LAM Mozambique Baggage Policy: Fees, Allowances & Rules 

LAM Mozambique allows 23kg checked baggage in Economy and 32kg in Executive Class, plus 5-7kg cabin baggage depending on aircraft type. Excess baggage costs USD 30-70 internationally (MZN 1,800-3,000 domestically) based on weight. Online check-in opens 36 hours before departure and closes 2 hours prior.

Packing for a flight with LAM Mozambique  the national carrier, officially known as Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique  means understanding a baggage system that shifts depending on your cabin class, your route, and even the specific aircraft you’re flying on. Get it wrong, and you could face unexpected excess fees at the check-in counter.

What Is LAM Mozambique Airlines?

LAM Mozambique Airlines (IATA code: TM) is Mozambique’s national flag carrier, founded in 1936 and rebranded from DETA following the country’s independence in 1980. It operates a mixed fleet of Boeing 737s and Embraer aircraft from its hub at Maputo International Airport, serving 14 domestic destinations plus international routes to South Africa, Kenya, and Tanzania.

LAM Mozambique isn’t part of a global airline alliance, but it holds codeshare agreements with Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, South African Airways, and TAAG Angola Airlines. Frequent flyers can join the Flamingo Club, LAM’s loyalty program, which unlocks priority check-in, mileage accrual, and  as we’ll cover below  a meaningfully larger baggage allowance.

What Is LAM Mozambique’s Hand Luggage Allowance?

LAM Mozambique’s hand luggage allowance depends on the aircraft. On Boeing 737-700 and Embraer 190 flights, passengers get one bag up to 7kg with a total dimension of 115cm (55×40×20cm). On smaller Q400 and EMB145 aircraft, the limit drops to 5kg and 105cm (55×30×20cm).

Beyond your main cabin bag, LAM permits several items free of charge that don’t count toward your allowance: a coat or blanket, an umbrella or walking cane, a small camera, reading materials, baby food and supplies, and mobility aids like crutches or a fully collapsible wheelchair.

Duty-free purchases and toiletries are also permitted in limited quantities: medicines or hygiene products up to 1kg/1L total (with no single item exceeding 0.1kg/0.1L), and duty-free alcohol up to 5 liters per passenger (maximum 70% ABV), sealed in a transparent bag.

Does LAM Mozambique Have Special Hand Luggage Rules for South Africa Flights?

Yes. Following South African aviation authority regulations introduced in 2015, Economy Class passengers flying to or from South Africa are limited to one 7kg bag plus a slimline laptop bag. Business and First Class passengers may carry two 7kg bags plus a slimline laptop bag.

The 7kg bag itself must not exceed 56cm (height) × 36cm (width) × 23cm (depth), with a combined total under 115cm. This is a route-specific restriction, separate from LAM’s general cabin baggage rules, so travelers connecting through Johannesburg should double-check this limit even if their onward LAM flight normally allows a larger bag.

What Is LAM Mozambique’s Checked Baggage Allowance?

LAM Mozambique’s checked baggage allowance is one piece up to 23kg for Economy Class and one piece up to 32kg for Executive (Business) Class, both capped at 90×55×30cm in dimensions. This “piece concept” replaced the older weight-based system on domestic routes starting in January.

One important nuance: LAM caps checked baggage by piece, not just weight. A single 23kg bag is fine in Economy, but two smaller bags totaling 20kg combined would still trigger a piece-based excess charge, since only one piece is included free.

How Much Extra Baggage Do Flamingo Club Members Get?

Flamingo Club members receive substantially higher free baggage allowances than standard passengers. Top-tier members (Plus/Silver/Visa Gold/Visa Platinum) get up to 64kg in Executive Class across two pieces, while Classic/Blue members get 28kg in Economy  5kg more than non-members.

For a frequent traveler checking two bags regularly, this tier difference alone can eliminate hundreds of dollars in annual excess baggage fees  a detail most third-party booking sites overlook entirely.

What Are LAM Mozambique’s Excess Baggage Fees?

LAM Mozambique charges excess baggage based on weight tiers: for domestic flights, rates run MZN 1,800 (up to 15kg) to MZN 3,000 (up to 32kg). For international flights, fees range from USD 30 (up to 15kg) to USD 70 (up to 32kg). These rates apply to special baggage categories like sports and musical equipment.

