✓ Policy web-verified 2026-06-20
Good news for once: Air Madagascar (now trading as Madagascar Airlines) still does baggage the old-fashioned full-service way — even the cheapest Economy “Leisure” fare includes a checked bag. On international and long-haul routes (Antananarivo to Paris, the Indian Ocean network) that’s 23 kg checked, free. On the domestic network inside Madagascar it’s 20 kg — and as little as nothing extra on deep-promo or discount domestic tickets, where the allowance can shrink. There is no Ryanair-style Basic fare here that strips the hold bag down to zero on the main routes.
The catch is the cabin allowance, which is stingy: just 5 kg of carry-on (55 x 35 x 25 cm) in Economy, plus one small 2 kg personal accessory. That 5 kg is among the tightest cabin limits of any carrier we track, so the bag you actually need to watch is the one in the overhead bin, not the hold. Privilege (business) buys you 10 kg cabin and 30 kg checked.
Quick facts
| Cheapest fare checked bag | Included — 23 kg int'l / 20 kg domestic |
| Free personal accessory | 1 item, max 2 kg (handbag, laptop, camera) |
| Economy cabin bag | 5 kg, 55 x 35 x 25 cm |
| Economy checked (int'l) | 23 kg, max 158 cm total |
| Economy checked (domestic) | 20 kg (less on promo fares) |
| Privilege (business) | 10 kg cabin + 30 kg checked |
| Extra bag fee | ≈ 190,000 MGA (half price if bought online) |
| Trading name | Madagascar Airlines (ex-Air Madagascar / Tsaradia) |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal accessory | 1 item, max 2 kg — handbag, laptop, camera, coat, umbrella (free, all fares) |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | Economy 5 kg (55 x 35 x 25 cm); Privilege 10 kg — total linear dims under 115 cm or it gets gate-checked |
Checked baggage & fees
| Economy — international / long-haul | 23 kg included, max 158 cm (L+W+H) |
| Economy — domestic | 20 kg included; reduced on promotional / discount fares |
| Privilege (business) | 30 kg included, max 203 cm (L+W+H) |
| Extra / excess bag | ≈ 190,000 MGA per additional bag up to 20 kg; buy online for roughly half price |
| Overweight / oversize | Charged separately; varies by route and weight band |
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 |
|---|---|
| International / long-haul (e.g. Tana–Paris, Indian Ocean) | 1 checked bag, 23 kg |
| Domestic Madagascar (standard fare) | 1 checked bag, 20 kg |
| Domestic Madagascar (promo / discount fare) | Reduced — can be below 20 kg |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leisure (Economy) | 2 kg accessory | 5 kg | 23 kg int'l / 20 kg domestic |
| Privilege (Business) | 2 kg accessory | 10 kg | 30 kg |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
On a cheap Air Madagascar deal fare you actually get a real checked bag — 23 kg on the international routes, 20 kg domestically — which makes their lowest fare genuinely better value than the headline-grabbing European LCCs that charge €40+ to put anything in the hold. Don’t pay for an extra checked bag you don’t need; one 23 kg bag covers most trips.
What you do need to budget for is the cabin. The 5 kg Economy carry-on limit is brutal — a normal packed wheelie easily breaks it, and they enforce it at the gate. If you’re hand-luggage-only to dodge the carousel, Air Madagascar is the wrong airline for that plan. And if you’re on a promo domestic ticket.
Oversize, sports & special items
Sports equipment, instruments and oversize items are accepted as checked baggage subject to the standard excess/oversize charges and the 158 cm (Economy) / 203 cm (Business) dimension caps — declare bulky gear when booking rather than at the airport. The airline notes you can buy extra-bag supplements online at roughly half the airport price, so pre-purchase if you know you’re over.
The big change to be aware of: the carrier rebranded from Air Madagascar to Madagascar Airlines, with domestic flying long handled under the Tsaradia brand — bookings, check-in and baggage are now consolidated under madagascarairlines.com. Allowances and fees are quoted in Malagasy ariary (MGA) and vary by route, fare and sales channel, so treat the figures here as current ranges, not a fixed tariff.
Frequently asked questions
Does the cheapest Air Madagascar fare include a checked bag?
Yes. Unlike low-cost carriers, the lowest Economy (Leisure) fare includes a free checked bag — 23 kg on international/long-haul routes and 20 kg on domestic Madagascar flights. Only deep-promo or discount domestic tickets may carry a reduced allowance.
How much checked baggage do I get in Economy?
23 kg on international and long-haul flights, 20 kg on domestic flights, with total dimensions (length + width + height) not exceeding 158 cm.
What is the cabin baggage allowance?
Economy passengers get one carry-on of 5 kg up to 55 x 35 x 25 cm, plus one personal accessory of up to 2 kg (handbag, laptop, camera). Privilege passengers get 10 kg cabin.
Is the 5 kg cabin limit really enforced?
Yes — 5 kg is one of the tightest cabin limits around and bags over the size or weight cap (115 cm total) can be gate-checked. Pack heavy items in your hold bag, not your carry-on.
How much does an extra checked bag cost?
Roughly 190,000 MGA per additional bag up to 20 kg. You can usually buy the supplement online for about half the airport price, so add it before you fly.
Does Privilege (business) class get more baggage?
Yes — Privilege includes 30 kg checked (up to 203 cm) and 10 kg cabin, plus the 2 kg personal accessory.
Is Air Madagascar the same as Madagascar Airlines?
Yes. Air Madagascar now trades as Madagascar Airlines, with domestic flying previously branded Tsaradia. Bookings and baggage are handled at madagascarairlines.com.
Can I carry sports gear or a musical instrument?
Yes, as checked baggage subject to excess/oversize charges and the standard dimension limits. Declare bulky items at booking rather than at the airport to avoid surprises.