Saudi Baggage Allowance: Understanding Baggage Policies for Airlines Flying to and From Saudi Arabia

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Updated April 2024

Navigating the skies to and from Saudi Arabia involves more than simply booking a ticket; it demands a comprehensive grasp of the intricate network of baggage policies established by airlines that operate within the kingdom. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or embarking on your inaugural journey to or from the land of deserts and dreams, understanding the nuances of Saudi baggage allowances is imperative to guarantee a smooth and worry-free travel experience.

In this comprehensive guide, Wego will unravel the baggage regulations, offering you insights into weight limits and fees to help you make the most of your luggage space while journeying to and from Saudi Arabia.

Saudi airport baggage rules

A Saudi Arabian airport has provided guidelines regarding restricted types of luggage that passengers should avoid. Passengers at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport have been advised against carrying specific types of baggage during their travels.

The prohibited luggage items at King Abdulaziz International Airport include:

• bags secured with ropes
• bags wrapped in cloth
• baggage with round or irregular shapes
• luggage surpassing the weight limits specified on the ticket
• cloth-based suitcases
• baggage with lengthy straps

 

Saudi baggage allowance by airlines

Saudia

Saudia is the national carrier of Saudi Arabia, and it offers different baggage allowances for its passengers depending on their travel class, destination, and ticket type. Saudia has recently updated its baggage policy to comply with the new rules and regulations of the kingdom, which ban certain types of luggage that are unsafe or unsuitable for air travel.

 

Checked baggage

Domestic flights

When flying domestically within Saudi Arabia, Saudia permits passengers to check in one piece of luggage weighing up to 23 kg across all travel classes. Infants are allowed to carry 9 kg of baggage, which can be brought onboard. It’s important to note that no medications or liquids are permitted in checked baggage.

International flights

For international flights, Saudia’s baggage allowance permits passengers in economy or guest class to check in two pieces of luggage, each weighing up to 23 kg. In contrast, first or business class travelers are allowed two pieces of luggage, each weighing up to 32 kg.

Pilgrims embarking on journeys to Saudi Arabia for Umrah or Hajj, are granted the same baggage allowance as international flights. However, there are some constraints on the items permissible in their flight baggage. Pilgrims are restricted from carrying more than 30 items in their flight baggage. These prohibited items include food, liquids, perfumes, electronic devices, and sharp objects. Pilgrims are strongly advised to pack their belongings in suitcases or bags that align with the new policy and ensure clear labeling with their names and contact details.

Hand baggage

Saudia allows passengers to carry one hand baggage item weighing up to 12 kg on all flights. Additionally, passengers can bring along a laptop bag or a small handbag as personal items.

Excess baggage

Domestic flights 

Please consult the table below to understand the excess baggage charges that are applicable for domestic flights operated by Saudia:

CONDITION	FEES
Extra baggage with the permitted weight and dimensions for pre-paid purchase	SAR 154
Extra baggage with the permitted weight and dimensions for purchase at the airport	SAR 172.5
Excess baggage weight that exceeds the permissible between (23 – 32) kg	SAR 154
Oversize piece exceeding the allowed dimensions, between (158-205) cm or overweight piece exceeding the allowed weight, between (32-45 ) kg (or both)	SAR 257.5

 

International flights

Saudia’s excess baggage charges for international flights are determined by three factors: the destination, the weight, and the dimensions of the baggage. In general, the standard baggage allowance varies.

If your baggage exceeds the weight limit of 23 kg, an additional fee will be applied based on both the weight of the excess and the destination you’re traveling to. For instance, if your bag weighs between 24 kg and 32 kg, the extra charge will range from USD 110 to USD 200, contingent on the specific destination.

Visit the official Saudia website to know more about the specific excess baggage charges, according to your origin and destination.

Excess baggage for sports equipment

International flights

Flyadeal

Flyadeal is a low-cost airline based in Saudi Arabia that was launched in 2017 as a subsidiary of Saudi Arabian Airlines. The airline’s mission is to offer customers a simple, reliable, and fun way to travel.

