Icelandair Baggage Allowance: Cabin and Checked Luggage Guide
Estimated reading time: 11 mins
I’ll be honest. The first time I flew Icelandair, I assumed my Economy Light ticket included a checked bag. It didn’t. I found out at the counter at Keflavík, standing there like a lemon while the agent politely pointed at the fee screen. Not my finest moment.
That’s exactly what this guide is here to prevent. Icelandair’s fare structure has a few layers, and each tier comes with different baggage rules. Get the wrong fare and you could be paying for bags you thought were free. Here’s everything you need to know about what you can bring, what it costs, and how to keep your baggage bill as low as possible.
Icelandair Baggage Allowance: Quick Facts at a Glance
✅ Personal item (all fares): 40 x 30 x 15 cm, must fit under the seat
✅ Carry-on bag (all fares): 55 x 40 x 20 cm, max 10 kg on international flights
✅ Economy Light: no checked bag included, cabin bag and personal item only
✅ Economy Standard and Economy Flex: 1 checked bag up to 23 kg included
✅ Saga Premium and Saga Premium Flex: 2 checked bags up to 32 kg each
✅ Saga Premium Flex passengers also get two carry-on bags
✅ Prepaying extra bags online saves you 20% vs airport prices
✅ Overweight bags (24-32 kg) can only be paid for at the airport
✅ Bags over 32 kg are refused completely, no exceptions
✅ Max checked bag size: 158 cm total linear dimensions
✅ Sports equipment accepted but must be booked ahead of time
✅ Biggest mistake: booking Economy Light and assuming a checked bag is included
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: If you know you’ll need a checked bag, compare Economy Light plus a purchased bag against Economy Standard. Standard often works out cheaper, and you get the bag included from the start.
Baggage Allowance Quick Q&As
What’s included with my Icelandair ticket? Every fare includes a carry-on bag (55 x 40 x 20 cm, 10 kg) and a personal item (40 x 30 x 15 cm). Checked bags are included from Economy Standard upwards.
How much does extra baggage cost on Icelandair? At the airport, an extra checked bag costs roughly $59/£47/€55 (Iceland-Europe) up to $95/£75/€85 (transatlantic). Prepay online for a 20% discount.
What size cabin bag can I take on Icelandair? Maximum 55 x 40 x 20 cm including handles and wheels, with a 10 kg weight limit on international flights and 6 kg on domestic or Greenland routes.
Does Economy Light include a carry-on bag? Yes, you still get a carry-on and a personal item. But no checked baggage is included at all.
Can I prepay for checked baggage online? Yes, through Manage Booking or during the booking itself. You’ll save around 20% versus paying at the airport.
What happens if my bag is overweight at check-in? Between 24-32 kg, you’ll pay a surcharge at the airport (roughly $50-$80/£40-£65/€45-€70 depending on route). Over 32 kg won’t be accepted.
Does Icelandair charge for ski and sports equipment? Sports equipment needs to be booked and paid for in advance. Fees vary by equipment type and route, with the same 20% online discount.
👉 Good to know: Icelandair fees vary by route segment. Flying transatlantic via Keflavík with a stopover? Extra bags are charged per leg, not per journey.
What's Actually Included in the Icelandair Baggage Allowance
Every Icelandair passenger, regardless of fare, gets a carry-on bag and a personal item in the cabin. That’s the baseline. The differences kick in with checked luggage, and that’s where your fare type really matters.
Economy Light gives you nothing in the hold. Zero checked bags. Economy Standard and Economy Flex both include one checked bag at 23 kg. Saga Premium and Saga Premium Flex get two checked bags at up to 32 kg each. The jump from Light to Standard is usually a small fare increase but you get a 23 kg bag thrown in. I’ve done the maths on a few bookings now, and Standard almost always works out cheaper than buying Light and adding a bag separately.
Your allowance is per person, per direction. So if you’re flying return, each leg counts separately.
