Special Baggage

Special baggage

Musical instruments that can be carried on board

  • Musical instruments with total linear dimensions (length + width + height) of 115 cm (45 in) or less, such as violins, may be brought on board free of charge. Please place them in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you. 
  • You must book a seat via the Service Center for musical instruments with total linear dimensions (length + width + height) exceeding 115 cm (45 in), such as cellos, double basses, and geomungo.
    Contact the Service Center

Musical instruments as checked baggage

  • Due to the high risk of damage, we recommend carrying musical instruments on board or purchasing a separate seat to transport them. If checking in a musical instrument, it may be included in your total baggage allowance (including carry-on and checked baggage) based on the quantity, size, and weight. Additional charges may apply if this limit is exceeded.
  • Your musical instrument must be packed in a hard case designed for travel. You must also complete the “Limitation of Liability (Musical Instruments)” form at the airport check-in counter.
  • If the total linear dimensions (length + width + height) exceed 203 cm (80 in) and the weight exceeds 32 kg (70 lb), you must either purchase a separate seat to carry it on board or arrange for freight transport.

Specifications for Transportation

Detailed Specifications for Transportation
Max weight for transportation 32 kg (72 lb) or less
Max size for transportation Total linear dimensions (length + width + height) of 292 cm (115 in) or less

  • The free baggage allowance varies depending on the cabin class. Equipment with total linear dimensions exceeding 158 cm may be subject to excess baggage fees.

As sports equipment is prone to bending or damage, please ensure it is carefully packed for transport.

Please note that sports equipment not in a hard case (or an exclusive packing container) cannot be compensated for damage.

Transportation charges

Equipment not otherwise specified can be checked in free of charge within the free checked baggage allowance.

Transportation policy

Guide

  • According to travel safety and security regulations, even a single golf club is prohibited on board. Please ensure all golf clubs are checked in.
  • Due to the high risk of bending or damage during transportation, golf clubs must be packed in a dedicated hard case.
  • Please note that golf clubs not packed in a dedicated hard case will not be compensated for damage.

Excess baggage fee criteria

  • No oversize fee applies to golf equipment if the total linear dimensions do not exceed 292 cm (115 in). 
  • An excess baggage fee applies if the number of bags, including checked baggage, exceeds the free baggage allowance. However, the following waiver rules apply to Korean Air flights:

Waiver rules for golf bags

Baggage rules by fare class for Korean Air international flights

  • Economy Class
    • 1 golf bag + 1 bag 
      • Total weight of 23 kg or less: Counted as one checked baggage item
      • Total weight over 23 kg but not more than 32 kg: Counted as one checked baggage item, but an overweight fee applies (23–32 kg)
      • Total weight over 32 kg: Counted as two checked baggage items

  • First/Prestige Class
    • 1 golf bag + 1 bag 
      • Total weight of 32 kg or less: Counted as one checked baggage item
      • Total weight over 32 kg: Counted as two checked baggage items

Guide

  • You must register the equipment in a securely packed state in a bag designed to protect it.

Excess baggage fee criteria

  • Ski/snowboarding equipment refers to skis and poles or snowboards, and it is charged per bag.
  • No oversize fee applies to ski or snowboarding equipment measuring 292 cm (115 in) or less. 
  • The following waiver rules apply to Korean Air flights: 

Waiver rules for skis/snowboards

Baggage rules by fare class for Korean Air international flights

  • Economy Class
    • 1 ski/snowboard bag + 1 bag 
      • Total weight of 23 kg or less: Counted as one checked baggage item
      • Total weight over 23 kg but not more than 32 kg: Counted as one checked baggage item, but an overweight fee applies (23–32 kg)
      • Total weight over 32 kg: Counted as two checked baggage items

  • First/Prestige Class
    • 1 ski/snowboard bag + 1 bag 
      • Total weight of 32 kg or less: Counted as one checked baggage item
      • Total weight over 32 kg: Counted as two checked baggage items

Check-in procedure

  • When checking in scuba diving equipment, it must be securely packed in a dedicated bag and the air tank must be completely empty.

Excess baggage fee criteria

  • Fees on scuba diving equipment are imposed per bag.
  • No oversize fee applies to scuba diving equipment with total linear dimensions of 292 cm (115 in) or less.

Waiver rules for scuba diving equipment

Baggage rules by fare class for Korean Air international flights

  • Economy Class
    • One empty scuba diving air tank + one scuba diving equipment bag 
      • Total weight of 23 kg or less: Counted as one checked baggage item
      • Total weight over 23 kg but not more than 32 kg: Counted as one checked baggage item, but an overweight fee applies (23–32 kg)
      • Total weight over 32 kg: Counted as two checked baggage items 

  • First/Prestige Class
    • One empty scuba diving air tank + one scuba diving equipment bag  
      • Total weight of 32 kg or less: Counted as one checked baggage item
      • Total weight over 32 kg: Counted as two checked baggage items 

Check-in procedure

  • The wheels, frames, and handles may bend, so they must be packed in a hard case with protective padding. Handles should be secured and pedals removed before packing.
  • Motorized vehicles such as bicycles, scooters, motorcycles, and jet skis with engines cannot be transported as checked baggage due to the risk of fire or explosion.

