Travelling Southeast Asia: Personal Item And Carry On Bag Size Guide For Airlines

A Major List Of Southeast Asian Airlines’ Carry On Bag Size and Personal Item Size.

Going travelling in Southeast Asia? It’s really such an amazing part of the world to experience – and now that you’re going, you need to pack.

Chances are you probably want to keep your luggage to a minimum and are seriously considering carry on luggage only.

In our case, one of our bags was too big so we had to check it, but the rest of our luggage was carry on size.

We took a total of 13 flights on a bunch of different airlines when we were travelling in Southeast Asia, so I had to search for each individual airlines’ carry on bag policies, one by one.

It was tedious. And some of the airlines had different carry on bag size measurement and weight restrictions than others, as well as the personal items bag.

That’s why I put together this guide for you, with ALL the bag information for the most common airlines you’ll be taking when travelling in Southeast Asia.

Hopefully this will make it way easier for you to determine how much you can bring!

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Bringing carry on luggage only in Southeast Asia, is really the best idea. It makes the most sense if you’re going to be travelling a lot all over the region

Not having bags to check in saves you time when you arrive at the airport. And not having to waste time waiting at the luggage carousel to pick them up after your flight, makes it sooo much quicker to get out of the airport and on to your destination.

Secondly, it leaves you with less weight to worry about carrying around on your adventures. Get creative with your Southeast Asia capsule wardrobe! And obviously, you can travel this way anywhere else you decide to go too.

Another big plus is that you also don’t have to worry about the airline losing or damaging your luggage when you have only carry on bags. There’s probably less chance of missing things as well since you will have less to keep track of.

Packing a carry on bag only means you won’t be lugging around things you don’t or won’t need.

Why? Because you just don’t have the space to take them, it forces you to pack better. Packing cubes are a MUST – trust me on this one! If you already use them you know, but if you don’t use them yet, you’ll thank me later.

You’ll also save on those checked baggage fees that most airlines charge now.

If you’re wondering if a backpack or suitcase is better for Southeast Asia travel, it really comes down to personal preference.

I thought a rolling suitcase wouldn’t be great over there so we did backpacks, but next time I’d probably choose my suitcase. My back isn’t that great and most of the time it would have been more convenient to have the wheels.

The backpack I chose is awesome though, and I actually use the zip off daypack all the time, so it was a worthwhile purchase. I’m planning to write a review for it eventually because it really is a great bag. But if you’re interested in the meantime, you can find it here, and if you have any questions just post a comment. (There’s a mens version too!)

Most of the Southeast Asian airlines allow you to bring one carry on bag and one personal item for free. Although of course, cabin luggage size and weight restrictions all vary depending on who you fly with.  

Maybe you’ll be taking several flights with different airlines when you’re travelling in Southeast Asia. If that’s the case, then you’ll definitely want to be sure that your personal items bag and carry on luggage will be within each airlines maximum size and weight restrictions.  

Having lightweight luggage like these is definitely helpful – so you can pack more!

These two are both within the average carry on size for airlines in Southeast Asia.

Sure, you could probably get away with having a slightly bigger carry on bag size but you just never know. An airline might make you weigh it or put it in one of those sizers to make sure it fits.

That would suck if you’re over and it’s especially common to be weighed with budget airlines.

I’m not going to lie, my carry on suitcase is usually ½” – 1” too tall for most airline bag sizes. When I’ve packed it full (which is always), it’s maybe an inch wider too, but I like to risk it and take it with me anyway.  

It fits in most overhead bins with no problems and I’ve only been questioned about it once so far. (My fingers are crossed that it stays that way!) I still get a bit nervous about it though and I’ve never tried this particular suitcase while travelling Southeast Asia.

ALSO, remember that you can only bring liquids and aerosols in your hand luggage that are 100 millilitres or less. They have to be in a clear bag and the limit is usually a single one litre bag per person.

If you need some – and I strongly recommend them, there are lots of great TSA friendly options for travel size toiletry containers on Amazon. To make it even easier, some sets come with a pouch in the right size to take in your carry on too, like some of these great ones below.

