Passenger Baggage Rules 101: Things You Need To Know

Heading to a tourist destination for a quick but well-deserved vacation is doubtless exciting. Whether it's to a local tourist spot or an overseas trip, travel and leisure could be therapeutic even for those who don't consider themselves to be wanderlusts. Travel for relaxation and respite from the grueling office work is something every person needs every once in a while.

If you're planning to head to a tourist destination that requires booking an air flight, whether it's a local or an international itinerary, there are protocols you must know about prior to arriving at the airport and paying for airport fees and everything. This includes the maximum weight allowable for carry-on bags. Need a quick guide and more for your future flight? Lumina Homes will provide you with all the details you need.

Hand-Carry Luggage Weight and Size Allowable

For starters, it is good to note that passenger baggage rules vary per airline, the cabin class you're in, and possibly even the aircraft's size. Below, we listed the allowable size and weight for carry-on baggage from three airlines in the Philippines, alongside passenger safety rules.

Philippine Airlines

For each passenger, one piece of carry-on baggage is permitted with a total dimension of 56cm x 36cm x 23cm, and a maximum weight of 7 kilograms (or 15 lbs).

Aside from the free carry-on baggage, each passenger is also allowed to bring a maximum of two (2) of any of the following items onboard:

• pocket book or purse

• a small handbag

• an overcoat or a blanket

• a small camera

• binoculars

• encased laptops

• a fair amount of reading materials

• duty-free bag

• baby food for infant passengers

• any prosthetic devices that the passenger is dependent on for support

According to Philippine Airlines, several items that are wrapped, strapped, or tied together do not count as one (1) item.

Safety Reminders for Carry-on Baggages in the Overhead Stowage Bins

The maximum amount of weight and size is for the safety of passengers. Oversized and overweight bags can compromise the locking capacity of the overhead stowage bins. This is especially true when there is a sudden aircraft movement or turbulence.

For other safety reminders for your carry-on baggage when inside the cabin, refer to the following guidelines below.

• Don’t put your carry-on luggage on top of each other. Proper stowage will prevent your baggage from slipping out of the overhead compartment.

• Carefully stow your luggage during the flight as well as when taking it out of the stowage bin after your flight. This will prevent injury inflicted on yourself or other passengers.

• Make sure that your carry-on bags are securely zipped up to prevent items stored inside from falling out, especially the relatively heavy objects that can cause an impact.

• Remove carry-on items that might possibly slip out of your cabin baggage while stowing or taking them out from the overhead bin.

Cebu Pacific Airlines

Every passenger is permitted to have one (1) carry-on baggage in the aircraft cabin. The maximum allowable weight for carry-on bags is set at seven (7) kilograms with dimensions of up to 56cm x 36cm x 23cm. This is inclusive of most backpacks and wheeled cabin baggage. The airline emphasizes that the carry-on item should fit in the stowage bin, and that it must be stowed by yourself.

Cabin baggage allowance must be a maximum of two (2) pieces and with a total combined weight of seven (7) kgs or ideally even less.

The following items and/or other personal belongings are considered exceptions and will be allowed entry inside the cabin on top of the one (1) piece of carry-on luggage:

• An extra bag for parents and guardians if they are traveling with child passengers

• Medical-related needs of passengers with disabilities such as, but not necessarily limited to, crutches, a walking stick, prosthetic devices, and a wheelchair

• Carry-on items bought inside the airport. However, proof of purchase must be presented to the boarding agent

• Portable electronic devices, gadgets, or food items that were not accepted for check-in

• A small item or bag that can fit under the seat

Restricted Items

Cebu Pacific Airlines also have set guidelines for dangerous items that are completely prohibited whether it's checked in or not. These are the following.

• Explosives

• Refrigerated gas (such as liquid nitrogen)

• Flammable liquids (such as paints and solvents) and solids (such as matches and lighters)

• Organic peroxides (such as resins)

• Poisons

• Infective substances (such as viruses and bacteria)

• Radioactive material (such as radium)

• Corrosive materials (such as thermometers and acid)

• Magnetic substances and oxidizing materials (such as bleaches)

• Deadly weapons such as firearms and knives (similar items may be allowed at the absolute discretion of the airline for special reasons)

Air Asia Philippines

Passengers are allowed to have two (2) pieces of bags as part of their carry-on baggage allowances with a total combined weight of both items of not more than 7 kilograms (or 15 pounds).

The required dimensions for one (1) carry-on bag must be 56cm x 36cm x 23cm, which is inclusive of the wheels, handles, and side pockets. This luggage must fit in the overhead stowage bin.

According to Air Asia, passengers who will need to travel with more than the required baggage weight limit can pre-book their checked baggage allowance before the flight. The baggage upgrade can be done via Air Asia's website at airasia.com.

On Purchased Items at the Airport

Air Asia also takes emphasis that purchased items at the airport will form part of passengers' carry-on baggage allowance.

Duty-free items packed and sealed in a Security Tamper-Evident Bag (STEB) are exempted from the set cabin baggage allowance, provided that there is proof of purchase. Also, that it should be within the duty-free allowance of your destination country. Regulations on duty-free items may also vary from the airport operator's protocols.

On Smart Luggage Use

Air Asia also has a protocol for smart luggage use in the aircraft cabin. The following guidelines must be met:

• The batteries should not be removable and should not exceed 0.3g for lithium metal and 2.7 Wh (Watt-hour) for lithium ion. 

• If the smart luggage with a lithium battery goes over the limit and its battery is non-removable, then it is not allowed inside the cabin. 

• But if its batteries are removable, they must be removed and carried in the cabin baggage. 

• Any of its WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS must be turned off during the entirety of the flight. 

• A maximum of 2 spare batteries in the cabin baggage is allowed, though some countries may have added restrictions and/or prohibitions on this matter.

If your air travel is to a local destination, Lumina Homes communities are strategically located at and nearby some of the country's best tourist spots. This includes the Mayon Volcano in Lumina Legazpi, Biak na Bato National Park in Lumina San Miguel, and any beach and tourist destinations in the following provinces:

• Luzon: Rizal, Bulacan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Pampanga, Zambales, Pangasinan, La Union, Cavite, Batangas, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Sorsogon, Albay

• Visayas: Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Cebu

• Mindanao: Zamboanga del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Davao del Norte, Bukidnon

Lumina Homes, an affordable house and lot for sale developer of more than 10 years, have built real estate properties from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to cater to the affordable housing needs of every Filipino family wherever they are in the country. Lumina Homes commits to providing only quality yet affordable house and lot for low- to middle-income families. Get your own house and lot in the Philippines this year and become near your favorite tourist destinations!