✓ Policy web-verified 2026-05-31
Druk Air (Royal Bhutan Airlines) is the national carrier of Bhutan, flying limited international routes into Paro from hubs like Bangkok, Delhi, Kathmandu, Singapore, Dhaka and Dubai. Its baggage rules are weight-based — there is no separate “fare bundle” ladder of cabin-only versus checked-bag tickets that you see on European low-cost carriers. Instead, a single Economy ticket includes a generous checked allowance plus a (small) cabin bag.
This guide covers the current 2026 published allowances: cabin and personal items, checked weight by cabin class and route type, the per-kg excess formula, and the special-item rules that matter for travellers heading to the Himalayas.
Quick facts
| Cabin bag (Economy) | 5 kg, 45 x 35 x 20 cm |
| Cabin bag (Business) | 7 kg, 45 x 35 x 20 cm |
| Checked (Economy, international) | 30 kg included |
| Checked (Business, international) | 40 kg included |
| Checked (Economy, domestic) | 20 kg included |
| Max per piece | 32 kg (all classes) |
| Excess fee | ~1.5% of one-way Economy fare per kg; varies by route |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal / under-seat item | Not size-defined; small items only. Druk Air permits a handbag/purse, overcoat or blanket, umbrella or walking stick, a small camera and/or binoculars, reading material, infant food and carrying basket, and a collapsible wheelchair/crutches/prosthetics free of charge beyond your cabin allowance. There is no published dimension limit on the personal item — keep it small enough to fit under the seat. |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 45 x 35 x 20 cm (17 x 13 x 8 in) · 5 kg Economy / 7 kg Business Included in fare |
Checked baggage & fees
| Checked allowance | 1 piece concept — 30 kg Economy / 40 kg Business on international routes; 20 kg Economy / 30 kg Business on Bhutan domestic legs |
| Weight limit | 32 kg max per single piece, all classes |
| Typical fee | Excess charged per kg, ~1.5% of the highest one-way adult Economy fare per kg; route-dependent (see FAQs) |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | Permitted small items (handbag, coat, camera, reading material, etc.) | 5 kg (45x35x20 cm) | 30 kg international / 20 kg domestic |
| Business | Same permitted small items | 7 kg (45x35x20 cm) | 40 kg international / 30 kg domestic |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
What you actually get at deal prices: Druk Air does not strip baggage out of its cheapest fares the way budget carriers do. Even the lowest published Economy ticket includes a checked allowance — in practice a full 30 kg checked plus a 7 kg cabin bag on international routes — with no separate bag bundle to buy. That makes Druk Air unusually generous for a deal fare: you can fly Bangkok or Delhi to Paro on a cheap ticket and still bring a proper suitcase home without paying extra.
The trade-off is the cabin weight cap (just 5 kg in Economy on the official sheet), which is tight for a roll-aboard full of camera gear or layers for the mountains. Pack the heavy items in your checked bag, where you have far more headroom, and keep the cabin bag light.
Oversize, sports & special items
Excess baggage: Druk Air charges excess by the kilo. The per-kg rate is calculated as roughly 1.5% of the highest normal one-way adult Economy fare on your route, so it scales with the route — short hops like Paro–Delhi are cheap per kg, while Paro–Dubai is several times higher. Pre-purchasing extra allowance (at least 4 hours before departure) is materially cheaper than paying at the airport check-in counter, so add weight online if you know you’ll be over.
Special items: Televisions up to 65 inches are carried within your normal allowance at no extra charge, under “Limited Release” terms (Druk Air accepts no liability for damage) — a quirk reflecting the carrier’s role moving goods into Bhutan. Sports equipment, musical instruments and other oversize items count against your weight allowance rather than attracting a fixed piece fee; oversized or fragile items should be declared at booking. Collapsible wheelchairs, crutches and prosthetics travel free.
Infants: An infant without a seat (IN90) gets no baggage entitlement; an infant occupying a seat (IN50) receives the standard adult allowance.
2026 note: Effective 1 January 2026, a 5% GST applies to Druk Air services, which can affect the final cost of paid excess baggage.
Frequently asked questions
How much checked baggage does Druk Air include in Economy?
On international routes, Economy class includes 30 kg of checked baggage. Business class includes 40 kg. On Bhutan domestic flights the allowance is lower — 20 kg Economy and 30 kg Business. No single piece may exceed 32 kg regardless of class.
What is Druk Air's cabin (carry-on) baggage allowance?
Cabin baggage is limited to 5 kg in Economy and 7 kg in Business, with maximum dimensions of 45 x 35 x 20 cm (17 x 13 x 8 in). The Economy 5 kg cap is tight, so pack heavy items in your checked bag.
Does Druk Air's cheapest fare include a checked bag?
Yes. Unlike budget airlines, Druk Air does not sell cabin-only fares. Even the lowest Economy ticket includes the full checked allowance (30 kg on international routes) plus a cabin bag, with no separate baggage bundle to purchase.
How much does Druk Air charge for excess baggage?
Excess is charged per kilogram at roughly 1.5% of the highest one-way adult Economy fare for your route, so the rate varies. Reported airport rates have included around $3/kg on Paro–Delhi, $5/kg on Paro–Bangkok and $11/kg on Paro–Dubai. Pre-purchasing at least 4 hours before departure is cheaper than paying at the airport.
Can I bring a personal item in addition to my cabin bag?
Yes. Druk Air allows several small items free of charge beyond your cabin allowance — a handbag or purse, an overcoat or blanket, an umbrella or walking stick, a small camera and/or binoculars, reading material, infant food, and a collapsible wheelchair, crutches or prosthetics. There is no published size limit, but keep it small.
What is the maximum weight for a single checked bag on Druk Air?
No individual piece may weigh more than 32 kg, in any class. If your allowance is 40 kg in Business, you must split it across at least two pieces so that no single bag exceeds 32 kg.
Does Druk Air carry sports gear, instruments or large items?
Sports equipment and musical instruments are accepted and count against your weight allowance rather than a fixed piece fee. Notably, Druk Air carries televisions up to 65 inches within the normal allowance under 'Limited Release' terms (no liability for damage). Declare oversize or fragile items at booking.
What baggage does an infant get on Druk Air?
An infant travelling without a seat (fare class IN90) has no baggage entitlement. An infant occupying a seat (IN50) is given the standard adult allowance for the cabin class.
Did Druk Air baggage rules change for 2026?
The core weight allowances remain 30 kg Economy / 40 kg Business on international routes. The notable 2026 change is a 5% GST applied to Druk Air services from 1 January 2026, which can affect the final price of paid excess baggage.