InterCaribbean Airways includes one free carry-on bag (max 10 lbs, 9×12×16 in) and one free checked bag (max 50 lbs) with every fare class on every route. Extra bags, overweight bags, and sports equipment all carry additional fees that vary by destination type and booking channel.

Planning a Caribbean trip with interCaribbean Airways? Before you start packing, it’s worth knowing exactly what you can bring and what it’ll cost if you go over. The airline connects more than 35 Caribbean destinations, including Turks & Caicos, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the British Virgin Islands. For short hops between islands, baggage rules matter more than most travelers expect.

What Is the InterCaribbean Airways Baggage Allowance?

Every interCaribbean Airways passenger regardless of which fare class they purchase receives one free carry-on bag and one free checked bag. There is no need to upgrade your ticket or pay extra to unlock a checked bag allowance. This applies equally to domestic routes (within Turks & Caicos or Jamaica) and international routes across the Caribbean. Children traveling on a child fare receive the same baggage allowance as adult passengers.

Important: No bag over 70 lbs (32 kg) will be accepted for carriage under any circumstances. Linear inches are calculated as: Length + Width + Height.

What Are the InterCaribbean Airways Carry-On Baggage Rules?

InterCaribbean Airways allows one carry-on bag per fare-paying passenger, with a maximum size of 9 × 12 × 16 inches and a maximum weight of 10 lbs (4.5 kg). The bag must fit under the seat in front of you or in the overhead compartment. Flight crew retain final authority and may require any carry-on to be transferred to the hold failure to comply can result in denied boarding.

What can’t you bring in your carry-on?

Prohibited carry-on items follow TSA guidelines and include:

• Firearms and replica weapons
• Knives, box cutters, and blades
• Nunchucks and martial arts weapons
• Hypodermic needles (unless medically necessary with documentation)
• Any item security deems a threat

interCaribbean recommends consulting the TSA’s official list at tsa.gov for the full inventory of permitted and prohibited items before you pack.

Practical tip: Because interCaribbean operates smaller regional aircraft (including the Embraer 120/145 and ATR series), overhead bin space is more limited than on widebody jets. Pack your carry-on as light as possible and prioritize items you’ll genuinely need mid-flight.

What Is the InterCaribbean Airways Checked Baggage Policy?

InterCaribbean Airways’ checked baggage policy gives every passenger one free checked bag, capped at 50 lbs and 62 linear inches (158 cm). This applies across all fare classes and all routes. A second bag and any additional pieces beyond that incur fees based on whether you’re flying domestically or internationally and how you pay for them.

Key rules to know:

• Bags exceeding 62 linear inches but under 80 linear inches incur a $50 oversize fee
• Bags exceeding 80 linear inches incur a $100 oversize fee (charged at the airport)
• No checked bag over 70 lbs will be accepted
• Additional bags beyond the first are subject to available space and may not travel on the same flight as you
• Excess bags that don’t fit will be delivered only to the airport not to your accommodation

Late check-in warning: If you check baggage less than 30 minutes before departure, it may be marked “Late Check-In” and is not guaranteed to board your flight. It will be sent on the next available service if it misses your flight.

What Are the InterCaribbean Airways Baggage Fees?

InterCaribbean Airways baggage fees vary by route type (domestic vs. international) and booking channel. Booking online saves you money on international second bags $50 online versus $65 at the airport or by phone.

InterCaribbean Airways Overweight Bag Fees

InterCaribbean Airways Extra Luggage Fees

Real-world example: A traveler flying from Providenciales (TCI) to Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) with two 48 lb bags pays nothing for either bag both fall within the free first-bag rule on the outbound leg. On the return leg, they’d pay $50 online (or $65 at the airport) for the second bag, plus an 18% ITBIS tax on any excess baggage fees applied on flights departing the Dominican Republic.

All fees are charged per flight direction. A round trip means fees apply twice.

How Does InterCaribbean Handle Special Items and Sports Equipment?

Special and oversized items are accepted on a space-available basis and must be booked in advance where possible. Sports equipment is checked in separately from standard baggage and carries its own fee schedule.

Sports Equipment Fees

Scuba diving specifics: One set of scuba gear is accepted. The cylinder tank must be empty, with the pressure gauge reading zero and the valve open at check-in. Cylinders containing compressed air or gas mixtures are prohibited. Diving lamps must be disconnected with terminals taped. A spear gun is accepted only if unloaded, with the spear packed separately.

Golf clubs specifics: Golf bags must be packed in a protective case and cannot exceed 190 × 75 × 65 cm (75 × 29.5 × 25.5 in). A golf umbrella carried separately counts as a standalone baggage item. Any golf bag over 23 kg (51 lbs) incurs a heavy bag surcharge.

