Cathay Pacific cabin baggage allowance
Cathay Pacific gives every ticketed passenger one carry-on bag plus one small personal item. The dimensions are fixed for everyone; the weight you may carry depends on your cabin class and Cathay membership tier, so two passengers on the same flight can have different allowances.
The short answer
One cabin bag up to 56 x 36 x 23 cm plus one small item up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm. Combined weight: 7 kg in Economy (standard tier), 10 kg in Business or with Marco Polo Gold / Silver status, 15 kg in First or Diamond.
Cabin bag: size and weight at a glance
| Item | Cathay Pacific allowance |
|---|---|
| Cabin bag (max size) | 56 x 36 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 in) |
| Small item (max size) | 40 x 30 x 15 cm |
| Weight — Economy (standard tiers) | 7 kg combined |
| Weight — Business, Marco Polo Gold / Silver | 10 kg combined |
| Weight — First, Diamond | 15 kg combined |
Dimensions always include wheels and handles unless the airline says otherwise.
Personal item policy
The small item must fit under the seat in front of you. Cathay's list includes small handbags, laptop bags, small backpacks, camera bags and briefcases. You may also carry small personal items such as a small camera or a walking stick on board.
Do status or loyalty tiers change the allowance?
Yes — and it is the weight that changes, not the number of pieces. Diamond members (and First passengers) get 15 kg, Business passengers and Gold / Silver members get 10 kg, everyone else 7 kg — always one cabin bag plus one small item. A separate arrangement applies on Hong Kong–New Zealand flights; check Cathay's page for that route.
Checked baggage: how it works
Cathay uses a piece-based checked allowance that depends on route, cabin and fare, worked out through the baggage calculator in Manage Booking. Structural limits are stable: no checked piece may exceed 32 kg or 158 cm in total dimensions regardless of your allowance.
If your bag is too big or too heavy
If your cabin bag exceeds the size or weight allowance it must be checked in. Extra-bag and airport rates change often, so check Cathay's current optional fees page before you fly rather than relying on third-party figures.
Allowances verified: 1 November 2026
Baggage rules change without notice. Always confirm with Cathay Pacific before flying — current official page: Cathay Pacific — carry-on baggage allowance (official).
Weigh before you wing it
Most carriers here enforce a 7–10 kg cabin limit. A luggage scale costs less than one gate fee and ends the guesswork.
Compare luggage scales →