✓ Policy web-verified 2026-05-31
Important 2026 context: Air Vanuatu (IATA code NF) collapsed into voluntary liquidation in May 2024 and is being rebuilt under Vanuatu government direction. As of 2026 the airline is restoring connectivity — domestic services first, with international routes resuming progressively. Online booking has been suspended for parts of this period; reservations are handled through the Contact Centre on +678 23838. Because the network and policy are being re-established, baggage rules can change at short notice and should be confirmed at booking.
The figures below reflect Air Vanuatu’s published baggage policy. Domestic flights (Port Vila, Santo, Tanna and other island services, largely on ATR-72 and smaller turboprops) carry tighter limits than international jet/regional services. Allowances differ by route and cabin, so the route you fly matters more than with most carriers.
Quick facts
| Personal item | Small under-seat bag (counts within cabin weight) |
| Cabin baggage (international) | 7 kg, max 105 cm total (48 × 34 × 23 cm) |
| Cabin baggage (domestic) | 5 kg |
| Checked (domestic) | 10 kg |
| Checked (regional intl — Fiji, New Caledonia, Solomons, PNG) | 23 kg Economy / 30 kg Business |
| Checked (Australia / New Zealand) | 30 kg Economy / 40 kg Business |
| Excess baggage | Fixed rate per piece, varies by route |
| Cheapest-fare inclusion (aifly) | 7 kg cabin + 1 × 23 kg checked |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal / under-seat item | Small bag that fits under the seat. Air Vanuatu does not publish a separate free personal-item dimension; a small handbag/laptop bag is generally accepted but its weight counts toward your cabin allowance (7 kg international / 5 kg domestic). |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 105 cm total (48 cm W × 34 cm H × 23 cm D) for one piece, or two pieces up to 115 cm total (56 × 36 × 23 cm) · 7 kg international (5 kg on domestic flights) Included in all fares; over-limit cabin bags must be checked |
Checked baggage & fees
| Checked allowance | Domestic: 10 kg. Regional international (Fiji, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, PNG): 23 kg Economy / 30 kg Business. Australia & New Zealand: 30 kg Economy / 40 kg Business |
| Weight limit | Single bags should not exceed 32 kg for handling/safety; split heavier loads across pieces |
| Typical fee | Excess charged at a fixed rate per piece; amount varies by route and is set in Vatu (VT) or AUD/NZD on those markets — confirm at booking |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy (domestic) | Within cabin weight | 5 kg | 10 kg |
| Economy (regional intl) | Within cabin weight | 7 kg | 23 kg |
| Economy (Australia/NZ) | Within cabin weight | 7 kg | 30 kg |
| Business (regional intl) | Within cabin weight | 7 kg | 30 kg |
| Business (Australia/NZ) | Within cabin weight | 7 kg | 40 kg |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
What you actually get at deal prices: on Air Vanuatu’s cheapest international fares, the headline allowance already bundles 7 kg of cabin baggage plus 1 × 23 kg checked bag — there is no bare hand-luggage-only “Light” fare to upsell you out of, unlike the European low-cost carriers. That means a cheap fare to Port Vila usually arrives with a real checked allowance included, so the price you see is closer to the price you pay.
The catch is route-driven, not fare-driven: book a domestic island hop and you drop to 5 kg cabin / 10 kg checked, which is genuinely tight if you connect off an international flight with a full 23–30 kg. If your trip mixes an international arrival with onward domestic island flights, plan to repack or pre-pay excess for the domestic legs — that is where most travellers get caught.
Oversize, sports & special items
Oversize and sports equipment: Air Vanuatu’s conditions of carriage note that stowage and weight limitations apply on some services and that baggage may occasionally travel on a later flight — this is most likely on the small domestic turboprops. Surfboards, dive gear and other bulky sports equipment should be declared and pre-arranged with the Contact Centre, as space on ATR-72 and smaller aircraft is limited; oversize items are charged at the excess/per-piece rate.
Musical instruments: small instruments may be carried in the cabin if they fit the 7 kg / 105 cm cabin limits; larger instruments must be checked (subject to weight) or, on jet services, may require a purchased extra seat — confirm in advance.
Single-bag weight: for safety and ground-handling, keep any individual checked bag at or below 32 kg and split heavier loads across pieces.
Frequently asked questions
Is Air Vanuatu still flying in 2026?
Air Vanuatu entered voluntary liquidation in May 2024 and is being rebuilt under Vanuatu government direction. As of 2026 it is progressively restoring services — domestic flights first, with international routes resuming in stages. Online booking has been intermittently suspended; reservations are handled by the Contact Centre on +678 23838. Confirm your route and baggage rules at the time of booking.
How much cabin baggage can I take on Air Vanuatu?
On international flights you may carry 7 kg, either as one piece up to 105 cm total (48 × 34 × 23 cm) or two pieces up to a combined 115 cm. On domestic island flights the cabin limit drops to 5 kg because of the small turboprop aircraft.
What is Air Vanuatu's checked baggage allowance?
It varies by route. Domestic flights: 10 kg. Regional international (Fiji, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, PNG): 23 kg in Economy, 30 kg in Business. Australia and New Zealand: 30 kg in Economy, 40 kg in Business.
Does the cheapest Air Vanuatu fare include a checked bag?
Yes. On international fares the standard allowance already includes 7 kg cabin plus a checked bag (1 × 23 kg on regional routes, 30 kg to Australia/NZ). There is no hand-luggage-only basic fare, so a deal-priced international ticket typically comes with a real checked allowance.
How much does excess baggage cost on Air Vanuatu?
Excess baggage is accepted at a fixed rate per piece, and the amount varies by route — priced in Vatu (VT) on Vanuatu sales and in AUD/NZD on the Australia/New Zealand markets.
Why is the baggage allowance lower on domestic Air Vanuatu flights?
Domestic island services run on small ATR-72 and smaller turboprop aircraft with limited hold space, so the limits are 5 kg cabin and 10 kg checked. If you connect from an international flight with 23–30 kg, you'll need to repack or pre-pay excess for the domestic legs.
Can I bring sports equipment or a surfboard?
Yes, but declare bulky items such as surfboards or dive gear in advance via the Contact Centre, as space on the small domestic aircraft is limited and items may travel on a later flight. Oversize sports equipment is charged at the excess/per-piece rate.
What is the maximum weight for a single checked bag?
For safe ground handling, keep any individual checked bag at or below 32 kg. If your total allowance is higher (for example 40 kg in Business to Australia/NZ), split it across more than one piece rather than packing one very heavy bag.