Cabin Luggage Rules in Sri Lanka: What Size Fits Airline Regulations?
Most of the time, people pay attention to the bag sizes only after reaching the departure gates. At this point, there’s not much you can do. Knowing the restrictions beforehand will save you money, trouble, and a public disassembly of your bags at the check-in counter.
This is what you should be aware of before you travel abroad with cabin luggage in Sri Lanka.
What Counts as Cabin Luggage?
Hand luggage refers to the suitcase you bring along with you on the plane. This suitcase can be placed in the overhead storage or under the seat in front of you. Hand luggage stays with you for the entire journey and eliminates any chance of delay or loss due to being misplaced.
Airlines flying out of Bandaranaike International Airport permit each passenger in the economy section to carry one hand luggage item.
The Size Rules You Need to Know
The constraints on airline size can vary depending on the airline. The details mentioned below are the most common requirements for the usual flights undertaken by Sri Lankans.
SriLankan Airlines
SriLankan Airlines permits carrying one piece of hand luggage on flights in economy class with a maximum weight of 7 kg. The sum of the three dimensions (length, width, and height) cannot exceed 115 cm. It should be remembered that your luggage will be weighed when it is fully loaded; hence, a seemingly small and empty case may not pass the test once filled with items. In business class, two hand luggage items are allowed.
FitsAir
FitsAir has a much tougher limitation on the size of the cabin luggage. Your cabin luggage should not exceed 56 × 45 × 25 cm and 7 kg of its total weight. In the case of FitsAir, 7 kg of luggage weight includes your hand luggage and all other additional things you can store in the overhead storage compartment along with your hand luggage.
Rule of Thumb
If your luggage is not bigger than 56 × 36 × 23 cm and does not exceed 7 kg, your luggage will be okay for most airlines taking off from Colombo. It is a good compromise that works equally well for both regional and full-service carriers. Remember to contact your particular airline before travelling to find out what their requirements are, as different routes and fares may have different limits.
What Happens If Your Cabin Luggage Is Too Big?
If your luggage goes beyond the maximum size or weight limits, then you will be asked to check it in right at the gate entrance. As a rule, there is an additional payment associated with such an action. On budget airlines, it usually amounts to more money compared to the pre-purchase price for checking in luggage.
To avoid paying extra at the gate, weigh your luggage at home and make sure it does not exceed the indicated limits, even if you consider the bulge and wheel height.
Choosing a Cabin Bag That Fits the Rules
Your perfect cabin bag will satisfy all of the needs of air travel while ensuring there’s sufficient capacity to accommodate all your essentials. Check out these cabin bags that may suit your needs.
This is the smallest cabin bag available. It perfectly fits within the 56 × 36 × 23 cm specification and complies with the weight limit requirement of both SriLankan Airlines and FitsAir of 7 kilograms. This polypropylene hard shell is durable, scratch-resistant and light, and features an international standard TSA-combination lock as well as 360-degree wheels. Colours include black, beige, rose gold, light grey, maroon and green.
If there is ever a need for extra capacity in situations like going on vacation or even a companion bag along with the rest of your luggage, then this choice will fit the bill. The reason being this gives you extra capacity without altering the size of the bag. However, just remember that some airlines place a weight restriction of only 7 kg in economy class.
The Goby London fabric cabin bag is a great choice if you would like to opt for a slimmer and more agile design. Its soft shell design will be easier to stow away when space is limited, while its fabric outer layer will allow you to pack this case even when at full capacity. It weighs no more than 10 kg and rolls well on spinner wheels.
Pack Smart and Travel Light with Bag Plus
The right cabin bag meets airline requirements and still gives you enough room to pack what you need. At Bag Plus, the cabin range comes in a variety of sizes, materials, and colours, so you can find something that works for your trip without compromising on quality or style.
All cabin bags in the range are built from lightweight, scratch-resistant materials and come with TSA-approved combination locks and 360-degree spinner wheels. Whether you prefer the rigidity of a hard shell or the flexibility of a soft shell build, both options are available across the Goby London and Polypropylene ranges at Bag Plus.
Once you know the rules, picking the right bag is the easy part. Browse the full cabin luggage collection at Bag Plus, with island-wide delivery available across Sri Lanka. Planning a longer trip? The complete luggage range has you covered, from weekend carry-ons to large checked bags, all in one place.