What is the maximum size of the suitcase? The latest aviation and railway size guide in 2024
As the summer travel rush approaches, the issue of suitcase size has once again become a hot topic. In the past 10 days, searches for keywords such as "suitcases refused to be carried" and "fine for excessive boarding bags" on social platforms have surged by 120%. This article will provide you with a detailed analysis of suitcase size standards based on the latest aviation and railway regulations.
1. Comparison of airline luggage size restrictions (updated in June 2024)

| airline | Maximum size of carry-on suitcase | Maximum size of shipping box | weight limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air China | 20 inches (55×40×20cm) | 32 inches (sum of three sides ≤ 158cm) | 23kg/piece |
| China Southern Airlines | 21 inches (55×40×23cm) | 30 inches (sum of three sides ≤ 150cm) | 23kg/piece |
| China Eastern Airlines | 20 inches (55×40×20cm) | 28 inches (sum of three sides ≤ 140cm) | 23kg/piece |
| Hainan Airlines | 22 inches (56×36×23cm) | 32 inches (sum of three sides ≤ 158cm) | 32kg/piece |
2. Specifications of railway transport suitcases (latest China Railway 12306 standard)
| Train type | Maximum size | weight limit | special regulations |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-speed rail/EMU | 28 inches (length, width and height ≤130cm) | 20kg/piece | Luggage rack height limit is 50cm |
| Ordinary train | 32 inches (length, width and height ≤160cm) | 50kg/piece | Need to check in |
3. Special regulations for international routes
Many countries have recently updated their entry baggage policies: Japan will adjust the size limit for duty-free goods to less than 30 inches from June 2024; the European Union will implement new boarding suitcase regulations of "three sides and ≤115cm" for connecting flights; and the U.S. TSA requires that all smart suitcases containing lithium batteries must be removable.
| international routes | Maximum size of shipping box | Special requirements for carry-on luggage |
|---|---|---|
| China-US routes | 32 inches (sum of three sides ≤ 158cm) | Wheels included in size measurement |
| China-Europe route | 30 inches (sum of three sides ≤ 150cm) | Weight limit 8kg |
| China-Japan route | 28 inches (sum of three sides ≤ 140cm) | Locked checked items are prohibited |
4. Purchasing suggestions and pitfall avoidance guides
1.Material selection: Recent hot searches show that searches for carbon fiber suitcases have increased by 70%. They are 40% lighter than traditional PC materials, but the price is 2-3 times higher.
2.Smart luggage: 50% of new products in 2024 will be equipped with GPS tracking functions, but attention should be paid to airlines’ battery capacity restrictions (≤100Wh).
3.Extension layer design: A popular review on Douyin shows that the actual capacity of a suitcase with an expansion layer can be increased by 15%, but it may exceed aviation standards after expansion.
5. Actual measurement data: size comparison of popular brands
| Brand | Dimensioning | Actual size | error value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rimowa | 20 inches (55×40×20cm) | 56×41×21cm | +3% |
| Samsonite | 28 inches (70×50×30cm) | 69×49×29cm | -2% |
| diplomat | 24 inches (60×40×25cm) | 61×41×26cm | +4% |
According to the latest consumer complaint data, about 12% of carry-on bags cannot be boarded because the protruding parts of wheels/handles are not included in the marked dimensions. It is recommended to leave a compliance margin of 3-5cm when purchasing, and give priority to brands that provide "aviation compliance guarantee".
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