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Mahan Air Baggage Policy: Carry-On and Checked Luggage Rules

Source-focused editorial review BaggageBase prioritizes official airline, baggage calculator, conditions-of-carriage, and aviation-authority sources. Variable or unclear rules are identified in the guide.

Mahan Air baggage policy operates on a weight concept for both domestic and international flights. Economy Class passengers receive an allowance of 5 kg (domestic) or 7 kg (international) for carry-on luggage and 20 kg to 30 kg for checked bags. Business Class passengers receive 7 kg to 10 kg for carry-on luggage and 30 kg to 40 kg for checked baggage. Maximum carry-on dimensions are 55 × 40 × 23 cm.

At a glance

Baggage Allowance Snapshot

Mahan Air uses a weight concept where your ticket specifies a total kilogram allowance rather than a strict piece count. Any individual checked piece must never exceed 32 kg due to airport safety regulations.

Domestic Carry-On (Economy) 5 kg 1 bag up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm
Domestic Carry-On (Business) 7 kg 1 bag up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm
International Carry-On (Economy) 7 kg 1 bag up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm
International Carry-On (Business) 10 kg 1 bag up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm
Domestic Checked (Economy) 20 kg total Weight concept across all bags
Domestic Checked (Business) 30 kg total Weight concept across all bags
International Checked (Economy) 30 kg total Certain promotional fares allow 25 kg
International Checked (Business) 40 kg total Max 32 kg per individual bag
Infant Allowance 10 kg Plus 1 fully collapsible stroller

What can change: Exact checked limits depend on ticket fare classes, specific international bilateral agreements, and whether your travel connects across different Tehran airports.

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.

Cabin Baggage

Published limit: 55 × 40 × 23 cm (5 kg to 10 kg depending on route/class)

All flights and cabins; personal item permitted separately

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 conditions of carriage and station directives
Policy scope Mahan Air domestic and international scheduled services
Last checked Official verification required
Confidence Medium
Important caveat Ticketed weight allowances govern each sector; excess fees are assessed per kilogram at departure counters.

How BaggageBase Checks This Information

Our airline research team tracks carrier conditions of carriage, regulatory filings with civil aviation authorities, and electronic ticket notices to provide grounded baggage guides.

For Mahan Air (IATA: W5 / ICAO: IRM), we assess ticketing regulations published under the Iranian Civil Aviation Organization (CAO.IRI) guidelines, cross-checking these against airport check-in protocols at Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) and Tehran Mehrabad International Airport (THR).

Because international banking conditions can affect online excess baggage payment systems, we explicitly note where prices fluctuate and require terminal check-in confirmation rather than relying on automated assumptions.

Mahan Air Carry-On Baggage Policy

Mahan Air enforces distinct carry-on allowances depending on your route profile and cabin class. Unlike carriers operating on a pure piece model, the main constraint on Mahan Air cabin bags is weight control, alongside the physical dimensions necessary to safely fit in the overhead lockers.

Cabin baggage dimensions must not exceed 55 × 40 × 23 cm (total linear dimension: 118 cm), inclusive of all wheels, pockets, handles, and accessories. These dimensions align with general international carry-on size standards, ensuring luggage fits into the overhead bins of Mahan Air’s Airbus and regional fleet.

Cabin Baggage Weight Allowances

Travel Scope Cabin Class Max Pieces Maximum Weight Personal Item Permitted?
Domestic (Within Iran) Economy Class 1 Piece 5 kg (11 lbs) Yes (1 small item)
Domestic (Within Iran) Business Class 1 Piece 7 kg (15.4 lbs) Yes (1 small item)
International Economy Class 1 Piece 7 kg (15.4 lbs) Yes (1 small item)
International Business Class 1 Piece 10 kg (22 lbs) Yes (1 small item)

Because gate agents regularly verify carry-on bags on full flights, understanding typical carry-on weight limits helps you avoid unexpected gate-check handling.

Personal Item Guidelines

In addition to your primary piece of hand luggage, Mahan Air permits passengers to carry one compact personal item free of charge. This item must be placed under the seat in front of you during taxi, takeoff, and landing. Acceptable personal items include:

  • A small handbag, purse, or pocketbook.
  • A slim laptop bag or tablet sleeve.
  • An infant food carrier or diaper bag for the flight duration.
  • An overcoat, shawl, wrap, or travel blanket.
  • A walking stick, crutches, or other orthotic braces necessary for mobility.