Excess baggage fee criteria

  • One bicycle is regarded as one checked baggage item.
  • No oversize fee applies if the total linear dimensions of the bicycle bag (or package) do not exceed 292 cm (115 in).

Guide

  • Boards must have fins removed and be securely packed in a dedicated bag for check-in.

Excess baggage fee criteria

  • Charges for board equipment are applied on a per-bag basis, and transportation is permitted only if the sum of the three dimensions does not exceed 292 cm (115 in).
  • International flights: No oversize fee applies if the total linear dimensions do not exceed 292 cm (115 in).

Excess baggage fee criteria

  • For a fishing rod (in a bag), no oversize fee applies if the total linear dimensions are 292 cm (115 in) or less.
  • Fishing rods (in a bag) and other equipment bags will be counted as one checked baggage item if their combined weight does not exceed the allowance for the booked boarding class. 

Excess baggage fee criteria

  • One equipment bag and up to two sticks (bundled together with tape) are considered one checked baggage item.
  • A stick alone without an equipment bag is also regarded as one checked baggage item.
  • Excess baggage fees or overweight fees apply if the free baggage allowance is exceeded.
  • Oversize fees apply if the total linear dimensions exceed 158 cm (62 in).

Excess baggage fee criteria

  • One tennis racket (or bag) is regarded as one checked baggage item.
  • The standard checked baggage regulations apply.
  • Excess baggage fees or overweight fees apply if the free baggage allowance is exceeded.
  • Oversize fees apply if the total linear dimensions exceed 158 cm (62 in).

Excess baggage fee criteria

  • One skateboard (or bag) is regarded as one checked baggage item.
  • The standard checked baggage regulations apply.
  • Excess baggage fees or overweight fees apply if the free baggage allowance is exceeded.
  • Oversize fees apply if the total linear dimensions exceed 158 cm (62 in).

Guide

  • Firearms and ammunition must be declared in advance to the relevant authorities, and a declaration form must be completed during the check-in process.
  • Each firearm must be unloaded and can be transported as checked baggage only.
  • Only ammunition for personal sporting use is allowed. Ammunition containing explosives or incendiary substances is not permitted.
  • Ammunition must be packed in a separate, secure container (maximum 5 kg per person).
  • The firearm and ammunition case must be securely locked.

Excess baggage fee criteria

  • [1 firearm box + 1 box of live ammunition] are regarded as one checked baggage item.

Golf clubs

Skis and snowboards

Scuba diving equipment

Bicycles

Surfboards/Wakeboards

Windsurfing/Kitesurfing

Fishing equipment

Hockey/lacrosse equipment

Rackets (tennis, squash, badminton, etc.)

Skateboards

Firearms and ammunition

Guide

  • Equipment must be securely packed in a dedicated bag for check-in.

Excess baggage fee criteria

  • Excess baggage fees or overweight fees apply if the free baggage allowance is exceeded.
  • Oversize fees apply if the total linear dimensions exceed 158 cm (62 in). 

Transportation guidelines

  • The main bodies of electric wheelchairs are transported as checked baggage in accordance with dangerous goods regulations.
  • Electric wheelchairs require special action from the airline, such as removing the battery, so please let us know if you use one when booking your ticket.

Lithium batteries in electric wheelchairs

For batteries that cannot be removed (not allowed as carry-on, allowed in checked baggage)

  • Secure the battery to the wheelchair after taking measures to prevent a short circuit.

For removable batteries (allowed in carry-on baggage, prohibited in checked baggage)

  • Maximum capacity for removable batteries: 300 Wh or less
  • Maximum capacity for spare/extra batteries: If one battery is used, one battery of 300 Wh or less may be carried. If two batteries are used, two batteries of 160 Wh or less each may be carried.

Electric scooters

  • Electric scooters can be transported free of charge when used as a mobility aid.
  • If you plan on using an electric scooter and need to have it transported, please inform a staff member in advance when booking.

Are you carrying valuables?

  • Excess value charges ensure compensation if a declared checked item is lost or damaged during travel.
  • For Korean Air-operated flight segments, an Excess Value Charge system is available, providing compensation of up to USD 5,000 upon payment of a specified fee.

Basis of excess value charges

  • If you are declaring valuables, a fee is calculated at USD 0.50 per USD 100 of the declared value. You also need to present a document that verifies the price of each item.
  • For details, please see the terms of carriage. You can also ask a staff member when checking your baggage.

Criteria for items inadequate for transportation

  • Checked baggage deemed inadequate for transportation (e.g., due to unacceptable packaging or being easily damaged) may be excluded from the Excess Value Charge system and compensation.

Musical instruments

Sports equipment

Electric wheelchairs

Valuables