Yes. SAS checks size and weight; stick to 55×40×23 cm and 8 kg, plus one underseat item. Go Light includes only the small underseat bag.
What SAS Hand Luggage Rules Say
SAS uses a simple setup: one carry-on for the overheads and one smaller item for under the seat. The headline limits are 55×40×23 cm for the overhead piece and 8 kg total weight. The underseat item is tighter at 40×30×15 cm. On the airline’s site you’ll also see a capacity note for the small item (18 L). Those figures apply across routes unless your ticket type caps the allowance. The clearest source is the airline’s own page on SAS carry-on size and weight.
There is one fare that often trips people up: SAS Go Light. That ticket includes only the underseat item. If you want an overhead piece on that fare, you add it as a paid extra or pick a different fare class. The airline explains this in its FAQ on cabin baggage allowance.
Hand Luggage Limits At A Glance
| Item | Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carry-on (overhead) | 55×40×23 cm; 8 kg | One piece on most tickets; checked if oversize or overweight |
| Underseat bag | 40×30×15 cm (≈18 L) | Think laptop bag, slim backpack, or handbag |
| SAS Go Light | Underseat bag only | Add an overhead piece for a fee or choose a higher fare |
What The Airline Says About Checks
SAS states that staff check hand luggage size and weight before departure. If a bag is too large or too heavy, it goes in the hold and a fee applies. That single line on the policy page tells you the mindset: bring a bag that meets both measures or be ready to hand it over at the gate. The policy text sits on the same carry-on page.
Is SAS Strict About Hand Luggage Rules?
Short answer: yes, especially when flights are full or overhead space is tight. Gate agents use sizers and scales. They pay attention to wheels and handles that push a case over the 55×40×23 cm frame. They also watch for people trying to board with two overhead-sized pieces. If every seat is sold, checks feel sharper because bins fill fast.
Weight is where many trips stumble. An 8 kg cap leaves little margin once you add a laptop, chargers, and a pair of shoes. Hard-shell cases can eat up a chunk of that budget before you pack a single shirt. Soft-sided bags that flex into the sizer tend to cause fewer headaches, as long as the scale reads 8.0 kg or less.
Where Checks Often Happen
At the desk. Staff may tag borderline bags at check-in. If the tag shows “approved cabin,” you’re in good shape. If it shows “to hold,” you’ll hand the case over before boarding.
At the gate. This is the hot spot. Agents scan for bulging cases and ask to weigh bags that look heavy. If the queue is long and the flight is packed, expect a firmer stance.
On the jet bridge. Late boarders with large bags are prime candidates for a quick gate check. It keeps boarding moving and prevents bin shuffles in the aisle.
Common Reasons A Bag Gets Tagged
- Rigid case that can’t slide into the 55×40×23 cm frame
- Weight over 8 kg, even if size looks fine
- Two overhead-sized pieces with no extra allowance
- Underseat item that behaves like a second overhead case
How Strict Is SAS With Carry-On Size And Weight?
Size and weight are both enforced. If a case fits the frame but reads 8.6 kg, staff can still send it to the hold. If it weighs 7.9 kg but sticks out of the frame, the same thing can happen. You need to pass both tests. Staff can be flexible when bins are empty and the case compresses, but that’s not the baseline you should plan for.
Carry a small digital scale at home. Weigh the bag after you pack, then again after you add your jacket and laptop. If the number creeps up, move dense items to the underseat bag. Headphones, chargers, a book, and a power bank belong there anyway. The overhead case then holds clothing and light gear.
Ticket Type Still Matters
If you booked SAS Go Light, you only get the underseat item. Many people arrive expecting a full carry-on because that’s what they know from other carriers. Read the ticket details and add what you need in advance. The airline spells this out in the FAQ on cabin baggage allowance.
Liquids, Tech, And Batteries
Security rules still limit liquids in small containers at most airports. Pack them in a clear bag and keep sizes tiny. On the power side, spare lithium batteries and power banks go in hand luggage only. The safety body for European aviation explains the battery rules here: EASA guidance on dangerous goods. Follow that link if you carry camera batteries or a high-capacity power bank.
Packing Tactics That Keep You Within SAS Limits
Start with the bag itself. A 35–40 L soft-sided carry-on keeps weight down and flexes into tight bins. Many models come in at 1.2–2.0 kg, which leaves more room for clothes. Pick a slim underseat bag with a sleeve for your laptop and pockets for cables. Aim for a combined setup that slides through checks without drama.
