What should I know about AirAsia's carry-on luggage restrictions and excess weight fees?

Jul 20, 2023
a year ago
Hello Everyone.

I am from Bangladesh. I will be traveling solo to Thailand on a very budget trip in mid September . I will land at the Don Mueang Airport.

I have booked flights through AirAsia. I haven't bought the checked in luggage to save money as I won't be carrying or shopping much. So I am only allowed to carry a 7 kg carry on luggage (Backpack in my case). In my estimation, this 7 kg should be enough for me as I won't be shopping much other than a few chocolates. My shopping shouldn't weigh more than 1kg worth of items.

My carry on backpack is just slightly bigger than a regular laptop backpack. So no more than 30L to 35L size.

## NOW MY QUESTIONS ARE:

* Can anyone tell how much does AirAsia charge for each extra kg if my carry on backpack exceeds 7kg? (*As I won't be having any checked in luggage, will they allow me to carry the extra weight If I pay extra charges? Or should I have throw the extra weight away?)*

* I will also carry a waist bag as a personal item. It's small but spacious enough to carry a powerbank , charger, wallet, passport and a small water bottle. **Will they weigh the waist bag too?

**

*I have attached a sample image of the backpack and waist bag for reference*

Thanks in advance
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user asks about AirAsia's policies regarding carry-on weight limits, the fees for excess weight, and whether their personal item (a waist bag) will be weighed. Community members provide various experiences and suggestions, noting that AirAsia typically allows carry-ons without strict weighing unless the bag appears excessively large or heavy. Some recommend checking the airline's website for accurate fee information and suggest ways to redistribute weight, like wearing extra clothing or using pockets.
Diedy **********
We always travel with a personal item only, that is 20×30×40cm. It amounts to about 5kgs. If you want tips, or my packinglist, feel free to pm me.
Masafi *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Diedy *********
Thank you so much. Check DM please
Austin ****
1. Unless your backpack is or looks huge and heavy, AirAsia staff is unlikely to ask you to weigh it at boarding.

Technically, your backpack needs to be within the specified dimensions of 56cm x 36cm x 23cm.

**************************************************************************************************


2. If you are asked to weigh your backpack, your waist pouch or small sling pouch is not going to be weighed.

Feel free to put things in your waist pouch or sling pouch to reduce the weight of your backpack.

You can also carry or wear additional clothing to reduce the weight of your backpack. Your pockets are also useful for this purpose.

3. Since you do not have checked-in baggage, you won’t be able to bring any sharp or pointed objects with you (e.g. razor blade, scissors, etc.). If you bring them, they will be confiscated at security checkpoint.

Safe travels.

- - -
Masafi *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Austin ***
thank you so much!
John *******
Most airlines have 7kg carry on luggage and your small personal bag is included in that 7kg limit as carry on I see a few comments about not sure how strict the airport is it's not the airport who set limits its the airlines Chokh di
Jack ****************
7kilo limit is a joke that they enforce arbitrarily. I had a new girl make a stink about my bag being too big and the supervisor solution was they gave me multiple plastic bags- somehow having 5 bags was fine as long as none of 7kilo. A rolling bag with a pair of shoes in it is 7kilo- it's fucking nonsense.
Masafi *****************
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@Jack ***************
thank you so much!
Chris ****
Air Asia in donmuang doesn’t care. Vietjet does. If it’s a little bit more like 8kg they let it slide.
Masafi *****************
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@Chris ***********
great to know that. Thanks
James ***********
I travel with a backpack full of heavy photographic equipment. It’s always way over the carry on weight limits. I’ve taken hundreds of international and domestic flights covering almost every country in Asia and including every flavor of Air Asia, and it’s never been weighed.
Hashinur ********
roundtrip cost bro?
Masafi *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Hashinur *******
24k, Thai AirAsia. Bought No checked in baggage or anything.
Hashinur ********
@Masafi ****************
that was great deal, how can I avail such deal suggest me plz
Masafi *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Hashinur *******
buy tickets yourself from AirAsia website

