Flying with camera gear in Southeast Asia

Our camera kit alone weighs close to six kilos, and AirAsia, VietJet and Cebgo allow 7 kg of hand luggage in total. Cebu Pacific raised its limit to 10 kg in September 2026, but only on its own 5J flights. So the camera rides in the cabin, and almost everything else goes into the checked bag.

Tick things off as you pack. Nothing is saved.

Always in the cabin

Camera body and every lens. Never check them: checked bags get thrown around, and lenses don't survive a broken suitcase
All spare batteries: camera, drone, GoPro and the power bank. Spare lithium batteries are only allowed in the cabin, never in checked luggage. Up to 100 Wh each is fine, 100-160 Wh needs the airline's approval. Tape the contacts or use battery cases
Memory cards and the backup SSD
Passport, cards, phone

Our camera backpack

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The full kit is on our photography page

Into the checked bag

Clothes, shoes and toiletries
Tripod, chargers and cables
Liquids over 100 ml, including sunscreen and repellent. Some lanes in Frankfurt now have CT scanners that allow more, but not all of them, and most airports in Asia still use the 100 ml rule

Staying under the limit

Add checked luggage when you book. At AirAsia a 20 kg bag on one route cost RM45 at booking, RM52 added later online and RM355 at the airport counter (January 2025)
Weigh the camera bag at home before every flight
Check the hand luggage rules of each airline before each domestic flight; they differ even within the same group

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Sources

Rules change. We checked these on October 11, 2026; confirm the details that matter for your trip before you fly.