The domestic flight baggage allowance in Pakistan is 7 kg of hand carry on every airline, plus a checked bag that depends on the fare you buy. A standard economy fare usually includes one 20 to 23 kg bag, but the cheapest fares on Airblue, AirSial and Fly Jinnah now include no checked bag at all. PIA sets the allowance by fare and prints it on the ticket, so the ticket, not a website table, is what counts.
This guide sets out each airline's rules as published in 2025 and 2026, explains how to add a bag without overpaying, and covers the points that catch people out on flights to Skardu and Gilgit.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Hand carry, all airlines | 7 kg in economy (Fly Jinnah adds a 3 kg personal item) |
| Typical checked bag | 20 kg (PIA, Airblue Flexi, AirSial Standard); 23 kg on Fly Jinnah Value |
| Hand-carry-only fares | Airblue Value, AirSial Nil Baggage, Fly Jinnah Basic |
| Largest standard allowances | Fly Jinnah Ultimate 46 kg; AirSial Plus 40 kg; Airblue Xtra 30 kg |
| Where to check | The baggage line on your e-ticket |
Baggage allowance by airline
| Airline | Cheapest fare | Standard fare | Higher fares | Hand carry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PIA | Set by fare rules | Shown on ticket | Shown on ticket | 7 kg |
| Airblue | Value: no checked bag | Flexi: 1 bag, 20 kg | Xtra: 1 bag, 30 kg | 7 kg |
| AirSial | Nil Baggage: no checked bag | Standard: 20 kg | Value 30 kg; Plus 40 kg in 2 pieces | 7 kg |
| Fly Jinnah | Basic: no checked bag | Value: 23 kg | Ultimate: 46 kg | 7 kg plus 3 kg personal item |
Fare names and allowances change, and airlines rename their fare families from time to time. Treat this table as a guide and confirm the allowance at the moment you pay.
PIA
PIA does not publish a single domestic figure. Its baggage guide says the allowance, including the number of pieces and the weight, is governed by the fare rules and shown on the passenger's ticket. In practice, most domestic economy tickets sold through agents and booking sites show 20 kg, but you should check yours rather than assume it.
The fixed limits PIA does publish:
- Hand carry: 7 kg, with maximum dimensions of 38 x 22 x 55 cm (115 cm in total), in both Economy and Executive Economy on domestic flights.
- Checked bags: no single bag larger than 158 cm in total dimensions.
PIA also sells advance-purchase excess baggage. Ask about the price when you book or through its call centre, rather than waiting until check-in.
Airblue
Airblue's fare families are the clearest of any domestic airline:
- Value: no free checked baggage, only the 7 kg carry-on.
- Flexi: one checked bag of 20 kg.
- Xtra: one checked bag of 30 kg.
The carry-on must fit 22 x 15 x 8 inches and weigh no more than 7 kg. No checked bag can be heavier than 30 kg or larger than 54 inches in total (length plus height plus width). Airblue does not publish a domestic excess rate on its terms page, so if you are near the limit, ask what the extra kilos will cost before you reach the counter. For how Airblue compares with PIA on routes and fares, see our Airblue vs PIA comparison.
AirSial
AirSial's own baggage page lists 7 kg of hand carry (45 inches in total) and 20 kg of checked baggage in one piece, up to 54 inches. Laptops are not counted in the hand-carry weight. No single bag may weigh more than 32 kg.
In June 2025 AirSial added a Nil Baggage fare with only the 7 kg hand carry. Reports at the time described four tiers: Nil Baggage, Standard with 20 kg, Value with 30 kg, and Plus with 40 kg in two pieces. Domestic excess baggage was reported at about PKR 250 per kg (2025). Check the current rate when you book, because it can change.
Fly Jinnah
Fly Jinnah is a low-cost airline, and its fares are built around paying for what you need:
- Basic: 7 kg hand baggage plus a 3 kg personal item, and no checked bag.
