Air Tanzania’s checked baggage allowance is 1×23kg on domestic economy routes and 2×23kg on international African routes (2×15kg to Comoros). Carry-on is capped at 7kg. Excess baggage costs TZS 8,000/kg domestically, USD 8/kg within Africa, and USD 15/kg between Africa and Asia.

Air Tanzania is Tanzania’s state-owned flag carrier, connecting Dar es Salaam to domestic hotspots like Zanzibar and Kilimanjaro, plus regional and intercontinental routes flown by its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners. With passenger numbers up 22% year-over-year (1.07 million travelers between July 2025 and March 2026), more people than ever are flying this East African carrier  and running into its baggage rules for the first time.

What is Air Tanzania’s baggage allowance?

Air Tanzania’s baggage allowance depends on cabin class and route. Economy passengers get 1×23kg bag domestically and 2×23kg internationally within Africa. Business class passengers receive 1×30kg domestically and up to 3×23kg on intercontinental routes. All passengers also get 7kg of free hand luggage.

Economy Class

Business Class

Note the Comoros Islands exception  it’s easy to miss, but travelers flying this route get a reduced 15kg-per-bag allowance instead of the standard 23kg that applies to the rest of Africa.

Air Tanzania hand luggage size and weight limit

Air Tanzania allows one piece of hand luggage weighing up to 7kg across all cabin classes and routes. The airline does not publish specific cabin dimensions on its official baggage page, so travelers should follow standard carry-on sizing (roughly 55 x 40 x 20cm) to avoid gate-check surprises.

Since Air Tanzania hasn’t published exact size limits, it’s worth packing your cabin bag conservatively. If you’re connecting through Dar es Salaam on a Dash 8 or ATR aircraft, overhead bin space is smaller, and gate agents may ask you to check oversized carry-ons at no charge.

What items are restricted in Air Tanzania checked baggage?

Air Tanzania does not accept valued items such as gold, jewelry, laptops, or cash as checked baggage  these should always travel in your carry-on. Firearms and ammunition are prohibited entirely, and items like diving cylinders must be empty before being checked.

Keep these restrictions in mind when packing:

• Valuables: Gold, jewelry, laptops, and cash should never go in checked bags.
• Firearms and ammunition: Not permitted on Air Tanzania aircraft under any circumstances.
• Diving cylinders: Must be completely empty before check-in.
• Diving lamps: Power source or bulb must be removed, and the switch secured in the OFF position.

How much are Air Tanzania excess baggage fees?

Air Tanzania charges excess baggage by weight, not by piece. Rates are TZS 8,000 per kg on domestic flights, USD 8.00 per kg within Africa, and USD 15.00 per kg between Africa and Asia. There’s no flat per-bag fee  every extra kilogram is billed individually.

To put this into perspective, here’s what excess charges might look like in practice:

Because charges are weight-based rather than per-piece, packing one slightly heavier bag instead of two lighter ones can sometimes work in your favor  but only if you don’t exceed your total piece allowance. Air Tanzania recommends paying for excess baggage in advance through Manage My Booking on airtanzania.co.tz, though it can also be settled at the airport before check-in.

What does it cost to bring special equipment on Air Tanzania?

Special items like bicycles, golf equipment, and diving gear are not included in Air Tanzania’s free baggage allowance and require a separate handling fee. Costs range from TZS 95,000 domestically to USD 180 internationally, depending on the item and route. Advance reservation through the Air Tanzania Cargo office is required.

Wheelchairs are a notable exception  a passenger’s own wheelchair travels free when tagged at check-in, with only two exceptions: flights departing Mumbai (USD 30) and Dubai (USD 90).

One item competitors rarely mention: domestic travelers carrying fresh fish (common for those flying from lakeside or coastal regions) are charged separately for fish buckets  TZS 23,000 for a 10-liter bucket and TZS 30,000 for a 20-liter bucket. These charges are issued at the airport only.