I’m ALL about empty travel size containers so I can bring my own products that I regularly use! My skin is super sensitive, and I don’t want to try out new things that my skin isn’t used to while I’m away. It’s a bad idea.

It’s impossible to find ready made, travel size versions of everything you normally use. (I mean, has anyone found travel size purple shampoo?!) Probably not, so these containers are an awesome, inexpensive investment. (and also, they’re reusable – we’re all trying to reduce our plastic use right??)

So back to luggage. Personal items can usually be something like a purse, laptop bag, camera bag or other small bag. You’re going to want to make sure it will be able to fit under the seat in front of you too.

Don’t forget to include the wheels in your carry on bag size too! Unfortunately for us, airlines like to include them in the measurement.

On average, most of the airlines in Southeast Asia accept a carry on bag size up to a maximum of 56cm X 36cm X 23cm (22” X 14” X 9”). The average maximum weight allowed is 7 kg (15 lbs). (It could be more or less though, so it’s best to check the specific airline)

So don’t get caught having to check your cabin luggage when you’re travelling Southeast Asia, because it’s too big or heavy! I’ve made it easy for you to figure out with this list. 

Find out what will work best for you below!

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Pro Tip: It’s a good idea to bring a lightweight collapsible tote bag with you if you have room.  If you’re not bringing a big personal item with you at the beginning of your journey, you can always open it up on later on when you’ve accumulated more things and put your purse in there too. It can also double duty as a beach bag when you’re not travelling.

Packing a lightweight tote bag has come in suuuper handy for us before, so we try to always do this.

One time we were late getting to the gate because our connection was delayed. So after running there, we were then told we had to check our bags as there was no room left. I was not impressed.

My laptop and camera were in my carry on suitcase so I definitely couldn’t leave them in there! I also had a few other things I couldn’t risk checking in so I quickly threw our essentials into the bag and we got on to the plane.  

It was stupid we had to do that because we saw there was tons of overhead baggage room left. People were still finding their seats and putting cabin bags away too, so it was kind of annoying.

Personal Item And Carry On Bag Size For Travelling Airlines In Southeast Asia

Air Asia

Air Asia allows all guests to bring on board 2 pieces of cabin baggage. That includes one carry on suitcase and one personal item.

– Carry on luggage size must be within 56cm X 36cm X 23cm or (22” X 14” X 9”). It has to fit in the overhead storage bin.

– Personal items bag must be within 40cm X 30cm X 10cm  or (15 ¾” X 11 ¾” X 4”). The item can be a laptop bag, handbag or small bag and must fit under the seat in front of you.

– The total weight of both pieces combined can’t be over 7 kg or approximately 15 lbs.

Visit Air Asia for more info.

Scoot

Scoot Airlines has two options for carry on luggage:

Economy guests can bring 2 pieces of cabin baggage that includes a laptop bag or handbag.

– The total weight of both pieces combined can’t be over 10 kg or 22 lbs.

– ScootBiz guests can bring 2 pieces of cabin baggage as well but with extra weight. They can bring up to 15 kg or 33 lbs combined.

– Cabin bag size dimensions must be within 54cm X 38cm X 23cm or (21 ¼” X 15” X 9”) or total linear dimensions of 115cm for either fare class.

Scoot doesn’t give a personal item size limit.

Visit Scoot for more info.

Angkor Air

All guests on Angkor Air can bring on board one piece of carry on luggage and one personal item.

– Carry on luggage size can’t exceed 56cm X 36cm X 23cm or (22” X 14” X 9”) or total linear 115cm (45”). You have to be able to fit it in the overhead compartment or under the seat in front of you.

– Maximum weight is 7 kg or 15 lbs.

– Personal item can be a handbag, book, magazine, camera, duty free, etc and must be within 30cm X 20cm X 10cm or (11 ¾” X 7 ¾” X 4”).

– In addition you can also bring a jacket bag not exceeding 114cm X 60cm X 11cm (45” X 24” X 4 ½”).

– and a laptop bag 40cm X 30cm X 10cm (15 ¾” X 11 ¾” X 4”)

Visit Angkor Air for more info.

