Singapore Airlines 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 cannot “carry on” to the plane.   Each airline’s carry-on rules are different, so don’t just assume what works for one will work for all airlines.

If you are going to be flying Singapore Airlines, they have very specific guidelines for carry-on sizes, liquids, and other unique items that you may want to bring on board.

In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about Singapore Airlines’ carry-on policy. This includes carry-on size and weight limits, personal items, liquids, pets, prohibited items, and other rules and restrictions you should know before boarding your flight.

Singapore Airlines Carry-On Size & Weight Limit

Singapore Airlines allows one carry-on bag and one personal item onboard, at no charge, for economy class and premium economy class.  Similar to Air France, Singapore Airlines allows two carry-on bags plus a personal item if you are flying in Suites, First or Business Class cabins.

The personal item must fit under the seat in front of you, and the carry-on bag must be stowed in the overhead bin.

Singapore Airlines Carry-On Size (Dimensions)

Singapore Airlines’ size requirements for a carry-on are:

• Dimensions for carry-on baggage: The Sum of the length, width, and height of each piece should not exceed 115cm (45 inches).

Class of travel	Hand Baggage Allowance	Limitations
Suites, First Class, or Business Class	2 pieces	Up to 7kg each The sum of the length, width, and height of each piece should not exceed 115cm.
Economy Class, or Premium Economy Class	1 piece	Up to 7kg each The sum of the length, width, and height of each piece should not exceed 115cm.

If your cabin baggage exceeds these limits, it will be collected and stored in the aircraft cargo compartment. You may also have to pay for additional baggage charges if the combined weight or pieces of baggage exceeds your free allowance.

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

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

Singapore Airlines Carry-On Weight Limit

Singapore Airlines requires carry-on bags to weigh less than 7 kg (15.5 lbs.). However, they don’t weigh your carry-on items prior to boarding, so you’re generally not going to have a problem if it’s too heavy. The weight issue applies to check baggage more than carry-on bags since they weigh your checked bags when you check in for your flight.

Recommended Carry-On Bag

If you are looking for an international-sized carry-on bag, the Travelpro 20-inch Global Expandable Spinner Carry-on is definitely one to consider. It’s durable, reasonably priced, and holds enough for shorter trips (3-5 days). Plus the spinner wheels make it very easy to get through the airport quickly and effortlessly.

Singapore Airlines Personal Item Size

Personal items include a purse, briefcase, laptop, backpack, shopping bag, or a similar-sized item.

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

• Handbag or purse
• Camera / Camera bag
• Document bag / Briefcase
• Overcoat
• Umbrella
• Laptop / Notebook
• Baby and infant items & food to be eaten on board. The total weight of these items should not exceed 6kg (13 lbs.)
• A pair of crutches, a walking stick, and/or other prosthetic devices
• A small number of duty-free goods

The maximum dimension for your personal item is 40x30x10cm (16x12x4 in).  If the sum of your item’s dimensions is large than 80cm (32 in), it will count as part of your carry-on allowance (not a personal item).  You may then have to check the bag, depending on how many carry-on bags you have and what class of service you are flying.

Related Content: Singapore Airlines Flight Deals

Carry-On Liquids: Singapore Airways Liquids Policy

The rules for carry-on liquids are set by the TSA, EASA, and FAA.  Singapore Airlines doesn’t make the rules, but they must enforce them.

• 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

The TSA 3-1-1 Rule

Each passenger may carry liquids, gels, and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters. Each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, gels, and aerosols. Common travel items that must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule include toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash, and lotion.

Any liquid that does not meet the TSA 3-1-1 rule will either have to be checked with your luggage or will be thrown away at the security checkpoint.

Exceptions to this rule are certain medications and baby food/child nourishment.

Carry-On Food

There are two different scenarios pertaining to food: 

1. The food you bring with you to the airport, and
2. The food you buy at the airport after you have gone through security.

An important thing to note is the classification of liquid foods vs. solid foods.  

The general rule is “If you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it, or pour it, then it’s considered a liquid or gel”.   This means your food may be considered a liquid and will fall under the TSA 3-1-1 liquids rule, which mandates that any liquid, gel, cream, aerosol, or paste in a carry-on must be 3.4 ounces or less, and fit in one quart-size resealable bag (only one such bag is allowed per passenger).