Check for Lowest ticket prices on certain dates from google flights

Try to buy tickets at least 2 months before the tour. Ticket prices are the lowest if you buy minimum 2 months in advance
Sri **********
Keep some panties to Thailand it's enough😀
Nick ************
Wear as many clothes as possible and put them in carry on bag after check in.
Nick ************
My carry on was 7.5 kg on one occasion and they wanted 1000 baht. Fortunately I could leave some behind in my car. Make sure your power bank is below the allowed capacity or you wont be allowed to take it. They have never weighed or counted the weight of my waist bag which has sometimes been around 1kg. Take clothes etc you can leave behind to give you more carry on capacity. My flights have always been between kop, dmk and Phuket. Have a good trip.
Masafi *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Bennito *********
Charlie *******
My backpack usually weighs about 10kg when i put eveything back into the bag that i had in pockets/extra clothes on etc at checkin.

I have no pity for air asia anyway. They've treated their customers so bad since covid
Nick ************
@Charlie ******
I've never had a problem with Air Asia. They even credited me with more than the cost of a flight they cancelled and there was a later flight the same day which I took. The staff at kop and dmk have always been very helpful.
Charlie *******
Ive never had a problem with them and i always carry more. Just put heavy items like powerbanks etc in your pockets etc and carry on. Then put them in your bag later. Wear extra layers. I also use a bum bag and they dont notice or have a problem (just dont point it out to them!). They dont weigh bags at the gate but even if they did, most airlines here will only check if it looks really big or heavy. I notice most people have more than they should in thailand.
Masafi *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Charlie ******
thank you so much! This was certainly helpful!
Steve *******
If you just wear the backpack they almost never weigh it. They are more concerned with the bag fitting into the overhead compartment, which a regular backpack will do. So don't worry about it.
Masafi *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ******
thank you!
Alain ***************
If they say it’s too heavy, they’ll direct you to check-in. This will be significantly more expensive than booking extra kilos in advance. That’s how low cost airlines make money. They never cared about my shoulder bag which also contains phone, passport and wallet. But my carry-on has medicine in it and i printed a label that says prescription medicine inside.
Masafi *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alain **************
Thanks. Does you carry on usually exceed 7kg?
Masafi *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
thanks a lot! your advice will definitely help!
Alain ***************
@Masafi ****************
my experience is limited to domestic flights in Thailand only. Never traveled international with airasia
Alain ***************
@Masafi ****************
sometimes yes, but i really have quite a few meds inside. Plus clothes. Maybe buy a few packs of the cheapest pain killers lol
Dimitri ********
Check in online and not at the check-in counters in the airport. The chance that they are going to look at your carry on bag is very small when there is a long line for boarding.
Masafi *****************
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@Dimitri *******
thank you!
Liz *******
You are allowed 7kg carry on total which can be made up of a carry on bag or suitcase and hand bag/back pack. You can purchase extra carry on baggage if you need to but purchase before you fly, not at the airport where it costs more. They don’t usually weigh hand luggage unless it looks particularly heavy or large.
Masafi *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Liz ******
thanks!
Martina *********
For some routes, Air Asia will allow you to add extra kg for cabin baggage. If I remember correctly, I believe it’s an extra 7 kg for a fee.

Try their website, type in some routes and go through to the extra add ons— you’ll be able to see there if it’s offered. Also keep in mind that once they sell out of those extra cabin add ons, it won’t be available (limited amount for each flight).
Martyn ***********
Your allowed carry on and an another hand bag...if that's a bag of stuff you buy in the airport they won't check it...so buy a magazine and put in your heavier items.
Masafi *****************
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@Martyn **********
thanks for the advice!
Martyn ***********
@Masafi ****************
I was a regular Ryanair traveller and they was really strict...
Masafi *****************
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@Martyn **********
I understand and thank you so much. Since personal experiences on this issue vary, I wanted to know people's suggestions on it

Thank you for your helpful advice
Richard *********
sledom do they weigh ur carry on and i have flown air asia alot>since they 1st started flying>

if ur worried , wear a jacket and fanny pack and fill ur pockets with heavy items :-)
Sean **********
@Richard ********
i recently saw a post where a guy who had luggage with way too much. He put on all the clothes and gilled the lockets until his checked bagged passed. Crazy but apparently it worked.
Richard *********
I usually fly with a carry on ( 7-8 kilos )

