✓ Policy web-verified 2026-05-31
Bhutan Airlines (Tashi Air, IATA code B3) is the private carrier flying out of Paro (PBH) to Bangkok, Kathmandu, Delhi, Kolkata and Gaya. Its baggage rules are weight-based — there is no per-piece system — and the free allowance is genuinely generous by 2026 standards: Economy passengers on international sectors get 30 kg checked plus a 7 kg cabin bag, with no separate bag-fee bundle to buy at the cheapest fare.
The catches are route-specific. The Gaya–Paro sector and India/Nepal regional hops carry lower allowances, and excess baggage is charged per kilo in the local currency of the departure airport (BTN, THB, INR or NPR), so the cost of one extra kilo swings wildly depending on where you check in.
Quick facts
| Cabin bag | 55 x 40 x 20 cm, max 7 kg (1 piece) |
| Personal items | Handbag, laptop, camera, reading material, etc. allowed in addition |
| Checked — Economy (international) | 30 kg |
| Checked — Business (international) | 40 kg |
| Checked — Economy (Gaya–Paro) | 20 kg |
| Checked — Business (Gaya–Paro) | 30 kg |
| Excess baggage | Per-kg, charged in departure-airport currency (BTN/THB/INR/NPR) |
| Prepaid excess | Up to ~15% off vs airport rate, buy up to 6h before departure |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal / under-seat item | No published size limit. In addition to the 7 kg cabin bag, Bhutan Airlines permits a lady's handbag, laptop, mobile phone, camera/binoculars, reading material, overcoat, umbrella, walking stick, infant feeding supplies, medicines (e.g. inhalers) and duty-free purchases free of charge. |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 55 x 40 x 20 cm · 7 kg Free (1 piece, all fares) |
Checked baggage & fees
| Checked allowance | 30 kg Economy / 40 kg Business on international sectors; 20 kg Economy / 30 kg Business on Gaya–Paro |
| Weight limit | Weight-based, not per-piece |
| Typical fee | Included free up to allowance; excess charged per kg by route |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy (international) | Handbag + personal items free | 7 kg cabin bag | 30 kg included |
| Business (international) | Handbag + personal items free | 7 kg cabin bag | 40 kg included |
| Economy (Gaya–Paro) | Handbag + personal items free | 7 kg cabin bag | 20 kg included |
| Business (Gaya–Paro) | Handbag + personal items free | 7 kg cabin bag | 30 kg included |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
What you actually get on Bhutan Airlines’ cheapest fare: when our deal scanner surfaces a Bhutan Airlines economy ticket, the headline price already includes a 7 kg cabin bag and a full 30 kg checked allowance on international sectors — there is no add-a-bag upsell to factor in. That makes it one of the more honest economy fares in the region: a 30 kg allowance is double the 15–23 kg you’d typically get on a European low-cost carrier, and it’s bundled, not bolted on.
The thing to watch is not the free allowance but the excess rate by departure airport. One kilo over costs BTN 120 leaving Kathmandu-bound from Paro but NPR 280 on the return, and India departures add GST. If you’re shopping a deal and expect to be near the limit, prepay (up to ~15% off) rather than paying at the Paro counter.
Oversize, sports & special items
Special-route allowances: Bhutan Airlines flags Kolkata–Bangkok, Bangkok–Kolkata, Kathmandu–Delhi and Delhi–Kathmandu as carrying allowances that differ from the standard international figures.
Codeshare and stopovers: on codeshare flights the operating carrier’s baggage rules apply, and a stopover at an intermediate point can trigger a fresh baggage assessment, so a single ticket may not carry one allowance end to end.
Sample 2026 excess rates (per kg, departure currency): Paro–Bangkok BTN 240; Bangkok–Paro THB 195; Paro–Kathmandu BTN 120; Kathmandu–Paro NPR 280; Paro–Delhi BTN 190; Delhi–Paro INR 260; Kolkata–Bangkok INR 1000; Bangkok–Kolkata THB 400; Kolkata–Paro INR 160; Delhi–Kathmandu INR 800; Gaya–Bangkok INR 355. India departures are subject to GST.
Frequently asked questions
What is Bhutan Airlines' cabin baggage allowance?
One cabin bag up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm and a maximum of 7 kg, plus personal items such as a handbag, laptop, camera and reading material at no extra charge. Oversized bags are tagged at the gate and moved to the hold under a Limited Release label.
How much checked baggage is included in the cheapest Bhutan Airlines fare?
On international sectors the standard Economy free allowance is 30 kg, with 40 kg for Business. There is no stripped-down bag-free fare bundle — 30 kg comes with the economy ticket. On the Gaya–Paro route the allowance drops to 20 kg Economy / 30 kg Business.
Does the allowance change by route?
Yes. International sectors carry 30 kg Economy / 40 kg Business, while Gaya–Paro is 20 kg / 30 kg. Bhutan Airlines also notes special allowances on Kolkata–Bangkok, Bangkok–Kolkata, Kathmandu–Delhi and Delhi–Kathmandu, so confirm your specific routing.
How much does Bhutan Airlines charge for excess baggage?
Excess is charged per kilo in the currency of the departure airport. Published 2026 rates include Paro–Bangkok BTN 240/kg, Bangkok–Paro THB 195/kg, Paro–Kathmandu BTN 120/kg, Kathmandu–Paro NPR 280/kg, Paro–Delhi BTN 190/kg and Delhi–Paro INR 260/kg. Rates vary widely by route and may attract GST out of India.
Can I prepay for extra baggage to save money?
Yes. Bhutan Airlines offers prepaid excess baggage with discounts of up to around 15% versus the airport rate, bookable up to six hours before departure. This applies to tickets with the 786 prefix on flights operated by Bhutan Airlines.
Is the baggage allowance weight-based or piece-based?
Weight-based. Unlike many transatlantic carriers, Bhutan Airlines totals the weight of your checked bags against the kg allowance for your class and route rather than counting pieces. There is no per-bag piece fee — only per-kilo excess.
Are sports equipment and musical instruments allowed?
They are accepted within or above your weight allowance, with any excess weight billed at the per-kg excess rate for your departure route. Bhutan Airlines does not publish a fixed per-item fee, so contact the airline in advance for bulky items and to confirm handling at Paro.
What happens if my cabin bag is too big?
Non-conforming or odd-sized cabin bags are removed at the gate and checked into the hold under a Limited Release Baggage Label. To avoid this, keep your carry-on within 55 x 40 x 20 cm and 7 kg.