The TSA website advises what food can be brought with you on your flight.  This applies to food you are bringing from home through security.   Once you get through security, you can bring just about any food on the plane that you buy at the airport.

However, Singapore Airlines tries to restrict you from bringing on any food that may have a strong smell and offend other passengers.  (All airlines should do this!)

If you are traveling to Singapore, please visit the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) for information on the types of food and quantities allowed into the country.

Singapore Airlines Carry-On Pet Policy

Singapore Airlines does not allow pets in their cabins. 

If you are traveling with a pet, you are going to have to check them in with baggage to travel in the cargo of the plane. 

Singapore Airlines Checked Baggage Policy

If you have to check a bag on Singapore Airlines, there are some size and weight rules to be aware of.  Their checked baggage allowance is based on the weight or piece concept, depending on your final destination.

Destinations other than USA and Canada

For flights to and from all destinations, except Canada and the USA, the following weight policy applies for checked bags

Class of travel	Allowance	PPS Club members	KrisFlyer Elite Gold / Star Alliance Gold members
Suites and First Class	50 kg	Additional 50 kg Total: 100 kg	Additional 20 kg Total: 70 kg
Business Class	40 kg	Additional 40 kg Total: 80 kg	Additional 20 kg Total: 60 kg
Premium Economy Class	35 kg	Additional 35 kg Total: 70 kg	Additional 20 kg Total: 55 kg
Flexi (Economy Class)	30 kg	Additional 30 kg Total: 60 kg	Additional 20 kg Total: 50 kg
Standard (Economy Class)	30 kg	Additional 30 kg Total: 60 kg	Additional 20 kg Total: 50 kg
Value (Economy Class)	25 kg	Additional 25 kg Total: 50 kg	Additional 20 kg Total: 45 kg
Lite (Economy Class)	25 kg	Additional 25 kg Total: 50 kg	Additional 20 kg Total: 45 kg

Flights To/From USA and Canada

For flights to and from Canada and the USA, the following piece policy applies for checked bags.

Class of travel	To/From Canada or the USA	PPS Club members	KrisFlyer Elite Gold / Star Alliance Gold members
Suites and First Class	2 pieces, up to 32 kg each	2 Additional pieces, up to 32 kg each	1 Additional piece, up to 32 kg each
Business Class	2 pieces, up to 32 kg each	2 Additional pieces, up to 32 kg each	1 Additional piece, up to 32 kg each
Premium Economy Class	2 pieces, up to 23 kg each	2 Additional pieces, up to 23 kg each	1 Additional piece, up to 23 kg each
Economy Class	2 pieces, up to 23 kg each	2 Additional pieces, up to 23 kg each	1 Additional piece, up to 23 kg each

Prohibited Items and Dangerous Goods

There are certain items that are considered dangerous and classified as hazardous material.  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.

Items considered “dangerous goods” are prohibited under Singapore Airlines’ carry-on policy and include the following:

• Firearms and ammunition
• Stunning devices, mace, tear gas, and pepper spray
• Poisonous, infectious, or radioactive substances
• Sharp or pointed objects (knives, swords, cutting instruments, razors, ice skates, carpet knives, metal scissors, box cutters, or similar items) 
• Camping equipment containing flammable liquids or gasses 
• Flammable liquids, including gasoline and kerosene
• Self-Balancing devices such as hoverboards, including electric skateboards, balance boards, and gravity boards
• Medical or liquid oxygen 
• Torch lighters, lighter fluid, strike-anywhere matches, and fire starters
• Wet-cell batteries

The following items are not considered “dangerous goods” and are allowed when packaged properly, in accordance with FAA regulations

• Hair dryer/Straightener
• Hair spray
• Sunscreen/bug spray
• Food as a carry-on
• Fishing hooks
• Fragile glass items

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 Singapore Airlines summary of dangerous goods.

Singapore Airlines Carry-On Size and Fees

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

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

More related articles….

1. 5 Tips to Travel with Just One Bag
2. How to Use Packing Cubes to Travel with Just A Carry-On
3. The Best Carry-On Bags for Regional and Small Jets
4. 5 Essential Things to Stay Organized While on The Road