✓ Policy web-verified 2026-05-31
Aircalin (Air Calédonie International, IATA code SB) is the flag carrier of New Caledonia, flying from Nouméa–La Tontouta (NOU) across the Pacific to Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland, Nadi, Port-Vila, Wallis, Papeete, plus long-haul to Singapore, Bangkok and Paris (via codeshare/connection). Its baggage allowance is not a single number: it changes with both your cabin class (Economy, Premium Economy, Business Hibiscus) and the network you fly — short regional hops within New Caledonia get far less than the long-haul routes.
This guide covers Aircalin’s current 2026 published rules: cabin (hand) baggage and the personal accessory, checked allowances by route and class, the 158 cm size cap, and the extra-baggage fees in XPF and EUR. Figures below are taken from Aircalin’s own baggage pages; where an allowance varies by route we say so rather than averaging it.
Quick facts
| Cabin (long-haul Economy) | 1 bag + 1 accessory, up to 12 kg, 55 x 35 x 25 cm |
| Cabin (regional Economy) | 1 bag + 1 accessory, 5 kg, 45 x 35 x 20 cm |
| Personal accessory | 1 item (laptop, handbag OR duty-free) — counts in total weight |
| Checked (Economy long-haul) | 1 x 23 kg, max 158 cm total |
| Checked (Premium Economy) | 2 x 23 kg on most long-haul routes |
| Checked (Business Hibiscus) | 2 x 23 kg, or 2 x 32 kg on Paris routes |
| Extra bag (pre-booked online) | From 6,000 XPF (~50 EUR); up to 18,000 XPF (~151 EUR) to Paris |
| Max single bag weight | 32 kg (heavier needs freight) |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal / under-seat item | No separate dimension published. One accessory only — a laptop, a handbag OR a duty-free bag. Its weight is counted within your total cabin allowance, not on top of it. |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 55 x 35 x 25 cm (115 cm total); 45 x 35 x 20 cm on regional routes · 7–12 kg (long-haul Economy), 5 kg (regional Economy) Included |
Checked baggage & fees
| Checked allowance | 1 piece in long-haul Economy; 2 pieces in Premium Economy and Business Hibiscus on most routes |
| Weight limit | 23 kg per piece (32 kg per piece in Business on Paris routes); max 158 cm length+width+height |
| Typical fee | Included in fare; extra bags from ~6,000 XPF (~50 EUR) pre-booked |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy (regional, e.g. Nouméa–Île des Pins/Lifou/Maré/Ouvéa) | 1 accessory (in total weight) | 1 bag + 1 accessory, 5 kg, 45 x 35 x 20 cm | Up to 23 kg total |
| Economy (long-haul, e.g. Sydney/Auckland/Brisbane/Nadi/Singapore/Bangkok/Papeete/Paris) | 1 accessory (in total weight) | 1 bag + 1 accessory, 7–12 kg by route, 55 x 35 x 25 cm | 1 x 23 kg (1–2 x 23 kg on Nouméa–France with Air France) |
| Premium Economy | 1 accessory | 1–2 bags + 1 accessory, 7–12 kg, 55 x 35 x 25 cm | 2 x 23 kg on major long-haul routes; 30 kg total on regional |
| Business (Hibiscus) | 1 accessory | 1–2 bags + 1 accessory, 12–18 kg, 55 x 35 x 25 cm | 2 x 23 kg (Sydney/Papeete/Singapore/Bangkok); 2 x 32 kg on Bangkok–Paris and Nouméa–France |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
What you actually get on a cheap Aircalin fare: unlike low-cost carriers that sell a bare seat and charge for everything, Aircalin’s cheapest published long-haul Economy fare still bundles a real baggage allowance. At deal prices you can expect roughly 12 kg of cabin baggage plus the one accessory, and 1 x 23 kg checked bag included — no separate carry-on or first-bag fee to add at checkout.
That makes a low Aircalin fare genuinely comparable to a full-service ticket: the headline price is close to the all-in price for a traveller with one suitcase. The watch-outs are (1) the 5 kg / smaller cabin limit on the short regional inter-island hops, and (2) cabin weight is enforced on the islands, so if you connect onto a regional sector, pack to the lowest leg’s limit. For a second checked bag, pre-book online (25% cheaper than the airport) rather than paying at the desk.
