✓ Policy web-verified 2026-06-20
Air Caraïbes is a French full-service carrier, not a low-cost airline — and on baggage that distinction actually matters. On the cheapest fare, the Basic economy ticket (in its long-haul “Soleil” economy cabin), you get something the Ryanairs of the world charge for: a full 12 kg cabin bag (55 x 35 x 25 cm) plus a personal item, free, on every route. What you do not get on Basic is a checked bag — that’s the catch on the deal fare, and it applies to the cheap fare everywhere, from the Paris–Antilles long-haul down to inter-island hops.
So the cheapest-fare checked-bag answer is consistent: Basic = no hold luggage, anywhere. Unlike many North American carriers that quietly bundle a checked bag into their lowest long-haul fare, Air Caraïbes does not — the long-haul Basic is just as bag-stripped as the regional one. What changes by region is only the price to add a bag: roughly €80 on long-haul, €50 on Caribbean inter-island routes. Step up to Smart and one 23 kg checked bag is included; Flex includes two.
Quick facts
| Free personal item | 40 x 30 x 15 cm, under the seat |
| Free cabin bag | 55 x 35 x 25 cm, 12 kg (economy) — free on every fare |
| Premium cabin bag | 55 x 35 x 25 cm, 15 kg (Madras premium) |
| Cheapest fare (Basic) | No checked bag on any route |
| Checked bag included from | Smart fare (1 x 23 kg) |
| Add a checked bag | ~€50 inter-island / ~€80 long-haul |
| Standard checked bag | 23 kg; Madras/Business up to 32 kg |
| Overweight 23–32 kg | ~€60 per bag |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal item | 40 x 30 x 15 cm, under-seat (handbag, backpack, laptop) — free on all fares incl. Basic |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 55 x 35 x 25 cm (incl. wheels/handles); 12 kg in economy, 15 kg in Madras premium — free on all fares incl. Basic |
Checked baggage & fees
| Basic fare | No checked bag included |
| Standard checked bag | 1 piece up to 23 kg |
| Premium / Business (Madras) | Up to 2 x 32 kg |
| Add a bag — inter-island | ~€50 per bag |
| Add a bag — long-haul | ~€80 per bag |
| Overweight 23–32 kg | ~€60 per bag |
| Oversize (>158 cm total) | ~€80–120 per bag |
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 (Basic) |
|---|---|
| Long-haul (Paris ↔ Antilles / Guyane / long-haul) | No checked bag — add ~€80 |
| Caribbean inter-island / regional | No checked bag — add ~€50 |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | Yes (40 x 30 x 15 cm) | Yes (12 kg) | No — add from ~€50/€80 |
| Smart | Yes | Yes (12 kg) | 1 x 23 kg |
| Flex | Yes | Yes (12 kg) | 2 x 23 kg |
| Madras (Premium/Business) | Yes | Yes (15 kg) | 2 x 32 kg |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
What you actually get on a cheap Air Caraïbes deal fare: a genuinely useful free cabin allowance — a 12 kg carry-on (55 x 35 x 25 cm) plus an under-seat personal item — but zero hold luggage. The Basic fare is the bag trap: it’s full-service in seat and cabin terms, low-cost in hold-bag terms. Don’t assume the long-haul Paris ticket includes a checked bag the way a transpacific North American fare might; Air Caraïbes Basic strips it on every route.
Budget to add the bag you need: roughly €50 per checked bag on Caribbean inter-island routes and €80 on long-haul. If you’re checking a bag anyway, price the Smart fare (1 x 23 kg included) against Basic-plus-bag-fee — it’s often the same money and gets you a more flexible ticket. Always add the bag before you reach the airport; gate and counter prices climb.
Oversize, sports & special items
Oversize, sports and special items: a checked bag exceeding 158 cm in total dimensions is charged roughly €80–120, and overweight bags between 23 and 32 kg add about €60. Sports equipment, musical instruments and similar oversize/special items follow the standard oversize/overweight fee schedule and are best declared and paid for in advance rather than at the counter; a fragile instrument can also be carried in the cabin if it fits the 55 x 35 x 25 cm / 12 kg limit or by buying an extra seat.
2025/2026 note: the free 12 kg cabin bag plus personal item on every fare (including Basic) remains in place — Air Caraïbes has not moved to the strip-the-carry-on low-cost model. The structural rule to watch is unchanged: the cheapest Basic fare carries no hold luggage on any route, so the real variable on a deal is the per-bag add-on fee, not whether a bag is bundled.
Frequently asked questions
Does the cheapest Air Caraïbes fare include a checked bag?
No. The Basic fare includes no checked baggage on any route — long-haul Paris–Antilles or Caribbean inter-island alike. You get only the free cabin bag and personal item. A checked bag must be added for a fee or you must book a Smart or higher fare.
What can I bring for free on a Basic fare?
One cabin bag of 55 x 35 x 25 cm up to 12 kg (15 kg in Madras premium), plus one under-seat personal item of about 40 x 30 x 15 cm. This is free on every fare, including Basic — Air Caraïbes does not charge a carry-on supplement like the low-cost airlines.
How much does it cost to add a checked bag?
Roughly €50 per bag on Caribbean inter-island routes and around €80 per bag on long-haul routes. Adding it online before the airport is cheaper than paying at the counter or gate.
Which fares include a checked bag?
Smart includes 1 x 23 kg, Flex includes 2 x 23 kg, and the Madras premium/business cabin includes up to 2 x 32 kg. Only Basic comes with no checked bag at all.
What is the checked bag weight limit?
Standard checked bags are 23 kg each. Premium/Madras allows up to 32 kg per bag. A bag weighing between 23 and 32 kg on a standard allowance costs roughly €60 extra.
How heavy can my carry-on be on Air Caraïbes?
Up to 12 kg in economy (Caribbean class) and up to 15 kg in Madras premium, at a maximum size of 55 x 35 x 25 cm including wheels and handles. This is generous compared with most low-cost carriers.
Is the cheapest fare different on long-haul vs inter-island routes?
The inclusion is the same — Basic has no checked bag either way. What differs is the add-on price: about €80 per bag on long-haul versus about €50 on Caribbean inter-island routes.
What does an oversize or sports bag cost?
A bag over 158 cm in total dimensions runs roughly €80–120. Sports gear and instruments follow the oversize/overweight schedule and should be paid for in advance; small instruments can travel in the cabin if they fit the 12 kg / 55 x 35 x 25 cm carry-on limit.