Serene Air Luggage Policy: Domestic Routes, Weight Limits, Prohibited Items, and Delay Handling
Complete guide to Serene Air's baggage rules for domestic Pakistani flights. Covers allowances, excess fees, prohibited items, the 48-hour delay window, and how Serene Air compares to PIA and Airblue.
About Serene Air
Serene Air is Pakistan's second-largest private airline, launched in 2017. Operating a fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircraft, Serene Air has established itself as a reliable domestic carrier with competitive pricing. The airline primarily operates on the "Big Three" domestic routes — Karachi to Islamabad, Karachi to Lahore, and Lahore to Islamabad — along with seasonal services to Quetta, Peshawar, and international charter flights during Hajj and Umrah seasons.
Serene Air has built a reputation for punctuality and newer aircraft compared to PIA, though their network is smaller. Understanding their baggage policy is straightforward since they only offer two classes on most flights, but there are important details that can catch travelers off guard.
Checked Baggage Allowances
Economy Class
- Standard fare: 20 kg checked baggage
- Promotional/sale fares: May be reduced to 15 kg — always check your booking confirmation email
- Maximum number of checked bags: 2 pieces (total weight must not exceed allowance)
- Maximum single bag weight: 32 kg
- No single bag may exceed 158 cm in total dimensions (length + width + height)
Business Class
- 30 kg checked baggage on all business class fares
- Maximum number of checked bags: 2 pieces
- Priority baggage handling — your bags come off first
- Business class is available on select Karachi-Islamabad and Karachi-Lahore flights only
Hand Baggage
- Economy: 1 carry-on up to 7 kg (max 55 x 35 x 25 cm)
- Business: 1 carry-on up to 10 kg
- 1 personal item (laptop bag, purse, small backpack) allowed for all classes
- Serene Air staff do weigh carry-on bags at the gate — do not exceed the limit
Excess Baggage Fees
Serene Air charges excess baggage fees at the airport counter. Unlike international carriers, Serene Air does not currently offer online pre-purchase of excess baggage. Here are the approximate rates:
- Domestic flights: PKR 350-500 per extra kg (varies by route and season)
- During Eid and peak holiday seasons: Rates may increase to PKR 500-700 per kg
- Oversized or overweight single bags (over 32 kg): Not accepted — you must redistribute into multiple bags
- Sports equipment (cricket kit): Accepted within your total allowance or as excess at standard per-kg rates
Cheaper Excess Than International Airlines
Serene Air's excess baggage rates are considerably cheaper than those of international airlines operating in Pakistan. At PKR 350-500 per kg, carrying an extra 10 kg costs only PKR 3,500-5,000 — compared to PKR 50,000+ on Emirates or Qatar Airways for the same weight on international routes. If you are flying domestically with heavy bags, Serene Air's rates are competitive with PIA and slightly cheaper than Airblue on most routes.
