Icelandair Carry-On Policy: Everything You Need to Know

If you’re planning to travel with just a carry-on, you’ll need to be up to speed with airline carry-on policies. Specifically, the various rules and regulations each carrier has for what you can and can’t “carry on” to the plane. Each airline has different carry-on rules, so don’t just assume what works for one will work for all airlines.

Icelandair carry-on rules at a glance

Here’s the quick “will my bag get flagged?” summary before we get into the details.

• Carry-on size: 55 x 40 x 20 cm (21.6 x 15.7 x 7.8 in)
• Carry-on weight: 10 kg (22 lb) per carry-on
• Personal item size: 40 x 30 x 15 cm (15.7 x 11.8 x 5.9 in)
• How many bags: Most fares include 1 carry-on + 1 personal item; Saga Premium Flex includes 2 carry-ons + 1 personal

Icelandair Airlines Personal Item Size

The following items may be brought onboard without counting toward your carry-on limit.

• For infants (diaper bag, child seat, and stroller),

Icelandair Airlines Carry-On Baggage Size Limit

Icelandair size requirements for a carry-on are:

• Dimensions for carry-on baggage: max. 55 x 40 x 20 cm (21.6 x 15.7 x 7.8 in), including wheels and handles.

If you aren’t sure what size your carry-on is, Icelandair typically provides “size check templates” located at their ticketing counters and some departure gates. But if you wait until you get to either of these locations and have an issue, it’s too late.

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.

What counts as a carry-on vs. a personal item on Icelandair?

Your carry-on goes in the overhead bin. Your personal item goes under the seat in front of you (think: small backpack, laptop bag, purse).

If you want the bigger-picture context for how airlines define these two items, start with your pillar guide: airline carry-on luggage rules.

How many carry-ons you can bring (by fare type)

Icelandair’s allowances can vary by fare family:

• Economy Light / Standard / Flex: 1 carry-on (10 kg) + 1 personal item
• Saga Premium: 1 carry-on (10 kg) + 1 personal item
• Saga Premium Flex: 2 carry-ons (10 kg each) + 1 personal item

Recommended Carry-On Bag for Icelandic Air

If you want one wheeled carry-on that’s purpose-built around international cabin sizing (instead of “it’ll probably be fine”), I recommend the Travelpro Maxlite 5 International Expandable Carry-On Spinner (19″).

Why it’s a strong match for Icelandair: Icelandair’s published carry-on size is 55 x 40 x 20 cm, and the Maxlite 5 International is a compact international-spinner format with an overall size of 21.75″ x 15.75″ x 7.75″ (including wheels/handles). That puts it right in the “designed for international overhead bins” category—especially on the depth dimension, where Icelandair is tighter than many airlines.

Our Pick

Maxlite 5 International Carry-on Spinner (19-Inch ) | by Travelpro

Sized to meet carry-on limits for a wide range of international airlines.

Overall Dimensions (includes wheels and carry handles):

H: 21.75 in. W: 15.75 in. D: 7.75 in.

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Two practical tips that help in the real world:

• Don’t expand it when you’re flying Icelandair (expansion is where bags start to bulge past the sizer).
• Don’t overpack the front panel, since soft-siders can bow outward even when the published dimensions look perfect.

Restricted items for Carry-on

Before you board your flight, check the guidelines for the following items:

• Guns, firearms, and other devices that discharge projectiles
• Stun devices.
• Industrial utilities or power tools
• Sharp or pointy objects
• Blunt instruments
• Explosives and flammable substances

Additional restricted items can be found here.

Icelandair Liquids Policy

The rules for carry-on liquids are set by the TSA, EASA, and FAA. Icelandair 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 one 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 during 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.
• Medicines and special food (e.g., baby food) can be carried outside the plastic bag and must also be presented at security.

More information on the Icelandair liquid policy can be found here.

Prohibited Items and Dangerous Goods

There are certain items that are considered dangerous and classified as hazardous materials. Dangerous goods are prohibited from both your carry-on and checked bags on all flights. These rules are not specific to any airline and are mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration and European Aviation Safety Agency.

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