Carry-On Rules for Scandinavian Airlines: SAS, Norwegian, Finnair, Wideroe

Flying within or through Scandinavia means dealing with four distinct sets of carry-on rules across the region's main carriers. SAS and Norwegian use the same dimensions but differ on fare class restrictions. Finnair enforces its limits more strictly at the gate. Wideroe's regional fleet imposes genuinely smaller limits. Here is what each airline allows.

SAS (Scandinavian Airlines)

SAS is the flag carrier of Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. It operates a mix of short-haul European and long-haul intercontinental routes from its main hubs at Copenhagen (CPH), Stockholm Arlanda (ARN), and Oslo (OSL).

Standard carry-on allowance:

• 1 cabin bag: 55 × 40 × 23 cm, maximum 10 kg
• 1 personal item: must fit under the seat in front

SAS Go Light (budget fare class): SAS Go Light is the cheapest fare class and allows only one small personal bag that fits under the seat. No overhead bin bag is included. Upgrading to SAS Go adds the cabin bag allowance. Always check your fare class before assuming you can bring a standard-size carry-on.

SAS Plus and Business: Full cabin bag allowance plus priority boarding and lounge access. No additional cabin bag pieces beyond the standard allowance, but the combined weight limit increases.

Practical tip: SAS does enforce the 10 kg weight limit, particularly on Scandinavian domestic routes. A kitchen scale before departure avoids surprises. The 55 × 40 × 23 cm dimensions are standard Airbus/Boeing overhead bin dimensions and most travel bags on the market fit within this.

Norwegian Air Shuttle

Norwegian is a low-cost carrier operating short- and medium-haul routes across Europe and a limited set of transatlantic routes. Its main hubs are Oslo Gardermoen (OSL) and Copenhagen (CPH).

Standard carry-on allowance (LowFare fares):

• 1 personal bag: 45 × 35 × 25 cm, must fit under the seat
• Cabin bag (overhead bin) included in LowFare+ and Flex fares only: 55 × 40 × 23 cm, up to 10 kg

Norwegian Premium: Premium passengers are permitted two pieces of cabin luggage in the overhead bin. This is one of the more generous premium cabin allowances among European low-cost carriers.

Critical note: If you are on a basic Norwegian LowFare fare, you do not automatically get an overhead bin bag. The personal bag under the seat is your only carry-on allowance. You must purchase a cabin bag add-on or select a higher fare class for overhead bin access. Check what you purchased before arriving at the airport.

Finnair

Finnair is the Finnish flag carrier operating from Helsinki Airport (HEL). It is a Oneworld alliance member and a major carrier for routes between Europe and Asia, particularly Japan and Southeast Asia via Helsinki.

Carry-on allowance:

• 1 cabin bag: 55 × 40 × 23 cm, maximum 8 kg
• 1 personal item: handbag, laptop bag, or small backpack

Gate enforcement: Finnair is known for consistent gate-bag enforcement. Size gauges are used at the gate on busy flights, and bags exceeding the dimensions or weight are checked to the hold at the passenger's expense. The 8 kg weight limit is enforced — lower than SAS and Norwegian's 10 kg allowance.

Finnair Business Class: Two cabin bags permitted, each within the standard dimensions.

Transit tip at Helsinki (HEL): Helsinki Airport is a connecting hub for Asia-Pacific routes. Security at HEL is well-organized but thorough — allow the standard 45-minute minimum connection time for Schengen-to-Schengen transfers.

Wideroe

Wideroe is a Norwegian regional airline serving airports across Norway, including many remote coastal and fjord destinations. It operates DHC-8 Dash 8 turboprops and Embraer E190/E195 jets on short sectors.

Carry-on allowance:

• 1 cabin bag: 45 × 35 × 25 cm, maximum 8 kg
• 1 small personal item under the seat

Why the smaller limit: Wideroe's regional aircraft have significantly smaller overhead bins than mainline narrow-body aircraft. The 45 × 35 × 25 cm limit reflects actual bin capacity — standard 55 × 40 × 23 cm carry-on bags physically do not fit. Bags that exceed these dimensions will be gate-checked.

Connecting with Wideroe: If your itinerary includes a Wideroe segment connecting from a SAS or Norwegian flight, your carry-on must fit Wideroe's limit. You may need to check your bag at the connecting airport. Plan for this when booking connections.

Scandinavian Airport Security Tips

Copenhagen Airport (CPH): CPH operates separate security lanes by fare class and frequent flyer status. The main security area processes high volumes during summer. Liquids and electronics must come out of bags. Arrive 2 hours before domestic departures and 3 hours before international departures in peak season (June–August).

Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN): Arlanda has modernized security lanes at Terminal 5 (most international flights). Fast-track lanes available for SAS Gold and Star Alliance Gold members. Standard EU liquids rules apply. Shoe removal is not required but is sometimes requested.

Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL): OSL has a straightforward single-terminal setup for most flights. Security lanes are efficient. Allow standard EU security processing times. Norwegian domestic routes use dedicated domestic security lanes that move faster.

Helsinki Airport (HEL): HEL enforces all liquids and electronics rules consistently. The airport operates smoothly with good signage in English. Schengen security is separate from non-Schengen — ensure you use the correct lane for your destination.

Comparison Table

Airline	Max Size (cm)	Max Weight	Notes
SAS	55 × 40 × 23	10 kg	Go Light: personal bag only
Norwegian	55 × 40 × 23	10 kg	LowFare: personal bag only; Premium: 2 bags
Finnair	55 × 40 × 23	8 kg	Strict gate enforcement
Wideroe	45 × 35 × 25	8 kg	Small regional aircraft bins

For travel across multiple Scandinavian carriers on a single trip, size your carry-on to Wideroe's limits if your itinerary includes a Wideroe segment. Otherwise, a standard 55 × 40 × 23 cm bag works across SAS, Norwegian, and Finnair — but verify your fare class to confirm overhead bin access is included.