✓ Policy web-verified 2026-05-31
RwandAir uses a weight-and-piece baggage model that scales with your fare bundle. Every economy passenger gets one cabin bag plus a personal item free; checked allowance ranges from 1 x 23 kg on the cheapest Economy Lite up to 3 x 23 kg in Business. No single bag may exceed 23 kg/50 lb on any fare, and excess charges are billed per piece and per kilo over the limit. Fees vary substantially by route and region, so the figures below are representative rather than fixed.
Quick facts
| Personal item | Free — purse, laptop bag or briefcase, fits under the seat |
| Cabin bag | 1 x 10 kg, 55 x 38 x 20 cm (7 kg to/from Johannesburg) |
| Checked (Economy Lite) | 1 x 23 kg included |
| Checked (Economy Saver/Classic/Flex) | 2 x 23 kg included |
| Checked (Business Saver/Flexi) | 3 x 23 kg included |
| Max single bag weight | 23 kg / 50 lb (no exceptions) |
| Excess piece fee | ~US$92–US$253 per extra bag, route-dependent |
| Overweight (24–32 kg) | ~US$36–US$99 per bag |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal / under-seat item | Fits under the seat in front of you. One personal item (handbag, laptop bag or briefcase) carried free in addition to the cabin bag. Wheelchairs and mobility aids fly free; a baby carrycot with bedding, diapers and bottles is free up to 12 kg total. |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 55 x 38 x 20 cm (22 x 15 x 8 in), 113 cm / 45 linear in total · 10 kg (7 kg to/from Johannesburg) Free — one cabin bag included on all fares |
Checked baggage & fees
| Checked allowance | 1 x 23 kg (Economy Lite); 2 x 23 kg (Economy Saver/Classic/Flex); 3 x 23 kg (Business) |
| Weight limit | 23 kg / 50 lb per bag, no single bag may exceed this |
| Typical fee | Included by fare class; extra/overweight bags charged separately (see fees below) |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy Lite | 1 free | 1 x 10 kg | 1 x 23 kg |
| Economy Saver | 1 free | 1 x 10 kg | 2 x 23 kg |
| Economy Classic | 1 free | 1 x 10 kg | 2 x 23 kg |
| Economy Flex | 1 free | 1 x 10 kg | 2 x 23 kg |
| Business Lite | 1 free | 1 x 10 kg | 1 x 23 kg |
| Business Saver / Flexi | 1 free | 1 x 10 kg | 3 x 23 kg |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
At the deal prices we track, RwandAir’s standard published economy fares include a checked bag — typically 1 x 23 kg on the cheapest Economy Lite, plus the 10 kg cabin bag and a free personal item. That makes RwandAir more generous than most European low-cost carriers on its long-haul and intra-Africa routes, where a checked bag is usually a paid extra. Watch two things: the cabin limit drops to 7 kg on Johannesburg flights, and a cheap interline or codeshare connection can revert you to a lighter allowance.
Oversize, sports & special items
Excess and extra bags: additional pieces run roughly US$92–US$253 per bag depending on the route (East Africa, regional Africa, or intercontinental). Buying excess online in advance is cheaper than at the airport.
Overweight: a bag between 24 kg and 32 kg is charged roughly US$36–US$99. No single bag may weigh more than 32 kg unless booked as a large item.
Oversize / large items: pieces over 32 kg (up to 50 kg, max 203 cm total) cost about US$140–US$300 by route. Sports equipment (golf clubs, bicycles, skis) and musical instruments are accepted but subject to extra charges and size/weight limits; bulky instruments may need a paid seat. Declare special items at booking.
Frequently asked questions
How much baggage can I bring on RwandAir for free?
Every passenger gets one cabin bag up to 10 kg (55 x 38 x 20 cm) plus one free personal item such as a laptop bag. Checked allowance depends on your fare: Economy Lite includes 1 x 23 kg, while Saver, Classic and Flex include 2 x 23 kg, and Business up to 3 x 23 kg.
What is RwandAir's cabin baggage weight limit?
10 kg on all routes, except flights to and from Johannesburg where the limit is 7 kg. Dimensions must not exceed 55 x 38 x 20 cm (113 cm / 45 linear inches) including handles and wheels.
Does the cheapest RwandAir fare include a checked bag?
Yes. Economy Lite, RwandAir's cheapest economy bundle, includes one checked bag up to 23 kg, plus the cabin bag and personal item. This is more generous than most European low-cost carriers.
How much does an extra or overweight bag cost on RwandAir?
An extra checked piece runs roughly US$92–US$253 depending on route, and an overweight bag of 24–32 kg costs about US$36–US$99. Fees vary by region, and buying online in advance is cheaper than paying at the airport.
What is the maximum weight for a single RwandAir bag?
No single checked bag may exceed 23 kg / 50 lb, regardless of how many pieces you carry. Bags between 24 kg and 32 kg incur an overweight fee, and anything over 32 kg (up to 50 kg) must be booked as a large item.
Can I bring sports equipment or a musical instrument on RwandAir?
Yes. Sports gear such as golf clubs, bicycles and skis, plus musical instruments, are accepted but may carry extra charges or size and weight restrictions. Large instruments may require a paid extra seat. Declare these items when booking.
How many checked bags does RwandAir Business class allow?
Business Saver and Flexi fares include 3 checked bags of up to 23 kg each, while the entry Business Lite fare includes 1 x 23 kg. The 23 kg per-bag weight cap still applies.