✓ Policy web-verified 2026-06-20
Here is the good news up front: CemAir bundles a real checked bag into the fare — on every route. The South African regional carrier (IATA code 5Z) sells a single Economy product, not a stripped “Lite” or “Basic” fare, so the cheapest CemAir ticket you can buy still includes 21 kg of checked baggage plus a 7 kg carry-on. There is no separate no-bag fare to fall into the trap on. That puts CemAir ahead of nearly every low-cost competitor in the region, where 21 kg checked is usually a paid add-on.
The one catch is route-dependent extras rather than the base allowance. The 21 kg holds whether you are hopping Johannesburg–Plettenberg Bay or flying one of CemAir’s regional international legs. If your CemAir flight connects to or from a separate international/regional flight within 24 hours, you get an additional 10 kg free. Sports gear, oversize items and anything beyond 21 kg are extra, and excess is charged by the kilo — so the budgeting question on a CemAir deal isn’t “do I get a bag?” but “is my bag heavier than 21 kg?”
Quick facts
| Free carry-on | 7 kg, 56 x 36 x 23 cm |
| Personal item | Handbag / laptop / umbrella, in addition to carry-on |
| Checked bag included | Yes — 21 kg on every fare |
| Checked allowance | 21 kg domestic and international |
| Connecting bonus | +10 kg if connecting int'l/regional within 24h |
| Max single bag weight | 32 kg (excess/additional bags) |
| Excess baggage | R25/kg online or at check-in |
| Fare types | Single Economy product (no Lite/Basic) |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal item | Small handbag, laptop bag or umbrella — carried in addition to the 7 kg carry-on, no extra charge |
| Carry-on bag | 7 kg max, 56 x 36 x 23 cm including handles, pockets and wheels — included on every fare |
Checked baggage & fees
| Included allowance | 21 kg on domestic and international/regional routes |
| Connecting bonus | +10 kg free when connecting to/from an int'l or regional flight within 24 hours |
| Max single-bag weight | No single piece over 32 kg accepted |
| Excess baggage | R25/kg (online or at airport check-in) |
| Connecting non-interline excess | R40/kg for domestic pax connecting to non-interline international flights |
| Excess loading | Standby basis — loaded only after the flight closes, subject to space and Captain's authorisation |
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 (within South Africa) | 1 checked bag (21 kg) included |
| International / regional | 1 checked bag (21 kg) included |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
On a cheap CemAir deal fare you actually get a proper bag. Unlike the no-frills carriers you’ll see on the same routes, there’s no hand-baggage-only fare to accidentally book — the lowest CemAir Economy fare ships with 21 kg checked and a 7 kg carry-on. So the real budgeting question is weight, not inclusion: if you’re packing light or for a weekend, the included 21 kg is plenty and you pay nothing extra.
Where you’ll spend is going over 21 kg or carrying gear. Excess runs about R25 per kilo bought online or at the desk (R40/kg in the narrow case of a domestic passenger connecting onto a non-interline international flight), and it loads on a standby basis — so an overweight bag can theoretically be bumped if the flight is full. Budget a few hundred rand if you’re at the edge of the limit, pre-buy any extra weight online to lock it in, and arrange sports equipment in advance rather than gambling on it at the counter.
Oversize, sports & special items
Sports equipment is not part of the free 21 kg allowance and must be arranged in advance with CemAir’s Reservations team — don’t just show up with golf clubs, bikes or a surfboard and expect them loaded. The same advance-arrangement logic applies to oversize and non-standard items. Additional and excess bags are accepted up to a hard 32 kg per single piece; anything heavier has to be split.
CemAir’s allowance has stayed stable into 2026 — still a single Economy fare with 21 kg checked included and a 7 kg carry-on, with no move toward the unbundled “Basic/no-bag” fares spreading across the rest of the market. The most route-specific variable remains the +10 kg connection bonus, which only applies when the onward/inbound international or regional flight is within 24 hours of the CemAir ticket.
Frequently asked questions
Does the cheapest CemAir fare include a checked bag?
Yes. CemAir sells one Economy product with no stripped “Lite” or “Basic” fare, so even the lowest fare includes 21 kg of checked baggage plus a 7 kg carry-on — on both domestic and international/regional routes.
How much checked baggage do I get on CemAir?
21 kg of checked baggage is included on every CemAir fare, whether domestic or international/regional. The conditions are confirmed during booking and printed on your ticket.
What is CemAir's carry-on allowance?
One carry-on bag up to 7 kg, maximum 56 x 36 x 23 cm including handles, pockets and wheels. You may also carry a small personal item such as a handbag, laptop bag or umbrella in addition.
Can I get extra free baggage on connecting flights?
Yes. If your CemAir flight connects to or from a separate international or regional flight within 24 hours, you’re entitled to an additional 10 kg of free checked baggage.
How much does CemAir charge for excess baggage?
Excess is charged at about R25 per kilogram, bought online or at airport check-in. Domestic passengers connecting onto a non-interline international flight pay R40 per kilogram. Excess loads on a standby basis, subject to space and the Captain’s authorisation.
Is there a maximum weight for a single bag?
Yes. No single piece of luggage weighing over 32 kg will be accepted, even if you’ve paid for excess or additional baggage. A heavier bag must be split into two pieces.
Does CemAir charge for sports equipment?
Sports equipment is not included in the free 21 kg allowance and must be arranged in advance with CemAir’s Reservations team rather than presented at the airport on the day.
Does CemAir have different fare classes with different baggage?
No. CemAir offers a single Economy fare, so the baggage allowance — 21 kg checked and 7 kg carry-on — is the same regardless of how cheap your ticket was.