Personal items should not exceed dimensions that prevent them from resting entirely under the seat, and should not weigh more than 2 to 3 kg.

Mahan Air Checked Baggage Allowance

Mahan Air operates on the Weight Concept for checked luggage across its domestic and international route network. Under this system, you are assigned a total permissible weight in kilograms. This allowance can be spread across one or more suitcases, provided no individual piece breaks airport occupational safety limits.

Checked Allowances by Route & Cabin Class

Route Type Cabin Class Standard Checked Allowance Max Weight Per Individual Piece Linear Dimension Limit
Domestic Iran Economy 20 kg (44 lbs) 32 kg (70.5 lbs) 158 cm (62 in)
Domestic Iran Business 30 kg (66 lbs) 32 kg (70.5 lbs) 158 cm (62 in)
International Economy 30 kg (66 lbs)* 32 kg (70.5 lbs) 158 cm (62 in)
International Business 40 kg (88 lbs) 32 kg (70.5 lbs) 158 cm (62 in)
Infant (All Routes) No Seat 10 kg (22 lbs) 10 kg (22 lbs) 115 cm (45 in)

*Certain promotional booking codes or regional services may adjust Economy to 25 kg. Always check the "Allow" box on your e-ticket receipt to verify your exact fare terms.

The 32 kg Individual Piece Rule

Even if your Business Class ticket grants you a 40 kg checked baggage allowance, no single piece of luggage may weigh more than 32 kg (70.5 lbs).

This is an international ramp safety threshold enforced to protect airport ground handlers from injury. If your packed belongings weigh more than 32 kg, you must distribute the contents across two separate bags.

Bag Pooling Rules

Mahan Air permits baggage pooling for families or travel groups flying on the exact same itinerary and booking reference (PNR). To pool weight:

  1. All passengers sharing the allowance must check in at the airport desk at the same time.
  2. The combined total weight of all bags must not exceed the sum of each traveler's individual quota.
  3. The 32 kg cap per individual bag still applies to every checked piece.

Excess, Overweight, and Oversized Baggage Fees

When your checked belongings exceed the total weight specified on your booking confirmation, an excess baggage fee is applied at the airport.

Fee Calculation Methodology

Mahan Air calculates excess baggage primarily on a per-kilogram basis:

  • Domestic Flights: Excess weight is typically calculated at 1.5% of the highest one-way adult economy class fare for that flight sector per kilogram, assessed in Iranian Rial (IRR).
  • International Flights: Charges vary according to route distance and regional zones. International outstations collect excess fees at counter check-in using local station currencies or standard billing currencies (such as EUR or USD).

Official verification required: Because excess baggage charges fluctuate with base fare pricing and currency exchange adjustments, real-time fixed excess fee tables must be confirmed directly with your ticketing travel agency or at the airport terminal on your day of travel.

Oversized Baggage Limits

Standard checked items should not exceed 158 cm (Length + Width + Height). Bags measuring between 158 cm and 203 cm may be accepted as non-standard luggage, which can incur handling surcharges or require advance station clearance. Items larger than 203 cm must typically be booked through Mahan Air Cargo services.

Special Baggage, Sports Equipment, and Infants

Traveling with Infants and Children

  • Infants (Under 2 years without a seat): Receive a checked baggage allocation of 10 kg, plus one fully collapsible stroller or pram checked free of charge.
  • Children (2 to 11 years with a seat): Receive the standard adult baggage allowance matching their ticketed travel class.

Sports Equipment

Sports equipment such as golf bags, ski gear, diving equipment, and bicycles is normally accepted as part of your free checked weight allocation:

  • Within Allowance: If the equipment's weight combined with your regular luggage is within your ticketed limit (for example, within 30 kg for international economy), no additional fee applies.
  • Exceeding Allowance: Any weight above your free allowance is billed under standard per-kilogram excess baggage rates.
  • Bicycles: Must be packed in a protective cardboard box or hard case. Handlebars must be turned sideways and secured, pedals removed, and tires fully deflated.

Musical Instruments

Small instruments (such as violins or flutes) can be taken as cabin baggage if their size and weight comply with hand luggage rules. Larger instruments (such as cellos) must either travel in an extra booked passenger seat ("Cabin Baggage Seat") or be packed in a rigid flight case and checked into the aircraft hold.

