ANA Checked Baggage Rules: Allowances & Star Alliance Benefits

ANA (All Nippon Airways) Checked Baggage: Overview

ANA (All Nippon Airways) is Japan's largest airline by revenue and a founding member of Star Alliance. It operates an extensive domestic Japan network and a wide international long-haul network connecting Japan to North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, China, and Oceania.

ANA's checked baggage policy is divided into two distinct systems: a piece system for international flights and a weight-based system for domestic Japanese routes. Understanding which system applies to your itinerary is the first step to knowing what you can pack.

International Checked Baggage: Piece System

On international flights, ANA uses a piece-based allowance — each traveler receives a set number of bags up to a specified weight per bag.

Economy Class (International)

Route	Pieces	Max Weight Per Bag	Max Size Per Bag
All international routes	2	23 kg (50 lbs)	158 cm linear (62 in)

Economy Class passengers on all ANA international routes receive two checked bags at 23 kg each. This is a notably generous allowance for Economy class — many carriers include only one bag on international routes.

Premium Economy (ANA Premium Economy)

Route	Pieces	Max Weight Per Bag	Max Size Per Bag
All international routes	2	23 kg (50 lbs)	158 cm linear (62 in)

Premium Economy passengers receive the same two-bag piece allowance as Economy class. The premium in ANA Premium Economy is primarily the seat product (more legroom, wider seat, superior meal service) rather than a baggage upgrade.

Business Class (ANA Business)

Route	Pieces	Max Weight Per Bag	Max Size Per Bag
All international routes	2	32 kg (70 lbs)	158 cm linear (62 in)

Business Class passengers receive two bags at 32 kg each — a total allowance of 64 kg. This is standard for long-haul business class and accommodates extended business travel or heavy professional equipment.

First Class (ANA First Class)

Route	Pieces	Max Weight Per Bag	Max Size Per Bag
All international routes	3	32 kg (70 lbs)	158 cm linear (62 in)

First Class passengers receive three bags at 32 kg each — a total of 96 kg. ANA operates First Class on its flagship routes (Tokyo Narita/Haneda to New York JFK, Los Angeles, London Heathrow, and Frankfurt among others).

Domestic Japan Checked Baggage: Weight System

ANA's domestic Japan network uses a weight-based system rather than the piece system used internationally. Passengers are allocated a total weight allowance regardless of how many bags they check.

Cabin	Total Weight Allowance
Economy (domestic)	20 kg
Premium Class (domestic)	20 kg (some routes: 40 kg)

Domestic Economy passengers may check bags totaling up to 20 kg across all checked items. There is no per-bag weight limit in the traditional sense — the total combined weight of all checked bags must not exceed 20 kg. You can check one 18 kg bag and one 2 kg bag, or two 10 kg bags; the total is what matters.

Domestic route note: ANA's Premium Class on domestic routes (a forward-cabin product on domestic jet aircraft) includes 40 kg on some routes. This varies by route and aircraft type; confirm at booking.

Domestic Size Limits

Each bag checked on domestic ANA flights must not exceed:

50 cm × 60 cm × 120 cm (individual bag dimensions)
158 cm linear total (same linear limit as international)

Excess Baggage Fees

When passengers exceed their included allowance, ANA charges excess baggage fees. These fees are applied per piece (on international routes) or per kilogram (on domestic routes for excess weight).

International Excess Fees

For a third bag or bags exceeding weight limits on international routes:

Fees are calculated by destination region and are substantial — typically $100–$300 per excess piece for long-haul routes
Pre-purchasing additional bags through ANA's website (Manage Booking) is cheaper than airport rates
Fees for excess weight (bags between 23 kg and 32 kg for Economy, or over 32 kg for Business) are charged per kg

Recommendation: If you anticipate needing a third bag or bags that will exceed 23 kg, purchase additional baggage allowance through the ANA website before travel. The per-piece add-on price online is meaningfully lower than counter rates.

Domestic Excess Fees

For domestic flights, excess baggage over the 20 kg allowance is charged per kilogram. Rates vary by route; check the ANA website for current domestic excess rates.

Oversize Fees

Bags exceeding 158 cm linear (62 linear inches) on either domestic or international ANA flights are assessed oversize fees. Truly oversized items (large sports equipment, special cargo) may require advance notification and special handling arrangements.

Star Alliance Benefits on ANA Flights

ANA is a founding member of Star Alliance, and the alliance's baggage benefit rules apply when holders of Star Alliance Gold or Silver status fly ANA-operated flights.

Star Alliance Gold on ANA

Passengers holding Star Alliance Gold status with any member airline receive:

One additional piece of checked baggage beyond the standard fare allowance
Priority check-in and boarding
Lounge access (at ANA or partner lounges where available)

Examples of Star Alliance Gold qualifying status:

United Airlines MileagePlus Gold, Platinum, 1K
Lufthansa Miles & More Senator, HON Circle
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Elite Gold, PPS Club
Air Canada Aeroplan 50K, 75K, Super Elite
Thai Royal Orchid Plus Platinum
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Elite Plus

For an Economy Class passenger with Star Alliance Gold, this means 3 total bags at 23 kg each instead of the standard 2.

