Air China is the flag carrier airline for the People’s Republic of China. Founded in 1988, the airline’s hub is Beijing Capital International Airport. Currently, Air China boasts a fleet of 432, flies to 201 destinations, and operates seven subsidiaries under its corporate umbrella.
Air China Cabin Baggage
Air China’s cabin baggage allowance is class-based. Economy Class passengers can bring one carry-on item that weighs 5 kg (11 lbs) or less; Business Class and First Class travelers are allowed up to two carry-on pieces that weigh 8 kg (17 lbs) or less. Regardless of class, the size of carry-on luggage for Air China flights cannot exceed 55 cm X 40 cm X 20 cm (22 in X 16 in X 8 in) to ensure they can fit in the overhead compartments or underneath the seats.
| Cabin Class | Baggage Allowance | Weight Limit (Per Bag) | Size Limit (Per Bag) |
| Economy Class | 1 | 5 kg (11 lbs) | 55 cm X 40 cm X 20 cm (22 in X 16 in X 8 in) |
| Business Class | 2 | 8 kg (17 lbs) | 55 cm X 40 cm X 20 cm (22 in X 16 in X 8 in) |
| First Class | 2 | 8 kg (17 lbs) | 55 cm X 40 cm X 20 cm (22 in X 16 in X 8 in) |
Air China Checked Baggage
Air China’s baggage allowance parameters can change without warning, and different pages on the company’s website give conflicting information. If you are booked on an Air China flight in the coming months and have luggage concerns, call ahead to lock down the exact rules for your route. You can also reference your printed ticket, which includes the exact baggage allowance. Alternatively, avoid the hassle and use a luggage shipping service, which is often less expensive than excess baggage fees.
| Class | Number of Checked Bags Included with Ticket | Max / Min Size (Including Wheels and Handles) | Max / Min Weights |
| Premium Economy Class | 2 | 158 cm (62 in) / 60 cm (24 in) | 23 kg (50 lb) / 2 kg (4 lbs) |
| Super Economy Class | 1 | 158 cm (62 in) / 60 cm (24 in) | 23 kg (50 lb) / 2 kg (4 lbs) |
| Economy Class | 1 | 158 cm (62 in) / 60 cm (24 in) | 23 kg (50 lb) / 2 kg (4 lbs) |
| Business Class | 2 | 158 cm (62 in) / 60 cm (24 in) | 32 kg (70 lbs) / 2 kg (4 lbs) |
| First Class | 2 | 158 cm (62 in) / 60 cm (24 in) | 32 kg (70 lbs) / 2 kg (4 lbs) |
| Luxury First Class | 2 | 158 cm (62 in) / 60 cm (24 in) | 32 kg (70 lbs) / 2 kg (4 lbs) |
Air China Checked Baggage Exceptions and Anomalies
- Infants in every class can check one piece of baggage, which can’t weigh more than 23 kg (50lb), for free, in addition to a folding stroller, cradle, car seat, or baby cot.
- Membership has its privileges. People traveling in either Business or First Classes that belong to Air China’s PhoenixMiles Lifetime Platinum, Platinum, Gold, and Silver frequent flyer programs may check an additional item for free. It can’t weigh more than 32 kg (70 lbs). When flying economy, members can check an additional piece that doesn’t weigh more than 23 kg (50 lbs).
- Members of Air China’s Star Alliance Gold club can check one additional item, free of charge, that’s 23 kg (50 lbs) or lighter.
- Service and guide dogs can be checked for free, but it’s always a good idea to call ahead and secure permission. Service animals that fly in the hold do not count towards your ticket’s luggage allowance.
- Ashes of the dead can be checked free of charge in addition to your baggage allotment.
- People with permanent or temporary disabilities and ailments can check electric wheelchairs, electric scooters, mechanical prosthesis, small gas cylinders, portable oxygen concentrators, and other auxiliary equipment for free, and it won’t count towards the baggage allowance.
