✓ Policy web-verified 2026-06-20
Book the cheapest Economy Lite fare on Caribbean Airlines and you get exactly what the name says: one full-size carry-on (up to 22 lbs / 10 kg, 22 x 14 x 9 in) plus a personal item — and zero free checked bags. That’s unusually generous on cabin allowance for a deal fare (most carriers cap you at 7 kg or a personal item only), but if you need to check a suitcase on a Lite fare you’re paying for it: roughly $30 for the first bag, $40 for the second on international routes.
The catch — and the thing most baggage tables get wrong — is that the cheapest-fare checked-bag rule depends on where you fly. On the domestic Trinidad–Tobago air bridge there is no Lite fare sold, so even the lowest fare includes a free checked bag (then TT$3/kg over). On every other route — the Caribbean network, the US, Canada, and the UK (London Gatwick) — Lite is the floor and it has no bag. Step up one tier to Economy Classic and you get 1 free checked bag (up to 50 lbs / 23 kg); Flex and Business give you two.
Quick facts
| Free personal item | 33 x 43 x 15 cm (13 x 17 x 6 in), under seat |
| Free carry-on | 56 x 35 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 in), up to 10 kg / 22 lb |
| Cheapest fare (Lite) | Carry-on + personal item, no checked bag |
| Classic fare | 1 free checked bag (23 kg) |
| Flex / Business | 2 free checked bags |
| 1st checked bag (Lite, intl) | ~$30 USD |
| Checked weight limit | 23 kg / 50 lb economy; 32 kg / 70 lb business |
| Overweight fee (to 32 kg) | ~$75 USD per bag |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal item (all fares) | 33 x 43 x 15 cm (13 x 17 x 6 in), under the seat — free on every fare including Lite |
| Carry-on (all fares) | 56 x 35 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 in), max 10 kg / 22 lb — free on every fare; extra carry-on ~$100, overweight carry-on (11-23 kg) ~$50 |
Checked baggage & fees
| Economy allowance | Up to 23 kg / 50 lb per bag; max 158 cm (62 in) linear |
| Business allowance | Up to 32 kg / 70 lb per bag |
| Lite fare (international) | No free bag — 1st ~$30, 2nd ~$40, 3rd ~$150, 4th ~$175 (USD) |
| Classic fare | 1 free; 2nd ~$40, 3rd ~$150, 4th ~$175 |
| Flex / Biz fare | 2 free; 3rd ~$150, 4th ~$175 |
| Overweight (23-32 kg) | ~$75 USD per bag (TT$3/kg on domestic) |
| Oversized (to 115 in linear) | ~$75 USD |
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 Trinidad-Tobago air bridge | 1 checked bag included (no Lite fare sold) |
| Caribbean network / inter-island | No checked bag on Lite (paid add-on) |
| US, Canada (long-haul) | No checked bag on Lite (paid add-on) |
| UK / London Gatwick | No checked bag on Lite (paid add-on) |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy Lite | Yes | 10 kg | Paid (~$30+) |
| Economy Classic | Yes | 10 kg | 1 free |
| Economy Flex | Yes | 10 kg | 2 free |
| Business (Biz) | Yes | 10 kg | 2 free |
| Business Flex | Yes | 10 kg | 3 free |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
What you actually get on a cheap Caribbean Airlines deal fare: a Lite ticket on any international or inter-Caribbean route hands you a generous cabin allowance — a real 56 x 35 x 23 cm roller up to 10 kg, plus a personal item — but nothing in the hold. For a long-haul trip to JFK, Toronto or London where you’ll want a checked case, budget roughly $30 each way for the first bag, ~$40 for the second. Two travellers checking one bag each round-trip on Lite is ~$120 in fees.
Do the math before you book: if you need a checked bag, Economy Classic is often the smarter buy — it bakes in one free 23 kg bag, and the fare gap is frequently smaller than the $30+/leg you’d pay to add it to Lite. The one place this doesn’t apply is the Trinidad–Tobago air bridge, where there’s no Lite fare and the cheapest ticket already includes a checked bag (then TT$3/kg over).
Oversize, sports & special items
Checked bags max out at 158 cm (62 in) linear and 23 kg in economy; go over to 32 kg and it’s an ~$75 overweight fee, with oversized items up to 115 in linear also ~$75. Sporting equipment and musical instruments travel as checked baggage subject to the standard size/weight limits and applicable per-bag fees — large instruments may need a purchased seat.
For 2025/2026, the structure to watch is the Lite / Classic / Flex / Business fare-bundle model: the cheapest published fare on most routes is now Lite (cabin-only), so a headline price you see on a deal site almost always excludes the hold bag. Fees are charged in USD on international routes and TT$ (TT$3/kg) on the domestic air bridge.
Frequently asked questions
Does the cheapest Caribbean Airlines fare include a checked bag?
Not on international or inter-Caribbean routes — the cheapest Economy Lite fare is carry-on plus personal item only. The exception is the domestic Trinidad-Tobago air bridge, which has no Lite fare and includes a checked bag even on the lowest ticket.
How big and heavy can my carry-on be?
Up to 56 x 35 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 in) and 10 kg / 22 lb, free on every fare including Lite. You also get a free personal item of 33 x 43 x 15 cm that fits under the seat.
How much is a checked bag on an Economy Lite fare?
On international routes, roughly $30 for the first checked bag, $40 for the second, $150 for the third and $175 for the fourth (USD), each up to 23 kg / 50 lb.
What's the checked baggage weight limit?
23 kg (50 lb) per bag in economy and 32 kg (70 lb) per bag in business, with a maximum linear dimension of 158 cm (62 in).
Which Caribbean Airlines fares include free checked bags?
Economy Classic includes 1 free checked bag, Economy Flex and Business include 2, and Business Flex includes 3. Only Economy Lite has no free checked bag on international routes.
What does Caribbean Airlines charge for an overweight bag?
About $75 USD per bag for an overweight bag between 23 and 32 kg on international routes, or TT$3/kg on the domestic air bridge. Oversized items up to 115 in linear are also around $75.
Is the Trinidad-Tobago domestic allowance different?
Yes. The domestic air bridge does not sell a Lite fare, so the cheapest ticket includes one free checked bag; additional or excess weight is charged at TT$3 per kg rather than the USD international fees.
Can I add a second carry-on bag?
Yes, an extra carry-on can be purchased for around $100 subject to cabin space, and an overweight carry-on of 11-23 kg is about $50.