✓ Policy web-verified 2026-06-20
Here is the unusual good news, and it is a genuine outlier in the deal-fare world: interCaribbean Airways includes a checked bag on every fare, even the cheapest one. Buy the lowest Economy Standard ticket island-hopping between Antigua, Barbados, Tortola, Santo Domingo or Providenciales and you still get one checked bag up to 50 lb / 23 kg, plus a 10 lb carry-on. This is a small regional turboprop operator flying ATRs and Embraers around the Caribbean, not a transatlantic Basic-fare machine, so it never adopted the strip-it-to-the-seat model that European and US low-cost carriers run.
The catches are about weight and route, not fare class. The carry-on limit is a genuinely tight 16 x 14 x 9 in and just 10 lb — lighter than almost any major airline, so a packed roller will get caught. Checked-bag inclusion is uniform across fares, but the number of bags and combined weight changes on a couple of specific routes (notably Providenciales–Cap-Haitien), and seasonal embargoes occasionally cap how much you can check at all. Read the route rules before you assume the standard allowance applies.
Quick facts
| Cheapest fare checked bag | 1 bag included (50 lb / 23 kg) |
| Carry-on | 16 x 14 x 9 in, max 10 lb |
| Free checked allowance | 1 x 50 lb / 23 kg (Economy Standard) |
| Overweight fee | USD 20 per kg, 23-32 kg (51-70 lb) |
| Hard weight cap | 70 lb / 32 kg per bag (refused above) |
| Max checked dimensions | 158 cm / 62 in (L+W+H) |
| Second bag | Fee applies (approx USD 25-65, route-dependent) |
| Premium fares | Up to 3 checked bags included |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Carry-on / cabin bag | 16 x 14 x 9 in (40 x 35 x 23 cm approx), max 10 lb / 4.5 kg — one piece, all fares |
| Personal item | Small handbag / laptop bag generally accepted in addition, but interCaribbean's hard limit is one 10 lb cabin piece — pack light on the small turboprops |
Checked baggage & fees
| Free allowance (Economy Standard) | 1 checked bag up to 50 lb / 23 kg |
| Weight limit per bag | 50 lb / 23 kg before overweight fees apply |
| Overweight fee | USD 20 per kg over 23 kg, up to 32 kg / 70 lb |
| Absolute cap | 70 lb / 32 kg — bags over this are refused |
| Max size | 158 cm / 62 in total (length + width + height) |
| Second / extra bag | Approx USD 25-65, varies by route and channel |
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 |
|---|---|
| All standard regional routes | 1 checked bag included (50 lb / 23 kg) |
| Providenciales (PLS) <-> Cap-Haitien (CAP) | 2 bags, combined 31.5 kg / ~70 lb |
| Seasonal embargo periods | Allowance may be reduced or capped — check before flying |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy Standard (E) | 1 x 10 lb | Included | 1 bag (50 lb / 23 kg) |
| Preference (Y) | 1 x 10 lb | Included | Up to 3 bags (50 lb / 23 kg each) |
| Premium (U) | 1 x 10 lb | Included | Up to 3 bags (50 lb / 23 kg each) |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
On a cheap interCaribbean deal fare you actually get a checked bag — which is rare and worth knowing. The lowest Economy Standard ticket already includes one 50 lb / 23 kg checked bag and a (small) carry-on, so for most island-hopping itineraries you do not need to budget anything extra for luggage. That is the opposite of a Ryanair or transatlantic Basic fare, where the headline price hides the bag.
What to actually budget for: a second bag (roughly USD 25-65 depending on route), and overweight charges — those bite hard at USD 20 per kg over 23 kg, so a 28 kg bag could cost you USD 100 on top. The 10 lb carry-on limit is the other trap: it is far stricter than what you are used to, so put anything heavy in the included checked bag rather than risk a gate weigh-in. Watch for seasonal baggage embargoes, which can temporarily cap how much you are allowed to check regardless of fare.
Oversize, sports & special items
Sports gear and instruments: small sports items such as tennis rackets, fishing rods and skis are accepted as cabin baggage only (within the carry-on limits). Musical instruments can travel as checked baggage at no extra charge provided they fall within the standard size and weight restrictions; larger instruments may need their own seat. Any single bag over 70 lb / 32 kg is refused outright for baggage-handler health-and-safety reasons.
2025/2026 notes: interCaribbean periodically applies seasonal baggage embargoes (typically around peak holiday travel) that temporarily reduce or cap checked allowances on busy routes — these are announced per-season rather than being permanent. Route-specific rules such as the Providenciales–Cap-Haitien two-bag / 31.5 kg combined allowance and Cuba (Santiago de Cuba) baggage policies also override the standard allowance, so always confirm your specific route during booking.
Frequently asked questions
Does interCaribbean's cheapest fare include a checked bag?
Yes. Even the lowest Economy Standard fare includes one checked bag up to 50 lb / 23 kg, plus a carry-on. interCaribbean does not run a no-bag basic fare.
What is interCaribbean's carry-on size and weight limit?
One carry-on piece up to 16 x 14 x 9 inches and a maximum of 10 lb (about 4.5 kg). This weight limit is notably strict for these small turboprop and regional jet aircraft.
How much does a second checked bag cost?
A second bag typically costs roughly USD 25-65 depending on the route and where you book. Add it during booking; gate prices can be higher.
What are interCaribbean's overweight baggage fees?
USD 20 per kilogram for weight between 23 kg and 32 kg (50-70 lb). Any single bag over 70 lb / 32 kg will not be accepted for carriage.
What is the maximum weight for one checked bag?
50 lb / 23 kg is the free limit; you can pay overweight fees up to 70 lb / 32 kg, but no bag over 70 lb / 32 kg is accepted.
Is the Providenciales to Cap-Haitien baggage allowance different?
Yes. On Providenciales (PLS) to/from Cap-Haitien (CAP) the allowance is two bags with a combined weight of about 31.5 kg / 70 lb, rather than the single-bag standard.
Do higher fares get more checked baggage?
Yes. Preference (Y) and Premium (U) fares include up to three checked bags of 50 lb / 23 kg each, versus one bag on Economy Standard.
Can I bring sports equipment or a musical instrument?
Small sports items (tennis rackets, fishing rods, skis) travel as cabin baggage only. Musical instruments can be checked at no extra charge if within standard size and weight limits; oversized ones may need their own seat.
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