Oversize, sports & special items
Extra & excess baggage fees (2026, pre-booked online, ~25% cheaper than airport):
- Nouméa ↔ Auckland / Sydney / Brisbane / Nadi: 6,000 XPF (~50 EUR) per extra bag.
- Nouméa ↔ Singapore / Papeete / Bangkok: 12,000 XPF (~101 EUR).
- Nouméa ↔ Paris: 18,000 XPF (~151 EUR).
- Bangkok ↔ Paris: 12,000 XPF (~101 EUR).
- Connecting beyond the Aircalin network (from Nouméa): Pacific ~9,800 XPF (~82 EUR), Asia ~15,000 XPF (~125 EUR), Europe/Africa/America ~18,000 XPF (~151 EUR).
At the airport the same extra bag costs more — roughly 4,000–8,000 XPF on Australia/NZ/Fiji routes, 8,000–16,000 XPF on Asia/Pacific, and 12,000–24,000 XPF to Paris. Online pre-booking closes 30 hours before departure and is limited to 3 extra bags per passenger.
Weight & size limits: standard checked pieces max 23 kg and 158 cm (length + width + height). A single bag may weigh up to 32 kg; anything heavier must go as freight/cargo. Oversized items over 300 cm total cannot be added through the online extra-baggage service. Extra-bag pre-booking is not offered on the Wallis and Vanuatu routes, where excess is charged per kilo (~700–1,000 XPF/kg) at the airport.
Sports equipment & instruments: Aircalin does not publish separate flat rates for sports gear or musical instruments online — these are handled as part of your weight/piece allowance or as excess/oversize baggage, so check the dimensions against the 158 cm / 300 cm limits and contact Aircalin in advance for bulky items. Fees were valid as of early February 2026 and are subject to change.
Frequently asked questions
What is Aircalin's cabin baggage allowance in 2026?
On long-haul Economy routes you get one cabin bag plus one accessory up to a total of 7–12 kg depending on route, max 55 x 35 x 25 cm (115 cm total). On the short regional inter-island routes the limit drops to 5 kg and 45 x 35 x 20 cm. Business Hibiscus allows up to 12–18 kg.
How many checked bags does Aircalin include for free?
Long-haul Economy includes one checked bag up to 23 kg. Premium Economy and Business Hibiscus include two pieces of 23 kg each on most routes; Business on the Paris routes allows 2 x 32 kg. Nouméa–France tickets with Air France can include 1–2 pieces of 23 kg.
What is the maximum weight and size for an Aircalin checked bag?
Each checked piece can weigh up to 23 kg (32 kg in Business on Paris routes) and must not exceed 158 cm in total dimensions (length + width + height). A single bag may weigh up to 32 kg; anything heavier must be sent as cargo/freight.
How much does an extra checked bag cost on Aircalin?
Pre-booked online (about 25% cheaper than the airport), an extra bag is roughly 6,000 XPF (~50 EUR) to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji; 12,000 XPF (~101 EUR) to Singapore, Bangkok and Papeete; and 18,000 XPF (~151 EUR) to Paris. Airport rates are higher. Online pre-booking closes 30 hours before departure, max 3 per passenger.
Does Aircalin charge for carry-on or a first checked bag on cheap fares?
No. Even Aircalin's cheapest long-haul Economy fare includes cabin baggage (around 12 kg) plus the one accessory and one checked bag of 23 kg at no extra charge — unlike low-cost carriers that charge for these separately.
Is the personal item separate from the cabin bag weight on Aircalin?
No. Aircalin allows one accessory — a laptop, handbag or duty-free bag — but its weight counts toward your total cabin allowance, not on top of it. Pack so your bag plus accessory stays within the route's kg limit.
Why is my Aircalin cabin allowance smaller on island flights?
The short regional sectors within New Caledonia (Nouméa to Île des Pins, Lifou, Maré, Ouvéa) use smaller aircraft, so the cabin limit is just 5 kg and 45 x 35 x 20 cm. If you connect from a long-haul flight onto one of these, pack to the lower regional limit for the island leg.
Are Aircalin baggage fees in local currency?
Yes. Aircalin prices in CFP francs (XPF), New Caledonia's currency, with EUR equivalents shown. Fees vary by route and by whether you pre-book online or pay at the airport; the figures here were current as of early 2026 and can change.