✓ Policy web-verified 2026-06-20
Arik Air is a weight-based carrier, not a fare-bundle one, so the good news is there’s no Basic-vs-Standard trapdoor: every economy ticket includes one checked bag up to 20 kg, on every route Arik flies — domestic Nigeria, regional West Africa, and its longer international hops alike. Business class gets 30 kg. There are no stripped “hand-baggage-only” deal fares to catch you out, which makes Arik refreshingly simple compared with the Light/Basic games European and North American carriers play.
The catch isn’t whether you get a bag — it’s the limits. The free allowance is a single 20 kg piece (no second free bag in economy at any price), no single piece may exceed 30 kg, and your cabin bag shrinks to 6 kg on domestic flights versus 12 kg internationally. Go over 20 kg and you’re paying excess in cash at the airport, typically around $60 to $240 depending on weight and route. So on a cheap Arik deal fare you actually travel with a real bag — just budget for the overage if you pack like you’re emigrating.
Quick facts
| Free personal/cabin item | 1 piece, 55 x 35 x 25 cm |
| Cabin weight (international) | 12 kg |
| Cabin weight (domestic) | 6 kg |
| Checked bag in cheapest fare | Yes — 20 kg economy, all routes |
| Economy checked allowance | 1 x 20 kg |
| Business checked allowance | 1 x 30 kg |
| Max single piece weight | 30 kg (66 lb) |
| Excess baggage fee | ~$60-$240, paid at airport |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Hand/cabin bag (international & regional) | 1 piece, max 55 x 35 x 25 cm, up to 12 kg — included in every fare |
| Hand/cabin bag (domestic Nigeria) | 1 piece, max 55 x 35 x 25 cm, up to 6 kg — included in every fare |
| Personal extras | One overcoat/raincoat, umbrella, camera, laptop, books, infant food, folding pram or wheelchair carried free |
Checked baggage & fees
| Economy allowance | 1 piece up to 20 kg, all routes |
| Business allowance | 1 piece up to 30 kg, all routes |
| Max weight per single piece | 30 kg (66 lb) — pieces over 30 kg refused |
| Max pieces per passenger | Up to 10 (subject to fare rules and excess fees) |
| Infants | No free checked allowance; hand baggage only |
| Excess baggage fee | Approx. $60-$240, varies by route/weight, collected in local currency at the airport |
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 |
|---|---|
| Domestic Nigeria | Yes – 1 x 20 kg (economy) |
| Regional West Africa | Yes – 1 x 20 kg (economy) |
| International / long-haul | Yes – 1 x 20 kg (economy) |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
On a cheap Arik Air deal fare you get a genuine 20 kg checked bag plus a cabin bag — there’s no fare tier that strips the hold bag, so unlike a Ryanair or transatlantic Basic ticket, the headline price is close to the real price. That’s the aifly angle here: an Arik deal fare is honest about luggage in a way most cheap fares aren’t.
What to actually budget for: a second bag or anything over 20 kg, which is pure excess and paid in cash at check-in — reckon on roughly $60-$240 depending on how far over and which route, collected in the departure country’s currency. Also watch the 6 kg domestic cabin limit: a carry-on that sailed through on your international leg can get pulled and charged on a Lagos-Abuja hop. Weigh before you fly and you’ll pay nothing extra.
Oversize, sports & special items
Sports equipment such as skis and golf clubs, and oversized items, are accepted as checked baggage subject to space and a special handling fee — declare them at booking rather than turning up with them. Musical instruments follow the same logic: small ones fit the cabin allowance, larger ones go in the hold (or buy a seat for very large instruments). Every piece is still bound by the hard 30 kg single-piece ceiling.
Arik remains a strictly weight-based, single-cabin-economy carrier with no piece-concept or branded Light/Standard fares as of 2026, so the 20 kg economy / 30 kg business framework applies uniformly. On flights departing Nigeria, the standard liquids rule applies in hand baggage: containers up to 100 ml, packed in a single 1-litre clear bag.
Frequently asked questions
Does the cheapest Arik Air fare include a checked bag?
Yes. Arik prices by weight, not by fare bundle, so every economy ticket — including the cheapest — includes one checked bag up to 20 kg on every route, with a cabin bag on top. There is no hand-baggage-only fare.
How much checked baggage do I get in economy?
One piece up to 20 kg. No single piece may exceed 30 kg, and there’s no second free bag in economy at any fare level — extra bags or extra weight are charged as excess.
What is Arik Air's hand baggage allowance?
One piece up to 55 x 35 x 25 cm, weighing up to 12 kg on international and regional flights but only 6 kg on domestic Nigerian flights. A coat, umbrella, camera, laptop, books and infant items can be carried in addition.
How much does excess baggage cost on Arik Air?
Going over your 20 kg allowance typically costs around $60 to $240 depending on the weight and route, collected in the local currency of the departure airport. There’s no online prepay discount worth relying on — budget cash for check-in.
Is the checked allowance different on long-haul versus domestic Arik flights?
No. The free checked allowance is the same on every route — 20 kg economy, 30 kg business. What changes by route is the cabin bag weight: 12 kg international/regional, 6 kg domestic.
Can I bring two checked bags?
Yes, but only the first 20 kg is free in economy. A second bag is pure excess and charged at the airport; you can carry up to about 10 pieces total subject to fare rules and fees.
Do infants get a baggage allowance on Arik Air?
Infants have no free checked allowance — only hand baggage is accepted, plus permitted items such as a folding pram, carry-cot and infant food.
Can I take sports equipment or a musical instrument?
Skis, golf clubs, oversized and sports items are accepted as checked baggage subject to space and a special handling fee — declare them when booking. Small instruments fit the cabin allowance; large ones travel in the hold within the 30 kg single-piece limit.