Prohibited and Restricted Items
Serene Air follows Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) regulations for prohibited items. These rules are consistent across all Pakistani domestic airlines, but it is worth reviewing them:
Prohibited in Both Checked and Carry-On
- Explosives, fireworks, and flammable materials
- Compressed gases (including spray paint cans and camping gas)
- Corrosive substances (acids, batteries with acid)
- Radioactive materials
- Magnetized materials
- Poisons and infectious substances
Prohibited in Carry-On Only (Allowed in Checked)
- Sharp objects: Scissors (blade over 6 cm), knives, razor blades, box cutters
- Sporting goods: Cricket bats, hockey sticks, golf clubs
- Tools: Screwdrivers over 6 cm, wrenches, hammers
- Liquids over 100 ml (in carry-on); unlimited in checked baggage
- Lighters and matches: One small lighter per person is typically allowed in carry-on
Special Items
- Laptops and tablets: Allowed in carry-on (recommended) or checked baggage
- Power banks: Must be in carry-on, not checked baggage; max capacity 20,000 mAh
- Medications: Carry in original packaging with a prescription if it is a controlled substance
- Baby formula and food: Allowed in carry-on in reasonable quantities
- Musical instruments: Small instruments in carry-on if they fit; larger ones as checked baggage or may require a seat purchase
Delayed Baggage: The 48-Hour Window
Serene Air operates exclusively on domestic routes (with rare international charters), so baggage delays are relatively uncommon compared to international travel. When delays do occur, they are usually resolved quickly:
Why Domestic Bags Get Delayed
- Late check-in: Bags checked less than 45 minutes before departure may not make the flight
- Connecting traffic: If you are connecting from an international flight to Serene Air domestic, your bag may arrive on a later flight
- Weight restrictions: If the aircraft is near maximum takeoff weight (common in summer heat), some bags may be offloaded to the next flight
- Misrouting: Rare but possible, especially during Eid rush when flights operate at maximum capacity
What to Do
- 1Report the missing bag at the Serene Air counter at the arrival airport immediately
- 2File a written complaint with your flight details, bag description, and contact number
- 3Serene Air typically locates domestic delayed bags within 6-12 hours
- 4The bag usually arrives on the next Serene Air flight on that route
- 5Delivery to your address within the city is arranged once the bag arrives
- 6If the bag is not found within 48 hours, escalate to Serene Air's customer service at 021-111-737-363
48-Hour Policy
Serene Air's internal policy gives them a 48-hour window to locate and deliver a delayed bag on domestic routes before it is escalated to a formal lost baggage case. In practice, most bags are found within 12 hours. If your bag is not returned within 48 hours, you can file for compensation under the airline's conditions of carriage, though domestic compensation is calculated by weight (approximately PKR 500-700 per kg).
Comparison: Serene Air vs PIA vs Airblue
Baggage Allowance (Economy, Domestic)
- Serene Air: 20 kg (15 kg on some promo fares)
- PIA: 20-23 kg depending on fare type
- Airblue: 20 kg (15 kg on some promo fares)
Excess Baggage Rate (Domestic)
- Serene Air: PKR 350-500 per kg
- PIA: PKR 400-600 per kg
- Airblue: PKR 400-600 per kg
Hand Baggage
- All three airlines: 7 kg for Economy, 10 kg for Business (slight variations)
- Serene Air is the strictest about enforcement — they regularly weigh bags at the gate
- PIA is the most lenient in practice, though the official limit is the same
Fleet and Reliability
- Serene Air: Boeing 737-800 (newer fleet, consistent aircraft type)
- PIA: Mixed fleet including ATR turboprops for some domestic routes — baggage handling varies by aircraft type
- Airblue: Airbus A320/A321 fleet (well-maintained, consistent)
- Serene Air and Airblue have better on-time performance than PIA on most domestic routes
Contact Information
- Serene Air Call Center: 021-111-737-363 (nationwide)
- Serene Air WhatsApp: +92-304-111-7373 (for booking queries and complaints)
- Karachi Office: Jinnah International Airport, Domestic Terminal
- Islamabad Office: Islamabad International Airport, Domestic Departures
- Lahore Office: Allama Iqbal International Airport, Domestic Terminal
- Website: sereneair.com
- Email: info@sereneair.com
Tips for Flying Serene Air
Based on the experience of thousands of Pakistani domestic travelers, here are practical tips for Serene Air flights:
- 1Book directly on sereneair.com for the best fares — third-party sites sometimes show higher prices
- 2Arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes before your domestic flight — Serene Air closes check-in 45 minutes before departure with no exceptions
- 3If you are carrying gifts or fragile items, use the wrapping service at the airport (PKR 300-500 per bag)
- 4Attach a smart QR tag to your checked bag — even on domestic flights, bags can get mixed up during Eid rush
- 5Download your boarding pass or have a screenshot ready — the mobile pass is usually accepted
- 6Business class is only marginally more expensive on some routes (PKR 3,000-5,000 more) and gives you 30 kg baggage and priority handling
A Nishaaan QR tag is a simple way to ensure your bag can be identified and returned to you if it is picked up by another passenger or delayed. On domestic Pakistani flights where bags often look identical, a scannable tag makes a real difference.