What is Spring Airlines's carry-on size and weight limit?

Spring Airlines allows one cabin bag up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm weighing a maximum of 5 kg. This is included in most fares but may be excluded in the cheapest promotional fares. There is no separate personal item allowance — only one bag total is permitted in the cabin.

Does Spring Airlines strictly enforce the 5 kg carry-on limit?

Yes. Spring Airlines is known for rigorous carry-on weight enforcement across its Chinese and international network. Ground staff weigh cabin bags at check-in and at the gate. Overweight bags must be checked and excess fees apply. The 5 kg limit is genuinely enforced, not a theoretical maximum.

What routes does Spring Airlines operate internationally?

Spring Airlines operates international routes from its Shanghai Pudong hub primarily to Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo, Nagoya), South Korea (Seoul, Busan), Thailand (Bangkok, Phuket), and Hong Kong. International routes follow the same 5 kg carry-on limit as domestic Chinese routes.

Spring Airlines Carry-On Rules: 5 kg Strict Limit (2026)

Spring Airlines (春秋航空, Chūnqiū Hángkōng) is China's largest and oldest private low-cost carrier, founded in 2004 and headquartered in Shanghai. Operating from its primary hub at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), Spring Airlines has grown into one of the most significant budget carriers in Asia, serving an extensive domestic Chinese network and international routes primarily to Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia.

Spring Airlines brought the ULCC model to China at a time when the concept was still novel in the country's aviation market. Its carry-on policy reflects both the budget carrier approach and Chinese aviation regulatory norms — resulting in a 5 kg limit that is among the strictest in global aviation.

Spring Airlines Carry-On Allowance at a Glance

Fare Type	Cabin Bag	Size	Weight
Economy Standard	1 cabin bag	55 × 40 × 20 cm	5 kg
Economy Value (budget)	Verify at booking	55 × 40 × 20 cm	5 kg if included
SkyPLUS (premium)	1 cabin bag	55 × 40 × 20 cm	10 kg

Spring Airlines does not operate a Business Class cabin — it is an all-economy carrier. SkyPLUS is a premium seat product (extra legroom, priority boarding, enhanced allowances) rather than a full cabin class.

Note: Spring Airlines does not officially provide a separate personal item allowance. One cabin bag is the total carry-on entitlement. Unlike many carriers, Spring does not permit an additional laptop bag or small purse in the overhead bin or under the seat as a separate free item.

The 5 kg Weight Limit in Practice

Five kilograms is the same limit applied by Air China's Economy class and represents the strictest carry-on weight tier in global aviation. For Spring Airlines passengers, this translates to:

What typically weighs 5 kg or less:

A laptop (1.5–2 kg) + charger (250 g) + small clothing items for 2–3 days
A camera body + one lens + cables + a change of clothes
Business documents, a tablet, and minimal personal items

What commonly exceeds 5 kg:

Any hard-shell rolling carry-on with clothing for more than 3 days
A laptop + full camera kit + clothing
A full medical travel kit plus electronics

The 5 kg limit demands either ultralight packing or reliance on checked baggage for longer trips. Spring Airlines sells checked baggage as an add-on, and pre-purchasing is significantly cheaper than airport counter rates.

Size Dimensions

The maximum cabin bag dimensions are:

55 cm (height, including wheels and handles)
40 cm (width)
20 cm (depth)

In inches: approximately 21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 inches.

The 20 cm depth is identical to Air China's limit and significantly narrower than the 25–28 cm depth of most mainstream international carry-on rollers. Standard rolling cabin bags (designed for European or North American carriers) typically measure 25 cm or more in depth and will not comply.

A soft, slim cabin bag is the practical solution — measuring carefully against all three dimensions.

SkyPLUS: The 10 kg Option

Spring Airlines offers SkyPLUS as a premium seat class that includes enhanced cabin bag allowances:

One cabin bag, 55 × 40 × 20 cm, maximum 10 kg
Priority boarding
Enhanced seat space (exit rows, bulkhead, or designated SkyPLUS rows)
Additional checked baggage inclusion

For travellers who regularly carry a laptop and work materials exceeding 5 kg, upgrading to SkyPLUS purely for the 10 kg allowance may be worthwhile. Compare the SkyPLUS price premium against the cost of a checked baggage add-on to determine the better value.

Fare Types and Carry-On Inclusion

Spring Airlines sells fares across several pricing tiers:

Fare	Cabin Bag	Checked Bag
Promotional / Budget	May not include	Not included
Standard Economy	5 kg included	Not included
Economy + Checked	5 kg included	15 or 20 kg
SkyPLUS	10 kg included	20 kg

The cheapest promotional fares may not include the cabin bag allowance. Verify what is included before purchasing. On most standard Economy bookings, the 5 kg carry-on is included, but always confirm.

