RusLine baggage allowances depend on your ticketed fare category and the small cargo capacity of its Bombardier CRJ-100/200 regional fleet. Basic Light or Promo tickets include one cabin bag (up to 5 kg or 10 kg depending on seasonal tariff) plus Russian-mandated personal items, but no free checked luggage. Standard and Flex fares include one checked suitcase up to 20 kg (maximum 203 cm total dimensions). Due to tiny CRJ cabin lockers, standard rollaboards are often ramp-checked at the aircraft stairs.
Baggage Allowance Snapshot
RusLine pairs standard Russian federal cabin minimums with strict single-piece hold allowances. Because the airline flies small regional jets, rolling hand luggage is frequently surrendered at the plane steps for hold loading.
What can change: Fare brand, seasonal route promos, departure airport check-in desks, and Bombardier CRJ cargo compartment payload weight limits.
Baggage Size Visual
RusLine applies standard Russian carrier measurement gauges at regional gates. Bags must slip into calibrator frames easily without forcing.
Cabin Carry-On
Published limit: 55 × 40 × 20 cm, up to 5 kg or 10 kg
Standard maximum dimensions across main fare families
Personal Item
Published limit: Fits under the forward seat (approx. 3–5 kg)
Free under Russian Federal Aviation Rules (FAP-82)
Visual guide - not to scale. Checked baggage uses a total linear sum limit of 203 cm (length + width + height) rather than a rigid fixed-box shape.
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.
RusLine Cabin Baggage Allowance & Personal Items
RusLine (JSC Aviakompaniya RusLine / АО АК «РусЛайн», IATA: 7R) connects regional hubs across Russia. Because it operates under the Russian Ministry of Transport regulatory framework, basic passenger rights regarding hand luggage are set by federal rules.
Hand Luggage Weight & Dimension Limits
RusLine sets cabin baggage allowances according to your purchased fare tier:
- Special / Promo / Light Tiers: Typically include one piece of carry-on baggage weighing up to 5 kg (or 10 kg depending on specific seasonal rules).
- Classic & Flex Tiers: Include one piece of cabin baggage weighing up to 10 kg.
Standard published exterior dimensions for cabin luggage are 55 × 40 × 20 cm. On select promotional hand-luggage-only tiers, airport check-in staff may test your piece in a 40 × 30 × 20 cm calibrator box. If your bag does not fit into the airport calibrator freely, you will be required to register the item as hold luggage and pay gate-check fees.
| Fare Family | Cabin Allowance | Max Weight | Max Sizer Size | Included Checked Hold Bag? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light / Promo | 1 piece | 5 kg (or 10 kg)* | 40 × 30 × 20 cm or 55 × 40 × 20 cm | No (Paid add-on) |
| Classic / Standard | 1 piece | 10 kg | 55 × 40 × 20 cm | Yes (1 piece up to 20 kg) |
| Optimum / Flex | 1 piece | 10 kg | 55 × 40 × 20 cm | Yes (1 piece up to 20 kg) |
*Official verification required: rusline.aero tariffs periodically adjust hand luggage limits on base promo fares.
Mandatory Personal Items Under Russian Aviation Law (FAP-82)
Under Russian Federal Aviation Rules (FAP No. 82), airlines cannot weigh or charge for certain personal accessories. You may bring the following items into the passenger cabin on top of your standard ticketed carry-on bag free of charge, as long as they fit under the seat ahead of you:
- One small personal bag: a backpack (typically up to 40 × 30 × 20 cm), a lady’s handbag, or a men’s briefcase.
- Outerwear, such as a heavy winter coat, jacket, or cloak.
- A suit or garment carried in a soft garment bag (port-bag).
- Infant food and drinks necessary for the flight duration, as well as a compact baby cradle or folding stroller when traveling with a child under 2 years old.
- Crutches, canes, walking sticks, or folding mobility walkers that safely stow in the cabin.
- Duty-free goods sealed inside an official airport duty-free bag.
The Bombardier CRJ Cabin Reality: Delivery at Aircraft (DAA)
The biggest challenge when traveling on RusLine is aircraft cabin geometry. RusLine’s fleet consists of 50-seat Bombardier CRJ-100 and CRJ-200 regional jets.
The overhead storage bins on a CRJ are narrow and shallow. Standard, hard-sided rolling bags measuring 55 × 40 × 20 cm rarely fit inside these overhead lockers.
Because of this physical restriction, RusLine relies on a Delivery at Aircraft (DAA) ramp procedure:
- Ramp Tagging: If your carry-on meets all weight and dimension limits but cannot fit inside the cabin overhead locker, ground staff will attach a colored DAA gate-check tag at the boarding gate or tarmac steps.
- Step Drop-Off: You carry your bag across the tarmac and leave it on the luggage cart or at the foot of the aircraft stairs. Ramp handlers load it directly into the rear cargo hold.
