✓ Policy web-verified 2026-05-31
Avianca is a fare-bundle airline: your baggage allowance is decided by which fare family you buy, not just by your ticket. The cheapest fares (Basic on domestic routes, Light on international Americas routes) are built around hand luggage only — checked bags are an add-on you pay for. A meaningful change took effect in February 2026: Avianca’s lowest international fare across the Americas (Light) now includes a full carry-on bag up to 10 kg, not just a personal item. The domestic Basic fare still includes only a personal item.
Below is what Avianca currently publishes for each cabin and checked allowance, plus the fee ranges to expect when you add a bag. Figures vary by route and by when you pay, so treat the numbers as current published guidance rather than a fixed quote.
Quick facts
| Personal item | 45 x 35 x 25 cm — free on every fare |
| Carry-on | 55 x 35 x 25 cm, 10 kg — free except domestic Basic |
| Checked (economy) | 23 kg, max 158 cm linear |
| Checked (Business) | 2 bags, 32 kg each |
| First checked bag fee | ~USD 50 online (48h+) / ~USD 120 airport |
| Cheapest fare checked bag | Not included — buy separately |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal / under-seat item | 45 x 35 x 25 cm (18 x 14 x 10 in). One per passenger, every fare including Basic. Must fit under the seat in front of you. |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 55 x 35 x 25 cm (22 x 14 x 10 in), including wheels and handles · 10 kg (22 lb) Included on Light (international Americas), Classic, Flex and Business; NOT included on domestic Basic — must be purchased |
Checked baggage & fees
| Checked allowance | 0 on Basic/Light; 1 on Classic and Flex; 2 on Business |
| Weight limit | 23 kg (50 lb) economy; 32 kg (70 lb) Business. Max 158 cm (62 in) total linear dimensions |
| Typical fee | First checked bag roughly USD 50 if added online 48h+ before departure, rising to ~USD 120 at the airport; second bag ~USD 85 online / ~USD 200 airport (varies by route) |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic (domestic) | Yes (45x35x25 cm) | Personal item only | 0 — purchase separately |
| Light (international Americas) | Yes | Carry-on 10 kg + personal item | 0 — purchase separately |
| Classic | Yes | Carry-on 10 kg + personal item | 1 x 23 kg |
| Flex | Yes | Carry-on 10 kg + personal item | 1 x 23 kg (higher Flex/XXL fares may include 2) |
| Business | Yes | Carry-on + personal item | 2 x 32 kg |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
What you actually get at a deal price: Avianca deal fares are almost always the Basic (domestic) or Light (international) bundle. On those, plan for hand luggage only — there is no checked bag included, and you’ll buy one separately.
The 2026 silver lining: on international Americas routes, the cheap Light fare now bundles a real 10 kg carry-on plus a personal item, so a carry-on-only traveler can fly an Avianca deal without paying extra. The trap is the domestic Basic fare, which still gives you only a personal item — add a carry-on or checked bag online and well before departure, because airport-counter prices roughly double.
Oversize, sports & special items
Oversize and overweight: Economy checked bags over 23 kg or over 158 cm incur fees that typically run USD 80–135 depending on departure country. Bags over 99 lb (45 kg) or over 230 cm linear cannot be carried at all.
Pay early, pay online: Avianca’s baggage fees are tiered by when you buy. Adding bags through Manage Booking at least 48 hours before departure is materially cheaper than buying at the airport counter — often less than half the price.
Sports and instruments: Sports equipment and musical instruments are accepted as checked baggage subject to the standard weight/size limits and applicable excess fees; oversized items (bikes, surfboards, large instruments) may carry a special-handling charge. Small instruments can travel as your carry-on if within 55 x 35 x 25 cm / 10 kg; larger ones need a purchased extra seat or checked handling.
Frequently asked questions
Does Avianca's cheapest fare include a checked bag?
No. The Basic (domestic) and Light (international Americas) fares do not include a free checked bag. You buy checked baggage separately, ideally online at least 48 hours before departure to get the lower price.
Does the cheapest Avianca fare include a carry-on?
It depends on the route. Since February 2026, the international Light fare across the Americas includes a 10 kg carry-on plus a personal item. The domestic Basic fare includes only a personal item — a carry-on must be purchased.
What size carry-on does Avianca allow?
Up to 55 x 35 x 25 cm (22 x 14 x 10 in) including wheels and handles, and a maximum of 10 kg (22 lb).
What are the personal item dimensions?
Up to 45 x 35 x 25 cm (18 x 14 x 10 in), and it must fit under the seat in front of you. Every fare, including Basic, includes one free personal item.
How much is a checked bag on Avianca?
On economy fares without a free allowance, the first checked bag is roughly USD 50 when added online 48+ hours before departure, rising to around USD 120 at the airport. A second bag is roughly USD 85 online or USD 200 at the airport. Prices vary by route.
What is the checked baggage weight limit?
23 kg (50 lb) per bag in economy and 32 kg (70 lb) in Business, with a maximum total dimension of 158 cm (62 in). Bags over 99 lb or 230 cm cannot be carried.
How many checked bags do Classic, Flex and Business fares include?
Classic includes one 23 kg checked bag, Flex includes one (higher Flex/XXL fares may include two), and Business includes two bags at 32 kg each.
What is the cheapest way to add a bag on Avianca?
Add it online through Manage Booking at least 48 hours before departure. Airport-counter prices are roughly double the online rate.