Azores Airlines Baggage Policy: Fees, Limits & Rules 

Azores Airlines allows Economy Class passengers one carry-on bag (55×40×20 cm, up to 8 kg) plus one personal item. Checked baggage allowance depends on fare type ranging from zero bags on Simple fares to two bags on Top and Comfort fares. Excess baggage fees vary by route, starting at €60 per extra item on domestic flights and up to $185 USD on transatlantic routes.

Are SATA and Azores Airlines the Same?

Azores Airlines and SATA Air Açores are sister airlines under SATA Holding, not the same carrier. Azores Airlines (formerly SATA Internacional) handles international and mainland Portugal routes using Airbus narrowbody jets. SATA Air Açores operates inter-island hops within the archipelago using Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft. Both fall under SATA Holding S.A., established in January 2023, but each has its own IATA code, fleet, and baggage rules. When booking a connecting itinerary that combines both, Azores Airlines’ baggage rules take precedence.

What Type of Planes Does Azores Airlines Use?

Azores Airlines currently operates an all-Airbus narrowbody fleet, primarily the Airbus A321neo and Airbus A321LR (Long Range). The A321LR is the workhorse for transatlantic routes its extended fuel capacity allows it to connect Ponta Delgada directly to cities like Boston, Toronto, and Oakland without a widebody aircraft. SATA Air Açores uses Bombardier Q400 NextGen turboprops for inter-island connections across the nine Azorean islands.

Does Azores Airlines Have Free Carry-On?

Yes. Every fare class on Azores Airlines includes at least one free carry-on bag and one personal item at no extra charge.

*Passengers on SATA Air Açores connections in Comfort class are limited to 13 kg.

Personal items include a small backpack, laptop bag, handbag, garment bag, or a duty-free bag (up to 2 bottles of alcohol). All items must fit within the stated dimensions; anything exceeding the limits will be treated as a checked bag.

How Strict Is Azores Airlines With Carry-On Size?

Azores Airlines actively enforces carry-on restrictions. All cabin bags must be tagged at check-in, and bags must be self-stowable meaning you must be able to place your bag in the overhead bin without crew assistance. When cabin volume reaches capacity, carry-on bags may be transferred to the hold free of charge, but you are still expected to retain your travel documents. Bags with loose items hanging off them (hiking boots clipped to backpacks, tied accessories) will not be accepted onboard. Dimensions include wheels and handles, so a bag measuring 58 cm tall including the wheels exceeds the 55 cm limit.

What Is the Baggage Allowance for Economy Class?

Economy Class baggage on Azores Airlines depends on which sub-fare you purchase:

Content gap most blogs miss: The Simple fare includes zero checked baggage. Passengers booking the cheapest Azores Airlines fares often assume at least one bag is included it is not. If you’re a resident traveling between mainland Portugal or Madeira and the Azores on a Basic or Flex fare, you receive one additional piece up to 23 kg on Azores Airlines-operated flights.

On SATA Air Açores inter-island routes, Economy Class passengers receive a flat 23 kg checked allowance regardless of fare tier.

How Much Does It Cost to Check a Bag on Azores Airlines?

Azores Airlines Checked Baggage Fee  International (USA & Canada)

Azores Airlines Baggage Fees  Europe & Africa Routes

• Extra bag: €75 per item
• Overweight (up to 32 kg): €75 per item
• Surfboards/bikes/dive equipment: €40 per item
• Longboards/kayaks/paragliders: €80 per item
• Golf equipment: €35 per item

Inter-Island (SATA Air Açores) Excess Fees

• Excess weight: €6 per kg
• Pets/instruments/sports items (33–45 kg): €70 per item
• Pets in cabin (up to 8 kg): €35 per item

Real-world example: A traveler flying from Boston to Ponta Delgada on an Economy Flex fare (1 bag included) with two checked bags pays $175 USD for the second bag at the airport. If they’d prepaid online, the rate is the same but note that excess baggage acceptance on some Boston routes may be suspended seasonally, such as the confirmed suspension from December 1, 2026 to January 14, 2027 on Boston–Praia and Boston–Terceira routes.

What Are the Baggage Policies of SATA Azores Airlines for Special Items?

Sports Equipment

Pre-booking is mandatory for items like longboards, windsurfboards, kayaks, and paragliders. Show up at the airport without a confirmed booking and you’ll pay a significant surcharge up to €359 (USA/Canada routes) vs. €230 if pre-booked. Bodyboards, surfboards, and standard bikes are more affordable and easier to add. Sports equipment within your existing baggage allowance weight is transported at no extra fee.

Musical Instruments

Small instruments fitting within 55×40×20 cm and under 8 kg travel as carry-on. Larger instruments must be checked. On international routes:

• Up to 23 kg: €80 (pre-booked) / $100 USD
• 23–32 kg: €135 / $165 USD
• 33–45 kg: €200 / $240 USD

Instruments above 45 kg can only travel as cargo not as checked baggage.

Medical Equipment

Wheelchairs travel free for passengers with reduced mobility. Medications are strongly recommended in carry-on baggage; Azores Airlines accepts no liability for lost or damaged medicines in checked bags. Liquid medications exceeding 100 ml require proof of medical necessity at security.