- Apron Retrieval: Upon arrival at your destination, do not board the terminal bus immediately. Wait beside the aircraft stairs; ground handlers will retrieve DAA-tagged bags from the hold and hand them directly back to passengers on the apron.
- Essential Items Warning: Never leave fragile electronics, laptops, power banks, medicines, or travel passports in a bag that might receive a DAA tag. Always keep these items inside your smaller personal item.
RusLine Checked Baggage Allowances by Fare Class
If your itinerary requires hold luggage, you should choose a fare that includes checked bags from the start.
Checked Baggage Entitlement by Tariff
RusLine applies the piece-concept system for checked baggage, limited by piece weight and total linear dimensions. The sum of the three dimensions ($Length + Width + Height$) must not exceed 203 cm.
| Fare Category | Included Checked Pieces | Max Weight per Piece | Max Linear Size (L+W+H) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light / Promo | 0 pieces | Paid add-on only | 203 cm | Non-refundable basic |
| Classic / Standard | 1 piece | 20 kg (or 10 kg/23 kg)* | 203 cm | Standard allowance |
| Optimum / Flex | 1 piece | 20 kg (or 23 kg)* | 203 cm | Flexible booking |
*Official verification required: Route-specific variations exist where select base standard tickets include 10 kg, while flex tiers permit up to 23 kg.
Baggage Pooling Rules for Group Travel
Under Russian aviation law, passengers traveling together under the same reservation reference (PNR) or verified family members traveling to the same destination on the same aircraft are entitled to pool their baggage:
- Pooled Weight: Two passengers traveling on Classic tickets (each with a 20 kg allowance) can distribute their combined 40 kg allowance across their bags.
- The 30 kg / 32 kg Occupational Safety Cap: Due to airport baggage handler health regulations, no single pooled suitcase can exceed 30 kg (or 32 kg at major airports). Two passengers cannot check a single 40 kg case.
Excess, Overweight, and Additional Baggage Fees
Exceeding your baggage allowance leads to excess baggage charges. These fees vary widely depending on whether you purchase the allowance in advance or at the airport counter.
How RusLine Excess Charges Work
RusLine separates excess baggage into three categories:
- Extra Piece: Purchasing a second or third bag beyond what your ticket covers.
- Overweight Bag: A bag that weighs more than your fare limit (for example, a 25 kg bag when your ticket only permits 20 kg, up to the 30–32 kg ceiling).
- Oversized Bag: Any piece whose three dimensions exceed 203 cm in total.
Always buy extra baggage through the RusLine website or customer support line before check-in opens. Purchasing extra luggage at the airport check-in desk costs substantially more than buying it online in advance.
Heavy Baggage Warnings (Over 32 kg)
Any single item that exceeds 32 kg (or 30 kg at certain regional stations) cannot travel as passenger luggage. These items must be booked as commercial cargo (Грузовые перевозки) through the airline's freight office at cargo tariff rates.
Special Luggage: Sports Gear, Musical Instruments & Pets
RusLine operates routes across northern, central, and regional Russia where winter sports, equipment transport, and pet travel are common.
Ski and Snowboard Equipment
- Inclusive Tariffs: Classic and Flex tickets often include one set of winter sports gear (one pair of skis or one snowboard, plus boots, poles, and a helmet, packed in one or two bags) free of charge during winter months.
- Promo / Light Tariffs: Hand-luggage-only fares do not include free sports equipment. You must buy a special sports allowance or standard checked bag.
- Advance Notice: Regional jet holds fill up rapidly. You must notify the airline or your travel agent at least 24 to 48 hours before departure to ensure there is enough physical hold space for ski bags.
Musical Instruments
- In the Cabin: Small instruments like violins or flutes can be carried in place of your primary carry-on bag if they stay within size and weight limits.
- Extra Seat (CBBG): Bulky, delicate instruments like cellos can be carried on an extra passenger seat. You must pay for an additional seat ticket in advance. The instrument is secured directly to the seat next to you with aircraft seatbelts.
- In the Cargo Hold: Large instruments checked into the hold must be packed in a rigid, heavy-duty flight case to protect against transit damage.
Traveling with Pets (PETC & AVIH)
- Cabin Pets (PETC): Small domestic cats, dogs, or birds can travel in the cabin if the combined weight of the animal and carrier is 8 kg or less. The container must have a leak-proof bottom, good ventilation, and fit entirely under the seat in front.
- Hold Pets (AVIH): Animals heavier than 8 kg (including cage) must travel in the climate-controlled baggage hold in a sturdy, IATA-approved transport kennel.
- Prior Airline Approval: RusLine strictly limits how many live animals can travel on a single CRJ flight. You must submit your pet request and receive confirmation from the airline before arriving at the airport. You must also present a valid veterinary passport with current rabies vaccinations.
