What is the carry-on size and weight limit on airBaltic?

airBaltic allows one carry-on bag up to 55×40×23 cm (21.7×15.7×9.1 in) with a maximum weight of 8 kg. A personal item must fit under the seat in front and has no published separate weight limit.

Does airBaltic use bag sizers?

Yes. airBaltic is known for actively using bag sizer frames at Riga airport and at other departure airports on its network. If your bag does not fit the sizer, it will be checked into the hold for a fee.

What aircraft does airBaltic fly?

airBaltic is unique in operating an all-Airbus A220 fleet. The A220 (formerly Bombardier C Series) is a modern narrowbody with generally good overhead bins, though the 2-3 cabin layout means fewer rows than a larger A320.

airBaltic Carry-On Rules (2026)

airBaltic (BT) is Latvia's national carrier and one of northern Europe's leading regional airlines, based at Riga International Airport (RIX). The airline is notable for operating an all-Airbus A220 fleet — the first airline in the world to operate exclusively A220 aircraft. It serves over 70 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond from Riga, with connections via its Riga hub to Tallinn, Vilnius, and other Baltic cities.

Carry-On Allowance at a Glance

Item	Dimensions	Weight
Carry-on (cabin bag)	55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in)	8 kg
Personal item	Must fit under the seat in front	Included in 8 kg

The 8 kg limit applies to the carry-on bag. Personal items (handbag, laptop bag, small backpack) must fit under the seat and are included within the overall 8 kg total in some interpretations — but practically, gate agents focus on the overhead bag's weight. Confirm current policy at airbaltic.com before travel.

airBaltic's Fare Tiers

airBaltic uses a fare structure with carry-on access varying by fare:

Fare	Personal item (under seat)	Carry-on (overhead)	Checked bag
Basic	Included (1 small bag)	Not included — fee to add	Not included
Classic	Included	1 × 8 kg included	1 × 23 kg
Business	Included	2 × 8 kg	2 × 23 kg

On the Basic fare, only a small under-seat personal item is free. The full-size cabin bag must be purchased as an add-on. This makes airBaltic similar to Ryanair and easyJet in its base-fare baggage model, despite being Latvia's flag carrier.

Adding a cabin bag online (before check-in closes) costs significantly less than paying at the airport. If you need cabin bag access on a Basic fare, add it at booking.

Bag Sizers — Take This Seriously

airBaltic is one of the more rigorous European carriers when it comes to enforcing bag dimensions with physical sizer frames. At Riga (RIX) and increasingly at other airports they operate from:

Sizer frames are placed at departure gates on high-load flights
Gate agents actively direct passengers to test their bag in the sizer
Bags that fail the sizer are held for hold-checking; a gate-excess fee applies if you did not purchase a cabin bag allowance
This enforcement is applied whether you have a cabin bag included in your fare or not — size is checked regardless

The practical implication: a bag that squeezes into your sizer at home may not pass airBaltic's gate sizer if overpacked. Comply with 55×40×23 cm strictly, including wheels and handles.

Airbus A220 Fleet Notes

airBaltic operates the A220-300 exclusively. Key characteristics for carry-on passengers:

2-3 cabin layout: Seats are configured 2 on the left, 3 on the right. This means fewer overhead bins than an A320 (which has 3-3 seating) — there are roughly two-thirds the bins per passenger row.
Bin size: A220 overhead bins are designed for one bag per seat in many configurations. On full flights, bins fill to capacity. Board early if you can.
Narrower aisle: The A220 cabin is narrower than an A320, making rolling a bag down the aisle more awkward.
Newer, modern cabin: Good lighting, USB-C power at every seat, excellent pressurization. The aircraft is a pleasure to fly.

Priority boarding is meaningfully valuable on airBaltic A220 flights — board early, secure overhead bin space.

Riga Airport (RIX)

Riga International Airport is a modern, manageable-sized Baltic hub:

Single main terminal with clear gate signage
Schengen departures: Latvia is in the Schengen Area — EU 100 ml liquids rule applies
Security: Generally efficient, with standard EU security procedures
Connections: RIX acts as airBaltic's hub for connections across the Baltic states; tight connections (under 45 minutes) are common on the timetable

The Riga hub is designed for connecting Baltic/Nordic travelers to European and Middle Eastern destinations. airBaltic has strong connections to Heathrow, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi.

Liquids and Security

Latvia is an EU Schengen member. Standard EU rules:

Containers ≤100 ml each
In one transparent resealable 1-litre bag
One bag per passenger
Declared and removed at security screening

No exceptions for larger containers, even if partially full.

Practical Tips

Check your fare before flying — Basic fares on airBaltic do not include a cabin bag. Many passengers book on price comparison sites and miss this.
Board early or buy priority — the A220's 2-3 layout means fewer overhead bins per passenger. Overhead space genuinely runs out on full flights.
Comply precisely with 55×40×23 cm — airBaltic's bag sizer enforcement at RIX is not just nominal. A bag packed to 58 cm height will be caught.
8 kg is achievable — unlike some airlines where 7 kg is the limit, 8 kg is reasonably generous for a 3–5 day trip if you pack a lightweight carry-on shell (under 2.5 kg).
Add-on pricing: airBaltic frequently runs promotions on baggage add-ons in their "My Booking" section — check after purchase.

Comparing airBaltic vs. Nordic/Baltic Peers

Airline	Size (cm)	Weight	Bag sizer enforcement	Fleet
airBaltic	55×40×23	8 kg	Active	All A220
SAS	55×40×23	8 kg	Moderate	A320/737/A350
Norwegian	55×40×23	10 kg	Moderate	737 MAX
Finnair	56×45×25	8 kg	Light	A350/A321
Wizz Air	40×30×20 (free)	No limit	Active	A320/A321

airBaltic's size allowance is consistent with SAS and Norwegian, and its enforcement reputation is stricter than most.