Air China Excess Baggage Policy
Air China’s complex excess baggage fee structure is based on origin, destination, cabin class, and fare. Moreover, the airline “does not promise to transport all checked baggage on the same flight as the traveler.”
The airline’s fare structure changes drastically depending on the route. Below, we’ve outlined Air China’s excess luggage fees for various scenarios.
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Air China Excess Baggage Fees: Zone One Routes
The chart below delineates Air China’s excess baggage fees for flights using the weight-allowance model that originate in Central American, South America, and Mexico and land in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, or the Southwest Pacific.*
| If Your Additional Baggage is… | …And Your Included Baggage Allowance (Weight / Size) Is… | …You’ll Pay An Additional… |
| Overweight | 23 kg / 158 cm | RMB ¥380 / USD $60 |
| Overweight | 32 kg / 158 cm | RMB ¥980 / USD $150 |
| Oversized | 23 kg / 203 cm | RMB ¥980 / USD $150 |
| Oversized and Overweight | 32 kg / 203 cm | RMB ¥1400 / USD $220 |
The chart below delineates Air China’s per-piece excess baggage fees for flights originating in Central American, South America, and Mexico and traveling to Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Southwest Pacific.*
| Number of Extra Checked Baggage Items | Excess Baggage Fee |
| 1st | RMB ¥1400 / USD $220 |
| 2nd | RMB ¥2000 / USD $310 |
| 3rd and more | RMB ¥3000 / USD $460 |
Air China Excess Baggage Fees: Zone Two Routes
The chart below delineates Air China’s weight-model excess baggage fees for flights originating in Africa, Asia (except Japan), Europe, the Middle East, and the Southwest Pacific. It also applies to travel between Japan and the Southwest Pacific, in addition to routes that take off in Japan and the Southwest Pacific to land in other parts of Asia and Africa.*
| If Your Additional Baggage is… | …And Your Included Baggage Allowance (Weight / Size) Is… | …You’ll Pay An Additional… |
| Overweight | 23 kg / 158 cm | RMB ¥280 / USD $40 / EUR €35 |
| Overweight | 32 kg / 158 cm | RMB ¥690 / USD $100 / EUR €85 |
| Oversized | 23 kg / 203 cm | RMB ¥690 / USD $100 / EUR €85 |
| Oversized and Overweight | 32 kg / 203 cm | RMB ¥1100 / USD $160 / EUR €140 |
The chart below delineates the fees for Air China’s per-piece excess baggage model for flights originating in Africa, Asia (except Japan), Europe, the Middle East, and the Southwest Pacific. It also applies to travel between Japan and the Southwest Pacific, in addition to routes that take off in Japan and the Southwest Pacific to land in other parts of Asia and Africa.*
| Number of Extra Checked Baggage Items | Excess Baggage Fee |
| 1st | RMB ¥1100 / USD $160 / EUR €140 |
| 2nd | RMB ¥1100 / USD $160 / EUR €140 |
| 3rd and more | RMB ¥1590 / USD $230 / EUR €200 |
Air China Excess Baggage Fees: Zone Three Routes
The chart below outlines Air China’s excess baggage fees for flights originating in Canada and the Americas (excluding ones between the U.S. and Canada and traveling to the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and the Southwest Pacific that use the weight allowance model.*
| If Your Additional Baggage is… | …And Your Included Baggage Allowance (Weight / Size) Is… | …You’ll Pay An Additional… |
| Overweight or Oversized | Any Size | RMB ¥520 / USD $75 / CAD $100 |
The chart below outlines Air China’s excess baggage fees for flights originating in Canada and the Americas (excluding ones between the U.S. and Canada and traveling to the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and the Southwest Pacific that use the per-piece allowance model.*
| Number of Extra Checked Baggage Items | Excess Baggage Fee |
| 1st | RMB ¥1170 / USD $170 / CAD $225 |
| 2nd | RMB ¥1170 / USD $170 / CAD $225 |
| 3rd and more | RMB ¥1590 / USD $230 / CAD $300 |
Air China Excess Baggage Fees: Zone Four Routes