💡 Fact: Icelandair serves over 40 destinations across Europe and North America from Keflavík. Their stopover programme lets you break up a transatlantic trip with a few days in Iceland at no extra airfare.
✈️ Official Icelandair Cabin Bag Sizes and faqs
🗺️ Airplane Guide: How to Make Economy Feel Like First Class When Flying
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Cabin Bag Rules: Sizes, Weights, and What Counts as a Personal Item
Let’s get into the numbers. Your carry-on can be a maximum of 55 x 40 x 20 cm and must weigh no more than 10 kg on international flights. Domestic Iceland or Greenland? That drops to 6 kg, which is pretty tight.
Your personal item goes under the seat. Think laptop bag, handbag, small backpack. Maximum 40 x 30 x 15 cm, no stated weight limit.
A detail that catches people out: Icelandair checks cabin bag dimensions fairly often, especially at Keflavík. I’ve seen the bag sizers at the gate being actively used. If your carry-on doesn’t fit, it gets checked to the hold, and if you’ve used your checked bag allowance, that could mean extra fees.
Saga Premium Flex passengers get two carry-on bags plus a personal item, giving up to 20 kg of cabin luggage total.
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Get a cabin bag with hard measurements on the tag. Saves you guessing, and if you’re ever questioned at the gate you can point to the specs without drama.
🗺️ Flying with Finnair?: Finnair Baggage Allowance: The Ultimate Guide to Avoiding Checked Bag Fees
Checked Luggage by Fare Type: Economy Light vs Standard vs Flex vs Saga
This is the comparison that really matters.
|
Fare Type |
Personal Item |
Carry-On |
Checked Bags |
Max Weight Per Bag |
Best For |
|
Economy Light |
✅ 1 |
✅ 1 (10 kg) |
❌ None |
N/A |
Short trips, cabin bag only |
|
Economy Standard |
✅ 1 |
✅ 1 (10 kg) |
✅ 1 bag |
23 kg |
Most travellers |
|
Economy Flex |
✅ 1 |
✅ 1 (10 kg) |
✅ 1 bag |
23 kg |
Flexible bookings |
|
Saga Premium |
✅ 1 |
✅ 1 (10 kg) |
✅ 2 bags |
32 kg each |
Business travellers |
|
Saga Premium Flex |
✅ 1 |
✅ 2 (10 kg each) |
✅ 2 bags |
32 kg each |
Maximum flexibility |
If you’re flying to Greenland, checked bag weight drops to 20 kg for economy fares. Children aged 2-11 get the same allowance as adults on the same fare type.
Economy Light fares can only be combined with other Economy Light fares for return trips. You can’t mix Light outbound with Standard on the way back.
👉 Good to know: The Flex fares give more flexibility on changes and cancellations, but from a pure baggage standpoint, Standard and Flex are identical for economy passengers.
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How Much Extra Baggage Costs (and How to Pay Less)
Icelandair charges different rates by route, and fees are per flight segment rather than per journey. Important if you’re doing a stopover.
|
Route |
Extra Bag (Airport) |
Extra Bag (Prepaid) |
Overweight (24-32 kg) |
|
Iceland ↔ Europe |
~$59 / £47 / €55 |
~$47 / £38 / €44 |
~$50 / £40 / €45 |
|
Iceland ↔ North America |
~$69 / £55 / €60 |
~$55 / £44 / €48 |
~$58 / £47 / €52 |
|
Europe ↔ N. America (via Iceland) |
~$95 / £75 / €85 |
~$76 / £60 / €68 |
~$80 / £65 / €70 |
Prices/Figures correct as of 2026. Fees vary by route and currency, so double-check in Manage Booking.
You can prepay up to three extra bags online. Any beyond that are charged at full airport rate. Maximum 10 bags total. One catch: overweight bags (24-32 kg) cannot be prepaid online. And anything over 32 kg? Icelandair won’t take it. Full stop.
