Hand baggage on Gulf airlines: weight, size and what you can't pack

On most Gulf airlines the weight is the same: 7 kg for one cabin bag in economy. The size is where they differ. A bag that boards easily on Saudia can be 6 cm too long for Qatar Airways, and you may be asked to check it in at the gate. Measure your bag with its wheels and handle before you book.

Weight and size by airline

We checked each airline's own page on 13 November 2026. The figures are for economy and one bag.

We left out flyadeal, Gulf Air and Kuwait Airways, because their pages did not show a cabin bag weight and size when we checked. What we have confirmed for each airline is on our baggage pages, such as the Saudia baggage page, the flynas baggage page and the Emirates baggage page.

Personal items and duty free

Airlines treat the small bag you carry with your cabin bag differently:

• Air Arabia: the allowance is 7 kg for the cabin bag and 3 kg for a personal item, and this weight includes your laptop, personal bag and any duty-free shopping. See our Air Arabia baggage page.
• Gulf Air: on top of the cabin bag you can carry a handbag or purse, a laptop, a coat or blanket, an umbrella or walking stick, a small camera, and food for your baby during the flight.

If your airline's page says nothing about a personal item, count it inside the 7 kg until you have checked.

Liquids and perfume

flydubai publishes these rules for liquids in hand baggage:

• Each container holds 100 ml or less. A larger container is not allowed, even if it is nearly empty.
• All containers go in one clear, resealable plastic bag of no more than 20 × 20 cm, holding 1 litre or less.
• You take the bag out at security.

Perfume and hair spray count as liquids, so they go in the bag if the bottle is 100 ml or less. Baby milk and baby food are allowed in a reasonable amount for the flight. Medical liquids over 100 ml are allowed with a prescription or a doctor's letter in the same name as your booking. flydubai adds that the airport you leave from or connect through may set extra limits.

Power banks and batteries

Since 1 October 2025, Emirates applies these rules:

• One power bank only, under 100 Wh, with its capacity printed on it.
• You cannot charge your devices from it on board, or charge it from the aircraft's power supply.
• It cannot go in the overhead bin. Keep it in the seat pocket or in a bag under the seat in front of you.
• It is not accepted in checked baggage.

flydubai bans lithium batteries over 160 Wh in both hand and checked baggage. For other airlines, check their page before you fly.

What you cannot carry in the cabin

flydubai does not allow sharp items such as knives, scissors and box cutters in hand baggage, nor tools such as screwdrivers, hammers and drills, sports items such as bats, golf clubs and hiking poles, or rope and tape. You may carry one small box of matches or one small lighter on your person. Walking sticks and small folding umbrellas are allowed.

If you end up checking a bag with valuable things in it, read our guide to lost or delayed bags first to see how much the rules pay.

Frequently asked questions

How much can hand baggage weigh on Gulf airlines?

7 kg in economy on Saudia, flynas, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, flydubai, Air Arabia and Oman Air. Air Arabia adds 3 kg for a personal item.

What bag size fits all of these airlines?

A bag of no more than 50 × 36 × 20 cm fits every airline in the table: the length comes from Qatar Airways, the width from flynas and Etihad, and the depth from flydubai and Air Arabia.

Is perfume allowed in hand luggage?

Yes, if the bottle is 100 ml or less and it goes in the clear bag with your other liquids. A bottle over 100 ml goes in your checked bag.

Can I use a power bank on Emirates?

No. You can carry one power bank under 100 Wh, but you cannot use it or charge it during the flight.

Sources

• Saudia: carry-on baggage
• flynas: cabin baggage
• Emirates: carry-on baggage rules
• Emirates: new power bank rules, 8 August 2025
• Qatar Airways: baggage allowance
• Etihad: baggage questions
• flydubai: hand baggage
• flydubai: forbidden and restricted items, and liquids
• Air Arabia: cabin baggage
• Air Arabia: add baggage, questions
• Oman Air: extra baggage weight
• Gulf Air: personal items

Last checked: 13 November 2026