The table below outlines Air China’s weight-model excess baggage fees for flights taking off in the United States and flying to other parts of the United States, Central America, South America, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia, and the Southwest Pacific.*
| If Your Additional Baggage is… | …And Your Included Baggage Allowance (Weight / Size) Is… | …You’ll Pay An Additional… |
| Overweight | 23 kg – 28 kg / 158 cm | RMB ¥690 / USD $100 |
| Overweight | 29kg – 32 kg / 158 cm | RMB ¥1040 / USD $150 |
| Oversized | 23 kg – 28 kg / 203 cm | RMB ¥1040 / USD $150 |
| Oversized and Overweight | 29kg – 32 kg / 203 cm | RMB ¥2050 / USD $300 |
The table below outlines Air China’s per-piece-model excess baggage fees for flights taking off in the United States and flying to other parts of the United States, Central America, South America, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia, and the Southwest Pacific.*
| Number of Extra Checked Baggage Items | Excess Baggage Fee |
| 1st | RMB ¥1380 / USD $200 |
| 2nd | RMB ¥1380 / USD $200 |
| 3rd and more | RMB ¥1590 / USD $230 |
Air China Excess Baggage Fees: Zone Five Routes
The chart below outlines Air China’s excess baggage fees for flights, which use the weight model, departing from Africa and landing in Asia (except Japan); flights starting in Europe and landing in the Middle East; routes that begin and end in Asia (except Japan), in addition to routes within the Americas (excluding the United States and Canada) to the Caribbean.*
| If Your Additional Baggage is… | …And Your Included Baggage Allowance (Weight / Size) Is… | …You’ll Pay An Additional… |
| Overweight | 23 kg – 28 kg / 158 cm | RMB ¥210 / USD $30 |
| Overweight | 29kg – 32 kg / 158 cm | RMB ¥520 / USD $75 |
| Oversized | 23 kg – 28 kg / 203 cm | RMB ¥520 / USD $75 |
| Overweight and Oversized | 23kg – 32 kg / 203 cm | RMB ¥830 / USD $120 |
The chart below outlines Air China’s excess baggage fees for flights, which use the per-piece model, departing from Africa and landing in Asia (except Japan); flights starting in Europe and landing in the Middle East; routes that begin and end in Asia (except Japan), in addition to routes within the Americas (excluding the United States and Canada) and to the Caribbean.*
| Number of Extra Checked Baggage Items | Excess Baggage Fee |
| 1st | RMB ¥830 / USD $120 |
| 2nd | RMB ¥1100 / USD $160 |
| 3rd and more | RMB ¥1590 / USD $230 |
Domestic flights within China assess luggage overage fees by the kilogram at the rate of 1.5 percent of an adult-fare Economy Class ticket.
*Though we check our figures monthly, Air China changes fees on the fly. If you need the exact Air China excess baggage fees for your flight, check the airline’s overage web page. Consider using a luggage shipper if you have more than 3 extra parcels; it’s usually infinitely cheaper and much easier.
Air China Sports Equipment
The following sports equipment can be checked on Air China flights, but they do count towards your baggage allowance. For example, if the ticket allows for two checked items, and you bring two suitcases and a golf bag, you’ll pay excess baggage fees for the golf bag. If you only bring one suitcase and one golf bag (which doesn’t exceed size or weight limitations), you won’t incur any extra fees.
- Archery gear
- Bicycle
- Bowling equipment
- Climbing gear
- Diving gear
- Golf gear
- Hockey equipment
- Paragliding and Parachute gear
- Roller skating and skateboard equipment
- Skiing equipment (except for sleds)
- Tennis equipment
Firearms can sometimes be checked, but they must be packed separately from any ammunition.
Air China Musical Instruments
Air China allows passengers to check musical instruments, free of charge, in addition to their baggage allowance. However, overweight and oversized fees apply.
Contact Air China
Phone: 1.800.882.8122
Webpage: https://www.airchina.us/US/GB/contact-us/
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