Peak season restriction: During high-demand travel periods, interCaribbean may impose embargoes preventing any sports equipment from being carried. Check with the airline before booking if you plan to travel with sports gear around major holidays.

What About Pets?

InterCaribbean accepts pets on Embraer 120/145 and ATR aircraft only, and reservations are required. Service animals travel free with pre-notification; pets in the cabin or hold are charged as follows:

• Pet in cabin (max 7 kg/15 lbs including carrier): $35
• Pet in hold – small: $75 | Medium: $125 | Large: $150

Pets in the hold are subject to space availability and are not guaranteed to travel on your selected flight.

Traveling with Medical Equipment or Mobility Aids?

Wheelchairs and mobility aids used by passengers with disabilities are carried free of charge and do not count against your baggage allowance. Medications should always travel in your carry-on not your checked bag. Perishable items must be declared at check-in and packed in a leak-proof container. Dry ice is limited to 2.5 kg (5 lbs) per person.

What Are the Best Tips for Saving Money on InterCaribbean Baggage Fees?

Small decisions made before you arrive at the airport can meaningfully cut your baggage costs.

• Book your second bag online. On international routes, pre-paying online saves 15perbagperdirectioncomparedtotheairportprice(50 vs. $65).
• Weigh your bag at home. Overweight fees start at 20–50 per bag per direction. A $10 luggage scale pays for itself on the first trip.
• Pack medications and valuables in your carry-on. interCaribbean explicitly advises against packing medications, cash, keys, or electronics in checked luggage.
• Arrive early. Baggage checked under 30 minutes before departure is not guaranteed to board your flight. Give yourself at least 60–90 minutes before departure if you’re checking bags.
• Consolidate into fewer, heavier bags where possible. Two 45 lb bags cost the same as one 45 lb bag plus one $50 extra bag fee on an international route. Sometimes reorganizing saves a fee entirely.
• Check seasonal embargo dates. During peak periods (typically around Christmas and New Year), interCaribbean may restrict excess baggage and sports equipment. Confirm carriage capacity before booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does interCaribbean Airways charge for the first checked bag?
No. interCaribbean Airways includes one free checked bag (up to 50 lbs/23 kg and 62 linear inches) with every fare class on every route. No fare upgrade is required to access this allowance.

How much does a second checked bag cost on international interCaribbean flights?
A second bag on international routes costs $50 when pre-paid online or $65 when paid by phone or at the airport. Fees apply per direction of travel, so a round trip would double the charge.

What is the maximum weight for a checked bag on interCaribbean?
The maximum weight for any checked bag is 70 lbs (32 kg). Bags between 51 and 70 lbs incur an overweight fee. No bag over 70 lbs will be accepted for carriage under any circumstances.

Can I bring a surfboard on interCaribbean Airways?
Yes, surfboards and kiteboards are accepted as special sports equipment for a flat fee of $100 per direction. Acceptance is subject to space availability, and the fee applies regardless of your existing baggage allowance.

Does the 18% Dominican Republic tax apply to all baggage fees?
The 18% ITBIS tax applies only to excess baggage fees on flights departing the Dominican Republic. It does not apply on routes that don’t originate there.

What happens if my extra bag doesn’t fit on my interCaribbean flight?
If a second or additional bag cannot be accommodated due to space constraints, it will be delivered to the destination airport on the next available interCaribbean flight. The airline will not deliver excess bags to any location other than the destination airport on your ticket.

Are carry-on dimensions strictly enforced on interCaribbean?
Yes. The limit is 9 × 12 × 16 inches and 10 lbs. Flight crew hold final authority to require any carry-on bag to be transferred to the cargo hold. Refusing to comply can result in denied boarding.

Do children on interCaribbean get a baggage allowance?
Yes. A child traveling on a child fare receives the same carry-on and checked baggage allowance as an adult passenger one free carry-on and one free checked bag up to 50 lbs.

Is it cheaper to pre-pay interCaribbean baggage online or pay at the airport?
For international routes, pre-paying online is cheaper. The second checked bag costs $50 online versus $65 at the airport a 15savingperbagperdirection.Domesticbagfeesarethesameregardlessofchannel(25).

Can I bring an empty scuba tank on interCaribbean Airways?
Yes, but with strict conditions. The tank must be completely empty (pressure gauge reading zero), the valve must be open at check-in, and you must present it for inspection. Tanks containing any compressed air or gas mixture are prohibited. The scuba tank fee is $75 per direction.