✓ Policy web-verified
Here’s the good news that flips the usual script: on Maldivian (the Maldives’ national carrier, IATA code Q2, operated by Island Aviation Services), the cheapest Economy fare already includes a 20 kg checked bag — on every route, domestic and international alike. There is no stripped-down ‘Basic’/no-bag fare to ambush you. Buy the lowest ticket to Male’, Dhaka, Bangalore, Cochin or Trivandrum and you still get a free hold bag plus a carry-on. That makes it one of the few carriers where the deal fare and the bag-included fare are the same fare.
The catch isn’t whether you get a bag — it’s how little you get. Standard Economy is one piece up to 20 kg (max 158 cm total dimensions), and cabin allowance is a stingy 5–7 kg depending on aircraft. Premium Economy (launched on domestic routes in March 2025) bumps the hold allowance to 25 kg. If you over-pack, the saving grace is that excess is sold cheaply by the kilo rather than at punitive flat fees — roughly $7–$10/kg internationally and MVR 30–70/kg domestically.
Quick facts
| Cheapest fare checked bag | Included on every route — 20 kg, rising to 25 kg (Bangalore) and 30 kg (Dhaka) |
| Free personal item | Small under-seat item within cabin rules |
| Cabin bag | 5 kg (Dash 8 / ATR) / 7 kg (A320) |
| Economy checked | 1 x 20 kg, max 158 cm total |
| Premium Economy checked | 25 kg |
| Excess (international) | ~$7–$10 per kg |
| Excess (domestic) | MVR 30–70 per kg |
| No-bag Basic fare | None — bag always included |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal item | Small under-seat item (~40 x 30 x 15 cm), subject to cabin rules — included in every fare |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 5 kg max on the Dash 8, ATR-72 and ATR-42 (~51 x 30 x 18 cm); 7 kg max on the A320 (~51 x 38 x 23 cm) — included in every fare |
Checked baggage & fees
| Economy free allowance | 1 piece — 20 kg on domestic, Trivandrum and Cochin; 25 kg Bangalore; 30 kg Dhaka. Max 158 cm (L+W+H) |
| Premium Economy free allowance | 25 kg |
| Included on cheapest fare? | Yes — domestic and international |
| Excess baggage (international) | ~$7/kg (Male'–Cochin) to ~$10/kg (Male'–Dhaka, Male'–Bangalore), + GST |
| Excess baggage (domestic) | MVR 30–70 per kg by sector (e.g. MVR 46 Male'–Hanimaadhoo, MVR 70 Male'–Gan), + GST |
| High-volume periods | Excess limited by aircraft capacity; surcharges may apply on busy sectors |
Baggage by region & route
Checked-bag inclusion on the cheapest fare can depend on where you fly, not just the fare name. Here is what the lowest fare includes by route:
| Route / region | Cheapest fare includes |
|---|---|
| Domestic (Maldives) · Trivandrum · Cochin | 1 x 20 kg checked included |
| Bangalore | 1 x 25 kg checked included |
| Dhaka | 1 x 30 kg checked included |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
What you actually get on a cheap Maldivian deal fare: a real checked bag. Unlike the European and Gulf carriers that sell you a no-bag ‘Light’ fare on cheap tickets, Maldivian bundles 20 kg into even the lowest Economy price on both its seaplane/turboprop domestic network and its international routes to India and Bangladesh. So the headline price is closer to the all-in price than you’d expect — you don’t need to budget for an add-on bag just to bring a suitcase.
Where you should budget is the weight ceiling. 20 kg is tight for a full beach-and-resort trip, and the cabin allowance (5–7 kg) is too small to absorb the overflow. If you’re going to be over, don’t panic-buy at the airport — excess is priced per kilo (about $7–$10/kg internationally), so an extra 5 kg is a manageable $35–$50 rather than a flat penalty. Premium Economy’s 25 kg is worth it only if you genuinely need the extra 5 kg, not for the cabin.
Oversize, sports & special items
Sports gear, fragile and oddly-shaped items are accepted as checked baggage within the 20 kg / 158 cm limits; over-weight or over-size pieces are charged at the per-kg excess rate and acceptance depends on the aircraft’s hold capacity (the domestic fleet of Dash 8 and ATR turboprops and seaplanes has far less room than the A320 jets). Use the Limited Release tag offered for fragile items, and report any damage within 7 days.
2025 change: Maldivian introduced Premium Economy on domestic routes in March 2025, lifting that cabin’s hold allowance to 25 kg. Free Economy allowances and the per-kg excess structure were unchanged as of mid-2026 — but because allowances ‘may vary by route and fare’, confirm the figure printed on your own ticket.
Frequently asked questions
Does the cheapest Maldivian fare include a checked bag?
Yes. Maldivian has no no-bag ‘Basic’ fare — the standard Economy ticket includes one 20 kg checked bag on both domestic and international routes, even at the lowest price.
How much checked baggage do I get in Economy?
One piece up to 20 kg, with the three dimensions adding up to no more than 158 cm (62 in).
What is the carry-on / cabin bag allowance?
It depends on aircraft: 5 kg on the Dash 8 and ATR turboprops and 7 kg on the A320 jets. Cabin bags are roughly 51 x 38 x 23 cm on the jets and smaller on the turboprops, plus a small personal item under the seat.
How much does excess baggage cost on Maldivian?
Internationally it’s roughly $7–$10 per kg depending on the route (e.g. about $7 Male’–Cochin, $10 Male’–Dhaka/Bangalore). Domestically it’s MVR 30–70 per kg by sector. GST is added on top.
Is the baggage allowance different on domestic seaplane flights?
The free allowance is the same 20 kg in Economy, but the small domestic aircraft (Dash 8 and seaplanes) carry less weight overall, so the carry-on limit is lower (5 kg) and excess acceptance can be restricted by the plane’s capacity.
Does Premium Economy include more baggage?
Yes — Premium Economy, launched on domestic routes in March 2025, includes a 25 kg checked allowance, 5 kg more than standard Economy.
Can I prepay extra weight cheaper than at the airport?
Maldivian does not publish a discounted prepaid or online excess rate — its own FAQ says to check with a ticketing office for excess baggage rates, and neither its baggage policy nor its high-volume charges page advertises a cheaper advance price. Budget the published per-kg rate for your sector either way, and note that how much excess is accepted at all depends on the aircraft’s capacity that day.
What if my bag is fragile or oversized?
Fragile items can travel with a Limited Release tag, and oversize or sports items are accepted within the per-kg excess rules subject to hold space. Damage must be reported within 7 days of arrival.
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