Icelandair Baggage Rules, Carry-On Sizes, and Fees

Icelandair Baggage Policy Rules, Carry-On Sizes, and Fees

Icelandair operates a transatlantic network connecting North America and Europe through its hub at Keflavík International Airport (KEF). The airline uses an a la carte baggage model where cabin baggage is permitted across all tickets, but checked baggage rights depend on your chosen fare class.

Icelandair permits one free personal item (up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm / 15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) and one standard carry-on bag (up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm / 21.6 × 15.7 × 7.8 in, max 10 kg / 22 lbs) on all Economy tickets, including Economy Light. Checked bags are excluded on Economy Light fares, while Economy Standard includes one 23 kg (50 lb) bag and Saga Premium includes two 32 kg (70 lb) bags. Pre-purchasing extra bags online saves roughly 20% compared to airport counter fees.

At a glance

Baggage Allowance Snapshot

Carry-on bags are included across all fare types, but checked luggage allowances depend on your ticket class. Economy Light tickets exclude free checked luggage, while Saga Premium allows two heavy checked bags.

Personal item 1 item included Max 40 × 30 × 15 cm (under seat)

Economy carry-on 1 bag up to 10 kg (22 lbs) Max 55 × 40 × 20 cm

Saga Premium carry-on 2 bags up to 10 kg each Plus 1 personal item

Economy Light checked 0 bags included Fee applies to check luggage

Economy Standard checked 1 bag up to 23 kg (50 lbs) Max 158 linear cm (62 in)

Saga Premium checked 2 bags up to 32 kg (70 lbs) each Max 158 linear cm (62 in)

Heavy bag threshold 24 kg to 32 kg (53–70 lbs) Overweight fee on Economy

Cargo-only limit Over 32 kg (70 lbs) or 203 cm Not accepted as checked luggage

What can change: Fare class, regional connections on Dash 8 aircraft, stopover duration in Iceland, and whether bags are purchased online or at the airport.

Measurement guide

Baggage Size Visual

Use the airline's stated order of dimensions. Measurements may include wheels and handles only when the official source says so.

55 cm 40 cm 20 cm

40 cm 30 cm 15 cm

158 cm linear max

Visual guide - not to scale. Use the published numerical limit as the controlling rule.

Source check

Official Source Verification

Baggage rules can vary by fare, cabin, route, operating carrier, traveler status, and purchase channel. BaggageBase separates published rules from practical guidance.

Official source Official verification required

Source type Airline baggage policy and conditions of carriage

Policy scope Icelandair global network (North America, Iceland, Europe, Greenland)

Last checked 2026 - verification required

Confidence High

Important caveat Overhead cabin dimensions feature a strict 20 cm (7.8 in) depth limit, narrower than many domestic US standards.

How BaggageBase Checks This Information

BaggageBase monitors published airline tariffs, conditions of carriage, customer support disclosures, and international ticketing standards. We confirm physical bag dimensions, linear thresholds, and baggage piece counts against official carrier rules. Dynamic extra-bag fees and seasonal routing charges are identified where they fluctuate, allowing travelers to distinguish between fixed physical limits and variable route pricing.

Icelandair Carry-On Size and Weight Rules

Icelandair allows all passengers to bring cabin baggage onboard, regardless of the fare class purchased. This policy applies even to Economy Light tickets. Many major United States airlines restrict basic economy tickets to a personal item only, but Icelandair includes both a primary carry-on bag and a smaller personal item on all international flights.

The standard overhead bag may measure up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.6 × 15.7 × 7.8 inches), including all exterior hardware such as wheels, grab handles, and packed expansion pockets. The maximum weight allowed for this piece is 10 kg (22 lbs).

The depth dimension requires careful attention. Standard luggage in North America often measures 23 cm (9 inches) deep. Icelandair enforces a strict 20 cm (7.8 inches) depth ceiling. If your bag exceeds this depth due to overpacking or expanded zippers, it will not slide into the airport baggage sizers. You can review how this compares to global benchmarks in our guide to international carry-on size standards or see how other transatlantic carriers handle cabin luggage in our airline carry-on size comparison guide.

Flights operated on regional aircraft, such as the De Havilland Dash 8 flying within Iceland or to Greenland, feature smaller overhead bins. On these regional flights, your carry-on may be collected at the aircraft steps and returned to you on the tarmac upon arrival.

Personal Item Dimensions and Under-Seat Guidelines

Every passenger on Icelandair is permitted one small personal item alongside their standard overhead carry-on. The maximum allowable dimensions for this item are 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 inches).

Typical acceptable items include:

• A compact daypack or school backpack
• A laptop briefcase or messenger bag
• A standard handbag or small purse
• A small duty-free purchase bag

This item must fit entirely underneath the seat directly in front of you. It cannot block the aisle or footwell. If you are seated in an exit row or behind a cabin bulkhead, you do not have a seat in front of you. In those seats, your personal item must be placed in the overhead locker during taxi, takeoff, and landing.