Star Alliance Silver on ANA

Star Alliance Silver status provides priority check-in at select airports but no additional checked baggage allowance on ANA flights.

ANA Mileage Club (AMC) Elite Tiers

ANA's own frequent flyer program is ANA Mileage Club (AMC). Elite tiers within AMC:

ANA Super Flyers Card holders: One additional piece of checked baggage on ANA flights
ANA Diamond Service members: Two additional pieces of checked baggage on ANA international flights; enhanced allowances on domestic routes
ANA Platinum Service members: One additional piece on international flights

AMC Diamond and Platinum members also receive priority baggage delivery at select airports, meaning their bags are among the first to appear on the carousel after landing.

ANA Online Check-In and Baggage

ANA encourages passengers to check in online, which also benefits baggage handling:

Online check-in opens 24 hours before departure on international flights (48 hours for certain routes)
Baggage drop is available at dedicated counters at Tokyo Haneda, Narita, and most major ANA hub airports when you check in online
At some airports, ANA participates in early check-in programs allowing bag drop the evening before morning departures

ANA does not currently offer a discount for checking in online specifically for baggage (unlike some European carriers). The benefit is primarily convenience — shorter queues and faster processing.

Special Items and Sports Equipment

Golf Equipment

Golf bags are accepted as checked baggage on ANA flights. They count as one checked item and are subject to normal weight and size limits. Golf bags at major Japanese golf destinations (Hokkaido, Okinawa, Kyushu) are commonly checked — ANA staff at these airports are experienced with golf equipment handling. Soft golf bags are recommended for weight savings; hard cases add significant weight toward the 23 kg limit.

Ski and Snowboard Equipment

Skis and poles (bundled together) or a snowboard count as one checked item. ANA operates routes to ski-area hub airports in Hokkaido (New Chitose/Sapporo) and other mountain regions during winter. Ski bags typically exceed 158 cm linear and incur oversize fees. Soft ski bags save weight; hard cases offer better protection at the cost of weight.

Bicycles

Bicycles must be boxed or in a hard case with handlebars turned, pedals removed, and tires deflated. They count as one checked item and incur oversize fees (most bicycle cases exceed 158 cm linear). Advance notification is recommended for bicycle check-in, particularly on domestic flights with smaller aircraft.

Surfboards and Water Sports Equipment

Surfboards and paddleboards must be in protective bags. They are typically oversized (over 158 cm linear) and incur the oversize fee. ANA routes to Okinawa frequently see surfboard check-ins; staff at Naha Airport (OKA) are familiar with the handling process.

Musical Instruments

Small instruments may be carried on board if within cabin baggage limits. Larger instruments must be checked; fragile or high-value instruments may require purchasing an additional seat for in-cabin transport. Advance coordination with ANA is required for large instruments.

Lithium Batteries and Electronics

Lithium batteries over 100 Wh cannot be checked and must be carried in the cabin. Batteries between 100–160 Wh require airline approval for carry-on. This is particularly relevant for photography equipment, laptops, portable power stations, and e-bikes.

Connecting Itineraries and Baggage Rules

When your itinerary combines ANA-operated flights with flights operated by codeshare or partner airlines:

The baggage rules of the ticketing (issuing) airline generally apply for the entire journey if on a single ticket
If you have separate tickets, each ticket's rules apply independently — bags must be re-checked at the connection point
For Star Alliance partner connections on a single ticket, the most favorable baggage rule between the carriers typically applies (but verify at booking)

Example: If you book a single ticket on ANA from New York to Tokyo to Osaka (the last segment on a domestic ANA flight), your international 2-bag allowance typically applies through to Osaka, not the domestic 20 kg limit.

Traveling With Liquids and Restricted Items to/from Japan

Japan's customs rules affect what can be brought into the country in both checked and carry-on baggage. Items such as certain medications (including over-the-counter drugs common in other countries), aerosols exceeding domestic limits, and food items may be restricted or require advance customs declarations. Check Japan Customs (Zeikan) guidance before packing.

Summary Table: ANA Checked Baggage Allowances

Cabin	Route Type	Pieces	Max Weight Per Bag
Economy	International	2	23 kg
Premium Economy	International	2	23 kg
Business	International	2	32 kg
First Class	International	3	32 kg
Economy	Domestic Japan	Total: 20 kg	—
Premium Class	Domestic Japan	Total: 20–40 kg	—

Star Alliance Gold bonus: +1 piece across all international routes. AMC Diamond: +2 pieces on international; enhanced domestic.

Bottom Line

ANA's international checked baggage allowances are generous by global standards — Economy passengers get two bags at 23 kg each on all international routes, and Business gets two bags at 32 kg. The domestic Japan network uses a weight-based system (20 kg total in Economy). Star Alliance Gold members earn an additional bag beyond their fare allowance, making ANA particularly rewarding for frequent flyers with status on any of the many Star Alliance member airlines. Pre-purchasing excess baggage online before travel is the best way to avoid elevated airport excess fees on ANA flights.