TAROM Carry-On Rules: Size, Weight & SkyTeam Benefits (2026)

TAROM (Transporturile Aeriene Române) is Romania's national flag carrier and one of Europe's oldest airlines, founded in 1954 and still majority state-owned. The airline joined SkyTeam in 2010, connecting its network to Air France, Delta, Korean Air, and other alliance partners. TAROM operates primarily from Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP) in Bucharest, with a route network covering European destinations, the Middle East, and limited North Africa service. It is a full-service carrier — not a budget airline — and its carry-on policy reflects that positioning: the allowances are more generous than most European LCCs on both dimensions and weight.

TAROM Carry-On Allowance by Cabin

Cabin	Dimensions	Weight	Personal Item
Economy	55 × 40 × 25 cm	8 kg	1 underseat bag
Business	55 × 40 × 25 cm	12 kg	1 underseat bag

The 55 × 40 × 25 cm dimensions are notably generous on the depth (25 cm) compared to carriers like LOT Polish Airlines (20 cm) or Ryanair (20 cm). Combined with the 8 kg economy weight limit, TAROM's carry-on policy is comfortably in the more lenient half of European full-service carriers.

Personal Item

All passengers may carry one personal item in addition to the overhead cabin bag. Acceptable personal items include a laptop bag, handbag, small backpack, or camera bag. No published weight limit applies to the personal item, but it must fit under the seat in front of you.

TAROM's staff interpret "personal item" in the conventional way — a bag that is genuinely small, not a second rolling suitcase or a large rucksack. If it has wheels, it is probably not a personal item.

Free Checked Baggage

TAROM is a full-service carrier and includes checked baggage in most economy fares on international routes:

• International routes: one checked bag, 23 kg
• Some domestic Romanian routes: 15 kg limit (verify at booking)

Fare class can affect inclusion — check your ticket conditions before arriving at the airport expecting a free bag.

SkyTeam Membership and Elite Benefits

TAROM joined SkyTeam in 2010, and the membership is relevant to frequent flyers in the alliance ecosystem:

• SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus status is recognized at TAROM check-in. Status earned on Air France, Delta, KLM, Korean Air, and other SkyTeam partners applies to TAROM flights.
• Elite Plus checked baggage: SkyTeam Elite Plus members typically receive one additional checked bag or extra weight allowance (around 10 kg) beyond the standard fare. This applies to checked baggage, not the carry-on.
• Carry-on limits are unchanged by status. Neither SkyTeam Elite nor Elite Plus increases the overhead carry-on allowance.
• Priority check-in and boarding are available to Elite and Elite Plus members at OTP.

If you are connecting through Bucharest on a SkyTeam partner ticket, TAROM's check-in staff will recognize partner status cards and boarding passes.

Enforcement

TAROM's enforcement is moderate and consistent at Bucharest OTP:

• Check-in desk: Weight is checked at the check-in counter for economy passengers. The 8 kg limit is applied. Passengers who are clearly over may be asked to redistribute or check the bag.
• Gate enforcement: Gate-side carry-on checks are present but not aggressive by European LCC standards. Staff are experienced rather than confrontational.
• Turboprop routes (ATR 42/72): This is where enforcement becomes more practical rather than policy-based. Overhead bins on ATR turboprops are small, and bags that fit comfortably in a 737's overhead locker may not fit in an ATR. See the fleet section below.

At non-OTP airports, enforcement reflects the local airport and ground handling standards — which can vary.

Fleet Considerations

TAROM's fleet includes aircraft with meaningfully different overhead bin capacities:

• Boeing 737-300/400/500: Older narrowbody jets with standard overhead bin space. A 55 × 40 × 25 cm bag will typically fit if packed to dimension. These aircraft serve mid-range European routes.
• ATR 42 and ATR 72: Turboprop aircraft used on shorter routes and some domestic Romanian services. The overhead bins on ATR turboprops are notably smaller than on jet aircraft. A bag that technically meets the 55 × 40 × 25 cm limit may be required to go in the hold on ATR-operated flights. This is common across European regional operators, not a TAROM-specific policy — but it catches passengers who aren't expecting it.
• Wet-leased A320s: TAROM occasionally uses wet-leased Airbus A320s on busier routes. These have full-size overhead bins with no additional restrictions.

Check your aircraft type at booking if you are concerned about bin space. ATR-operated flights are clearly marked in the booking system.

Codeshare Flights

TAROM operates codeshare routes with Air France, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, and others. The key rule: baggage policy follows the operating carrier. If your ticket shows TAROM as the operating carrier, TAROM's rules apply regardless of which airline sold you the ticket. If a partner airline is operating a TAROM-marketed flight, that carrier's rules govern.

For connecting itineraries on a single SkyTeam booking, the most common rule is that the carry-on policy of the first operating carrier applies throughout the journey — but verify with your booking agent if the aircraft types differ significantly.

What Doesn't Count Against the Allowance

TAROM follows standard full-service carrier exemptions:

• Outer garments (coats, jackets) carried rather than packed
• Baby equipment for infants traveling on the same booking
• Mobility aids and medical equipment
• Medications in reasonable quantities
• Duty-free purchases in sealed airport bags

Tips for TAROM Passengers

Use the 25 cm depth. TAROM's 55 × 40 × 25 cm dimensions are genuinely more spacious than many European carriers. If you fly TAROM regularly, a bag optimized to this size will give you more packing room than a bag sized for Ryanair or easyJet.

Check your aircraft type if flying short routes. ATR turboprop flights to smaller Romanian cities or regional European destinations have small overhead bins. Confirm the aircraft at booking and prepare for potential gate-checking on those legs.

SkyTeam partners check in at the SkyTeam desk. At OTP, SkyTeam priority check-in is consolidated. If you hold Elite Plus status on any SkyTeam carrier, use the priority lane.

Weigh your bag at home. The 8 kg limit is applied at check-in. TAROM's staff are consistent rather than strict, but they do weigh bags. An 8 kg limit fills up quickly with a laptop, shoes, and travel documents.

Verify checked bag inclusion for domestic routes. The 15 kg domestic allowance is lower than the international 23 kg. If your trip combines a TAROM domestic leg with an international connection, check the applicable allowance for each segment.

The Bottom Line

TAROM offers a straightforward, mid-market full-service carry-on policy: 55 × 40 × 25 cm and 8 kg in economy, 12 kg in business, with a personal item permitted for all passengers. The dimensions are more generous than many European carriers, making TAROM reasonable for travelers who carry a fuller cabin bag. SkyTeam membership means status holders from Air France, Delta, KLM, and other partners receive recognition at Bucharest OTP. The one caveat is the ATR turboprop fleet on shorter routes, where smaller overhead bins can require gate-checking bags that would fit comfortably on a jet. Know your aircraft type, weigh your bag, and TAROM's carry-on rules are simple to comply with.