Enforcement at Chinese Airports

Spring Airlines enforces its 5 kg carry-on limit rigorously. The enforcement culture at Chinese airports is generally stricter than at European or North American airports:

At check-in: Cabin bags are routinely weighed at the check-in counter. Bags over 5 kg are required to be checked, and excess baggage fees are charged at counter rates.

At the gate: Secondary weight checks at the boarding gate. Physical bag sizers are used at some gates to verify dimensions.

Consequences of non-compliance: Overweight bags must be checked. Spring Airlines does not offer exceptions or the ability to purchase carry-on access at the gate for overweight bags. If your bag exceeds 5 kg at the check-in counter, you pay the checked baggage excess fee at airport rates.

Airport counter rates for excess baggage are substantially higher than pre-purchased rates. Pre-purchase if you know you need to check bags.

International Routes: Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia

Spring Airlines' international network from PVG includes:

Japan: Tokyo Narita (NRT), Tokyo Haneda (HND), Osaka Kansai (KIX), Sapporo (CTS), Nagoya (NGO), Hiroshima (HIJ)

South Korea: Seoul Incheon (ICN), Busan (PUS)

Southeast Asia: Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK), Bangkok Don Mueang (DMK), Phuket (HKT), Osaka Kansai (connecting)

Hong Kong: Hong Kong International (HKG)

On all international routes, Spring Airlines applies the same 5 kg cabin bag limit as domestic Chinese flights. International passengers should not expect a more lenient policy on cross-border routes.

Restricted Items

Spring Airlines follows CAAC regulations and ICAO standards:

Liquids: 100 ml per container in a 1-litre transparent resealable bag
Power banks: Carry-on only. China CAAC rules: power banks must be kept in the cabin. Capacity limits: under 100 Wh (27,000 mAh at 3.7V) freely permitted; 100–160 Wh requires airline approval; over 160 Wh prohibited. Spare lithium batteries must be in the carry-on only — not checked.
E-cigarettes: Must be in carry-on; use prohibited on all Spring Airlines flights
Sharp objects: Checked baggage only
Agricultural products: China customs restrictions apply on domestic routes

Power bank rules are enforced seriously. Ensure all spare batteries are in your carry-on before arrival at the check-in counter.

Buying Checked Baggage

For Spring Airlines passengers who cannot pack within 5 kg, checked baggage options:

Option	Typical Price (domestic)	Typical Price (international)
At booking (online)	Lowest	Lowest
Via app after booking	Low	Low
At airport counter	High	High

Common pre-purchased increments: 10 kg, 15 kg, 20 kg. Buy at booking for the best rates. Airport counter prices can be 2–3x the online pre-purchase price.

Tips for Spring Airlines Passengers

Choose a soft, ultralight bag. The 5 kg limit makes bag weight a critical variable. A lightweight packable daypack or soft nylon tote weighing under 500 g leaves 4.5 kg for contents. A hard-shell roller consuming 2.5–3 kg leaves only 2–2.5 kg for contents — barely enough for a laptop and a change of clothes.

Pack electronics into a slim sleeve. If Spring Airlines does not formally permit a separate personal item, keep your most critical electronics (laptop, phone, chargers) in a slim sleeve inside your main cabin bag and pack accordingly.

Pre-purchase checked baggage for trips over 3 days. For travel beyond a short trip, adding a 15 kg or 20 kg checked bag at booking is far more economical than trying to pack everything into a 5 kg carry-on or paying excess fees at the airport.

The 20 cm depth limit eliminates most rollers. Before purchasing a carry-on for Spring Airlines travel, measure depth carefully. Most travel rollers from Samsonite, Rimowa, Tumi, and similar brands exceed 20 cm depth. Dedicated cabin bags or soft bags are more reliably within the limit.

On Japan routes, expect full enforcement at PVG. Japanese airports (NRT, KIX) may apply less rigorous weight checks on Spring Airlines flights at those airports, but Shanghai Pudong enforces on departure. Do not rely on the destination airport's enforcement culture.

The Bottom Line

Spring Airlines enforces one of global aviation's strictest carry-on policies: 55 × 40 × 20 cm, 5 kg maximum, rigorously enforced at Chinese airports. As China's largest budget carrier, Spring offers genuinely low fares but demands genuinely light packing. The 20 cm depth eliminates most mainstream international rolling bags. Use a soft, ultralight cabin bag, weigh carefully at home, pre-purchase checked baggage at booking if you need more capacity, and consider SkyPLUS if a 10 kg allowance would meaningfully improve your travel experience.

Carry-on rules are subject to change. Always verify current policy at ch.com (Spring Airlines) before travel.