+ a day pack that carries my cameras and batteries and such>

NEVER been charged anything>>>> or even questioned

dont over worry
Masafi *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Richard ********
thank you so much! Was planning to do that if worst comes to worst
Clara **********
In my experience, they'll charge you for overpacking on checked-in luggage. But carry-ons are strict, because of limited space in overhead compartments. Thus, they'll stand and watch as you go through your belongings and throw it in a bin until you reach 7kg's.
Masafi *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Clara *********
thanks a lot!
Sean **********
Don’t know the exact figure, you may be able to search for it on their website. It will be a lot more then if you spend the 400 baht or so up front.

There are two of the lowest price purchase options.

1- get you 7kg carry on + 15 or 20kg checked

2- 7kg backpack + 7kg small luggage carryon. (No checked bag)

This is from memory so please double check the options
Masafi *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sean *********
thank you so much!
Jennifer **********
If the bag looks overweight, they will probably weigh it. I just returned on AirAsia today from KL and no one weighed my bags at either airport (KUL or BKK). I’m not sure how strict Don Mueng is but it’s better to weigh it before you go to be sure. I had a small duffel bag for my clothes and a backpack for my son’s clothes.

If it’s overweight, they will make you check it in and charge you for a checked bag.

They will not weigh your personal item.

Enjoy your trip to Bangkok.
Masafi *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jennifer *********
thank you so much ma'am. Appreciate it
Martin ********
@Kevin *********
will know this from his experiences
Kevin **********
@Martin *******
Yes I can advise here.

Bring only one change of clothes as you can handwash them and hang on your balcony or chair in your hostel.

Always eat at Terminal 21 only the noodles for 30 Baht...very nice flavour or go to the Sikh temple for free daal and rice....most delicious that is!

This will leave you at least 6kg for shopping extravaganzas and yes very welcome sir
Martin ********
@Kevin *********
ha e you got any other tips like how to save money on water, taxi fares etc
Masafi *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Martin *******
thanks! got that part covered. Won't be using taxi or any such transportation. Bangkok canal Khlong Boats, public bus and Chiang Mai songthaews are the cheapest mode of transportation. Besides, less risks of beings scammed by taxis, tuktuks and what not.
Kevin **********
@Masafi ****************
Eat in Pahurat...the Indian mall top floor has some great cheap stalls...and the samosa stand outside is legendary.
Masafi *****************
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@Kevin *********
thank you so much!

I am more into exploring the thai street food, cheap buffets in various areas and the Chinatown, khao san road, floating markets etc. Will try to follow Migrationology's Mark Wien's cheap thai food trails. Being From the Indian subcontinent and traveling India for so many times, currently looking for something new.
Masafi *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kevin *********
thanks! I will be staying at a friend's place so accommodation is covered. I will actually be carrying less clothes and indeed wash them and hang them to dry. I am cutting down my budget on other things to explore the street food scene in Both Bangkok and Chiang Mai so most of my budget will be spent on foods

Thanks for the advice. Appreciate it!
Darren *******
1) check their website

2) no
Mark ********
@Darren ******
Hi Darren. Don't be such an as*hole. You'll find life will then treat you better. You're welcome.
Darren *******
@Mark *******
Hi Mark, thanks for your advice. As the saying goes, if you teach a man how to fish then he can feed his family for life. I'm teaching him how to fish. If you wish to be an as*hole and narrow the OPs education then be my guest.
Masafi *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Darren ******
didn't find any clear information in their website on charges for exceeding the 7 kg allowance. It's not clear whether they would charge me for exceeding the 7kg allowance or whether I have to throw away the extra weight or whether they will force me to buy checked in luggage and send the extra weight to checked in luggage compartment

As I will not have any checked in luggage, My carry on luggage will be all I have. I am not sure whether I would be required to buy checked in luggage for the extra weight and send them to checked in baggage compartment

hence, all the confusion
Mark ********
Have you beaten your family today?
Darren *******
@Mark *******
no but I was able to provide food for them 👍
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