SriLankan Airlines Baggage Policy
Below is the baggage policy for SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier of Sri Lanka, for 2025, covering carry-on and checked baggage allowances, fees, and restrictions. The policy uses the weight concept for most routes and the piece concept for travel to/from North, Central, and South America. Allowances vary by class, route, and FlySmiLes membership tier. Policies may differ for codeshare flights (e.g., with Air Canada, Japan Airlines) or interline partners, where the first marketing carrier’s rules typically apply. Note: Information is accurate as of July 2025 based on available sources.
Carry-On Baggage
All passengers are allowed carry-on baggage with strict size and weight limits, enforced at check-in or the gate. Oversized/overweight bags may be checked with additional fees.
- Economy Class:
- 1 carry-on bag: Max 7 kg (15.4 lbs), dimensions up to 56 x 36 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 in, total 115 cm/45 in), including handles/wheels.
- 1 personal item (e.g., purse, laptop bag, overcoat, small camera): Must fit under the seat, no specific size/weight limit but typically within 40 x 30 x 15 cm (16 x 12 x 6 in).
- Business Class:
- 2 carry-on bags: Each max 7 kg (15.4 lbs, total 14 kg/30.8 lbs), dimensions up to 56 x 36 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 in) per bag.
- 1 personal item: Same as Economy.
- Infants (Under 2 Years, No Seat):
- 1 carry-on bag: Max 5 kg (11 lbs), dimensions up to 56 x 36 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 in), containing infant food, toiletries, and nappies for in-flight use.
- 1 folding stroller, car seat, or carry-cot: Free, may be gate-checked.
- Notes:
- Bags must fit in overhead bins or under the seat. Emergency exits/aisles must remain clear.
- Additional free items: 1 laptop, 1 overcoat, 1 umbrella, 1 small camera, 1 pair of binoculars, reasonable reading material, duty-free items (within allowance).
- Liquids/gels: Max 100 ml per container in a 1-liter resealable bag, per international security rules. Duty-free liquids in Security Tamper-Evident Bags (STEBs) allowed with receipt, unopened until final destination.
- Prohibited items: E-cigarettes, hoverboards, strike-anywhere matches, explosives, flammable gases, lighter refills. Lithium batteries (100–160Wh) require approval; max 15 personal electronic devices (PEDs) per passenger, turned off in checked baggage.
- Enforcement: Strict at major airports (e.g., London LHR, Singapore SIN); less strict at smaller airports (e.g., Colombo CMB, Male MLE) but weight checks may occur.
Checked Baggage
Checked baggage allowances vary by class, route, and FlySmiLes tier, using the weight concept for most routes and the piece concept for North, Central, and South America. No single bag may exceed 32 kg (70.5 lbs) or 158 cm (62 in) in total dimensions (length + width + height).
| Class/Route |
Standard Allowance |
FlySmiLes Silver |
FlySmiLes Gold/Platinum |
Max Weight/Dimensions |
| Economy (Most Routes) |
30 kg (66 lbs) |
42 kg (92.6 lbs) |
45 kg (99.2 lbs) |
32 kg (70.5 lbs), 158 cm (62 in) per bag |
| Business (Most Routes) |
40 kg (88 lbs) |
52 kg (114.6 lbs) |
55 kg (121.3 lbs) |
32 kg (70.5 lbs), 158 cm (62 in) per bag |
| Economy (to/from Americas) |
2 pieces, each 23 kg (50 lbs) |
2 pieces, each 23 kg + 12 kg extra |
2 pieces, each 23 kg + 15 kg extra |
32 kg (70.5 lbs), 158 cm (62 in) per bag |
| Business (to/from Americas) |
2 pieces, each 32 kg (70.5 lbs) |
2 pieces, each 32 kg + 12 kg extra |
2 pieces, each 32 kg + 15 kg extra |
32 kg (70.5 lbs), 158 cm (62 in) per bag |
| Infants (No Seat, All Routes) |
10 kg (22 lbs) + 1 stroller/car seat |
No extra allowance |
115 cm (45 in) for infant bag |
Notes:
- Piece Concept (Americas): Applies to through-ticketed itineraries to/from North, Central, South America, even if operated by partners (e.g., Air Canada).
