✓ Policy web-verified 2026-05-31
Boliviana de Aviación (BoA), the state-owned flag carrier of Bolivia (IATA code OB), is more generous than most low-cost airlines: even its basic economy fare bundles a checked bag, a cabin bag and a personal item at no extra charge. That makes it one of the better-value carriers for getting in and out of Bolivia, whether you are connecting through Santa Cruz (VVI), La Paz (LPB) or Cochabamba (CBB), or flying the long haul to Madrid.
The headline numbers are simple: 1 cabin bag (7–8 kg) plus a personal item, and 1 checked bag of up to 23 kg on most routes. The detail that catches people out is that allowances and especially fees vary by route — domestic Bolivian flights, regional international flights and the Madrid long-haul each have their own rules. Below is what BoA publishes for 2026.
Quick facts
| Personal item | Small bag under the seat — included |
| Carry-on | 1 bag, 7 kg, 55 × 35 × 20 cm |
| Checked (economy) | 1 × 23 kg on most routes; 2 × 23 kg to/from Madrid |
| Checked weight limit | 23 kg per piece (50 lb) |
| Excess bag (domestic) | From ~16 Bs per extra kg, varies by route |
| Excess bag (international) | ~1% of net fare per extra kg |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal / under-seat item | Small bag that fits under the seat in front. A personal item (handbag, laptop bag or small backpack) is allowed in addition to the cabin bag and is not weighed separately in practice. |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 55 × 35 × 20 cm · 7 kg (BoA standard); deal-fare bundles up to 8 kg Included in all fares |
Checked baggage & fees
| Checked allowance | 1 piece in economy on most routes; 2 pieces to/from Madrid |
| Weight limit | 23 kg (50 lb) per piece |
| Typical fee | First bag included; excess charged per kg (see fare table and FAQs) |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy (domestic) | Included | 7 kg carry-on + personal item | 1 × 23 kg included |
| Economy (regional international) | Included | 7 kg carry-on + personal item | 1 × 23 kg included |
| Economy (Madrid long-haul) | Included | 7 kg carry-on + personal item | 2 × 23 kg included |
| Business / premium | Included | Carry-on + personal item | Higher checked allowance than economy |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
What you actually get at deal prices: unlike European budget carriers that strip everything out of the headline fare, BoA’s cheapest economy ticket already includes a checked bag and a cabin bag. On the fares aifly typically surfaces you can expect 1 × 20 kg checked plus an 8 kg cabin bag and a personal item bundled in — no separate baggage purchase needed to travel with a real suitcase.
That is the practical edge of flying BoA on a deal: the advertised price is close to the all-in price. Compare that with low-cost carriers where the “cheap” fare often doubles once you add a checked bag. For travellers heading to Bolivia with luggage, BoA’s included allowance frequently makes it the cheapest door-to-door option even when the base fare is not the lowest on the screen.
Oversize, sports & special items
Excess and extra bags: if you go over the weight limit or want a second bag, fees are billed per kilogram, not as a flat per-bag charge on most routes. On domestic Bolivian flights this is a fixed Boliviano rate per kg (around 16 Bs/kg on some routes, varying by sector); on international routes BoA charges roughly 1% of the net fare per excess kilogram, so the cost scales with how expensive your ticket was.
Oversize, sports and musical equipment: items exceeding standard dimensions or weight are accepted as special baggage subject to space and additional fees. Sports gear (bikes, skis, surfboards, fishing equipment) and musical instruments should be declared in advance; large instruments may need a purchased seat. Always confirm the current charge with BoA before travel, as special-baggage rates are not published in a single flat table.
Always reconfirm before you fly: BoA’s fee structure is route-specific and changes periodically. The figures here reflect BoA’s published 2026 policy, but for the exact charge on your itinerary.bo.
Frequently asked questions
How much baggage does Boliviana de Aviación include for free?
On most routes, economy includes 1 checked bag up to 23 kg, plus a 7 kg cabin bag (55 × 35 × 20 cm) and a personal item. Flights to and from Madrid include 2 checked bags of 23 kg each.
What are BoA's carry-on dimensions and weight?
BoA allows one cabin bag of up to 7 kg measuring 55 × 35 × 20 cm, plus a small personal item that fits under the seat in front of you. On aifly deal fares the cabin allowance is typically bundled at up to 8 kg.
How much is BoA's excess baggage fee?
It is charged per kilogram, not per bag. On domestic Bolivian routes it is a fixed Boliviano rate (around 16 Bs/kg on some sectors, varying by route). On international routes it is approximately 1% of the net ticket fare for each kilogram over your allowance.
How many checked bags can I take to Madrid with BoA?
Economy passengers on the Madrid long-haul route get 2 checked bags of up to 23 kg each included — double the standard single-bag allowance on other routes.
Does the cheapest BoA fare include a checked bag?
Yes. Unlike most low-cost carriers, BoA bundles a checked bag (around 20–23 kg) plus a cabin bag and personal item into its basic economy fare, so the advertised price is close to the all-in price.
Can I bring sports equipment or a musical instrument on BoA?
Yes, as special baggage subject to space and additional fees. Declare bikes, skis, surfboards, fishing gear or large instruments in advance; oversize instruments may require a purchased seat. Confirm the current charge with BoA before travelling.
What is BoA's checked baggage weight limit per piece?
23 kg (50 lb) per checked piece in economy. Bags heavier than this incur per-kilogram excess charges, and very heavy or oversize bags are handled as special baggage.
Do BoA baggage rules differ between domestic and international flights?
Yes. The free cabin and checked allowance is broadly the same, but excess fees differ: domestic flights use a fixed Boliviano per-kg rate, while international flights charge a percentage of the fare per excess kg, and Madrid adds a second free checked bag.