Flying budget out of Singapore or Kuala Lumpur? Then every centimetre and every kilo counts. Turn up at the gate with a cabin bag that's slightly too big or too heavy, and you may be paying to check it — usually at a higher rate than if you'd added a bag when you booked.
Here are the current cabin limits for AirAsia, Scoot and Jetstar, how they differ, and how the cabin cases we stock measure up against them.
Cabin limits: AirAsia, Scoot and Jetstar
These are the standard economy allowances as of September 2026. Airlines change their rules, and some fares include more, so always check your booking before you pack.
| Airline | Main cabin bag | Personal item | Total weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirAsia | 56 × 36 × 23 cm | 40 × 30 × 10 cm | 7 kg, both bags combined |
| Scoot (Fly fare) | 54 × 38 × 23 cm | 40 × 30 × 10 cm | 10 kg, both bags combined |
| Jetstar Airways (Starter fare) | 56 × 36 × 23 cm | One small item under the seat | 7 kg, all items combined |
Worth knowing about Jetstar: Jetstar Asia, the Singapore-based Jetstar airline, stopped flying on 31 July 2025. Jetstar flights from Singapore today are operated by Jetstar Airways, mostly to and from Australia. Jetstar Airways has also announced that from 2 February 2027 it will drop the 7 kg limit and move to a size-based model — check its website if you're flying after that date.
The differences that matter
- Weight. Scoot allows 10 kg; AirAsia and Jetstar allow 7 kg. On all three, the limit covers your cabin bag and your personal item together.
- Height. Scoot's limit is 54 cm — 2 cm shorter than AirAsia and Jetstar. Many "55 cm" cabin cases are over it.
- Width. Scoot allows 38 cm; AirAsia and Jetstar allow 36 cm.
- Depth. 23 cm on all three. This is where a lot of cases fail, especially expandable ones.
If you fly more than one of these airlines, aim for a case within the tightest limits of all three: 54 × 36 × 23 cm, and as light as possible.
Dimensions include wheels and handles
Airlines measure the outside of the bag as you carry it: wheels, handles, feet and any pocket that bulges when packed. A manufacturer's listed size doesn't always include the wheels. Measure your packed case with a tape measure before you fly, and don't open the expander.
How our cabin cases measure up
Here are the 20-inch cases we currently stock, using each maker's listed dimensions (height × width × depth) and empty weight. We'd rather show you the numbers than call every case "cabin-approved".
| Case | Listed size | Empty weight | Against the limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lumière Classic 20" / Matt 20" | 55 × 35 × 20 cm | 3.8 kg | Within AirAsia and Jetstar. 1 cm over Scoot's height. |
| Samsonite Enwrap 55 | 55 × 36 × 24 cm | 3.0 kg | 1 cm over on depth for all three; 1 cm over Scoot's height. |
| Lumière Skyline 20" | 55 × 33 × 25 cm | 3.2 kg | 2 cm over on depth; 1 cm over Scoot's height. |
| Echolac Forza 20" | 54.5 × 40.5 × 21.5 cm | 2.6 kg | Lightest here, but wider than all three limits. |
| Echolac Celestra 20" | 55 × 40 × 20 cm | 3.4 kg | Wider than all three limits. |
| Samsonite Niar 57 | 57 × 38 × 25 cm | 2.9 kg | Over on height and depth — better suited to full-service airlines. |
A few honest notes:
- A centimetre or two over is often let through, but it isn't guaranteed — gate staff decide, and some routes use sizing frames. If you want no risk at all, choose a case inside the limit on every side.
- Empty weight matters on a 7 kg allowance. A 3.8 kg case leaves you 3.2 kg for everything else, including your personal item. A lighter case leaves more room, but check it still fits the size limit.
- Full-service airlines generally allow a larger cabin bag than budget carriers, so a case that's too big for AirAsia or Scoot may still be fine there. Check your airline's own limits.
Not sure which to pick? Come and try them in person at any of our workshops, or browse the full range on our shop page.
Packing a 7 kg cabin bag
- Weigh it at home. A small luggage scale takes the guesswork out, and costs less than one gate fee.
- Wear your heaviest things. Jeans, trainers and a jacket weigh far more on your back than in your bag.
- Roll your clothes and use packing cubes to keep them compact and organised.
- Decant toiletries into small bottles — and remember the 100 ml liquids rule for carry-on.
- Fill the gaps. Socks in shoes, chargers in corners.
- Use your personal item for dense things like a laptop and power bank — but remember it counts towards the same weight limit.
- Leave the expander closed. An expanded case is almost always over the 23 cm depth limit.
If your cabin bag gets damaged
Overhead bins are rough on cabin cases — bags get shoved and stacked to make them fit. A cracked corner, broken wheel or bent handle is usually repairable. We're an appointed repair partner for more than 40 airlines at Changi Airport; see our repair price guide for what it costs, or send us a photo on WhatsApp.