RusLine vs. Other Russian Regional Carriers
Baggage policies vary significantly among domestic carriers in Russia. Compare RusLine to these other regional airlines before flying:
| Policy Metric | RusLine (7R) | Azimuth Airlines | Utair | Smartavia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Operated | Bombardier CRJ-100/200 | Sukhoi Superjet 100 | Boeing 737 / ATR-72 | Boeing 737 / Airbus A320 |
| Standard Cabin Weight | 5 kg to 10 kg | 5 kg to 10 kg | 5 kg (Mini) / 10 kg | 10 kg |
| Hand Luggage Size | 55 × 40 × 20 cm | 55 × 40 × 20 cm | 40 × 30 × 20 cm (Standard) | 40 × 30 × 20 cm (Strict) |
| Standard Hold Weight | 20 kg (203 cm total) | 23 kg (203 cm total) | 20 kg or 23 kg | 10 kg or 23 kg |
| Apron Delivery (DAA) | Very High (Small bins) | Low (Standard bins) | Low (Standard bins) | Rare (Standard bins) |
If you are transferring on a self-booked connection between RusLine and another domestic carrier like Smartavia or Utair, your bags will not transfer automatically. You will need to collect your luggage at the intermediate airport, pass through arrivals, and check in again according to the next carrier's weight limits.
RusLine Regional Flight Preparation Checklist
Follow these steps to avoid unexpected gate fees and delays on RusLine regional services.
- Verify your fare tier name. Check whether your e-ticket receipt says Light/Promo (0 kg hold bags) or Classic/Flex (1 bag up to 20 kg included) before packing.
- Choose soft duffel bags over hard rollaboards. Bombardier CRJ overhead bins and airport calibrators fit soft-sided bags much better than rigid suitcases.
- Separate electronics and medicines. Have a small personal pouch ready so you can quickly remove laptops, power banks, and medications if your bag is ramp-checked at the airstairs.
- Weigh your checked luggage before leaving home. RusLine charges overweight fees for bags exceeding 20 kg; keeping your suitcase under the limit avoids high airport counter charges.
- Pre-book extra bags on the website. If you need to check an additional bag, purchase it on rusline.aero ahead of time to avoid paying higher walk-up rates at the airport desk.
- Arrive before counters close. RusLine regional airport check-in desks close promptly 40 minutes before departure; baggage drop and oversize processing take extra time at smaller stations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cabin baggage limit on RusLine?
Every RusLine ticket includes at least one cabin bag of 5 kg under Russian federal aviation minimums, while standard and flexible fares allow up to 10 kg. Dimensions must generally fit within 55 × 40 × 20 cm, though promotional tickets may be subject to smaller 40 × 30 × 20 cm calibrator boxes.
Will my hard-shell carry-on bag fit in the overhead bin on RusLine?
On most flights, it will not. RusLine flies 50-seat Bombardier CRJ-100/200 aircraft with very narrow overhead lockers. Ground crew will attach a Delivery at Aircraft (DAA) tag to your bag at the airstairs, load it into the hold, and return it to you on the tarmac right after landing.
Can I bring a personal item alongside my carry-on bag?
Yes. Under Russian Federal Aviation Rules (FAP-82), passengers can carry an approved personal item-such as an under-seat backpack, purse, briefcase, outerwear, or crutches-free of charge in addition to their ticketed cabin bag.
Does a RusLine Light or Promo ticket include a checked bag?
No. RusLine Light, Promo, and Special fares are hand-luggage-only tickets. If you need to check a bag, you must purchase a Classic fare or pay an additional baggage fee online or at airport check-in.
What is the maximum size for checked baggage on RusLine?
Standard checked luggage on RusLine must not exceed 203 cm in the sum of its three dimensions ($Length + Width + Height$). Any bag exceeding 203 cm requires prior airline authorization and an oversized luggage fee.
What happens if my checked bag weighs more than 20 kg?
If your ticket includes a 20 kg allowance and your bag weighs between 21 kg and 30 kg (or 32 kg depending on airport limits), you must pay an overweight baggage fee. Bags weighing over 32 kg cannot be checked as regular luggage and must be booked through RusLine cargo services.
Can I bring skis or a snowboard on RusLine?
During winter seasons, Classic and Flex fares often include one set of ski or snowboard equipment free of charge. Promo fares require paying for a dedicated sports gear piece. You must notify the airline in advance due to limited cargo hold capacity on regional CRJ aircraft.
Is extra baggage cheaper online than at the airport?
Yes. Adding extra baggage through the official RusLine website or customer call center prior to check-in opening is substantially cheaper than paying counter rates at the airport on your day of departure.
Baggage rules can vary by route, operating carrier, ticket family, and departure airport. RusLine's official Conditions of Carriage and active e-ticket terms prevail over third-party summaries. Always review your confirmed booking details at rusline.aero before traveling.
