LATAM Airlines Carry-On Size, Weight & Liquid Policy: What to Know!

LATAM’s carry-on rules are pretty clear once you separate the two items they care about: your under-seat personal item and your overhead-bin carry-on. The “gotcha” is fare type—Basic can limit you to a personal item only, while higher fares typically include the overhead carry-on.

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

LATAM carry-on rules at a glance

Here’s the quick cheat sheet for the three things most people search for—carry-on size, carry-on weight, and liquids:

• Carry-on bag (overhead bin) size: 55 × 35 × 25 cm (about 21.7″ × 13.8″ × 9.8″)
• Carry-on bag (overhead bin) weight: 12 kg (26 lb) in Economy; 16 kg (35 lb) in Premium Economy / Premium Business
• Personal item (small bag/backpack) size: 45 × 35 × 20 cm (about 17.8″ × 13.8″ × 7.9″)
• Personal item weight: 10 kg (22 lb)
• Basic fare note: Basic typically does not include the 12 kg overhead carry-on, but you can add it for a fee before the flight
• Liquids: Most airports follow the 100 ml containers in a 1 L clear bag standard; U.S. departures follow TSA (details below)

Important: The Basic fare does not include baggage to be carried in the overhead compartment of the aircraft, but it may be purchased as an additional cost up to 6 hours prior to the flight departure.

LATAM carry-on size limit (overhead bin)

LATAM’s published maximum size for an overhead-bin carry-on is:

• 55 cm (H) × 35 cm (L) × 25 cm (W)

This is the dimension you should measure including wheels, handles, and anything that sticks out—especially if you tend to use exterior pockets.

LATAM carry-on weight limit

LATAM publishes a carry-on weight limit, and it’s not something you want to ignore:

• Economy cabin: 12 kg (26 lb)
• Premium Economy / Premium Business: 16 kg (35 lb)

If your carry-on exceeds the allowed size or weight, LATAM states it can be sent to the hold and you’ll need to pay an additional cost.

LATAM personal item rules (under-seat bag)

LATAM also allows a smaller “personal item” (their small bag/backpack category), with published limits:

• Max size: 45 × 35 × 20 cm
• Max weight: 10 kg (22 lb)

This is the bag to keep truly under-seat sized—think small backpack, briefcase, laptop bag, or tote that slides under the seat without forcing it.

LATAM may also double check you carry on bag before you board your flight. When I was on a LATAM flight from Lima to Cusco they had bag sizers at the gate as well as the ticketing area.

Musical Instruments

Musical Instruments can be accepted as cabin baggage if they meet the weight and size restrictions of the carry-on baggage allowance.

Larger instruments may travel with you in a separately purchased seat if the following are observed:

• Purchased reservation of an extra seat on the same fare and service class without the right to an extra baggage allowance.
• The maximum weight allowance is 75 kg/165 lb (45 kg/99 lb LATAM Airlines Brasil and LATAM Airlines Paraguay flights)

Basic fare: do you get a carry-on on LATAM?

This is where travelers get surprised.

LATAM notes that Basic fare does not include the 12 kg overhead carry-on, but you can typically add it in “My trips” up to 6 hours before your flight (for a fee). Practically speaking: if you booked Basic, plan on personal item only unless you’ve explicitly added the carry-on.

Recommended Carry-On Bag for LATAM

If you want a wheeled carry-on that’s built around international sizing, the Travelpro Maxlite 5 International Expandable Carry-On Spinner (19″) is the best fit for LATAM’s published cabin bag limits.

Why it’s a strong match for LATAM: LATAM’s overhead carry-on size limit is 55 × 35 × 25 cm. This bag’s overall dimensions are designed for international carry-on compatibility and stay in the right range for airlines that use a 55 cm height standard.

Manufacturer dimensions:

• Overall (incl. wheels/handles): 21.75″ H × 15.75″ W × 7.75″ D

Two practical tips that will keep this recommendation “no-drama” in real life:

• Don’t expand it for carry-on travel. Expansion is how bags drift out of compliance.
• If you’re trying to stay under LATAM’s 12 kg Economy weight limit, keep dense items (shoes, heavy chargers, books) to a minimum in the roller and move essentials into your under-seat bag.

LATAM Airlines Carry-On Liquid Policy

The rules for carry-on liquids are set by the TSA in the US and the EASA and European Commission in Europe.  LATAM 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.
• Medicines 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”:

LATAM Airlines Pet Policy

LATAM will only allow small-sized dogs and cats in the cabin, as long as their total weight (pet + kennel/container) does not exceed 7 kgs (15 lbs.). The pet must remain in its kennel (container) for the entire flight duration.

Check out LATAM’s complete pet policy here.

LATAM Airlines Carry-On Size and Fees

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

Here is a link to LATAM Airlines’s Carry-On page to ensure you have the most up-to-date information.