CBBG is an airline Special Service Request (SSR) code used when cabin baggage occupies a passenger seat. It may be used for an item that cannot be carried in the usual cabin baggage storage areas and instead needs an approved seat in the aircraft cabin.
My main guide to airline disability codes and SSR codes explains that CBBG is often used for medical equipment or musical instruments. It is not itself a disability code.
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CBBG should not be treated as permission to place any item on a spare seat. The airline needs to approve the item and tell you how it must be booked, secured and carried.
What Does the CBBG Airline Code Mean?
The CBBG airline code means cabin baggage occupying a seat. The code communicates that an item of baggage is intended to travel in the passenger cabin using a seat rather than being placed in a normal overhead locker, under-seat space or the aircraft hold.
Because an occupied seat affects seating and aircraft safety arrangements, this is something to organise with the airline before travel rather than at the boarding gate.
Is CBBG a Disability Code?
No. The CBBG airline code describes how an item of cabin baggage is being transported. It does not identify a disability, medical condition or level of passenger assistance.
However, CBBG can be relevant to disabled travellers when approved medical equipment needs to occupy a seat. A passenger may therefore have CBBG alongside another SSR code that describes their personal assistance or medical requirements. To learn more about SSR codes refer to my airline SSR codes guide.
What Types of Items Might Use the CBBG Airline Code?
The CBBG airline code can be used for approved items that need to travel on a passenger seat. This could be something like a musical instrument or medical device. Whether a particular item is accepted depends on the airline. Size, weight, shape, packaging and the way the item can be secured may all affect whether it can travel in the cabin.
Contact the operating airline with the exact details of the item before booking arrangements are finalised.
Does CBBG Mean You Need to Buy an Extra Seat?
CBBG means the cabin baggage is occupying a seat, so the airline needs to make an appropriate seating and ticketing arrangement for that item. There may be allowances if the extra seat is needed for medical equipment under the rules for travelling with medical luggage.
Guide to travelling with medical luggage on flights
If you need to travel with medication, medical equipment or other essential supplies, airlines may allow additional medical luggage outside your standard baggage allowance. Rules vary between airlines, so check what documentation is required and whether you need approval before you fly.
Medical luggage policies for the top 25 global airlines
Medical luggage allowances can vary significantly between airlines, including how much extra baggage is permitted and what documentation you need. Compare the medical luggage policies of 25 major global airlines before you fly.
Medical luggage policies for the top 25 European airlines
Flying with medication or medical equipment in Europe? Compare the medical luggage policies of 25 leading European airlines, including additional baggage allowances, approval requirements and documentation.
Do not independently buy an ordinary passenger seat and assume it can be used for baggage. Airlines have their own procedures for cabin-seat baggage, and the booking may need to be created or coded in a particular way.
Ask the airline how the additional seat is booked, what charges apply and how the item should appear on your reservation.
What Is the Difference Between the CBBG Code and EXST?
The CBBG airline code and EXST code both involve an additional occupied seat, but they describe different purposes.
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| CBBG | Cabin baggage occupying a seat |
| EXST | Extra seat required |
With the CBBG code, the seat is associated with an approved item of cabin baggage. EXST is the broader SSR code used when an extra seat is required. The airline should determine which code and booking procedure apply to your circumstances.
Can Medical Equipment Travel Using CBBG?
Medical equipment is one reason the CBBG airline code may be used, but acceptance is not automatic. The airline needs to assess the particular equipment and how it will be carried. Tell the airline exactly what the equipment is, including its dimensions, weight and any relevant power or battery details. Do this as early as possible so the airline can explain its requirements.
If the passenger is also a medical case requiring special arrangements, a separate MEDA code may be relevant. The MEDA airline code guide explains that SSR in more detail.
Can the CBBG Code Be Used With Other SSR Codes?
Yes. More than one SSR code can be recorded because each code may communicate a different part of the passenger’s arrangements.
CBBG describes the cabin baggage occupying a seat. Another code might describe wheelchair assistance, medical clearance or another service the passenger requires.
For disabled travellers, this distinction matters: arranging the equipment does not automatically arrange personal assistance through the airport or onto the aircraft. If you want to learn more about airport assistance, my guide to getting help at the airport breaks it down in detail.
Where Can CBBG Be Seated on the Aircraft?
