The Ultimate Baggage Guide for Cebu Pacific & PAL Flights

Malapit na next travel adventure mo? One of the biggest concerns you should prepare for is baggage arrangement. Marami nang horror stories ng mga pasahero na mabibigla nalang na pinatimbang or pinasukat ang dimensions ng carry-on luggage nila. Noon? Baka nakakalusot. But all it takes is one time, and wag i-assume na dahil hinayaan yung medyo oversized carry-on mo, pwede pa makalusot ulit.

To avoid trouble, unnecessary fines, and gate surprises, here is a simple guide to the hand-carry and special baggage rules for Cebu Pacific (CebPac) and Philippine Airlines (PAL) as of 2026.

Hand-Carry and Carry-On Baggage Rules

Both airlines are very strict when it comes to items brought inside the cabin for everyone’s safety. Let’s break them down!

Cebu Pacific (CebPac)

Each passenger is allowed to bring two (2) pieces of cabin baggage with a combined weight of up to 7 kg:

• Main Carry-On / Cabin Bag (1 piece): Must not exceed 56 cm x 36 cm x 23 cm / 22 in x 14 in x 10 in. Nilalagay ito sa loob ng overhead bin na nasa ibabaw ng seats. Pwede dito ang maliit na trolley bag o backpack.
• Personal Item (1 piece): Must fit completely under the seat in front of you with a maximum size of 20 cm x 20 cm x 35 cm / 8 in x 8 in x 14 in. Examples include a laptop bag, small handbag, or baby bag.

Philippine Airlines (PAL)

• Main Carry-On (1 piece): You can bring one bag up to 56 cm x 36 cm x 23 cm in size and up to 7 kg in weight.
• Personal Item: You can also bring one small personal item like a laptop computer, small handbag, coat, blanket, reading material, or small camera. For laptops with case, PAL’s published baggage conditions list a maximum size of 45 cm x 35 cm x 20 cm / 18 in x 14 in x 8 in.
• Note: Ipinagbabawal ang pagtali ng dalawang bags o pag-strap para magkasama sila sa timbang at sukat. PAL will count them as separate pieces.

Paalala ni Kuya BC: For both airlines, if you exceed the weight or size limits, you may be forced to check your bag in at the gate, which can come with a costly Gate Baggage Fee.

Items NOT Allowed in Carry-On Baggage

Mahigpit na ipinagbabawal ang mga ‘to sa passenger cabin dahil sa security and safety reasons. They must be packed in your checked luggage, left at home, or surrendered at the airport security checkpoint.

Quick reminder: Hindi ito kumpletong listahan ng lahat ng bawal sa hand-carry. May mga items na puwedeng ma-refuse pa rin kahit hindi sila listed dito. When in doubt, check the latest Cebu Pacific, PAL, and airport security rules before your flight — or i-check in na lang kung allowed. 

• Sharp Objects: Pocket knives, box cutters, scissors, nail kits with sharp tools, open razors, blades, and traditional Filipino bolos or butterfly knives (balisong). Small scissors or grooming items may still be subject to airport security. Pag di ka sure, sa check-in luggage mo na.
• Blunt Items & Sports Equipment: Baseball or cricket bats, golf clubs, billiard cues, martial arts weapons, and similar items that may be used as weapons. Sports rackets and hiking poles may also be refused at security or by airline staff, depending on route, airport, and item size, so mas safe na i-check in.
• Worker Tools: Tools longer than 7 inches, hammers, crowbars, screwdrivers, drills, drill bits, and blow torches.
• Liquids, Aerosols, and Gels (LAGs) Over 100ml: For international flights and security checkpoints that enforce LAG rules, liquids, gels, pastes, creams, and aerosols must be in containers of 100 ml or less and placed in a single transparent resealable bag. Exceptions may apply to prescribed medicines, breastmilk, and baby food, subject to screening. 
• Canned Products with Easy-Open Lids: Ops, i-check in mo na yung corned beef mo. Cebu Pacific strictly prohibits canned goods with easy-open pull tabs in carry-on bags; they must be checked in.
• Strong-Smelling Foods: Pungent foods, a.k.a. yung may medyo matapang na amoy, may be refused in the cabin or required to be checked in depending on airline and airport security assessment. Examples may include fresh durian, kimchi, atchara, and dried fish. Pack these securely and check your airline’s rules before flying. 
• Toy or Replica Weapons: Realistic toy guns, water pistols, or imitation firearms that could be mistaken for real weapons are not permitted in the cabin.

Checked Luggage Rules

If your standard suitcases or boxes exceed the cabin allowance, they must go under the plane as checked luggage.

Cebu Pacific (CebPac):

• Standard Allowance: Checked baggage allowance depends on your fare bundle or add-on purchase. As of now, GO Basic does not include checked baggage, while some fare bundles such as GO Easy and GO Flexi may include 1 piece of 20 kg checked baggage. If hindi kasama sa booking mo, pwede ka bumili ng checked baggage add-on separately before your flight. 
• Piece and Weight Limits: Cebu Pacific checked baggage is usually purchased by piece and weight allowance. Each 20 kg prepaid checked baggage allowance corresponds to one checked baggage piece, and no single bag can exceed 32 kg. 
• Oversized Limits: Standard checked baggage must not exceed 39 in x 39 in x 39 in / approximately 99 cm x 99 cm x 99 cm. If your box or suitcase is bulkier than this, such as large balikbayan boxes, you may need to pay for an oversized baggage allowance before your flight.

Philippine Airlines (PAL):

• Free Baggage Allowance (FBA): PAL often includes a Free Baggage Allowance with your ticket, depending on your fare class and route. Check mo yung booking details mo – baka di mo na kailangan magdagdag!
• Weight Limit Safety: To protect airport baggage handlers from injury, PAL enforces a strict maximum weight limit of 32 kg / 70 lbs for any single piece of checked baggage. Anything heavier will have to be repacked into separate bags or may not be accepted. 