For any special item, call the Air Tanzania Cargo office at +255 754 334 898 in advance  reservations aren’t guaranteed at check-in.

Does Air Tanzania have baggage allowances for connecting flights?

Air Tanzania does not hold interline baggage agreements with other airlines. This means if you’re connecting from an international carrier onto an Air Tanzania flight, you must collect your checked bags and recheck them yourself, rather than having them transfer automatically.

This is a detail many travelers miss until they’re standing at the baggage carousel wondering why their connecting bag hasn’t shown up. If your itinerary involves switching from another airline to Air Tanzania  say, arriving in Dar es Salaam on an international carrier before continuing to Zanzibar or Kilimanjaro  build extra time into your layover for baggage reclaim and recheck.

It’s also worth noting that some domestic ATR 42/72 routes have reduced weight limits due to smaller aircraft size, so travelers connecting onto these regional hops should double-check their allowance before assuming the standard 23kg applies.

What should I do if my Air Tanzania baggage is lost or damaged?

Report lost, delayed, or damaged baggage to Air Tanzania’s baggage services desk immediately upon arrival. You’ll need to file a Property Irregularity Report (PIR), which documents the issue and starts the claims process. Keep a copy of your PIR and all receipts for essential items purchased while waiting.

Steps to take if something goes wrong:

1. Report the issue at the airport baggage desk before leaving the terminal.
2. File a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) and request a copy for your records.
3. Keep receipts for any essentials purchased due to the delay.
4. Follow up with Air Tanzania customer service for the compensation claim if the bag is lost permanently.

Air Tanzania does not publish a fixed compensation schedule, so claims are handled case by case  having thorough documentation strengthens your position.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Air Tanzania’s baggage allowance the same for all domestic routes?
No. While most domestic routes offer 1×23kg (economy) or 1×30kg (business), some ATR 42/72 flights have reduced weight limits due to smaller aircraft size. Always confirm your specific route’s allowance before packing.

Can I pay for extra baggage before I arrive at the airport?
Yes. Air Tanzania allows you to pay in advance for excess baggage through Manage My Booking using your PNR and surname. You can also pay at the airport, though pre-paying avoids delays at check-in.

Does Air Tanzania charge less for excess baggage on domestic flights?
Domestic excess baggage is charged at TZS 8,000 per kg, which is typically cheaper than international rates of USD 8-15 per kg once converted, making domestic overweight bags less costly than international ones.

Are laptops allowed in Air Tanzania checked baggage?
No. Air Tanzania explicitly excludes laptops, along with gold, jewelry, and cash, from checked baggage. These items should always be carried in your cabin bag.

How much does it cost to bring a bicycle on Air Tanzania?
Bicycle fees vary by route: TZS 95,000 for domestic flights, USD 80 for regional routes, and USD 100 for international flights. The bike must be packed in a nylon sack or box with tires deflated.

Is there a discount for wheelchairs on Air Tanzania?
Wheelchairs travel free when tagged at check-in, except on flights departing Mumbai (USD 30) and Dubai (USD 90). Onboard wheelchairs are not provided.

What happens if I connect from another airline to Air Tanzania?
Since Air Tanzania has no interline baggage agreements, you must collect your checked bags and recheck them for your Air Tanzania flight. Factor extra time into layovers for this process.

Are fish buckets really charged as baggage on Air Tanzania?
Yes. On domestic routes, a 10-liter fish bucket costs TZS 23,000 and a 20-liter bucket costs TZS 30,000. These charges apply only to buckets containing fish and are issued at the airport.

Does Air Tanzania offer a specific baggage allowance for the Comoros Islands route?
Yes. Unlike other international African routes that offer 2×23kg, flights to the Comoros Islands are limited to 2×15kg per passenger in both economy and business class.

Can I get a refund on prepaid excess baggage if my flight changes?
Air Tanzania hasn’t published a specific refund policy for prepaid excess baggage. Only bookings made directly through airtanzania.co.tz can be modified via Manage My Booking; agent bookings must go through the original agent.