✓ Policy web-verified 2026-05-31
Solomon Airlines (IATA code IE), the national carrier of the Solomon Islands, flies a small international network from Honiara (HIR) to Brisbane, Port Vila, Nadi, Port Moresby, Auckland and other Pacific points, plus a domestic network within the islands. Baggage rules differ sharply between the domestic and international networks, so the single most important thing to check is which leg you are on.
International economy gives you a generous 30 kg checked allowance and a 7 kg cabin bag — well above what most low-cost carriers offer. Domestic flights, operated on smaller aircraft, are much tighter: only 16 kg checked and a 5 kg cabin bag. Fees are charged per kilogram of excess and vary by departure port and currency. The figures below reflect Solomon Airlines’ published policy verified in 2026; excess rates are noted as correct as of early February 2026 and can change without notice.
Quick facts
| Cabin (international economy) | 7 kg, 48 x 34 x 23 cm |
| Cabin (domestic economy) | 5 kg, 48 x 34 x 23 cm |
| Cabin (international business) | 10 kg, 56 x 36 x 23 cm |
| Checked (international economy) | 30 kg included |
| Checked (domestic economy) | 16 kg included |
| Checked (international business) | 40 kg included |
| Single-item weight cap | 32 kg max per piece |
| Excess fee (international) | ~AUD 70 per kg (varies by port) |
| Excess fee (domestic) | ~AUD 40 per kg / local equivalent |
| Sports equipment | +7 kg extra allowance |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal / under-seat item | Included within cabin allowance. Solomon Airlines does not sell a separate strict 'personal item' tier. Instead the cabin allowance permits two small bags, OR one small bag plus a suit/garment pack (60 x 114 x 11 cm). Additional items carried free: laptop, handbag, overcoat, umbrella, camera, reading material and infant food. |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 48 x 34 x 23 cm (economy); 56 x 36 x 23 cm (international business) · 7 kg international economy; 5 kg domestic economy; 10 kg international business Included in all fares |
Checked baggage & fees
| Checked allowance | 30 kg international economy (1 x 23 kg in cheapest deal fares); 16 kg domestic economy; 40 kg international business. Belama Plus/Flexible bundles raise economy to 40 kg and business to 50 kg. |
| Weight limit | No single piece may exceed 32 kg |
| Typical fee | Included in standard fares; excess ~AUD 70/kg international, ~AUD 40/kg domestic, charged per departure port currency |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Economy (Saver / standard) | Within cabin allowance | 7 kg | 30 kg |
| International Economy Belama Plus / Flexible | Within cabin allowance | 7 kg | 40 kg |
| International Business | Within cabin allowance | 10 kg | 40 kg (50 kg on Belama Plus/Flexible) |
| Domestic Economy | Within cabin allowance | 5 kg | 16 kg |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
aifly deal angle: Solomon Airlines is unusually generous at the bottom of its fare ladder. Even the cheapest international economy ticket — the kind you’ll see in a deal — bundles a 7 kg cabin bag and a checked allowance (effectively 1 x 23 kg within the 30 kg international limit) at no extra cost. That makes its lowest fares genuinely all-in for most travelers, unlike the European and budget carriers that advertise a low headline price and then charge for the hold bag.
The catch to watch is the domestic network: if your trip chains an international arrival into Honiara onto a domestic island-hopper, that domestic leg drops you to 16 kg checked and 5 kg cabin. Budget your bags for the tightest leg, not the international one, and factor in the per-kg excess (~AUD 40 domestic / ~AUD 70 international) before you pack.
Oversize, sports & special items
Oversize and bulky items: Bags with total dimensions of 158–277 cm attract a flat bulky-item fee that varies by departure port — SBD 350 from Honiara, AUD 75 from Brisbane, NZD 75 from Auckland or Christchurch, VUV 5,800 from Port Vila/Santo and PGK 200 from Port Moresby. Anything over 277 cm total must be shipped as freight, not carried as baggage.
Single-piece limit: Regardless of fare class, no single checked bag may weigh more than 32 kg — split heavy loads across pieces. Currency note: excess and bulky fees are charged in the currency of the departure port (SBD, AUD, NZD, VUV or PGK), so the effective cost depends on where you check in.
Frequently asked questions
How much checked baggage does Solomon Airlines include on international flights?
International economy includes 30 kg of checked baggage as standard, rising to 40 kg on Belama Plus or Flexible bundles. Business class includes 40 kg standard (50 kg on the higher bundles). No single checked piece may weigh more than 32 kg.
What is the cabin baggage allowance on Solomon Airlines?
International economy passengers get one 7 kg cabin bag up to 48 x 34 x 23 cm. International business gets 10 kg up to 56 x 36 x 23 cm. Domestic economy is limited to 5 kg. The allowance can be made up of two small bags, or one small bag plus a suit/garment pack.
Why is the domestic baggage allowance so much smaller?
Solomon Airlines' domestic flights use smaller aircraft with strict weight limits, so domestic economy is capped at 16 kg checked and a 5 kg cabin bag — roughly half the international allowance. Plan accordingly if you connect from an international flight onto a domestic leg.
How much does excess baggage cost on Solomon Airlines?
Excess is charged per kilogram and varies by departure port and currency — roughly AUD 70 per kg on international flights and around AUD 40 per kg (or local equivalent) domestically. Oversize 'bulky item' fees apply for items 158–277 cm total: for example SBD 350 from Honiara, AUD 75 from Brisbane, NZD 75 from Auckland/Christchurch. Rates were noted correct as of early February 2026 and can change.
Does Solomon Airlines allow extra baggage for sports equipment?
Yes. Passengers carrying sporting equipment get an additional 7 kg checked allowance on Solomon Airlines-operated flights, covering surfboards, scuba gear, golf clubs and bicycles. Surfboards are limited to 277 cm bagged internationally and about 213 cm domestically.
Can I carry a musical instrument on board?
Instruments under 85 x 34 x 23 cm count as cabin baggage (their weight is included in your cabin allowance). Larger instruments must travel as checked baggage or require buying an extra seat. Items over 277 cm total dimensions must be sent as freight.
What does the cheapest Solomon Airlines deal fare include?
The cheapest international economy fares still include a generous baggage allowance — a 7 kg cabin bag plus a checked allowance (commonly framed as 1 x 23 kg within the 30 kg international economy limit). Unlike most budget carriers, Solomon Airlines does not strip the checked bag from its lowest fare.
Are prams, cots and car seats free for infants?
Yes. Solomon Airlines carries portable cots, prams and car seats free of charge for infants, in addition to your standard baggage allowance.