✓ Policy web-verified 2026-05-31
Air Algerie (IATA code AH) runs a baggage system that changed materially in late 2023, when the airline moved most international routes from a weight-based allowance to the Piece Concept — your allowance is counted in pieces (bags), with a weight cap per piece, rather than one combined weight total. This matters because how much you can bring, and what overweight or extra bags cost, now depends heavily on where you are flying and from which country you depart. The figures below were checked against Air Algerie’s published policy and current 2026 booking information, but the airline’s official baggage page states allowances explicitly only on your ticket — so the franchise printed on your e-ticket always overrides any general guide.
Quick facts
| Cabin (carry-on) | 1 bag, 10 kg (5 kg on ATR turboprop flights) |
| Cabin dimensions | Approx. 55 × 35 × 25 cm (40 × 30 × 20 cm on ATR) |
| Personal item | Not a separate guaranteed allowance — counts within the 1-bag cabin rule |
| Checked (Economy, international) | Typically 1 × 23 kg under the Piece Concept; some routes allow 2 pieces |
| Checked (Economy, intra-Europe / France / Maghreb) | Up to 30 kg on certain fares — varies by route |
| Checked (Business) | Generally 2 × 23 kg / up to ~40 kg depending on route |
| Checked (Domestic Algeria) | Economy 20 kg, Business 30 kg, First 40 kg |
| Max piece dimensions | 158 cm total (length + width + height) |
| Excess bag from Europe | ~€80 first extra piece, ~€150 second extra piece (under 23 kg) |
| Excess weight from France | ~€50 per bag for the 23-32 kg band |
| Excess from Algeria | ~7,500 DZD overweight flat rate; ~12,000 DZD (≈€80) extra piece to Europe |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal / under-seat item | No separate dedicated personal-item size — Air Algerie permits one cabin bag only. Unlike many carriers, Air Algerie's standard rule is a single cabin bag (10 kg). A handbag/laptop bag is generally tolerated but is not a guaranteed extra free allowance; a second unforeseen carry-on is checked in at the gate for a fee. |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | Approx. 55 × 35 × 25 cm (40 × 30 × 20 cm on ATR) · 10 kg (5 kg on ATR aircraft) Free with all fares; gate-checked at ~€80 / 12,000 DZD if over weight/size or if a second bag appears |
Checked baggage & fees
| Checked allowance | Piece Concept: typically 1 × 23 kg in Economy international (some routes 2 pieces); up to 30 kg on intra-Europe/France/Maghreb fares; Domestic Algeria 20 kg Economy |
| Weight limit | 23 kg per piece on most international routes; 30 kg total on certain regional fares |
| Typical fee | Varies by departure country — see fee details below |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy (Light / lowest fares) | Tolerated, not guaranteed extra | 1 × 10 kg | 1 × 23 kg on most international Piece-Concept routes |
| Economy (regional / Maghreb / France) | Tolerated | 1 × 10 kg | Up to 30 kg on some fares |
| Business | Tolerated | 1 × 10 kg (often higher tolerance) | 2 × 23 kg / up to ~40 kg |
| Domestic (within Algeria) | Tolerated | 1 × 10 kg (5 kg ATR) | Economy 20 kg, Business 30 kg, First 40 kg |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
For deal-hunters, Air Algerie’s cheapest international fares are more generous than most legacy or low-cost carriers: even the lowest economy ticket includes a 10 kg cabin bag and a 23 kg checked bag at no extra charge on most international routes. There is no stripped-out “hand-baggage-only” basic fare the way Air France, Iberia or the big European LCCs sell — so a cheap AH fare you find on aifly typically already covers the bag you actually need to check. The catch is enforcement: from early 2026 Air Algerie systematically weighs cabin bags at the gate, and a 10 kg overage or a surprise second carry-on gets converted to a paid checked bag (~€80 / 12,000 DZD) on the spot. Pack to the 10 kg cabin limit and you keep the full value of the cheap fare.
Oversize, sports & special items
Excess and extra-baggage fees (varies by departure point):
- Departing Europe (France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Portugal): roughly €80 for a first additional piece under 23 kg and €150 for a second additional piece under 23 kg.
- Departing France: overweight in the 23-32 kg band is around €50 per bag.
- Departing Algeria: overweight is charged at a flat rate (for example, ~7,500 DZD for ~5 kg over), and an extra piece to Europe is about 12,000 DZD (≈€80).
Oversize, sports and instruments: any single piece exceeding the 158 cm total-dimension limit is treated as oversized and incurs an extra charge. Sports equipment (skis, bicycles, golf), large musical instruments and similar items should be declared in advance — they are accepted subject to space and are charged as additional/oversized pieces; an instrument too large for the cabin must travel as checked or in a purchased extra seat. Wheelchairs and mobility/rehabilitation aids fly free. Pets (cats, dogs, birds) are accepted subject to the rules of the departure and destination countries.
2026 note: Air Algerie continues to operate the Piece Concept (in place since October 2023) and has tightened gate enforcement of cabin-baggage weight and size in early 2026. Always confirm the exact allowance printed on your ticket, since pieces and weights differ between the international, France/Maghreb and domestic networks.
Frequently asked questions
How much baggage is included in Air Algerie's cheapest fare?
On most international routes the lowest economy fare still includes one 10 kg cabin bag and one 23 kg checked bag at no extra cost. Air Algerie does not sell a hand-baggage-only basic fare, so a cheap AH ticket usually already covers a checked bag.
What is Air Algerie's cabin baggage allowance and size?
One cabin bag up to 10 kg on Boeing/Airbus flights (5 kg on ATR turboprops), roughly 55 × 35 × 25 cm. Only one cabin bag is the standard rule; a small personal item is generally tolerated but not a guaranteed extra free allowance.
How many checked bags do I get in Economy?
Under the Piece Concept used since October 2023, most international economy tickets give 1 × 23 kg, with some routes allowing 2 pieces. Certain France, Maghreb and intra-Europe fares still use a weight allowance of up to 30 kg. Domestic Algeria flights allow 20 kg in economy. Check your ticket for the exact franchise.
What does an extra or overweight bag cost on Air Algerie?
It depends on where you depart. From Europe expect about €80 for a first extra piece under 23 kg and €150 for a second. From France, overweight in the 23-32 kg range is around €50. From Algeria, overweight is a flat rate (about 7,500 DZD for ~5 kg over) and an extra piece to Europe is roughly 12,000 DZD (about €80).
What is the maximum weight and size of a single checked bag?
Each checked piece must not exceed 23 kg on most international routes (some fares allow up to 30 kg) and 158 cm in total dimensions (length plus width plus height). Heavier or larger items are charged as overweight or oversized.
Will Air Algerie weigh my cabin bag at the gate?
Yes. From early 2026 Air Algerie systematically weighs and checks cabin bags at boarding. If your bag is over 10 kg or you bring an unforeseen second carry-on, it is checked in at the gate for a fee of about €80 (12,000 DZD).
Can I bring sports equipment or a musical instrument?
Yes, with advance notice. Sports gear such as skis, bikes and golf clubs, and large musical instruments, are accepted subject to space and charged as additional or oversized pieces. A small instrument can go in the cabin within the 10 kg limit; a large one must be checked or, if very valuable, carried on a purchased extra seat.
Does Air Algerie use a weight or piece baggage system?
Both, depending on the network. Most international routes use the Piece Concept (number of bags, with a 23 kg per-piece cap). France, Maghreb and intra-Europe fares can still use a weight allowance of up to 30 kg, and domestic Algerian flights remain weight-based (20/30/40 kg by class).
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