✋🏼 Must-do: Weigh your bags at home. A cheap luggage scale costs a few quid and could save you £40-£65 in overweight fees at the counter.
🚕 Just incase you want some Airport Transfer: Welcome Pickups
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Overweight and Oversize Bags: Where the Fees Get Steep
The 32 kg hard limit is the big one. Icelandair won’t accept any bag above 32 kg, regardless of how much you’re willing to pay. I’ve seen people at check-in desperately redistributing clothes into carrier bags. Don’t be that person.
For bags between 24-32 kg, the overweight surcharge applies on top of any extra bag fees. On a Europe-North America route, that could mean $175/£140/€155 for a single overweight extra bag at the airport. More than some people paid for their actual flight.
Oversized bags (exceeding 158 cm total) are classified as “odd-sized.” Icelandair doesn’t publicly list those fees, so contact them directly.
💡 Fact: The 158 cm limit adds length + width + height, including handles and wheels. A standard large suitcase (75 x 50 x 30 cm = 155 cm) just about fits, but measure yours first.
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Sports Equipment, Musical Instruments, and Odd-Shaped Luggage
Heading to Iceland with ski gear, a surfboard, or golf clubs? Icelandair caters for it, but you need to book in advance. Most sports equipment counts as an extra bag with the same pricing and 20% online discount.
Bikes need a proper bike box, bag, or thick clear plastic wrapping. Max weight 25 kg. Small instruments in a hard shell case can go in the cabin if they fit carry-on dimensions. Larger instruments may need their own seat. Hunting gear is the one exception and can only be paid for at the airport.
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: If you’re bringing ski gear, book it in Manage Booking as early as possible. Don’t leave it to the airport.
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Flying with Kids: Infant and Child Baggage on Icelandair
Children aged 2-11 with their own seat get exactly the same allowance as an adult on the same fare. Economy Standard for the family? Each child gets a carry-on, personal item, and one 23 kg checked bag.
Infants under 2 on a parent’s lap are more limited. No carry-on allowance of their own, but you can check one bag for an infant (except Economy Light). Strollers, car seats, and carrying baskets all travel free.
The Iceland Stopover and Your Bags
One of Icelandair’s best features. On any transatlantic flight, you can add a stopover in Iceland for up to seven days at no extra airfare. But here’s the practical bit: your bags are tagged to Keflavík, not your final destination. You collect your luggage on arrival and recheck when you continue.
Don’t fancy hauling a big suitcase around Reykjavík for three days? Luggage storage is available at the airport.
Cost consideration: extra and heavy bags are charged per flight segment on stopover routes. That $95 transatlantic fee becomes two separate charges. One into Iceland, one out.
✋🏼 Must-do: Pack a smaller day bag inside your main suitcase. Store the big bag at the airport and explore Iceland without dragging 23 kg around the Golden Circle.
🗺️ We Have Baggage info on all major airlines: Tinker’s Transport Hub
Common Mistakes That Cost You at the Gate
- Booking Economy Light expecting a checked bag. Light is cabin luggage only. Need checked bags? Go Standard.
- Forgetting overweight bags can’t be prepaid. Extra bags yes, overweight surcharges no.
- Not weighing your bag before leaving home. Five-minute job, saves up to £65.
- Assuming stopover bags fly through. They don’t. Collect and recheck at Keflavík.
- Trying to check a bag over 32 kg. Won’t be accepted. Redistribute or leave it behind.
- Waiting until the airport to buy extra bags. 20% more than the online price.
An eSIM is worth sorting before you fly too. Having data the second you land at Keflavík makes everything easier, from finding luggage storage to pulling up your booking.
💡 Fact: Icelandair allows up to 10 checked bags per passenger. But if you’re genuinely checking 10, I have questions.
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What to Do if Your Bag is Lost or Delayed
If your bag doesn’t show up, head straight to Icelandair’s baggage service desk before you leave the airport. File a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) and keep copies of everything.
