TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Airline passenger baggage weight limits are becoming increasingly stringent, especially for international airlines. These restrictions are not merely administrative policies. Behind the seemingly simple kilogram figure lies complex technical logic and flight operations.
As reported by The Independent on January 15, 2026, the total weight of an aircraft at takeoff, including passengers, fuel, food, crew, and baggage, must be within very strict safety limits to maintain flight stability and safety. Every kilogram represents an additional weight that affects takeoff distance, fuel consumption, and load distribution on the aircraft's wings and tail.
Cabin Baggage
Carry-on luggage or cabin baggage weight rules also differ between cabin baggage and checked baggage. Cabin baggage is prioritized to fit in the overhead compartment without interfering with emergency evacuations or passenger movement in the aisles, while checked baggage is weighed more strictly because it is stored in the cargo hold, which must balance the aircraft as a whole.
Indonesian airlines are also updating their checked baggage rules to follow this trend. Lion Air Group, effective July 7, 2025, has set a free checked baggage allowance of 10 kilograms for all routes, up from the previous 15 kg or 20 kg, depending on the route.
Other airlines have a different approach. AirAsia's official regulations stipulate a maximum of 7 kg for two pieces of cabin baggage, which must fit in the overhead or underseat compartments, with specified dimensions and weights to avoid compromising cabin space.
Meanwhile, regulatory data from various sources shows that Garuda Indonesia still provides a larger checked baggage allowance on domestic flights. For economy class, the checked baggage allowance is 20 kg. This baggage weight regulation also reflects the differences between full-service and low-cost carriers in their service strategies.
Baggage restrictions are not simply a unilateral airline policy to cut down on amenities. They are the result of safety calculations, operational efficiency, and the realities of the modern aviation industry. Controlled aircraft weight ensures safer takeoffs, more efficient fuel consumption, and on-time flight schedules.
HESTI DWI ARINI
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