Build A Light Kit
- Light sneakers over heavy boots
- Two shirts that mix and match
- One light mid-layer instead of a chunky hoodie
- Compact toiletry kit with travel sizes
- Flat pack cubes to stop bulging
Use The Underseat Space Wisely
Put dense items down there: laptop, chargers, paperback, sunglasses case, toiletries in small bottles, and the power bank. Keep meds and any must-have documents on top. That setup trims weight from the overhead case and speeds the security tray routine.
Dress For The Scale
Wear your heavier pieces on travel day. A light jacket with pockets can hold a phone and earbuds during boarding. Once seated, everything goes back into the underseat bag. The goal is simple: keep the overhead case sleek and light for the gate check moment.
Cabin Or Hold: Quick Placement Guide
Some items must stay with you in the cabin. Others are better off in checked bags. Use the grid below as a fast sort when you pack.
| Item | Where It Goes | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spare lithium batteries / power banks | Cabin only | Safety rules; see EASA guidance |
| Liquids over 100 ml | Checked | Large bottles rarely pass security at most airports |
| Small liquids in a clear bag | Cabin | Keep within small sizes for screening speed |
| Sharp tools or long blades | Checked | Screening rules disallow these in the cabin |
| Medications and travel docs | Cabin | Access in flight and avoid loss |
Route And Aircraft Factors That Change The Feel
Short intra-Europe legs on narrow-body jets pack cabins quickly. Overhead space goes fast, so gate staff push hard to keep bins usable. Long-haul flights on wide-bodies bring deeper bins and a calmer pace, yet the 8 kg limit still holds. If you connect from a roomy leg to a tight leg, plan for the strict end of the trip. That way a last-minute gate check won’t surprise you.
Connections And Mixed Tickets
If your trip uses more than one carrier on the same booking, the first carrier’s rules often set the tone at the start. SAS still checks your bag when you reach its gate. Keep your setup inside the numbers for both airlines. One bag that passes everywhere beats a case that passes on one flight and fails on the next.
Gate Game Plan If Staff Say Your Bag Is Too Big
Stay calm and move with purpose. You have a few quick plays that often fix the issue on the spot.
- Move dense items to the underseat bag to help the scale.
- Zip off a stuffed outer pocket so the case fits the frame.
- Wear the jacket and tuck a charger or two in the pockets.
- If nothing works, accept the gate tag and carry the small bag on board.
Staff want an easy board and a safe cabin. A tidy setup and a quick change beat an argument every time.
Taking SAS Hand Luggage On Go Light Without Stress
Book the fare knowing it includes only the small item. Pick a 13-inch laptop sleeve and a slim daypack that meets 40×30×15 cm. Pack tech, meds, wallet, and one change of clothes. If you need an overhead piece, add it when you buy the ticket or soon after. Last-minute add-ons at the airport tend to cost more than pre-purchased extras. The FAQ on cabin baggage allowance lays out the baseline.
Liquids And Screening: Keep It Simple
Pack liquids in small bottles and place them together. Many airports still work with the small-bottle rule at security. Remove the pouch when asked and keep laptops ready to lift out. That routine keeps the line moving and trims the chance of a secondary check.
Rules change as airports add new scanners. When in doubt, pack large bottles in checked bags and carry only a small pouch through security. The SAS cabin rules do not change that piece; they set what fits in the cabin once you clear screening.
Mistakes That Trigger A Gate Tag
- Bringing a second overhead-sized suitcase as your “personal item”
- Choosing a hard case that measures 55×40×23 cm empty, then over-stuffing it
- Ignoring the 8 kg limit because a past flight waved the bag through
- Forgetting that SAS Go Light excludes an overhead piece
Smart Checklist Before You Leave Home
- Measure the case: 55×40×23 cm or smaller
- Weigh the case packed: ≤ 8 kg
- Check your ticket type: overhead piece included, or underseat only?
- Put spare batteries in the small bag for the cabin (EASA rules)
- Load small liquid bottles into a clear pouch
Clear Takeaways For SAS Hand Luggage
Keep your setup inside 55×40×23 cm and 8 kg, plus one underseat bag at 40×30×15 cm. Read your ticket: SAS Go Light brings only the small item by default. Expect checks at busy gates and plan for both size and weight. If you need a single source for the numbers, use the airline’s page on carry-on baggage. Pack light, pack tidy, and boarding will feel smooth.