Vietnam Airlines

When you fly with Vietnam Airlines, they allow you to bring one carry on bag as well as personal items. Compared to other airlines that fly in Southeast Asian countries, what they include is pretty generous.

– Your carry on luggage size cannot be bigger than 56cm X 36cm X 23cm (22” X 14” X 9”) or up to 115 cm linear combined.

– The maximum carry on luggage weight is 7 kg or 15 lbs.

– They don’t give a personal item size but you can bring a handbag, laptop and jacket along with several other things.

In addition to your carry on luggage and personal items, Vietnam Airlines also includes one free checked bag. They are one of the few Southeast Asian airlines that include it. The maximum checked baggage size in linear dimensions cannot be more than 203cm (80”). The maximum weight is 20 kg or 44 lbs.

Visit Vietnam Airlines for more info.

Nok Air

Nok Air allows you to bring one piece of hand luggage on board, but you can’t bring any personal item.

– Carry on luggage weight cannot exceed 7 kg (15 lbs). The size has to be within 56cm X 36cm X 23cm (22” X 14” X 9”).

Visit Nok Air for more info.

Jetstar Asia

When travelling in Southeast Asia, you can bring 2 items with you as cabin luggage on Jetstar Asia. That number includes your personal item.

– The weight of both combined cannot be more than 7kg (15 lbs).

– The cabin luggage size cannot be more than 56cm X 36cm X 23cm (22” X 14” X 9”) and has to fit in the overhead compartment.

– Personal item can be a handbag or thin laptop bag that must fit under the seat in front of you.

Visit Jetstar Asia for more info.

Cebu Pacific Air

When flying with Cebu Pacific you’re allowed to bring onboard, one piece of carry on luggage and one personal item.

– The carry on bag size can be a maximum dimension of 56cm X 36cm X 23cm (22” X 14” X 9”) with a 7 kg (15 lbs) weight limit.

– Your personal item size can’t be more than 35cm X 20cm X 20cm (13 ¾” X 8” X 8”) and has to fit under your seat.

Visit Cebu Pacific Air for more info.

Thai Lion Air

Lion Air only allows one piece of cabin baggage per passenger and no personal item. The size is smaller than average of other airlines in Southeast Asia too – so you can’t overpack. The maximum carry on luggage size is 40cm X 30cm X 20cm (15 ¾” X 11 ¾” X 7 ¾”). The maximum weight allowed is 7 kg per person.

Visit Thai Lion Air for more info.

Tiger Air

You can bring with you on Tiger Air a total of 2 items made up of one cabin bag and one personal item.  

– The weight of both pieces combined cannot be more than 10 kg (22 lbs).

– The maximum carry on bag size is 54cm X 38cm X 23cm (21 ¼” X 15” X 9”).

– There is no maximum personal item size but only one personal item is allowed.  This could be a handbag, laptop bag, duty free etc.

Visit Tiger Air for more info.

VietJet Air

If you’re taking VietJet Air, you can bring you onboard with you one piece of hand luggage. You can also bring one personal item and the total combined weight of both can’t be more than 7 kg or 15 lbs.

– Your carry on bag size must be within the dimensions of 56cm X 36cm X 23cm (22” X 14” X 9”).

– The personal item size can’t bigger than 30cm X 20cm X 10cm or (11 ¾” X 7 ¾” X 4”). This can be a handbag, camera or similar.

– Other things you could bring on as a personal item would be a jacket bag not bigger than 114cm X 60cm X 11cm (45” X 24” X 4 ½”) or a laptop bag 40cm X 30cm X 10cm (15 ¾” X 11 ¾” X 4”).

Visit VietJet Air for more info.

Orient Thai Airlines

With Orient Thai Airlines each guest can bring with them on board 2 cabin bags with a maximum total combined weight of 7 kg (15 lbs).

– No carry on bag size is given so you can probably go by the most common size of 56cm X 36cm X 23cm (22” X 14” X 9”) on other airlines.

Visit Orient Thai Airlines for more info.

Philippine Airlines

Philippine Airlines allows you to bring on board with you one piece of carry on luggage and two small personal items.

– Your carry on bag can have maximum linear dimensions of 115cm (45”) and cannot be heavier than 7 kg (15lbs).