Items NOT Allowed in Checked Baggage

Dahil sa matinding fire o safety risks kung nasa cargo hold itong mga ‘to, dapat nasa hand-carry mo ang following items. At uulitin namin — hindi ito kumpletong listahan ng lahat ng bawal sa check-in luggage. May mga items din na bawal depende sa customs rules ng destination country mo.

When in doubt, check the latest Cebu Pacific, PAL, airport security, and destination-country guidelines before packing. 

• Power Banks: Bawal ang power banks sa checked luggage. They must be carried in the cabin. PAL currently allows only power banks up to 100Wh, with a maximum of two (2) power banks per passenger. They must be kept with you, under the seat, or in the seat pocket — not in the overhead bin.
• Spare or Loose Lithium Batteries: Any spare, loose, or backup batteries for laptops, cameras, phones, or drones must stay in the cabin with you. Turn off or remove any detachable batteries from checked devices and pack them individually to prevent short circuits. Do not leave loose batteries inside checked bags.
• E-Cigarettes and Vapes: Electronic cigarettes, vape pens, and heated tobacco products must be carried in the cabin only. Bawal gamitin o i-charge during the flight.
• Smart Luggage with Non-Removable Batteries: If your suitcase features built-in tracking, GPS, or power outlets, the lithium battery must be removable. Kung hindi siya natatanggal, i-dedeny ng airline yung bag sa check-in.
• Valuables and Vital Documents: Ok, para klaro: di naman bawal itong item na ‘to. But, airlines strongly advise against checking cash, high-end jewelry, passports, original legal documents, or life-saving prescription medications. Hassle na nga mawalan ng baggage, paano pa kung may importanteng certificate o wedding ring sa loob?

Special Baggage Rules

May dala ka bang medyo fragile o kakaiba ang sukat, kaya hindi siya kasya sa tipikal na carry-on? Kailangan ‘to i book sa special luggage. Both airlines accept a wide variety of items including golf clubs, musical instruments, bicycles, and oversized containers.

Cebu Pacific Special Baggage:

• Booking & Weight: Kailangan ito i-prebook as CEB Special Baggage via their app or website up to 2 hours before the flight. Ang bawat passenger ay pinapayagan na may (1) of each kind of special baggage, with a base allowance of 20 kg each. If the item exceeds 20 kg, you may need to upgrade or pay excess baggage fees, but no single item may exceed 32 kg. 
• Golf Clubs & Bicycles: Golf bags, properly packed bicycles, scuba diving equipment, and bowling balls are fully accepted under this category.
• Surfboards: Surfboards are subject to structural size limits based on the aircraft. There is a maximum length limit of 9 feet on larger Airbus flights and 6 feet on smaller ATR (Cebgo) propeller aircraft.

Philippine Airlines Special Baggage:

• Sports Equipment Policies: PAL accepts sports equipment like golf clubs, bicycles, surfboards, fishing equipment, and similar items, subject to packing, size, and route rules. Passengers are advised to notify the airline well in advance, especially for oversized or fragile items.
• Fees: These special items may be free if they fall within your ticket’s Free Baggage Allowance. If they exceed your FBA, PAL may charge an Excess Baggage Charge. 

Special Rules for Musical Instruments

Kung yung special baggage mo ay musical instrument, may ibang guidelines pa yan.

Cebu Pacific

• Small Instruments: You can carry them into the cabin if the instrument and its case fit within the standard hand-carry dimensions of 56 cm x 36 cm x 23 cm / 22 in x 14 in x 10 in and do not exceed the 7 kg hand-carry limit.
• Large Instruments: If the item exceeds cabin size limits, you must book a Musical Instrument Allowance under Special Baggage.
• Hardshell Case Rule: To prevent damage, Cebu Pacific strictly requires instruments to be in a hardshell case for check-in. Soft cases or gig bags will not be accepted. Alternatively, you can purchase an extra seat inside the cabin to keep the instrument right beside you.

Philippine Airlines:

• Small Instruments: Hand-carrying is permitted if the item is safely packed inside a rigid protective case and stays within the standard carry-on size and weight limit.
• Guitars: PAL states that all guitars must be checked in, regardless of whether they are in a hard or soft case. This service is free if it falls within your Free Baggage Allowance (FBA) and the instrument length is 39 inches or less.
• Other Musical Instruments: Musical instruments may be free of charge if they are within the passenger’s Free Baggage Allowance and within 39 inches / 100 cm in length. Larger or heavier instruments may be subject to excess baggage charges. 
• Extra Seat Purchase: Like CebPac, you can purchase an extra seat for your instrument. The maximum weight allowed on the seat is 75 kg (or 32 kg depending on the specific aircraft structure), and it must be assigned to a window or center seat.

Importanteng paalala: Pwede magbago ang airline baggage rules, fees, and airport security enforcement na walang prior notice. This guide is based on published Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines baggage rules checked in 2026. Laging i-verify ang final baggage allowance sa booking confirmation mo, at ang guidelines sa airline official website bago ang flight.

Ready na para sa trip mo? Measure, weigh, and book ang tamang baggage add-ons para maiwasan ang delays at sakit ng ulo sa airport. Itabi ng maayos ang kwintas o relo! Wag magdala ng sobra-sobrang cash, kasi pwede ka naman magremit through the BCRemit app para safe at secure ang travel fund mo. Siguraduhin na hindi overweight ang maleta mo, kasi for sure kailangan mo rin ng allowance para sa mga pasalubong.

Ingat, at enjoy!