Etihad Cabin Baggage Allowance, Rules & Restrictions

Etihad’s cabin baggage rules are fairly simple: Economy gets one main carry-on, while Business/First/The Residence gets more flexibility—with one important exception on U.S. routes. If you pack to the published size and weight limits (and keep your smaller “extra bag” genuinely small), you’ll typically avoid gate-side surprises.

For quick cross-airline comparisons, you can also reference my airline carry-on luggage rules guide.

Etihad carry-on rules at a glance

• Economy allowance: 1 cabin bag
• Economy size: 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22″ × 14″ × 9″)
• Economy weight: 7 kg (15 lb)
• Business / First / The Residence allowance: 2 cabin bags (combined 12 kg)
• U.S. route exception: Business/First/The Residence is limited to 1 cabin bag up to 12 kg when flying to/from the U.S.
• Extra small bag (Business/First/The Residence): 1 additional smaller bag up to 5 kg, up to 23 × 39 × 19 cm

Etihad carry-on size limit

Etihad’s published maximum cabin bag size is:

• 56 × 36 × 23 cm (including wheels and handles)

If your bag is close, measure it when fully packed. Bulging front pockets and “just one more thing” overstuffing are what usually push a bag from compliant to questionable.

Etihad carry-on weight limit

Etihad’s carry-on weight rules are:

• Economy: 7 kg total for your one cabin bag
• Business / First / The Residence: up to 12 kg combined across two cabin bags
• To/from the U.S. (Business/First/The Residence): one cabin bag up to 12 kg

That U.S. exception matters—if you’re connecting and your ticket includes a U.S. segment, treat the “one bag” rule as the baseline so you don’t end up reorganizing at the gate.

Etihad personal item rules (and the “extra small bag” detail)

Etihad’s published cabin baggage language is a little different than some airlines because it explicitly calls out an additional smaller bag for premium cabins:

• Extra small bag (Business/First/The Residence): up to 5 kg and up to 23 × 39 × 19 cm

Practically, this is the under-seat bag you want for essentials (passport, medication, chargers, laptop/tablet). Keep it compact enough to fit under the seat without drama.

If you’re in Economy, assume your laptop/handbag needs to be packed within your single cabin-bag allowance unless your specific booking confirmation states otherwise.

If the bag is too big or too heavy, you’re going to have to pay a fee, so it’s always better to know your bag size and the limitations in advance.

Recommended Carry-On Bag for Eithad

International carry-on rules are much easier to live with when your bag starts from an international-size baseline, not a U.S.-first design. That’s why I recommend the Travelpro Maxlite 5 International Expandable Carry-On Spinner (19″)—it’s compact, rolls well, and tends to be a safer fit across a wide range of international airlines.

If the airline you’re flying is known for strict sizing or weight checks, keep the bag unexpanded and avoid overstuffing exterior pockets so it stays as slim as it measures.

Manufacturer dimensions:

• Overall dimensions: 21.75″ H × 15.75″ W × 7.75″ D (includes wheels and carry handles)
• Case dimensions: 19″ H × 15″ W × 7.75″ D

Why it works well for Etihad: Etihad’s cabin-bag size limit (56 × 36 × 23 cm) is one of the more common international templates, and this bag is designed for that “international footprint.” The key is to keep your packing light enough to stay under Etihad’s 7 kg Economy limit.

Etihad Flights to or from the US

If you’re flying to or from the U.S. on Etihad, please keep in mind:

• All electronic devices and accessories must be charged and you may be asked to switch them on to prove this
• Loose or spare batteries, power banks, e-cigarettes, e-pipes, or other personal vaporizers may only be carried in your cabin baggage and are not permitted in checked baggage
• Powder substances or granular materials weighing 350ml/350g/12oz or greater are not permitted in your cabin baggage and must be placed in your checked baggage

Medically-prescribed powder substances, including baby formula and cremated human remains are exempt from these regulations provided that they are sealed, not tampered with and have supporting evidence. Duty-Free items contained in Security Tamper Evident Bags are also exempt as long as they have been purchased after clearing US Customs and Border Protection in Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Etihad Airways Liquids Allowance

The rules for carry-on liquids are set by the TSA, EASA, and FAA.  Etihad doesn’t have its own specific Liquids Policy, they just enforce the rules and policies of the Authorities.

• Containers with liquids and gel-like substances may hold up to 100 ml (maximum capacity must be printed on the container).
• All containers must be carried in a plastic bag (transparent, resealable, max. capacity of 1 liter). One bag per person.
• The bag must be presented separately at security. Take your liquids out of your carry-on baggage at the security screening point and present them separately. In exceptional cases, liquids may be opened in the course of security checks and removed from their outer packaging.
• Liquid duty-free goods purchased at an international airport or on board an aircraft outside the EU must be transported in a tamper-proof, certified bag on connecting flights via an EU airport. The proof of purchase must be inside the bag and the bag must be sealed by the retailer.
• Medicine and special food (e.g. baby food) can be carried outside the plastic bag and must also be presented at security.

Below is a table that provides some examples of Non-solid Food and Personal Items that are considered “liquids”:

Liquids	Food	Aerosols	Gels
Beverages	Jelly	Spray Paint	Hair Gel
Shampoo	Pudding	Deodorant Spray	Shower Gel
Conditioner	Yogurt	Insect Repellent	Hand Sanitizer
Toothpaste	Gelatin	Cooking Spray	Gel Deodorant
Lotion	Mashed Potatoes	Sunscreen
Mouthwash	Peanut Butter	Spray Lubricant
Liquid soap	Cheese Spread	Hairspray
Contact Lens Solution	Maple Syrup	Shaving Cream
Perfume	Hummus

Etihad Carry-On Pet Policy

Similar to Emirates, Etihad Airways does not allow passengers to travel with any kind of pets in the passenger cabin or as checked baggage. In accordance with the regulations of the United Arab Emirates government, all animals must enter the UAE as manifested cargo.

Here is a link to Etihad’s guide on transporting live animals.

Prohibited Items on Etihad Flights

Dangerous goods are prohibited from both your carry-on and checked bags on all flights.  Rules and regulations for hazardous items may vary for different airlines or destinations. It is your responsibility to be aware before your flight.

Items considered “dangerous goods” are prohibited under Etihad’s carry-on policy and include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Firearms and ammunition
• Explosives
• Stunning devices, mace, tear gas, and pepper spray
• Poisonous and infectious substances
• Sharp objects, such as knifes, hatches, etc.
• Hoverboards
• Flammable liquids, including gasoline and kerosene

A complete list can be found on the FAA website, the TSA website, and/or the EASA website.

One more way to find them is with the Etihad summary of dangerous goods.

Etihad Airways Carry-On Size and Fees

Etihad does not charge a fee for carry-on baggage that meets their size requirements.  If your bag is too large and doesn’t meet Etihad’s carry-on restrictions, you may be charged a fee to gate-check it.

Here is a link to the Etihad Airways Carry-On page to make sure you have the most up-to-date information.

More related articles….

1. Etihad Amex Offer: Save when using your American Express Card
2. How to save with Etihad Student Discounts
3. Emirates Carry-on Rules
4. Qatar Airways Carry-on Rules