Guide to Turkish Airlines Carry-On Size, Weight & Personal Items

If you’re planning to fly Turkish Airlines 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’s rules are different, so don’t just assume what works for one will work for all airlines.

Here is everything you should know before boarding a flight on Turkish Airlines.

Turkish Airlines Carry-On Size & Weight Limit

Turkish Airlines allows one carry-on bag and one personal item onboard, at no charge, for economy class and they allow two carry-on bags plus a personal item for those flying in business class cabins (similar to Air France).

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

Turkish Airlines Carry-On Size Dimensions

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

• Dimensions for carry-on baggage: max. 50 x 40 x 23 cm (21.5 x 15.7 x 9 in)
• Dimensions for personal items: max. 40 x 30 x 15 cm (15.5 x 12 x 6 in)

If you aren’t sure what size your carry-on is, Turkish Airlines normally provides “size check templates” at their ticketing counters and departure gates.  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 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

If you are looking for a great carry-on bag when flying Turkish, I recommend the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Expandable Spinner. I have used this carry-on for years. Plus, it fits within Turkish Airlines carry-on size limit of 21.5 x 15.7 x 9 inches.

Our Pick

Travelpro Maxlite 5 21" Carry-On Expandable Spinner

This carry-on bag has been sizer bin tested to accommodate overhead bin space on most major US airlines.

Case Dimensions:

• H: 21 in. W: 14 in. D: 9 in.

Note: If fully expanded it may not meet overhead bin size limits, so be careful to not overpack.

Buy on Amazon.com Buy on Travelpro.com

It’s durable, reasonably priced, and holds everything I need for shorter trips (3-5 days). Plus the spinner wheels make it very easy to get through the airport quickly and effortlessly.

Turkish Airlines Personal Item Size

Personal items include a handbag, briefcase, laptop, backpack, diaper bag, or a similar-sized item.

The personal item cannot exceed 40x30x15 cm (15.5 x 12 x 6 inches) in size and 4 kg in weight.

The image below shows some examples of personal items and the size limits associated with each type:

Turkish Airlines Carry-On Weight Limit

Turkish Airlines requires carry-on bags to weigh less than 8 kg each (18 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.

Business Class passengers have a higher weight limit of up to 16 kg between the two bags they can carry on.

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Checked Baggage Fees

If your carry on is too big and you have to check baggage on Turkish Airlines, there are some size and weight rules to be aware of.

Turkish Airlines no longer shows its baggage fees in a table format so you have to use the airline’s baggage calculator to check the allowance for a specific route. 

You can prepay for excess baggage with Turkish Airlines by logging in to your booking on the Turkish Airlines website.

Carry-On Liquids: Turkish Airlines Liquid Policy

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

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.

Carry-On Pet Policy

For pets traveling with you in the cabin, the weight of the animal and the crate must not exceed 8 kg. The crate can be a maximum of 23 cm (height) x 30 cm (width) x 40 cm (length).  Turkish allows Cats, dogs, and small singing birds (e.g., parakeets, canaries) to be transported in the cabin with the passenger.

• The bag must be well-ventilated and big enough for your animal to stand up and turn around.
• The bag must fit in the area underneath the seat in front of you.
• Under no circumstances may your animal leave its travel bag during the flight.
• Your pet’s travel container is considered an additional baggage item and will incur a fee.

Here is a link for all fees related to bringing your pet with you.

Prohibited Items and Dangerous Goods

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

Prohibited Items:

Here is a list of items that are strictly prohibited on Turkish Airlines flights:

• Firearms and ammunition
• Self-defense sprays, such as mace and pepper spray
• Explosives, including fireworks and flares
• Flammable liquids, including gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene
• Poisonous, infectious, or radioactive substances
• Knives and sharp objects (pocket knives, cutting instruments, razors, ice picks, carpet knives, metal scissors, box cutters, or similar items) 
• Any alcoholic beverage with more than 70 percent alcohol
• Camping equipment containing flammable liquids or gasses 
• Hoverboards, including electric skateboards, balance boards, gravity boards, and self-balancing devices
• Medical or liquid oxygen 
• Torch lighters, lighter fluid, strike-anywhere matches, and fire starters
• Wet-cell batteries

It is important to note that this is not an exhaustive list and that the rules and regulations are subject to change. Additional prohibited or restricted goods and materials can be found in the following resources:

• IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations
• TSA Permitted and Prohibited Items
• EASA Dangerous Goods.
• FAA Packsafe List

Another way to find a list of prohibited and restricted items is with the Turkish Airlines summary of restricted items.