How Much Is Seat Selection on Azores Airlines?

Seat selection is optional and purchasable from 360 days up to 48 hours before departure:

Economy Class seat selection on Portugal–Azores domestic routes is free. Comfort Plus seat selection on Portugal–Azores routes costs €15 per direction. Seat reservations are non-refundable unless the airline changes your aircraft or you upgrade to Comfort class on the same flight.

What Happens If Your Bag Is Lost or Damaged?

Report any irregularity immediately at the airport’s Lost & Found before leaving. Key deadlines:

• Damaged baggage: File within 7 days of delivery
• Delayed baggage: File within 21 days
• Missing baggage: Report at airport within 5 days; after that, contact SATA’s Central Baggage Service at lost.found@sata.pt or +351 296 209 047

You can track recovery progress via WorldTracer. Compensation is capped at 1,519 SDR (approximately €1,900 / $2,000 USD). Passengers can declare a higher value before travel and pay a supplementary fee to increase liability coverage. Azores Airlines holds no liability for valuables, electronics, jewelry, or medications in checked bags always carry these with you.

What Is the Cheapest Month to Fly to the Azores?

According to data from KAYAK, October is the cheapest month for flights from the United States to the Azores, with round-trip tickets averaging around $185. January and February also offer low fares due to reduced tourist demand, though the Azores’ mild Atlantic climate means weather differences are modest year-round. Summer (June–August) and holiday periods see the highest fares and tightest availability.

Why Is It So Expensive to Fly to the Azores?

The Azores’ remote mid-Atlantic location limits airline competition. Azores Airlines holds a public service obligation to connect the islands with mainland Portugal and international destinations a responsibility that reduces the incentive for low-cost carriers to enter the market. High fuel costs for transatlantic operations, limited runway capacity at island airports, and the specialist A321LR aircraft required for long-range narrowbody flying all contribute to elevated fares.

Pack Smart: Tips for Avoiding Surprise Fees

• Choose your fare deliberately. The Simple fare saves money upfront but offers nothing in the hold. If you’re packing anything beyond a backpack, Basic or Flex delivers far better overall value.
• Pre-book sports equipment. Walk-up rates can be double or triple the online price on transatlantic routes.
• Use the Goldsky loyalty tier. Goldsky members receive one extra piece of checked baggage beyond their paid fare allowance on Azores Airlines, and an additional 10 kg on SATA Air Açores routes.
• Label bags inside and out. In case of misrouting, an internal ID tag is often the fastest way to get a bag returned.
• Distribute essentials across bags. If traveling with multiple bags, spread clothing across them so a delayed bag doesn’t leave you stranded.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring a surfboard on Azores Airlines?
Yes. Surfboards are accepted on all routes with pre-booking. Fees are €40 (domestic), €80 (Europe/Africa), and $100 USD / €80 (USA/Canada). Showing up at the airport without a pre-booking adds a significant surcharge.

Is there a baggage fee for infants?
Infants receive 1 checked bag up to 23 kg on Azores Airlines flights (except on Simple fares). A stroller or car seat for children up to 11 years old is also accepted free of charge.

What is the absolute maximum weight for a checked bag?
The hard limit is 32 kg per piece for most passengers. Items between 33 kg and 45 kg (such as musical instruments, sports equipment, or pets in the hold) incur heavy-item fees. Anything above 45 kg can only travel as cargo.

Does the Goldsky program affect baggage?
Yes. Goldsky members receive one extra checked piece beyond their paid fare allowance on Azores Airlines, and an extra 10 kg on SATA Air Açores inter-island routes.

Can I prepay for extra baggage on Azores Airlines?
Yes. Extra baggage can be pre-purchased via the website, contact center, or travel agencies up to 48 hours before departure. Prepaid rates are the same as airport rates for standard bags, but pre-booking sports equipment or instruments can save significantly over walk-up charges.

Are liquids restricted in carry-on baggage?
Yes. EU airport rules apply: containers must not exceed 100 ml each, totaling no more than 1 liter, stored in a single transparent resealable bag. Exceptions include medications, baby food, and items purchased airside after security screening.

What happens if the cabin is full and my carry-on won’t fit?
Azores Airlines will transfer your carry-on to the hold at no extra charge. You must retain travel documents and essential medications with you at all times before this happens.

Can students get extra baggage on Azores Airlines?
Yes. Students aged 12–26 traveling between their home and educational institution receive an additional 10 kg on SATA Air Açores inter-island routes (with a student card or proof of enrollment), and an extra piece up to 23 kg on Azores Airlines flights on Basic or Flex fares.

Is excess baggage accepted on all flights?
Not always. On high-occupancy flights, excess baggage acceptance may be limited to one bag per passenger. The Boston–Praia and Boston–Terceira routes have confirmed excess baggage suspensions from December 1, 2026 to January 14, 2027.

Does Azores Airlines follow the Montreal Convention for baggage compensation?
Yes. Azores Airlines adheres to the Montreal Convention (1999), limiting liability for lost or damaged checked baggage to 1,519 SDR (~€1,900 / ~$2,000 USD). Passengers can increase this limit by declaring a higher baggage value before travel and paying a supplementary fee.