The airline decides where approved cabin-seat baggage can be placed. Seating must comply with the airline’s safety procedures and the aircraft configuration.
Do not assume you can choose any available seat for the item. Ask the airline whether it needs to assign both your seat and the CBBG seat together.
How Is CBBG Secured During the Flight?
The item must be carried and secured according to the airline’s requirements. The exact method depends on the item, aircraft and carrier procedures.
Ask whether special packaging, restraints or other preparation is required. Do not improvise a method of securing valuable, fragile or medical equipment without airline approval.
What Information Should You Give the Airline?
When requesting to use the CBBG airline code for cabin-seat baggage, give the airline enough information to assess the item. This may include:
- What the item is.
- Its dimensions.
- Its weight.
- Whether it is fragile or medical equipment.
- How it is packaged.
- Whether it contains a battery, power source or other component subject to carriage rules.
The airline may request additional information depending on the item and you may have to do paperwork before it can be approved or denied.
Travelling With CBBG Checklist
| CBBG checklist | ✓ |
|---|---|
| Confirm that the airline has approved the item for carriage in the cabin. | ☐ |
| Check that the CBBG arrangement is correctly recorded on the booking. | ☐ |
| Confirm the seats allocated to you and the item. | ☐ |
| Check the airline’s size and weight requirements. | ☐ |
| Ask how the item must be packaged and secured. | ☐ |
| Check whether you need to arrive earlier for inspection or handling arrangements. | ☐ |
| If the item is medical equipment, confirm any separate medical or battery requirements. | ☐ |
What to Do if the CBBG Code Appears on Your Booking?
If you arranged for an approved item to occupy a cabin seat, the CBBG airline code is consistent with that request. Check that the item details and seating arrangements match what you agreed with the airline.
If you do not recognise the code, contact the airline or booking agent and ask why it has been added. Do not wait until the airport if the booking information appears incorrect.
CBBG Airline Code Summary
- CBBG means cabin baggage occupying a seat.
- It is not itself a disability code.
- It can be used for approved items such as medical equipment or musical instruments.
- CBBG is different from EXST, which means an extra seat is required.
- The airline must approve how the item is booked, seated and secured.
- Give the airline accurate dimensions, weight and other requested details before travel.
CBBG Airline Code FAQs
What does the CBBG code mean on a flight booking?
The CBBG airline code is the SSR code used when approved cabin baggage occupies a passenger seat.
Is CBBG a disability assistance code?
No. CBBG describes baggage occupying a cabin seat. It may be relevant when carrying medical equipment, but it does not identify a passenger’s disability or assistance level.
Can CBBG be used for medical equipment?
Yes, the CBBG SSR code may be used for approved medical equipment occupying a seat. The airline must assess and approve the particular equipment before travel.
What is the difference between CBBG and EXST?
CBBG identifies cabin baggage occupying a seat. EXST means an extra seat is required. Ask the airline which code and booking procedure apply to your situation.
Can I just book an ordinary spare seat for cabin baggage?
Do not assume an ordinary passenger seat can be used for baggage. Contact the airline so it can approve the item and arrange the correct booking and seating procedure.
What details will the airline need for CBBG?
Be ready to provide details such as what the item is, its dimensions and weight, how it is packaged and whether it contains batteries or other components subject to carriage rules.
The CBBG airline code might not be something most passengers ever encounter, but it is important when an item needs its own seat in the aircraft cabin. Whether you are travelling with a musical instrument, valuable equipment or an approved medical item, arrangements should always be made with the airline before you travel.
Airline rules for CBBG can differ considerably, particularly around size, weight, packaging and seating. Contact your airline as early as possible, get approval confirmed in writing where possible, and check that the CBBG request is correctly recorded on your booking before heading to the airport.
Continue Learning About Airline Codes
Understanding these SSR codes can make it easier to check that the right assistance has been added to your booking. You can explore my guides to airline SSR disability codes to learn what the different codes mean, when they are used and what support you may need to arrange before you fly.
- Airline and airport codes and what they mean
- Download a copy of all of the airline SSR disability codes for free
- Airline meal codes explained
- Download a list of all of the airline meal codes for free
- Learn which airline meal codes are for travellers with allergies
- What does DPNA mean?
- Download a free, printable checklist for MEDA passengers to complete before they fly
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