Icelandair does not publish an independent weight ceiling for personal items. However, the item must be light enough for you to handle safely without assistance.

Checked Baggage Allowance by Fare Class

Icelandair divides its checked baggage rights by fare family. If you purchase an Economy Light ticket, your allowance is zero. Economy Standard and Economy Flex tickets include one checked bag weighing up to 23 kg (50 lbs). Saga Premium and Saga Premium Flex tickets include two checked bags weighing up to 32 kg (70 lbs) each.

All checked bags must adhere to the standard international linear size limit of 158 linear cm (62 inches). Linear dimensions are calculated by adding the total exterior length, width, and height together (L + W + H = linear total).

If you are planning multi-airline trips through Northern Europe, compare these rules with the Finnair baggage policy to see how other Nordic carriers structure their checked luggage tiers.

Icelandair Baggage Fees and Additional Bag Costs

Passengers traveling on Economy Light fares, or those needing more capacity than their ticket includes, must purchase additional luggage.

Icelandair applies dynamic pricing to baggage fees depending on your route. Flights fall into three broad geographic categories: domestic routes inside Iceland, regional routes between Iceland and Europe, and transatlantic routes between North America and Europe via Iceland.

You can save roughly 20% by purchasing your checked luggage online via the Icelandair website or mobile app before arriving at the airport. At the check-in desk, bag additions are processed at full counter rates. Icelandair ticket counters operate cash-free; only credit cards, debit cards, and approved mobile contactless payments are accepted.

The fees shown apply only to the scope listed in the table. Check the airline's official baggage calculator or your specific reservation before departing.

Overweight and Oversized Baggage Fees

Checked baggage that exceeds the standard weight or size allowances incurs excess charges. These fees are assessed at the airport check-in desk during bag drop.

On Economy tickets, bags that weigh between 24 kg and 32 kg (53 to 70 lbs) are classified as overweight (heavy bags). Bags measuring between 159 cm and 203 cm (63 to 80 linear inches) are classified as oversized. Saga Premium tickets already permit bags up to 32 kg, so Saga travelers only pay excess fees if a bag exceeds the 158 linear cm threshold.

Icelandair strictly enforces a health and safety maximum of 32 kg (70 lbs) per single piece. Any bag exceeding 32 kg will not be accepted at the passenger check-in counter and must be sent through commercial air cargo services.

Baggage Handling on Transfers and the Icelandair Stopover

A unique aspect of Icelandair is its stopover program, which allows passengers flying between North America and Europe to stay in Iceland for up to seven days without paying extra airfare. How your baggage is handled depends directly on the length of your stay in Iceland.

Standard Connections (Under 24 Hours)

If you have a routine layover at Keflavík Airport that lasts under 24 hours, your checked bags are tagged through to your final destination in Europe or North America. You do not collect your bags in Iceland. You proceed through transit security and passport control directly to your departure gate.

Icelandair Stopover (Over 24 Hours)

If your itinerary includes an intentional multi-day stopover in Iceland, your bags are not checked through to your onward destination.

• You must collect your checked bags from the baggage claim carousel at Keflavík Airport.
• You must clear Icelandic border customs with all personal belongings.
• When your stopover ends, you must bring your luggage back to the departure desks at Keflavík, print fresh baggage tags at the check-in kiosks, and drop your bags on the departure belt.

If you book a codeshare itinerary where the first flight is operated by an interline partner (such as JetBlue or Alaska Airlines), the baggage allowances and ancillary fees of that operating carrier may apply under IATA Resolution 302 rules. Check your original ticket confirmation to see which carrier controls the baggage terms for the first segment.

Traveling with Children, Mobility Gear, and Special Items

Icelandair maintains dedicated baggage rules for families, passengers requiring medical mobility assistance, and travelers carrying sporting equipment.

Infants and Children

• Infants without a seat (Under 2 years): You may bring one collapsible stroller or pushchair and one infant car seat free of charge. If traveling on Economy Standard, Economy Flex, or Saga Premium tickets, an infant is also allocated one checked bag up to 23 kg (50 lbs). On Economy Light tickets, the official source does not clearly state whether an infant receives a free checked piece; confirm this detail inside your booking management portal.
• Children with a paid seat (Ages 2 to 11): Children receive the full baggage allowance corresponding to their purchased fare class. In addition, one stroller and one car seat are transported free of charge.

Mobility and Assistive Devices

Wheelchairs, walking frames, crutches, and required assistive mobility equipment are checked free of charge. They do not count toward your ticketed baggage allowance. If traveling with an electric wheelchair, notify Icelandair at least 48 hours prior to departure to verify battery compliance and aircraft cargo compartment dimensions.

Sports Equipment and Musical Instruments

• Skis, Snowboards, and Golf Bags: Can be counted as your standard checked bag if they fall within your ticketed weight limit (23 kg on Economy) and do not exceed standard dimensions. If an item exceeds the limits, special sporting equipment fees apply.
• Musical Instruments: Small instruments (such as violins or flutes) may be carried into the cabin in place of your primary carry-on bag, provided the case fits within 55 × 40 × 20 cm. Larger instruments requiring an empty adjacent seat must be booked and paid for in advance through customer service.

