✓ Policy web-verified 2026-06-20
Here is the rare bit of good news in budget long-haul: on Plus Ultra, even the cheapest economy fare to Latin America still includes a 23 kg checked bag. This is a Spanish A330 leisure carrier flying Madrid to Caracas, Lima, Bogota, Santo Domingo, Havana and similar, not a Ryanair-style cabin-only operator. The base international economy ticket gets you one checked bag up to 23 kg, plus a 10 kg cabin allowance (a 55 x 40 x 20 cm carry-on and a personal item, weighed together). For a transatlantic deal fare, that is genuinely generous.
The catch is the fare ladder above that base. Plus Ultra rations its allowance by fare bundle: Basic gives you one bag, Full two bags, Flexible three, and Business up to three. So if you are flying out for a long stay and need two checked bags, the cheapest fare is not the one that quietly buys it for you. Domestic-style segments get no free checked bag at all, and the whole structure shifts on a few routes (Venezuela services and the Madrid-Buenos Aires route tend to be more generous). Always trust the allowance printed on your own confirmation over any chart, because it varies by route, channel and date.
Quick facts
| Free personal item | Yes, included in the 10 kg cabin allowance |
| Cabin bag | 55 x 40 x 20 cm, 10 kg total (Economy) |
| Cheapest fare checked bag | 1 x 23 kg included (international Economy) |
| Max bag weight | 32 kg (23-32 kg = overweight fee; over 32 kg refused) |
| Aircraft | Airbus A330 (Economy + Business/Executive) |
| Bundle ladder | Basic 1 bag / Full 2 / Flexible 3 / Business up to 3 |
| Bicycle | Around EUR 65, properly packed |
| Best-allowance routes | Venezuela services and Madrid-Buenos Aires |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal item | Included in the combined cabin allowance (no separate free piece weight published) |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 55 x 40 x 20 cm, Economy combined cabin weight 10 kg (Business: two bags + personal item, 16 kg combined, no single bag over 10 kg) |
Checked baggage & fees
| Economy Basic | 1 checked bag, 23 kg |
| Economy Full | Up to 2 checked bags, 23 kg each |
| Economy Flexible | Up to 3 checked bags, 23 kg each |
| Business / Executive | Up to 3 checked bags, 23 kg each |
| Overweight | 23-32 kg incurs a fee that varies by route; bags over 32 kg not accepted |
| Extra / excess bag | Fee varies by route, date and channel; cheaper added at booking than at the airport |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy Basic | Included (10 kg cabin) | 55 x 40 x 20 cm | 1 x 23 kg |
| Economy Full | Included (10 kg cabin) | 55 x 40 x 20 cm | 2 x 23 kg |
| Economy Flexible | Included (10 kg cabin) | 55 x 40 x 20 cm | 3 x 23 kg |
| Business / Executive | Included (16 kg cabin) | 2 bags + personal item | Up to 3 x 23 kg |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
What you actually get on a cheap Plus Ultra deal fare: on an international Economy ticket, more than most budget transatlantic fares hand you. The base (Economy Basic) bundles a 10 kg cabin allowance and one 23 kg checked bag, so a solo traveller heading to Caracas or Lima for a week needs to add nothing. That is the whole reason a Plus Ultra deal fare is worth a second look versus a stripped European long-haul Light fare.
Where it costs you is bag count, not the first bag. Basic stops at one checked piece. If you need a second 23 kg bag, you either step up to the Economy Full fare or pay an excess-bag fee, and Plus Ultra does not publish a flat figure, so budget for it to vary by route and to be noticeably cheaper bought online during booking than at the check-in desk. Two-bag travellers (longer stays, family moves to/from Latin America) should price Full against Basic-plus-paid-bag before clicking buy.
Oversize, sports & special items
Oversize and sports gear is handled as special baggage at extra cost: a bicycle runs around EUR 65 when properly packed, and items like golf bags, skis or musical instruments should be declared in advance so they are accepted and priced, rather than turned away at the gate. Any single bag over 32 kg is refused outright for handling-safety reasons, so split heavy loads into two pieces rather than overstuffing one.
Note the 2025/2026 route-driven generosity: free checked baggage across all fare types on the Madrid-Buenos Aires route, and traditionally higher allowances on Venezuela services. The cabin piece follows the now-standard 55 x 40 x 20 cm European footprint, so a bag sized for Iberia or Air Europa fits Plus Ultra too.
Frequently asked questions
Does the cheapest Plus Ultra fare include a checked bag?
Yes. On international Economy routes the base Economy Basic fare includes one checked bag up to 23 kg, plus a 10 kg cabin allowance. That is unusually generous for a budget long-haul fare.
What is Plus Ultra's carry-on size and weight?
Economy passengers get a cabin bag up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm plus a personal item, with a combined weight limit of 10 kg. Business passengers get two cabin bags plus a personal item, up to 16 kg combined with no single bag over 10 kg.
How much checked baggage do I get?
It depends on the fare: Economy Basic = 1 x 23 kg, Economy Full = up to 2 x 23 kg, Economy Flexible = up to 3 x 23 kg, and Business up to 3 x 23 kg. Always check your own confirmation, as some routes are more generous.
How much does a second or extra checked bag cost?
Plus Ultra does not publish a single flat fee; the excess-bag charge varies by route, date and booking channel. It is cheaper added online during booking than paid at the airport. For two bags, compare the Economy Full fare against Basic plus a paid bag.
What is the maximum weight for a checked bag?
23 kg is the standard included weight. Bags from 23 to 32 kg incur an overweight fee that varies by route, and any bag over 32 kg will not be accepted, so split heavy loads into two pieces.
Can I bring a bicycle or sports equipment?
Yes, as special baggage for an extra fee. A properly packed bicycle costs around EUR 65. Declare bicycles, golf bags, skis or instruments in advance so they are accepted and priced correctly.
Are some routes more generous with baggage?
Yes. The Madrid-Buenos Aires route includes free checked baggage across all fare types, and services to Venezuela traditionally carry higher allowances. The allowance on your confirmation is the one that counts.
Is there a free checked bag on domestic flights?
No. Plus Ultra’s free 23 kg checked allowance applies to international Economy fares; domestic-style segments do not include a free checked bag, so budget to add one if needed.