✓ Policy web-verified 2026-06-20
Here is the good news that most Air Botswana deal-hunters do not expect: the cheapest fare on Botswana’s flag carrier already includes a 23 kg checked bag. Air Botswana is an old-school regional full-service operator — ATR 72 and Embraer jets working domestic hops (Gaborone, Maun, Kasane, Francistown) plus a handful of Southern African routes (Johannesburg, Cape Town, Harare, Lusaka) — and it never adopted the unbundled “basic” no-bag fare that the European and North American giants love. Pay the lowest economy price and you still walk to the belt with a full hold bag plus 7 kg of cabin baggage.
There is no region split here. Unlike WestJet or Lufthansa, where the cheapest fare strips the bag on some routes and keeps it on others, Air Botswana applies the same 23 kg economy allowance whether you are flying 45 minutes Gaborone–Maun or crossing the border to Cape Town. The upgrade ladder is simple: the Flexible and Premier (Business) fares bump you to 30 kg and add changeability. For the bargain seat, 23 kg is plenty for a safari trip — and you paid nothing extra for it.
Quick facts
| Cheapest-fare checked bag | Included — 23 kg, all routes |
| Carry-on | 1 piece, max 7 kg |
| Personal item | Not separately defined — fits within 7 kg cabin |
| Economy checked allowance | 23 kg |
| Flexible / Premier checked | 30 kg |
| Infant (no seat) | 5 kg |
| Excess baggage | Per-kg charge, varies by route |
| Liability for loss | USD 20 per kg, up to 20 kg |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal item | No separate personal-item allowance published; small items count within the 7 kg cabin limit |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 1 piece, max 7 kg, must fit the overhead locker (small ATR/Embraer cabins — soft bags travel better) |
Checked baggage & fees
| Economy (cheapest fare) | 23 kg included, all routes |
| Flexible / Premier | 30 kg included |
| Infant without seat | 5 kg |
| Excess / extra bag | Charged per kilogram; rate varies by route and is paid at the airport or ticket office |
| Lost-baggage liability | USD 20 per kg, capped at 20 kg |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy / Saver | Within 7 kg cabin | 7 kg | 23 kg included |
| Flexible | Within 7 kg cabin | 7 kg | 30 kg included |
| Premier (Business) | Within 7 kg cabin | 7 kg | 30 kg included |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
What you actually get on a cheap Air Botswana deal fare: a real checked bag. This is one of the rare carriers where the lowest economy price is fully bundled — 7 kg cabin plus 23 kg in the hold — so on a deal fare there is genuinely nothing to add for a normal trip. Budget zero for bags unless you are over 23 kg.
The only thing the cheap fare strips versus Flexible/Premier is weight headroom (23 vs 30 kg) and changeability — not the bag itself. Soft duffels also beat hard cases on the small ATR/Embraer fleet, where overhead space is tight.
Oversize, sports & special items
Sports and oversize items (golf bags, bicycles, camping/fishing gear) are accepted as checked baggage subject to weight and space, and may incur excess or handling charges on the small turboprop fleet — declare them when booking rather than at the gate. Sharp objects (knives, scissors) must go in the hold; they are confiscated if found at carry-on screening. Air Botswana advises against putting cash, jewellery, laptops, electronics or medicines in checked bags, as it does not accept liability for valuables lost from the hold.
A 2025 revision lifted the Flexible and Premier checked allowance to 30 kg while economy stayed at 23 kg. Air Botswana remains a regional/domestic operator with no long-haul intercontinental network, so the same allowances apply across its whole route map — there is no separate transatlantic or transpacific basic-fare rule to watch for.
Frequently asked questions
Does the cheapest Air Botswana fare include a checked bag?
Yes. Air Botswana’s lowest economy fare includes a 23 kg checked bag on every route, plus 7 kg of cabin baggage. It does not sell a no-bag “basic” fare.
How much checked baggage do I get?
23 kg in economy. Flexible and Premier (Business) fares include 30 kg. Infants not occupying a seat get 5 kg.
What is the carry-on allowance?
One piece up to 7 kg that fits in the overhead locker. There is no separately published personal-item allowance, so small bags count within that 7 kg.
Does the checked-bag allowance change by route or region?
No. Air Botswana flies domestic and Southern African regional routes only, with no long-haul network, so the 23 kg economy / 30 kg Flexible-Premier allowances apply everywhere.
What does excess baggage cost?
Excess is charged per kilogram and the rate varies by route. It is paid at the airport or a ticket office.
Can I bring sports equipment like golf clubs or a bike?
Yes, as checked baggage subject to weight and aircraft space. Declare oversize or sports items at booking; they may attract excess or handling charges on the small ATR/Embraer fleet.
What is Air Botswana liable for if my bag is lost?
Compensation is set at USD 20 per kilogram, capped at 20 kg. Keep valuables, electronics and medicines in your cabin bag — the airline does not cover them in the hold.
Should I bring a hard case or a soft bag?
Soft duffels are the safer bet. Air Botswana flies small turboprops and regional jets with limited overhead and hold space, so soft, squashable bags travel better than rigid suitcases.