What is the carry-on size limit for Aegean Airlines?

Aegean Airlines allows one carry-on bag up to 56x45x25 cm and 8 kg, plus one personal item. The 8 kg limit is enforced, particularly on popular routes out of Athens.

How strict is Sky Express on carry-on weight?

Sky Express is one of the stricter Greek domestic carriers, with a 6 kg cabin bag limit. Staff at Greek domestic gates have been reported to weigh bags. Stay well under 6 kg or expect to check the bag at the gate.

What size carry-on should I bring for Greek island hop flights?

For the final leg to islands like Mykonos, Santorini, or Heraklion on small turboprop aircraft, a bag no larger than 40x30x15 cm is safest. Overhead space on small aircraft is very limited and cabin crew may gate-check larger bags.

What is the carry-on allowance for Turkish Airlines?

Turkish Airlines allows one carry-on bag up to 55x40x23 cm and 8 kg on Economy Class, plus one personal item up to 40x30x20 cm.

Is Istanbul IST airport efficient for carry-on travellers?

Istanbul Airport is very large and can involve long walks between gates. Allow at least 90 minutes for connections. Security is thorough but moves steadily. Arrive with carry-on liquids already accessible — security lanes are well-staffed but busy.

Does Pegasus Airlines enforce its carry-on limits strictly?

Pegasus enforces carry-on rules at Turkish airports and will charge a fee for bags that exceed the 8 kg limit or the 56x46x25 cm dimension. Gate agents at Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen and Antalya airports frequently weigh bags.

Carry-On Rules for Greece and Turkey: Every Major Airline

Greece and Turkey attract tens of millions of visitors annually, served by a mix of flag carriers, budget airlines, and regional operators. Carry-on rules vary significantly between them — and the final leg to a Greek island can impose tighter restrictions than the main flight.

Aegean Airlines

Aegean is Greece's main full-service carrier and a Star Alliance member.

Economy: one carry-on bag up to 56x45x25 cm and 8 kg, plus one personal item up to 40x30x20 cm.

Business: one carry-on bag up to 56x45x25 cm and 10 kg.

Aegean's carry-on dimensions are slightly more generous than the standard 55x40x23 cm used by most European carriers. However, the 8 kg weight limit is genuinely enforced at check-in and sometimes at the gate, particularly on busy Athens routes. Star Alliance Gold members receive additional allowances.

Olympic Air

Olympic Air operates as a regional subsidiary of Aegean Airlines and applies the same carry-on rules. The same bag that qualifies for Aegean qualifies for Olympic Air — useful if your itinerary connects from an Aegean main route to an Olympic Air domestic leg.

Sky Express

Sky Express is a Greek regional carrier operating domestic routes and some international flights, primarily serving island destinations.

All fares: one carry-on bag up to 6 kg. This is one of the lowest carry-on weight limits in European aviation. Sky Express operates smaller aircraft on thinner routes, and the weight limit is taken seriously.

If your main international carrier allows 8 kg and you pack to that limit, a connecting Sky Express domestic leg may require you to check the bag. Weigh your carry-on before flying any Sky Express route and aim to be under 5.5 kg to have margin.

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines is a Star Alliance full-service carrier and one of the world's largest airlines by destinations.

Economy: one carry-on bag up to 55x40x23 cm and 8 kg, plus one personal item up to 40x30x20 cm.

Business: one carry-on bag up to 55x40x23 cm and 11 kg.

Turkish Airlines is generally consistent in enforcement. The 8 kg limit may be tested at the gate on busy routes. Star Alliance status passengers on premium fares receive enhanced allowances.

Pegasus Airlines

Pegasus is Turkey's main low-cost carrier, operating routes from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen (SAW) and several Anatolian cities.

All fares: one carry-on bag up to 56x46x25 cm and 8 kg. No free personal item is included in the base fare on the most restricted ticket types — check your fare rules.

Pegasus enforces limits at Turkish airports. Antalya and Sabiha Gokcen in particular have been noted for gate weighing during busy summer periods. The 56x46x25 cm dimension is fractionally larger than Turkish Airlines on two dimensions, but in practice a standard 55x40x23 cm carry-on fits comfortably.

SunExpress

SunExpress is a Turkish-German joint venture operating charter and scheduled routes between Germany, Austria, and Turkey.

Economy: one carry-on bag up to 8 kg and 55x40x23 cm.

SunExpress does not routinely weigh carry-on bags on European routes but the policy is stated and enforced when staff exercise discretion. On high-load summer charter flights, expect more scrutiny.

Airport Profiles

Athens International Airport (ATH)

Athens is a well-organised international hub. Security at ATH is thorough — expect liquids to be inspected and electronic devices removed from bags. At peak summer periods (July–August), allow extra time for security. The airport has expanded its terminal in recent years and the layout is logical, but departure gates can involve some walking.

Thessaloniki Airport Makedonia (SKG)

Thessaloniki is smaller and faster than Athens. Security queues are typically shorter, and the terminal is compact. It is a good entry or exit point for northern Greece and makes a practical alternative to Athens for travellers visiting Halkidiki or Macedonia.

Istanbul Airport (IST)

Istanbul's main international airport is enormous. Walking distances between zones are substantial — some gate areas are 20-25 minutes on foot from the central security checkpoint. Connections through IST require at least 90 minutes and ideally 2 hours. Security is professionally run but thorough. Carry-on liquids bags and electronics should be ready to remove.

Mykonos, Santorini, and Heraklion: Island Airport Caution

This is where Greek travel carry-on rules get complicated. The main international airports listed above can accept a standard 55x40x23 cm cabin bag without difficulty. However, many island routes — particularly smaller inter-island or seasonal connections — use turboprop aircraft such as the ATR 72 or Bombardier Dash 8. These aircraft have very limited overhead space.

For any final leg to a Greek island, particularly on Sky Express or Olympic Air domestic connections, a bag no larger than 40x30x15 cm is recommended. Larger bags will be gate-checked, often at no extra cost, but you lose control of your bag and may wait for it at the aircraft steps on arrival.

Pack a small personal item as your primary bag for the island leg and place any surplus into your larger bag for the gate-check if needed.