This is exactly when travel insurance earns its keep. A decent policy covers emergency clothing if your bag is delayed, and full replacement if it’s lost for good. If your flight was also delayed or cancelled, you might be entitled to flight compensation under EU261 regulations too.
|
Step |
Why It Matters |
What To Do |
|
File a PIR at the airport |
Creates your official claim |
Visit baggage service before leaving |
|
Keep all receipts |
Needed for expense claims |
Buy only what you genuinely need |
|
Contact your insurer |
Covers delays, damage, or loss |
File online within 24 hours |
|
Track your bag |
Icelandair provides updates |
Use your PIR reference number |
|
Check flight compensation |
Delays may qualify under EU261 |
Submit within 3 years for EU routes |
Night-Before Packing Checklist for Icelandair Flights
Save-and-screenshot this one. Run through it the evening before you fly and you’ll dodge 90% of the hassle people run into.
- Check your fare type. Log into Manage Booking and confirm what’s included. Don’t guess.
- Weigh your bags. Checked under 23 kg (or 32 kg for Saga)? Cabin under 10 kg? Good.
- Measure your cabin bag. 55 x 40 x 20 cm including wheels and handles. If it’s borderline, downsize.
- Screenshot your booking confirmation. Having it on your phone saves time if there’s a query at check-in.
- Prepay any extra bags. Do it tonight, not tomorrow at the airport. That 20% saving is free money.
- Pack valuables in your carry-on. Laptop, medication, travel documents, anything you can’t afford to lose.
- Grab your eSIM. Sort data before you fly so you’re connected the second you land.
FAQs
Can I bring a carry-on bag on Icelandair Economy Light?
Yes. Economy Light includes a carry-on bag (55 x 40 x 20 cm, max 10 kg) and a personal item (40 x 30 x 15 cm). The restriction is on checked bags only. Purchase any checked luggage separately through Manage Booking or at the airport.
How strict is Icelandair with cabin bag size?
Reasonably strict, especially at Keflavík. They have bag sizers at gates and staff do use them. If your bag doesn’t fit, it’ll be checked to the hold, which could mean extra charges. Stick to the dimensions and you’ll be fine.
Is it cheaper to prepay for baggage or add it at the airport?
Prepaying online is always cheaper. Icelandair offers a 20% discount for bags purchased through Manage Booking. You can prepay up to three extra bags at the discounted rate. For most routes, that’s a saving of £10-£15 per bag.
What happens if my checked bag is over the weight limit?
Between 24-32 kg, you’ll pay a surcharge at the airport (can’t be prepaid). Fees range from around $50-$80 / £40-£65 / €45-€70 depending on route. Over 32 kg and Icelandair won’t accept it. You’ll need to redistribute weight before they’ll check it.
Does Icelandair allow a free stopover in Iceland, and what happens to my bags?
Yes. On transatlantic flights, you can add a stopover for up to seven days at no additional airfare. Your checked bags are tagged to Keflavík, so you collect them on arrival and recheck when you continue. Luggage storage is available at the airport. Extra bag fees are charged per flight segment on stopover routes, not per journey.
Time to Fly
And that’s the full picture. The Icelandair baggage allowance isn’t complicated once you know which fare you’re on, but the Economy Light trap catches more people than it should. Check your fare type, prepay your bags online, weigh everything before you leave the house, and know the 32 kg hard limit. Do those four things and you’ll have zero surprises at the airport.
Flying Icelandair soon? Got a question I haven’t covered, or a baggage horror story worth sharing? Drop a comment below. And if you’re planning more trips, have a browse around TheTravelTinker.com for more guides just like this one.👇💬
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Nick Harvey
Hi, I am Nick! Thank you for reading! The Travel Tinker is a resource designed to help you navigate the beauty of travel! Tinkering your plans as you browse!
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