (in Asia), South Korea
South East Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
Selected routes: within Australia; within Malaysia; between Taiwan China and Japan/South Korea; between Thailand and Singapore; between United Arab Emirates and Bahrain
Zone 2
Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka
Zone 3
Bahrain, Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates
Zone 4
Europe: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
Africa: South Africa
South West Pacific: Australia, Fiji, New Zealand
Zone 5: USA, Canada
Canada, Mexico, United States
Zone 6: Central and South Americas
Brazil, Chile, Peru