Connecting Flights and Hub Considerations

Connecting between airlines or navigating regional hubs requires careful attention to baggage transfers. If your itinerary involves connections with other regional carriers, review the Turkish Airlines baggage policy to compare how different airlines handle piece concepts versus weight concepts.

Tehran Airport Transfers (THR vs. IKA)

A key factor when flying Mahan Air is Tehran's two distinct airports:

  • Mehrabad International Airport (THR): Handles domestic flights within Iran.
  • Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA): Handles international flights.

If your itinerary connects from an international Mahan Air flight arriving at IKA to a domestic flight departing from THR, your luggage cannot be automatically checked through. You must collect your bags from the carousel at IKA, clear customs, complete the transfer between airports yourself, and re-check your bags at THR.

Before you fly

Mahan Air Departure Checklist

Follow these steps before traveling on Mahan Air to avoid excess charges and airport delays.

  • Review your e-ticket receipt. Look for the baggage box showing "20K", "30K", or "40K" to confirm your exact allowance.
  • Weigh your hand luggage at home. Ensure it does not exceed 5 kg for domestic economy or 7 kg for international economy.
  • Enforce the 32 kg limit per suitcase. Repack into two bags if any single suitcase exceeds 32 kg, regardless of your total class allowance.
  • Keep spare lithium batteries in your carry-on. Power banks and loose lithium batteries are forbidden inside checked luggage.
  • Plan connection time between IKA and THR. Allow at least 4 to 5 hours if your booking requires an overland airport transfer across Tehran.
  • Prepare local currency for excess fees. Have appropriate cash or payment methods ready at check-in if you expect to be over your weight limit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the carry-on baggage allowance on Mahan Air?

Economy Class passengers are permitted 1 carry-on bag weighing up to 5 kg on domestic routes and up to 7 kg on international routes. Business Class passengers are allowed 1 bag up to 7 kg on domestic flights or 10 kg on international flights. Hand luggage dimensions must not exceed 55 × 40 × 23 cm.

How much checked baggage can I bring on a Mahan Air flight?

Mahan Air uses the weight concept. On domestic Iranian routes, Economy allows 20 kg and Business allows 30 kg. On international routes, standard Economy allows 30 kg and Business allows 40 kg. Always verify the exact allowance printed on your electronic ticket receipt.

Can I pool baggage weight with a travel companion?

Yes, Mahan Air check-in agents generally permit weight pooling for passengers traveling together on the same flight and booking reference (PNR). However, all travelers must check in together, and no single suitcase can exceed 32 kg.

What is the maximum allowed weight for a single suitcase?

No single piece of checked luggage may exceed 32 kg (70.5 lbs) on any Mahan Air flight. This ceiling is enforced for airport baggage-handling safety, even if your total ticketed allowance is 40 kg.

What is the baggage allowance for infants?

Infants under 2 years of age traveling without a seat receive 10 kg of checked baggage. Parents may also check one fully collapsible stroller, pram, or infant basket free of charge.

How does Mahan Air charge for excess baggage?

Mahan Air charges for excess baggage on a per-kilogram basis. Domestic rates are calculated as a percentage of the standard one-way adult economy fare, while international flights use zone-based per-kilo tariffs settled at the departure check-in desk.

Are sports items included in the free baggage quota?

Yes, standard sports equipment counts toward your overall free checked weight allowance. As long as your sports gear and suitcases combined stay within your total ticketed weight limit, no extra fee is charged.

Will my baggage transfer automatically between domestic and international flights in Tehran?

No, flights arriving at Tehran Imam Khomeini (IKA) and departing from Tehran Mehrabad (THR) require manual baggage transfer. You must retrieve your bags at the arrival airport and carry them with you during the overland transit.

Baggage rules can vary by route, operating aircraft, fare family, and booking class. Always check the official baggage terms on your electronic ticket receipt, as the operating airline's conditions of carriage govern your flight.

Daisy (Theresa Mitchell)

About the editor

Daisy (Theresa Mitchell)

Editor and Research Writer

Daisy (Theresa Mitchell) is a Wellesley College graduate with degrees in Literature and Communications. At BaggageBase, she applies her research and editorial background to turn complex airline baggage policies into clear, practical guidance for travelers. Her work focuses on source verification, plain-language explanations, and helping readers understand carry-on limits, checked baggage fees, special-item rules, and policy differences before they fly.