Iran AirIR

Iran Air (Homa) is the flag carrier airline of the Islamic Republic of Iran and one of the oldest airlines in the Middle East. Founded in 1944 as Iranian Airways, the airline merged with Persian Air Services in 1961 to form Iran Air. Headquartered in Tehran, Iran Air operates a fleet of approximately 40 aircraft including Airbus A330s, A321s, A320s, ATR 72s, and Fokker 100s, serving destinations across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.

Iran Air is not a member of any airline alliance due to international sanctions that have severely impacted the airline's operations and fleet modernization. The airline operates under significant restrictions, including limited access to new aircraft, spare parts, and certain international routes. Despite these challenges, Iran Air maintains service to key destinations and remains an important carrier for travel to and from Iran.

Important for travelers: Routes and schedules can change with limited notice due to operational constraints. Always verify flight availability directly with the airline before booking.

Important Note: Iran Air's baggage policies may vary by route and fare type. Due to operational constraints, always confirm current policies when booking.

Carry-On Allowance

Personal Item (included on all fares):

• Dimensions: 16" x 12" x 6" (40 x 30 x 15 cm)
• Must fit under the seat in front of you
• Examples: Handbag, laptop bag, small backpack

Cabin Bag (overhead bin):

• Dimensions: 22" x 16" x 9" (55 x 40 x 23 cm) including handles and wheels
• Weight limit varies by class

Class	Cabin Bag Weight
Economy	7 kg (15 lbs)
Business Class	12 kg (26 lbs)

Checked Baggage

Standard Size Limit: 62 linear inches / 158 cm (length + width + height)

Domestic Flights (within Iran):

Class	Bags Included	Weight per Bag
Economy	1 bag	20 kg (44 lbs)
Business	2 bags	30 kg (66 lbs) each

International Flights:

Class	Bags Included	Weight per Bag
Economy	1 bag	23 kg (50 lbs)
Business	2 bags	32 kg (70 lbs) each

Route Variations:

• Some routes to/from Europe and Asia may allow 2 bags in Economy
• Middle Eastern routes generally follow standard allowances
• Verify specific route allowances at booking

Overweight & Oversized Fees

Overweight Bags:

Weight Range	Approximate Fee
23-32 kg (51-70 lbs)	$30-75 USD per bag
Over 32 kg	Subject to cargo rates

Note: Excess baggage fees vary significantly by route and are often quoted in local currency. Prepayment options may offer savings over airport rates.

Special Items

Item	Policy
Golf clubs	Standard bag fee (counts as 1 checked bag)
Skis/snowboards	Standard bag fee
Car seat	FREE
Stroller	FREE (gate-check available)
Wheelchair/mobility aids	FREE
Musical instruments	Contact airline in advance

Policies as of January 2025. Verify at iranair.com/baggage before traveling.

Business Class (Homa Class)

Available on Airbus A330 and select A321 routes.

Airbus A330-200:

• Configuration: 2-2-2 (older) or 1-2-1 (retrofitted)
• Seat: Angled lie-flat or recliner (varies by aircraft)
• Pitch: 40-60" depending on aircraft
• Width: 18-21"
• Entertainment: Personal screens where equipped
• Amenities: Amenity kit, priority boarding, lounge access at IKA

Airbus A321:

• Configuration: 2-2
• Seat: Recliner seats with enhanced pitch
• Entertainment: Overhead screens or streaming

Business Class Amenities:

• Priority check-in and boarding
• Enhanced meal service
• Complimentary non-alcoholic beverages
• Lounge access at Tehran IKA (Homa Lounge)

Economy Class

Airbus A330-200:

• Configuration: 2-4-2
• Pitch: 31-32" (79-81 cm)
• Width: 17-18"
• Entertainment: Personal seatback screens on most aircraft

Airbus A321/A320:

• Configuration: 3-3
• Pitch: 30-32"
• Entertainment: Overhead screens or streaming

ATR 72-600 (Regional):

• Configuration: 2-2
• Pitch: 30"
• Entertainment: None (short flights)

All Economy Classes Include:

• Complimentary meals on all flights
• Complimentary non-alcoholic beverages
• Blanket and pillow on long-haul flights

Dining

Important: Iran Air is a dry airline—no alcohol is served on any flight in accordance with Islamic law.

Class	Meal Service
Business	Multi-course Persian and international cuisine
Economy	Complimentary meals on all flights

Non-Alcoholic Beverages:

• Selection of juices and soft drinks
• Persian tea (chai)
• Coffee
• Doogh (traditional yogurt drink)

Special Meals: Pre-order vegetarian, diabetic, or other dietary options at least 48 hours before departure.

In-Flight Entertainment

Entertainment systems vary significantly by aircraft age:

• Newer A330s and A321s: Personal seatback screens with movies, TV, music
• Older aircraft: Overhead screens or no entertainment
• Some flights offer basic entertainment via cabin crew announcements and magazines

Note: Due to sanctions affecting fleet modernization, entertainment system availability varies. Consider downloading content to personal devices.

Booking

• Book directly through iranair.com or authorized agents for best service
• Payment can be challenging from some countries due to banking sanctions
• Consider booking through travel agents specializing in Iran travel
• Verify route availability close to departure—schedules can change

Fleet & Aircraft

Current Fleet (approximate):

• Airbus A330-200: Long-haul routes to Europe and Asia
• Airbus A321-200: Medium-haul regional and European routes
• Airbus A320-200: Regional routes
• ATR 72-600: Domestic routes
• Fokker 100: Domestic routes

Important: Iran Air's fleet has been significantly impacted by international sanctions:

• Limited access to new aircraft since 2018
• Some aircraft are aging, affecting comfort and entertainment
• Maintenance performed to international standards within constraints
• Cancellations can occur due to operational issues

Sanctions Impact

Travelers should understand how sanctions affect Iran Air:

• Route limitations: Some destinations have become unavailable
• Fleet age: Aircraft tend to be older than competitors
• Payment: Western credit cards may not work; alternative payment methods needed
• Schedule reliability: Higher than average cancellation/delay rates
• Codeshares: No international airline partnerships currently active

At the Airport

• Tehran IKA: Large airport—allow time for navigation
• Tehran THR: More central but primarily domestic
• Currency: Iranian Rial (IRR), but many international services quote in USD or EUR
• Exchange: Exchange currency at official locations; airport rates may be unfavorable

For International Travelers to Iran

• Visa: Most nationalities require a visa; check requirements
• Insurance: Travel insurance highly recommended
• Dress code: Conservative dress required; women must wear hijab
• Photography: Be cautious about what you photograph
• Communication: Consider VPN services for internet access

Baggage Tips

• Confirm baggage allowance at booking—policies vary by route
• Keep valuables and medications in carry-on
• Label bags clearly with contact information
• Consider travel insurance covering baggage delays

Common Issues

• Schedule changes with limited notice—reconfirm 48 hours before
• Online services may be limited or unavailable from some countries
• Payment processing can be complicated for non-Iranian cards
• Seat assignments may not be available until airport check-in
• Entertainment systems may be non-functional on older aircraft

Best Routes

Despite operational challenges, Iran Air offers competitive service on:

• Tehran-European capitals: Frankfurt, Paris, London, Vienna, Rome
• Tehran-Middle East: Dubai, Istanbul, Kuwait, Beirut
• Domestic: Tehran-Mashhad, Tehran-Isfahan, Tehran-Shiraz

Alternative Options

When comparing Iran Air, consider:

• Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul)
• Emirates/flydubai (via Dubai)
• Qatar Airways (via Doha)
• Mahan Air (Iranian private carrier)
• Domestic LCCs for internal Iran travel