- Weight Concept: No limit on number of bags if total weight is within allowance (e.g., 40 kg can be split across multiple bags, none over 32 kg).
- Fragile/Valuable Items: Not recommended in checked baggage; SriLankan is not liable for damage to electronics, jewelry, or poorly packed items.
- Check-In Deadlines: 60 minutes before departure (domestic), 90 minutes (international). Arrive 3 hours early for international flights, especially to the Americas.
Excess Baggage Fees
Fees apply for baggage exceeding the allowance, charged per kilogram (weight concept) or per piece (piece concept). Fees vary by route.
- Weight Concept (Most Routes):
- South Asia (e.g., India, Maldives): $10–$15 USD per kg.
- South East Asia (e.g., Singapore, Thailand): $15–$25 USD per kg.
- Europe (e.g., UK, Germany): $25–$30 USD per kg.
- Middle East (e.g., UAE, Qatar): $15 USD per kg.
- South West Pacific (e.g., Australia): $30–$40 USD per kg.
- Piece Concept (to/from Americas):
- Overweight (23–32 kg, Economy): $75 USD per piece.
- Additional piece (up to 32 kg): $250 USD per piece, all classes.
- Notes:
- Bags over 32 kg or 203 cm (80 in) must be shipped as cargo.
- Fees are per one-way trip, payable in local currency at check-in.
- Codeshare flights (e.g., Air Canada): Operating carrier’s fees may apply (e.g., $100 CAD for a second bag).
Special Items
- Sports Equipment:
- Snow skiing equipment (max 11 kg): Charged as 3 kg of excess baggage (e.g., $30–$45 USD in South Asia).
- Golf equipment (max 15 kg): Charged as 6 kg of excess baggage (e.g., $60–$90 USD in South Asia).
- Other equipment (e.g., surfboards, bicycles): Counts as checked baggage if within 32 kg and 158 cm; otherwise, excess/oversized fees apply. Notify in advance.
- Musical Instruments:
- Within carry-on limits (56 x 36 x 23 cm, 7 kg): Counts as carry-on.
- Checked: Max 75 kg, excess fees apply if over allowance. Must be in a hard case.
- Extra seat: Book via Call Center for fragile instruments; max 75 kg, dimensions vary by aircraft.
- Pets:
- Checked: Domestic animals (cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, ornamental fish) in approved carriers, max 32 kg (pet + carrier). Excess baggage fees apply (e.g., $15–$40 USD/kg). Notify 48 hours in advance for cargo hold availability.
- Service animals: Free in cabin (e.g., seeing-eye/hearing dogs), muzzled, harnessed, and secured to the owner’s seatbelt. Must be clean and well-behaved. Notify in advance.
- Mobility Equipment: Wheelchairs and assistive devices free, no weight limit, with prior notification. Non-spillable batteries allowed; spillable/lithium batteries may require removal.
- Infant Items: Strollers, car seats, carry-cots free when checked.
Lost, Damaged, or Delayed Baggage
- Reporting: File a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) at the airport’s Baggage Services Counter. Track via the WorldTracer system.
- Claims: Submit within 7 days for damage, 21 days for delay, up to 1,131 SDRs (approx. $1,800 USD) for loss, per Montreal Convention.
- Liability: SriLankan is not liable for damage due to inherent defects, poor packing, or fragile items (e.g., electronics, glassware).
- Recommendations: Label bags, use locks, and pack valuables/medications in carry-on. Consider travel insurance for high-value items.
Additional Notes
- FlySmiLes Benefits: Extra allowance for members: Platinum (20 kg), Gold (15 kg), Silver (12 kg), Classic (5 kg) on SriLankan or oneworld flights.
- Codeshare Flights: For U.S. routes, the first carrier’s policy applies (e.g., Air Canada’s $100 CAD for an extra bag). For non-U.S. routes, check the operating carrier’s policy.
- Check-In: Online check-in opens 24 hours and closes 2 hours (domestic) or 3 hours (international) before departure. Airport check-in closes 60 minutes (domestic) or 90 minutes (international) before departure. Arrive 3 hours early for U.S. flights.
- Recommendations: Pre-purchase excess baggage online to save up to 60%. Use lightweight luggage to maximize allowance. Check restricted items and visa/passport requirements (e.g., 6-month passport validity for some destinations).
