Umrah and Hajj are the two most important journeys a Muslim ever makes in his or her life. Unless you live in Saudi Arabia, the common medium of travel to Saudi Arabia is by air. Hence, knowing about how much luggage you are allowed to take with you is very important. It will help you avoid any inconveniences at the time of boarding your flights.
There are a lot of factors that go into deciding how much luggage you can take with you. This information can help you plan a stress-free Umrah. Whether you have booked All Inclusive Umrah Packages or are flying on your own, weight and luggage information is important.
General Baggage Allowance on Flights from the UK to Jeddah or Madinah
Most affordable Umrah packages come with flights in either Saudi or British airlines, along with others such as Emirates and Etihad. Most flights allow a checked baggage limit of 23 kg (51 lbs) per bag. If you are traveling in business or first class, the maximum baggage allowance is 32 kg (70 lbs) per bag.
Here is a detailed analysis of these two airlines.
1. Saudi Airlines (Saudia)
Let’s begin by looking at the baggage policies of some of the most commonly used airlines for Umrah and Hajj flights.
Carry-on (Hand Baggage)
When it comes to the hand baggage (the bag you can take with you inside the cabin), passengers are allowed one piece of up to 7 kg. You must also keep in mind the maximum dimensions of the bag, which are 56 × 45 × 25 cm. These are the rules for economy class.
If you get a business class or a first-class ticket, the carry-on luggage limit is substantially higher. You can take one handbag with similar dimensions but with a weight limit of 12 kg. In addition to this, a briefcase is also allowed. Its dimensions are 56 × 20 × 35 cm, and the weight limit can be a maximum of 9 kg.
In addition to the above two items, personal items like coats, a camera, and reading materials can also be taken along with you.
Checked Baggage
Some cheap Umrah packages 2025 offer basic or saver tickets. These are the best options if you are going for a short Umrah of 3 to 4 days. They don’t come with any checked luggage, and hence the price of the ticket is extremely low.
Pilgrims who opt for standard fares get a baggage allowance of two bags, each up to 23 kgs. Sometimes, during Hajj, the airline relaxes its policies and allows up to 1 kilogram of luggage for pilgrims, especially the elderly ones.
In business class and first class, 2 pieces up to 32 kg (each) are allowed. While packing your bags, make sure that your baggage does not exceed the allowed limit. The airline staff will check each bag and ask you to remove the extra items, or you will have to pay a hefty amount of money to take them with you.
2. British Airways
Pilgrims using British Airways for their Hajj or Umrah flight from the UK to Jeddah or Madinah have a standard baggage limit of 23 kgs per bag. However, the number of checked bags allowed for free without paying anything extra depends on the ticket you have booked and the cabin class in which you are travelling.
If you have booked an economy basic flight, no checked luggage is allowed; you can only take a carry-on bag with you. The best thing about the British Airways carry-on limit is that you can take one bag of 23 kg.
In the economy ticket that comes with a checked bag, you can take one bag of 23 kg. If you plan on staying for a long time in the holy cities, select a premium economy ticket that comes with 2 bags of 23 kgs. The baggage allowance in business class is the same as that in premium economy. When you book a first-class ticket with British Airways, you are allowed to take 3 bags of 23 kg each.
Baggage Allowance for Emirates and Etihad
Other than Saudia and British Airways, most pilgrims use airlines like Emirates and Etihad.
Emirates allows 35 kg of checked baggage and a 7 kg carry-on baggage allowance. A hand baggage of 7 kg is also allowed, which must be carry-on only. In Etihad, two checked bags of 23 kg are allowed along with a 7 kg carry-on and a handbag of 7 kg.
Now that we know about the different baggage allowance limits of the commonly used airlines for Hajj and Umrah flights, let’s check out the various factors on which the baggage limit depends.
Factors That Affect Baggage Allowance for Umrah and Hajj Trips
Let’s take a closer look at the key elements that directly influence your baggage allowance during Hajj and Umrah flights.
Airline Policies
The policy of each airline is different. If you are going for a budget airline or choosing an economy basic ticket, you might not be allowed any checked-in baggage. This factor has already been explained in detail above with the examples from four leading airlines used by pilgrims traveling from the UK to Saudi Arabia.
Price vs. Weight Concept
Many airlines follow the price concept in which travelers are allowed to check in a certain number of bags. Others use a weight concept in which you are offered a maximum weight allowance. The second concept is more popular and often followed by many leading airlines.
Class of Travel
The class of travel you select also directly determines the maximum baggage allowance. For example, if you analyze British Airways’ baggage policies explained above, you will know that premium economy and business class come with 2 bags of 23 kgs each, and in economy, only one bag is allowed.
Type of Flight
Baggage allowance policy also changes with respect to your type of flight. Generally, international flights have a more relaxed policy compared to domestic flights. Similarly, long flights have more baggage limits than short ones.
Membership Status
A frequent flyer or a passenger with an active membership of an airline is offered more perks in terms of baggage allowance. They are not even charged for this extra service. Some airlines also offer lounge upgrades to their frequent customers.
Promotions or Add-Ons
Sometimes, pilgrims might be lucky enough to get special offers or promotions that allow them to carry more baggage. It is not necessary that the extra allowance is always free; you might have to purchase it at a lower cost as well.
What is Allowed in Carry-on Baggage for Umrah Pilgrims?
Pilgrims can carry important documents like passports, ID cards, some money, and debit/credit cards to the cabin. Items like the Ihram, toiletries, and personal hygiene items are also allowed. There is no restriction on carrying a laptop, phone, charger, and headphones as well.
What is Allowed in Checked-in Baggage for Umrah Pilgrims?
You can take your clothing, personal accessories, medication, and non-perishable snacks in checked-in luggage. Things like firearms, explosive materials, and fresh food items are not allowed inside Saudi Arabia.
Final Words
The most important thing is to carefully read and understand the airline’s policies before packing your bags. If you are looking for more guidance about your Umrah trip and want to book the best pilgrimage deals, like April Umrah Packages, contact Muslims Holy Travel now.