✓ Policy web-verified 2026-07-06
LAM – Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique, the flag carrier of Mozambique, is a full-service airline, and its baggage follows suit: the cheapest economy fare includes a checked bag, no add-on required. What you get depends on how far you are flying. On domestic hops within Mozambique that is one 23 kg piece; step up to LAM’s regional and intercontinental services and economy rises to 30 kg.
The one detail that catches people out is the cabin bag, and specifically the aircraft. LAM runs Q400 turboprops on many domestic routes, and those have a tighter cabin limit — 5 kg and 105 cm rather than the 7 kg and 115 cm on jets. Pack your carry-on to the smaller number if there is any chance of a turboprop leg, and you will never be caught out.
Quick facts
| Domestic economy checked | 1 piece, 23 kg |
| Domestic executive checked | 1 piece, 32 kg |
| Regional / intercontinental economy | 30 kg |
| Regional / intercontinental business | 40 kg |
| Cabin bag (jets) | 7 kg, 115 cm total |
| Cabin bag (Q400 turboprop) | 5 kg, 105 cm total |
| Excess baggage | Charged per kg (route-based); pre-pay to save ~20% |
| Hub | Maputo International, Mozambique |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal item | LAM does not publish a guaranteed separate personal-item allowance, and with the low cabin weight limits — especially 5 kg on the Q400 — you should assume everything you carry on counts toward that figure. Keep a laptop bag or handbag light. |
| Cabin / overhead bag | One bag up to 7 kg and 115 cm total (L+W+H) on jets; on Q400 turboprops the limit drops to 5 kg and 105 cm. The turboprop rule is the one to plan around. |
Checked baggage & fees
| Domestic economy (base fare) | 1 piece up to 23 kg — included |
| Domestic executive (business) | 1 piece up to 32 kg — included |
| Regional / intercontinental economy | 30 kg |
| Regional / intercontinental business | 40 kg |
| Excess baggage | Roughly 1% of the route base fare per extra kilo; ~20% cheaper if bought in advance at a LAM ticket office |
| Max per single piece | 32 kg for baggage-handler safety |
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 Mozambique (Maputo, Beira, Nampula, Pemba, Tete, etc.) | Economy: 1 × 23 kg checked + cabin bag (5 kg on Q400 turboprops) |
| Regional Southern Africa (Johannesburg, and other regional points) | Economy: 30 kg checked + 7 kg cabin |
| Intercontinental | Economy: 30 kg; Business: 40 kg |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy (domestic) | Within cabin | 7 kg jet / 5 kg Q400 | 23 kg, 1 pc |
| Economy (regional / intercontinental) | Within cabin | 7 kg | 30 kg |
| Executive (domestic) | Within cabin | 7 kg | 32 kg, 1 pc |
| Business (regional / intercontinental) | Within cabin | 7 kg | 40 kg |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
The smart way to read LAM’s allowance is to separate the two worlds. Domestic is a one-piece system — 23 kg in economy, 32 kg in executive — and that single bag cannot itself exceed 32 kg. Regional and intercontinental shifts to a straight weight allowance of 30 kg economy or 40 kg business, which you can split across bags. Same airline, two different rulebooks depending on the sector.
And do not ignore the turboprop. LAM’s Q400s carry a real 5 kg cabin limit, not the 7 kg you get on the jets, and it is enforced because overhead space on a Q400 is genuinely tight. If your itinerary includes a domestic feeder leg, size your carry-on to the smaller number from the start.
Oversize, sports & special items
Excess baggage — weight beyond your free allowance — is charged per kilogram, calculated as roughly 1% of the route’s base fare per extra kilo, so the cost scales with how expensive your ticket is. Buying excess in advance at a LAM ticketing office is around 20% cheaper than paying at check-in. No single piece may exceed 32 kg. For sports equipment, oversized or special items, arrange carriage with LAM ahead of travel rather than presenting it at the counter.
Frequently asked questions
Does LAM's cheapest fare include a checked bag?
Yes. LAM is a full-service airline — even the base economy fare includes checked baggage: 23 kg (one piece) domestically, rising to 30 kg on regional and intercontinental routes.
What is LAM's cabin baggage allowance?
One cabin bag up to 7 kg and 115 cm total on jet aircraft. On the Q400 turboprop the limit is tighter — 5 kg and 105 cm — so plan for the smaller figure if a domestic leg uses one.
How much can LAM Executive (business) passengers check in?
Executive class includes one 32 kg piece on domestic flights, rising to 40 kg on regional and intercontinental services, along with lounge access and priority check-in.
Why is my LAM allowance different on domestic and regional flights?
LAM uses a one-piece system domestically (23 kg economy) but a weight allowance regionally and intercontinentally (30 kg economy). The rules genuinely differ by sector, so check what applies to your specific route.
How does LAM charge for excess baggage?
Excess is charged per extra kilo, calculated at roughly 1% of the route base fare per kilogram. Buying it in advance at a LAM ticket office saves around 20% versus paying at check-in.
Can one LAM checked bag weigh more than 32 kg?
No. No single piece may exceed 32 kg for baggage-handler safety. Where you have a 40 kg weight allowance, it must be split across more than one bag.
What is the LAM cabin bag limit on the Q400?
On the Q400 turboprop, cabin baggage must not exceed 5 kg or 105 cm total dimensions — noticeably tighter than the 7 kg and 115 cm allowed on LAM’s jets.