Last Updated on February 1, 2024 by Henry @ The Getaway Lounge
This post is reviewed on a regular basis to ensure a high level of accuracy.
Just how strict is Cathay Pacific with carry on luggage?
It’s a question we hear all the time in our international travel community, so here’s the latest.
Cathay Pacific now state that those with a reserved seat are entitled to one free piece of carry on luggage and one additional small item. According to them, your carry on bag must fit in the sizer and so be easily placed in the overhead compartment, whilst your additional small item must fit under the seat in front of you.
With that said, there are some factors to consider with Cathay Pacific, although we always recommend taking precautions.
Besides, who knows how strict they are going to be on the day you travel!
So, to ensure you’re fully compliant with the latest carry on restrictions, we recommend these great value suitcases on Amazon which fit perfectly within the limits, as well as the vast majority of other airlines.
Cathay Pacific have a main carry on allowance as follows:
22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm)
These dimensions include any wheels, handles and or pockets.
There is also a weight limit of 25 lbs. or 11kg attached to this bag.
Cathay Pacific also allow an additional small item on board to accompany your main bag.
They state that this additional item must not exceed the following dimensions: 16 x 12 x 6 inches (40 x 30 x 15 cm).
And we highly recommend making the most of this space using a small backpack for instance.
Liquids, gels and aerosols are allowed in your carry on in containers less than 3.4 oz (100ml).
They must be placed in a transparent, quart-sized bag.
For further information please head to this page which covers restricted items in detail, as well as exclusions etc.
In addition to your carry on and personal item, you are allowed other items which do not count towards your overall allowance.
Examples include:
It’s rare for Cathay Pacific to investigate the weight of your carry on.
With that said, you should do your best to stick within the 25 lbs. or 11kg limit where possible.
As another precaution, we would always recommend checking in online to further reduce your chances of being asked questions by staff!
In the unlikely event your carry on is checked for weight, it’s not necessarily bad news.
Assuming you’re only slightly over, they might not be too concerned about this too much.
What’s more, there’s nothing stopping you have a quick repack before having it weighed again.
Just be prepared to stick on some of your heavier clothing to bring the weight down as you go through the gate!
From our own experience and many others, Cathway Pacific are relatively strict when it comes to carry on size.
Therefore, there’s a good chance that bags will be checked to ensure they fit in the sizing devices, especially if it’s a busy flight.
Besides, the dimensions are there for good reason and the airline can get themselves into trouble if too much luggage is taken onto the cabin.
The only time we would say it’s potentially worth the risk is if your bag is soft-sided and only slightly oversized.
After all, as long you can squeeze it into the sizing device and demonstrate it fits then there shouldn’t be a problem.
On the other hand, if your bag is a hard case you probably won’t be able to fit it into the sizing device.
This may result in a big fee for putting your luggage in the hold last minute.
What’s more, you’ll have to wait around after landing, and we all like to keep an eye on our luggage if possible!
If your bag is deemed overweight or oversized, maximum penalties will apply at the gate.
You can find information regarding their baggage fees on this page on their website.
If you’re looking for a carry-on bag which is the perfect fit for Cathay Pacific and many others, we recommend this great value range of suitcases on Amazon.
These bags have been designed to be carry-on friendly with the vast majority of airlines worldwide, and there’s plenty of styles to choose from.
All come with Aerolite’s 5 year guarantee and offer a range of attractive features.
In conclusion, Cathay Pacific are fairly strict when it comes to carry on.
With that said, there are ways to mitigate the risk of being caught out – as discussed throughout this post.
For peace of mind however, we do recommend investing in a fully compliant bag and sticking within the rules.
And if by chance you’re now considering paying for checked baggage, please visit this page on Cathay Pacific’s website for further details.
Leave a Reply