Does bought duty-free count towards cabin luggage allowance?

Question

Some airports will carry your duty-free after gate check like in the US, but some won't and just give it to you right at purchase

However, there are some articles that are quite sizable due to how they're packed (like a cardboard box around the item), with no chance of being packed into existing luggage or even the possibility that the existing cabin luggage is full.

What are the airlines stance on duty-free purchases contributing to cabin luggage allowance when not able to pack such purchases in existing luggage?

Answer 1

It varies per airline and might change over time. Keeping some kind of updated list here will be impossible so I will just give two examples to prove it.

Finnair:

Please note that any items you purchase at the airport, including tax-free products, are counted as part of your carry-on baggage allowance.

SAS

In addition you can bring duty-free bags and airport purchases in the cabin along with your cabin baggage.

Answer 2

Even though many airlines are relatively lenient when it comes to enforcement of hand luggage limitations, there are usually no exemptions for items bought duty free.

Anything else would have been pretty odd. The restrictions are in place, simply because there is limited room for luggage in the flight cabin and the flight cabin does not get more room for luggage just because some of it is bought in a tax free shop.

Answer 3

The above is a message displayed at Gatwick Airport stating that you are allowed to bring (presumably only on flights departing from Gatwick) a duty-free bag in addition to your original carry-on allowance