Checked baggage

Flydubai’s fly fares do not encompass a complimentary allowance for checked baggage, yet you have the option to acquire this beforehand by utilizing the Manage Booking feature accessible on their official website.

In the event that you have chosen the fly+ fare, you will have the privilege of checking in a single piece of luggage weighing up to 25 kilograms without incurring any extra charge at their designated Bag Drop counter.

Furthermore, if you wish to include more pieces of checked baggage, their Manage Booking facility provides the avenue to make these additions prior to your flight.

Hand baggage

Every passenger is allowed to transport a single small personal bag weighing a maximum of 7kg. The bag’s dimensions should not exceed 55 x 35 x 20 cm.

Any extra bags, which encompass items like ladies’ handbags, laptop cases, and rucksacks, will be considered excess baggage. In such cases, any pieces beyond the one permissible hold baggage will need to be checked in accordingly.

Excess baggage

If you purchase excess baggage before you get to the airport, we will charge as follows:

• 1 piece up to 15 kg – SAR 70
• 1 piece up to 25 kg – SAR 115

If you haven’t prepaid for your bags, we will charge the following prices at the airport:

• 1 piece of up to 15 kg – SAR 180
• 1 piece of up to 25 kg – SAR 240
• any additional weight beyond 15 kg or 25 kg will be charged at SAR 23 per kg

If you attempt to board the aircraft with excess cabin baggage (either too large, too heavy, or too many) our team reserves the right to check your cabin baggage into the hold. Due to the delays this can cause to the departure of our aircraft, you will have to pay the following fee at the boarding gate:

• each bag of up to 25kg – SAR 275

Flynas

Flynas is a Saudi Arabian budget airline. It is headquartered in Riyadh and operates both domestic and international flights. Flynas was established in 2007 and is known for offering affordable air travel options to various destinations.

Checked baggage

For checked baggage or hold baggage, the allowance varies depending on the fare you have purchased, the destination you are traveling to, and the class you are flying in. Here is a summary of the hold baggage allowance for different classes and destinations:

• domestic flights: Light fare has no hold baggage allowance, Value fare has 20 kg, Plus fare has 30 kg, and Premium fare has 2×20 kg.
• international flights – Group 1: Light fare has no hold baggage allowance, Value fare has 20 kg, Plus fare has 30 kg, and Premium fare has 2×20 kg. Group 1 includes Kuwait, Dubai, Amman, Istanbul, Tbilisi, Baku, Tashkent, Doha, Tirana, Salzburg, Vienna, Sarajevo, Prague, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, Batumi, Montenegro, Salalah, Antalya, Bodrum, Trabzon, Marseille, Yerevan, and Male.
• international flights – Group 2: Light fare has 20 kg hold baggage allowance, Value fare has 30 kg, Plus fare has 2×20 kg, and Premium fare has 2×20 kg. Group 2 includes Antakya, Lahore, Islamabad, Khartoum, Hyderabad, New Delhi, Lucknow, Calicut, Cairo, Karachi, Sohag, Mumbai, and Erbil Baghdad.
• international flights – Group 3: Economy class has a 30 kg hold baggage allowance and Premium class has 2×20 kg. Group 3 includes Baghdad and Erbil.

Hand baggage

Every visitor is permitted to bring along one piece of cabin luggage or hand baggage, with the following dimensional limits: a maximum height of 56 cm, a width of 36 cm, and a depth of 23 cm. The weight of this cabin baggage should not exceed 7 kg. However, any additional pieces beyond this will incur a charge.

Should your cabin baggage surpass the specified dimensions or weight, or if we deem it unsafe, it will need to be checked in as hold baggage. If your hold baggage surpasses the allocated baggage allowance, excess baggage fees will be applicable.

Excess baggage

The excess baggage fees for Flynas are charged as follows:

• domestic flights: SAR 150 for 20 kg and SAR 20 per kg over the permitted maximum weight.
• international flights – Group 1: SAR 225 for 20 kg and SAR 40 per kg over the permitted maximum weight.
• international flights – Group 2: SAR 425  for 20 kg and SAR 60 per kg over the permitted maximum weight.
• international flights – Group 3: No excess baggage fees.