Carry-on suitcase · 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in)
Tight exactly at the limit on the length
Air China cabin bag and personal item size
Checked against Air China's baggage page on 5 October 2026
Personal item (under the seat)
No size published
Cabin bag (overhead locker)
55 × 40 × 20 cm22 × 16 × 8 in
Weight: 5 kg (11 lb)
Will your bag fit Air China?
Personal item. Free on every fare. One personal item (handbag, briefcase, laptop or camera bag) that fits under the seat in front; no size or weight given.
Cabin bag. Included on every fare listed below. Economy and Super-Economy: 1 piece up to 5kg. Oversize bags are moved to checked baggage.
What each Air China fare includes
| Fare | Personal item | Cabin bag | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy Class | Included | Included (5 kg) | 1 piece, 5kg (11 lb), 55x40x20cm. |
| Super-Economy Class | Included | Included (5 kg) | 1 piece, 5kg (11 lb). |
| First / Business Class | Included | Included (8 kg) | 2 pieces, 8kg (17 lb) each, same size limit. |
Will a standard carry-on fit Air China?
The most common US carry-on size is 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm, wheels included). On Air China it does not fit — 0.9 cm (0.4 in) too long, 2.9 cm (1.1 in) too deep. The common European cabin size, 55 × 40 × 20 cm, is right at the limit.
Air China's cabin bag allowance holds about 44 litres. Only 5 of the 151 airlines we track have a smaller one, so bags sold as "carry-on size" in the US often won't pass here.
Bags that fit Air China
We checked 1,046 bags with published sizes. Air China gives no personal-item size, so we can only check the cabin bag. 422 fit the cabin bag size comfortably.
Cabin bag
Carry-on suitcase · 55 × 35 × 20 cm (21.7 × 13.8 × 7.9 in)
Tight exactly at the limit on the length; 2.4 kg left for packing
Carry-on suitcase · 55 × 35 × 20 cm (21.7 × 13.8 × 7.9 in)
Tight exactly at the limit on the length; 2.4 kg left for packing
Carry-on suitcase · 45 × 38 × 20 cm (17.7 × 15 × 7.9 in)
Tight exactly at the limit on the depth; 2.4 kg left for packing
If your bag is too big at the gate
Carry-on bags that exceed the limits or cannot be stowed are transferred to checked baggage at departure or during boarding. No fee stated on this page. Source
Power banks on Air China
You can’t use a power bank on board. Power banks up to 100 Wh go in the cabin; 100–160 Wh needs the airline's approval. Never in checked bags. Carry-on only, not checked. Keep power banks switched off at all times during the flight. 100-160Wh must be declared to the airline; over 160Wh no. China domestic: no power banks without clear CCC (3C) mark or recalled.
Work out your power bank's watt-hours · Power bank rules on every airline
Worth knowing
- Economy cabin bag limit is only 5kg.
- On China domestic flights, power banks without a clear CCC (3C) mark or from recalled batches are banned.
- Power banks must stay switched off for the entire flight.
Airlines with similar limits
- Ryanair: 55 × 40 × 20 cm
- TUI Airways / TUIfly: 55 × 40 × 20 cm
- Icelandair: 55 × 40 × 20 cm
- Vueling: 55 × 40 × 20 cm
Air China bag questions
What size is the Air China personal item?
Air China doesn't publish a personal-item size. One personal item (handbag, briefcase, laptop or camera bag) that fits under the seat in front; no size or weight given.
How big can an Air China cabin bag be?
Up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm (22 × 16 × 8 in), and no heavier than 5 kg (11 lb). The airline doesn’t say whether wheels and handles count, so measure them in.
Which bags fit Air China's limits?
Of the 1,046 bags we track, 422 fit the cabin bag size. See the list.
Can I take a power bank on Air China?
Yes, in your cabin bag only. You can’t use a power bank on board. Power banks up to 100 Wh go in the cabin; 100–160 Wh needs the airline's approval. Never in checked bags.
Sources. official Air China US-site carry-on baggage page · lithium batteries and power banks (infographic image 3LithiumBatteries-EN.jpg) · additional requirements for power banks (infographic 5PowerBanks-EN.jpg). Rules checked 5 October 2026. Some details the airline doesn’t publish are marked as such above. Airline staff have the final say at the gate. Spotted a change? Tell us.
Will This Bag Fit is independent and not affiliated with Air China.