– The two personal items allowed to be brought on board can be a handbag or purse, jacket, blanket, small camera, laptop and case or a reasonable amount of reading material.

Visit Philippine Airlines for more info.

Malindo Air

Each economy passenger flying with Malindo Air can bring on board with them free of charge, one carry on suitcase and one personal items bag.

– The size for carry on bags cannot be over 56cm X 36cm X 23cm (22” X 14” X 9”) and can have a maximum weight on 7 kg.

– The personal item you can bring on board with you can be a laptop bag or handbag. There is no personal item bag size listed so use your best judgement.

Visit Malindo Air for more info.

Bangkok Airways

When travelling Southeast Asia with Bangkok Airways, they’ll allow you one piece of cabin luggage only. The maximum size is 50cm X 36cm X 23cm (19 ½” X 14” X 9”) and a weight of 5 kg (11 lbs)

If that restriction seems a bit small for what you’re bringing don’t worry.  In addition to carry on, Bangkok Airways includes one checked bag with a maximum weight of 20 kg (44 lbs) so you can always check your bag if it’s too big and just bring your valuables with you on the plane.

Visit Bangkok Airways for more info.

Thai Smile Air

When travelling with Thai Smile Air each guest can bring on board free on charge, one carry on bag along with a personal item or items.

– Your carry on luggage cannot be over 115 cm (45”) in total linear length or 56cm X 36cm X 23cm (22” X 14” X 9”).  

– The carry on bag weight allowed can’t be more than 7 kg (15 lbs) and you have to be able to fit the luggage into the overhead compartment or under your own seat.

– The personal item size can be a maximum of 37.5cm X 25cm X 12.5cm (15” X 10” X 5”) or a total linear dimension of 75cm (30”).  The maximum total weight can not be over 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs). This can be a handbag, purse or laptop.

– In addition you can also bring a walking stick, camera or binoculars. Bay food also is okay.

– Thai Smile is another of the airlines in Southeast Asia that includes one free checked bag. The maximum size is 20 kg (44 lbs) and cannot be larger than the total linear length of 158cm (62”)

Visit Thai Smile Air for more info.

Thai Airways

Thai Airways will allow each guest to bring on board with them one piece of cabin baggage as well as one personal item free of charge.

– A piece of carry on luggage cannot exceed 56cm X 45cm X 25cm (22” X 18” X 10”) or have a weight more than 7 kg (15 lbs).  It obviously has to fit under the seat in front of you or in the overhead bag compartment.

– Guests can bring a personal item with them as long as it doesn’t exceed 37.5cm X 25cm X 12.5cm (15” X 10” X 5”) or 75 cm (30”). This includes handbags and laptops.

Walking sticks or crutches and baby food can also be brought on board.

Thai Airways will also include one checked bag free of charge with a maximum weight of 30 kg (66 lbs).

For more info visit Thai Airways.

Malaysia Airlines

Each passenger travelling in Economy can bring with them one piece of free cabin baggage and one personal item.

– Cabin bag size cannot exceed 7 kg (15 lbs) in weight with maximum dimensions of 56cm X 36cm X 23cm (22” X 14” X 9”) or 115cm (45”) total linear.

– Your personal items bag must be within the 7 kg weight limit with the cabin bag.  This could be a handbag, briefcase, laptop or similar.

– Malaysia Airlines also gives you some free checked luggage allowance for its basic and up fares.  Within Malaysia the basic maximum included is 20 kg (44lbs) and for international flights, the basic fare includes 25 kg (55 lbs).

Visit Malaysia Airlines for more info.

Singapore Airlines

Each Economy passenger travelling with Singapore Airlines can bring on board with them free of charge one piece of carry on baggage and one personal item.

– Carry on luggage size can’t be more than 115cm (45”) in total linear dimensions. That’s so you can stow it in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you. The maximum weight allowed is 7 kg (15lbs).

– Personal item bags cannot be larger than 40cm X 30cm X 10cm (15 ¾” X 11 ¾” X 4”) or total of 80 cm (31”) linear.  This includes handbags, camera bags and laptop bags.

For more info, visit Singapore Airlines.

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