- Value: the same hand baggage plus a 23 kg checked bag.
- Ultimate: the same hand baggage plus 46 kg of checked baggage.
If you book Basic and then need a bag, Fly Jinnah lists checked baggage on Pakistan flights from about PKR 800 for 23 kg, PKR 1,200 for 30 kg and PKR 1,500 for 46 kg, per passenger, one way (2026). Those are starting prices for buying online in advance. Only the 23 kg option can be bought at the airport, and anything over your allowance there is charged as excess, which costs a lot more. No single piece can weigh over 32 kg or measure more than 160 cm in total.
What about Serene Air?
Serene Air's published allowances were generous, but the airline has not been flying. Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority suspended its operating certificate in October 2025. The certificate was restored in November 2025, but flights did not restart, and in August 2026 the airline said it hoped to resume by the end of 2026. Check that it is actually flying before you plan around it.
How to avoid paying more than you need
- Compare the full price. A Value or Basic fare plus a pre-booked bag is sometimes cheaper than the next fare up, and sometimes not. Do the sum.
- Add bags in advance, not at the airport. Fly Jinnah, the one airline that publishes both prices, charges much less for a bag bought online before the day.
- Weigh your bag at home. A cheap luggage scale saves arguments at the counter.
- Don't pool by default. Some airlines allow family members on one booking to combine allowances and some do not; ask before assuming two 20 kg allowances make one 40 kg bag.
- Keep power banks and spare lithium batteries in your hand carry. They are not allowed in checked baggage on any airline.
Flying to Skardu, Gilgit and Chitral with gear
Flights to the mountains fly only in clear weather and are cancelled often. Our guide to flights to Gilgit and Skardu covers the routes and how cancellations work.
For baggage, two things matter. First, trekking and camping kit, winter jackets and boots add up fast, and a 20 kg allowance disappears quickly once a tent and sleeping bag go in. Buy the higher fare or pre-book extra weight rather than finding out at check-in. Second, if your flight is cancelled and you switch to the road, everything you checked in has to come with you on the bus or jeep, so pack in bags you can carry.
If you are carrying a lot, it can make sense to send heavy items by road with your driver or on a coach, or to fly in light and rent gear locally. Our domestic flights guide has more on choosing an airline and booking.
Which fare should you buy?
- Hand carry only works for a two or three night city trip, or a business trip, if you pack light and the 7 kg limit is weighed at the gate.
- A 20 to 23 kg fare suits most domestic holidays, including a week in Hunza or Skardu without camping gear.
- The 30 kg and above fares are for families sharing a suitcase, winter trips with bulky clothes, or trekking groups.
If you are weighing flights against the road for a trip north, our FAQs page covers how we plan around road and pass closures.
Frequently asked questions
What is the baggage allowance for domestic flights in Pakistan?
Hand carry is 7 kg on every airline. Checked baggage depends on the fare: usually 20 to 23 kg on a standard economy fare, and none on the cheapest fares of Airblue, AirSial and Fly Jinnah.
What is PIA's domestic baggage allowance?
PIA sets the allowance by fare rules and prints it on the ticket, so check your e-ticket. Hand carry is 7 kg with a maximum of 115 cm in total dimensions.
Does Airblue include checked baggage on domestic flights?
Only on Flexi (20 kg) and Xtra (30 kg) fares. The Value fare includes just the 7 kg carry-on.
How much does extra baggage cost on Fly Jinnah?
Fly Jinnah lists pre-booked checked baggage on Pakistan flights from about PKR 800 for 23 kg, PKR 1,200 for 30 kg and PKR 1,500 for 46 kg (2026). Excess paid at the airport costs more.
Is a laptop counted in the 7 kg hand carry?
AirSial says laptops are excluded from the hand-carry weight. Other airlines may count it, so check the rule for your airline before you fly.
Can I carry a power bank on a domestic flight?
Yes, but only in your hand carry. Power banks and spare lithium batteries are not allowed in checked baggage.
