Personal-item bag · 34 × 19 × 15 cm (13.4 × 7.5 × 5.9 in)
Tight exactly at the limit on the depth
Cathay Pacific cabin bag and personal item size
Checked against Cathay Pacific's baggage page on 5 October 2026
Personal item (under the seat)
40 × 30 × 15 cm16 × 12 × 6 in
Cabin bag (overhead locker)
56 × 36 × 23 cm22 × 14 × 9 in
Weight: 7 kg (15 lb)
Will your bag fit Cathay Pacific?
Personal item. Free on every fare. One small item (handbag, laptop bag, small backpack) that fits under the seat; counts toward the 7kg total in Economy.
Cabin bag. Included on every fare listed below. Wheels and handles count. Economy: 1 piece + 1 small item, 7kg total. Allowance varies by cabin class and membership tier per Cathay's calculator.
What each Cathay Pacific fare includes
| Fare | Personal item | Cabin bag | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy Light | Included | Included (7 kg) | Calculator (New York to Hong Kong, Economy Light): 1 piece + 1 small item, 7kg total. |
| Economy Essential / Economy Flex | Included | Included | Not separately checked; Cathay says cabin allowance varies by class and tier. |
| Premium Economy / Business / First | Not stated | Not stated | Not checked in this run; use the baggage calculator. |
Will a standard carry-on fit Cathay Pacific?
The most common US carry-on size is 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm, wheels included). On Cathay Pacific it just fits, with under 1 cm to spare. The common European cabin size, 55 × 40 × 20 cm, doesn't fit (4 cm (1.6 in) too wide).
Cathay Pacific's cabin bag allowance holds about 46 litres. 38 of the 151 airlines we track have a smaller one.
Bags that fit Cathay Pacific
We checked 1,046 bags with published sizes. 19 fit the personal-item size with at least 1 cm to spare on every side, and another 38 are within a centimeter. 590 fit the cabin bag size comfortably.
Personal item
Personal-item bag · 39.1 × 27.4 × 14.5 cm (15.4 × 10.8 × 5.7 in)
Tight 0.5 cm (0.2 in) to spare on the depth
Personal-item bag · 38.1 × 30.5 × 14 cm (15 × 12 × 5.5 in)
Tight 0.5 cm (0.2 in) too wide; soft-sided, so it only goes in if it squeezes
Personal-item bag · 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in)
Tight exactly at the limit on the length
Cabin bag
Carry-on suitcase · 19.1 × 12.8 × 8.9 in (48.5 × 32.5 × 22.6 cm)
Tight 0.4 cm (0.2 in) to spare on the depth; 4.1 kg left for packing
Carry-on suitcase · 55.9 × 35.6 × 22.9 cm (22 × 14 × 9 in)
Tight 0.1 cm (0 in) to spare on the length
Carry-on suitcase · 55.9 × 35.6 × 22.9 cm (22 × 14 × 9 in)
Tight 0.1 cm (0 in) to spare on the length
Carry-on suitcase · 55.9 × 35.6 × 22.9 cm (22 × 14 × 9 in)
Tight 0.1 cm (0 in) to spare on the length; 2.6 kg left for packing
All bags that fit Cathay Pacific →
If your bag is too big at the gate
Cathay Pacific doesn't publish a gate fee on its baggage page. Source
Power banks on Cathay Pacific
You can’t use a power bank on board. Power banks up to 100 Wh go in the cabin. Limit: 2 per passenger. Never in checked bags. Max two power banks. Under Hong Kong law no charging power banks from seat power and no using them to power devices. Not in checked bags or overhead bins; keep in cabin bag under seat.
Work out your power bank's watt-hours · Power bank rules on every airline
Worth knowing
- Power banks cannot go in the overhead compartment; they must be in a bag under the seat in front.
- In-seat power can still be used to charge phones and laptops directly.
- Cabin bag size includes wheels, handles and side pockets.
Airlines with similar limits
- Jetstar: 56 × 36 × 23 cm
- Virgin Australia: 56 × 36 × 23 cm
- Qantas: 56 × 36 × 23 cm
- Virgin Atlantic: 56 × 36 × 23 cm
Cathay Pacific bag questions
What size is the Cathay Pacific personal item?
Cathay Pacific's free personal item can be up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm (16 × 12 × 6 in). One small item (handbag, laptop bag, small backpack) that fits under the seat; counts toward the 7kg total in Economy.
How big can a Cathay Pacific cabin bag be?
Up to 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14 × 9 in), and no heavier than 7 kg (15 lb). Wheels and handles count toward the size.
Which bags fit Cathay Pacific's limits?
Of the 1,046 bags we track, 19 fit the personal-item size with at least 1 cm to spare and 590 fit the cabin bag size. See the list.
Can I take a power bank on Cathay Pacific?
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. Limit: 2 per passenger. Never in checked bags.
Sources. official baggage calculator result (JFK-HKG, Economy Light) · carry-on allowance FAQ · lithium batteries / power banks page. 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 Cathay Pacific.