What Happens If Your Bag Exceeds Icelandair Limits

Icelandair monitors baggage allowances at check-in desks, automated bag drop belts, and boarding gates.

Keflavík Airport features automated self-service bag drop stations. When you scan your boarding pass and place your bag on the belt, the machine weighs and measures the parcel automatically. If a bag exceeds 23 kg on an Economy ticket, the system will pause the transaction and instruct you to pay the heavy bag fee at a payment terminal before releasing the bag.

At the boarding gate, ground staff verify that carry-on luggage complies with the 55 × 40 × 20 cm allowance. Gate sizers are matched exactly to these dimensions. Because Icelandair's 20 cm (7.8 in) depth limit is narrower than standard carry-on bags in the US domestic market, overpacked bags frequently catch on the metal frame.

If your carry-on bag cannot fit completely into the gate sizer, staff will check the bag into the aircraft cargo hold. When a bag is checked at the gate, standard airport baggage charges apply, and you forfeit any online booking discounts. All airport gates and service counters operate on a cashless basis.

Before you fly

Icelandair Baggage Checklist

Run through these steps before heading to the airport to avoid baggage delays and gate-check fees.

• Measure bag depth before packing. Icelandair strictly enforces a 20 cm (7.8 inch) depth limit on carry-on bags, which is narrower than many US rollaboards.
• Pre-purchase extra bags online. Adding checked baggage through Manage Booking at least 24 hours before your flight saves roughly 20% compared to airport desk rates.
• Pack warm essentials in your carry-on for stopovers. If staying in Iceland for more than 24 hours, you must pick up your checked bags, but having immediate layers in your cabin bag simplifies airport arrival.
• Weigh checked bags on a home luggage scale. Economy bags must stay at or below 23 kg (50 lbs) to avoid flat-rate heavy bag surcharges.
• Keep electronic valuables in your personal item. If your main carry-on is gate-checked on a full flight, all lithium batteries, passports, and prescription medications must remain with you in the cabin.
• Prepare a credit or debit card for the airport. Icelandair stations and gates do not accept cash payments for overweight, oversized, or gate-checked baggage fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Icelandair Economy Light include a carry-on bag?

Yes. Icelandair Economy Light tickets include one standard overhead carry-on bag (up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm, max 10 kg / 22 lbs) and one small personal item. It does not include a free checked bag.

What are the maximum carry-on dimensions for Icelandair?

The maximum carry-on dimensions are 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.6 × 15.7 × 7.8 inches), including handles, pockets, and wheels. The total weight of the carry-on bag must not exceed 10 kg (22 lbs).

Do wheels and handles count toward Icelandair carry-on measurements?

Yes. The 55 × 40 × 20 cm measurement applies to the total exterior envelope of the bag. Wheels, top and side handles, and packed exterior pockets must fit within the airport luggage sizer.

How much does Icelandair charge for an overweight bag?

Overweight bags weighing between 24 kg and 32 kg (53–70 lbs) incur a heavy bag fee generally ranging from $50 to $80 (€45 to €75) per flight sector. Bags over 32 kg are not accepted at passenger check-in desks.

What happens to my checked bags during an Icelandair Stopover?

If your stopover in Iceland lasts longer than 24 hours, your bags do not transfer automatically. You must claim your luggage at Keflavík Airport and re-check it when you depart Iceland for your onward flight.

Can I bring both a backpack and a rolling carry-on on Icelandair?

Yes. You can bring a rolling carry-on for the overhead locker (within 55 × 40 × 20 cm and 10 kg) and a compact backpack as your personal item, provided the backpack measures within 40 × 30 × 15 cm and fits under the seat.

Is it cheaper to add a checked bag online with Icelandair?

Yes. Purchasing your checked luggage online through the Icelandair website or mobile app before departure saves approximately 20% compared to paying full price at the airport counter.

Final Summary and Practical Advice

Icelandair provides a customer-friendly cabin baggage allowance by including both an overhead bag and an under-seat personal item on every fare tier, including basic Economy Light tickets. However, the airline's 20 cm (7.8 inch) carry-on depth requirement is rigid. Travelers carrying standard rollaboard luggage designed for domestic US carriers must take care not to overfill outer compartments.

If you are flying on an Economy Light ticket and need to transport checked luggage, log into your reservation to buy baggage before arriving at the terminal. Pre-booking online secures a discount of roughly 20% over counter rates. For travelers taking advantage of the multi-day Icelandair Stopover, plan your packing around the requirement to collect and re-check all luggage at Keflavík Airport.

Airline baggage rules and fees can change by route, fare, cabin, operating carrier, traveler status, purchase channel, and departure date. Check the airline's official baggage policy or calculator before booking, paying, or traveling. BaggageBase reviews information for 2026 where possible, but the airline's published terms remain the final authority.