JAL allows 1 carry-on + 1 personal item, max 10 kg combined. Bag must fit 55x40x25 cm. JAL weighs bags at the gate — here's what to expect.
Your carry-on bag must fit within 55 x 40 x 25 cm (22 x 16 x 10 in) and your combined baggage weight cannot exceed 10 kg (22 lb). That's the short answer. Read on for the details that catch people out.
| 항공사 | 기내 | 위탁 |
|---|---|---|
| Item | Dimensions | Weight |
| Carry-on bag | 55 x 40 x 25 cm (22 x 16 x 10 in) | Combined 10 kg (22 lb) |
| Personal item (handbag | ||
| laptop bag) | Fits under the seat in front | Included in the 10 kg total |
| Small aircraft (under 100 seats) | 45 x 35 x 20 cm | Same 10 kg combined |
참고용입니다. 항공사에 꼭 확인하세요.
How the allowance works
JAL lets you bring two items into the cabin: one standard carry-on bag and one personal item (a handbag, laptop bag, or small backpack). The catch is that these two items share a single 10 kg weight limit. There is no separate weight allowance for your personal item.
If your roller bag weighs 8 kg, your handbag can only be 2 kg. Pack accordingly.
The total linear measurement (height + width + depth) of your carry-on must not exceed 115 cm (45 in). The per-side limits of 55 x 40 x 25 cm are the practical version of this rule.
Small planes get smaller limits
Flying into a regional Japanese city on a connecting domestic leg? Aircraft with fewer than 100 seats have tighter overhead bins. The limit shrinks to 45 x 35 x 20 cm. If you're connecting to a smaller JAL regional partner like J-Air or Japan Air Commuter, check the aircraft type before you pack.
Liquids and what you cannot bring
The standard international liquid rule applies on JAL international flights: containers must hold 100 ml (3.4 oz) or less, all packed in a single transparent resealable bag with a maximum capacity of 1 litre. One bag per passenger.
A few items that surprise first-timers:
- Lithium batteries: spare batteries (not installed in a device) must stay in your carry-on, not checked luggage. Batteries over 160 Wh are not allowed at all.
- Power banks: cabin only, same lithium battery rules apply.
- Sharp objects: nail clippers are fine; scissors with blades over 6 cm are not.
- Lighters: one lighter per person, in your pocket or carry-on, not in checked bags.
JAL weighs bags at the gate
Japan Airlines enforces its weight limit more strictly than most Western carriers. Gate agents will weigh your carry-on if it looks heavy. If you exceed 10 kg combined, you will be asked to check the bag — and pay checked baggage fees on the spot. Weigh everything before you leave for the airport.
Business and First Class: same size, different feel
The cabin bag size limit is the same across all cabins: 55 x 40 x 25 cm. Business and First Class passengers benefit from priority boarding and larger overhead bin space, but the official dimensions do not change. The weight limit stays at 10 kg combined too.
Where premium passengers do get more flexibility is in checked baggage allowance: Business Class gets two bags up to 32 kg each, First Class gets three. Carry-on rules are the same for everyone.
Tips before you fly
- Measure your bag with contents inside, not empty. A half-full bag can bulge past the limit when packed.
- The 10 kg limit is for both items combined. Weigh them together on a bathroom scale at home.
- JAL's online check-in opens 48 hours before departure for most international routes. If you are flagged for excess baggage at the counter, you can rearrange before reaching the gate.
- If you buy something at Duty Free after security, JAL allows you to bring that bag into the cabin in addition to your two-item allowance, as long as it is sealed in the duty-free packaging.
Food On