Cost breakdown example: Say you’re an Economy passenger flying domestically with 30kg of luggage in one bag  7kg over your 23kg allowance. Since LAM prices excess by weight tier rather than strictly per kilo, that overage would fall into a higher bracket, typically triggering the “up to 32kg” tier rate of MZN 3,000, rather than a small per-kilo surcharge. Booking your extra weight in advance is almost always cheaper than paying at the counter.

How Can You Avoid Paying High Excess Baggage Fees?

The most reliable way to avoid high excess fees is to pre-purchase extra baggage through LAM’s Express Luggage service at least 24 hours before departure. Pre-booked allowances can save significantly compared to airport counter rates, and bundles are typically sold in fixed weight increments like 15kg or 23kg.

• Book ahead: Purchase Express Luggage online or at an LAM store up to 24 hours before your flight (some bundles can be added up to 5 hours prior).
• Weigh before you leave home: A kitchen scale can save you an unpleasant surprise at check-in.
• Consolidate into one piece: Since LAM’s system is piece-based, packing into a single bag near your weight limit is more efficient than splitting items across two smaller bags.
• Join Flamingo Club: Even entry-level membership tiers increase your Economy allowance by 5kg.

What Are LAM Mozambique’s Baggage Size Limits for Special Items?

LAM Mozambique applies separate rules for sports equipment, musical instruments, and pets. Sporting and musical equipment is charged using the same tiered fee structure as excess baggage (MZN 1,800–3,000 domestically; USD 30–70 internationally), while pets are subject to fixed fees and strict container dimensions.

Sports Equipment and Musical Instruments

Sporting equipment (golf bags, surfboards, bicycles) and musical equipment follow the standard excess baggage fee table shown above, based on weight up to 32kg.

Exceptions transported free of charge:

• Up to 4 fishing rods without reels, combined weight under 5kg
• Firearms and ammunition up to 5kg (included within your existing free allowance)
• Flowers and plants up to 5kg

Live Animals and Pets

LAM permits a maximum of three pets per flight. Pricing depends on whether the animal travels in the cabin or the hold:

Important restrictions: pregnant animals are not accepted for transport, vaccination certificates must be current, and Emotional Support Animals (ESAN) are explicitly not permitted onboard  only certified service/guide dogs travel free of charge in the cabin.

What Items Are Prohibited From LAM Mozambique Flights?

LAM Mozambique prohibits firearms replicas, explosives, corrosive materials, flammable liquids, radioactive substances, and sharp objects like knives and scissors from cabin baggage. Most of these items may still be accepted as checked baggage if packaged according to IATA regulations and local law.

Cabin-prohibited items include: devices with installed electronic alarms, oxidizing substances and organic peroxides, any firearm or realistic replica (including paintball and air guns), diving oxygen bottles over 5kg, and infectious or toxic substances. Large bottles and demijohns must also travel in the hold, packaged in purpose-built cardboard containers.

How Does LAM Mozambique Online Check-In Work?

LAM Mozambique online check-in opens 36 hours before departure and closes 2 hours before flight time. Passengers visit lam.co.mz, select the “Online Check-In” tab, and enter their name plus reservation or ticket number to select a seat and receive a boarding pass via print, email, or phone link.

Step-by-step process:

1. Go to lam.co.mz and select “Online Check-In”
2. Enter your name and reservation/ticket number
3. Confirm you’ve read the dangerous goods declaration
4. Update your Flamingo Club membership details if applicable
5. Select your preferred seat
6. Choose how to receive your boarding pass: printer, email, or mobile link

If you’re checking bags, you’ll still need to visit the airport’s dedicated “Online Check-in” baggage drop counters up to 2 hours before departure. If you’re traveling with cabin baggage only, you can head straight to the gate.

What Are LAM Mozambique’s Airport Check-In Deadlines?

LAM Mozambique’s airport check-in counters close 60 minutes before departure for domestic flights and between 120–180 minutes before departure for international flights. Arriving with extra buffer time is strongly recommended given potential queues at Maputo International Airport.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does LAM Mozambique charge for a personal item in addition to a carry-on bag?
No separate personal item fee applies, but LAM’s policy generally counts one cabin bag per passenger. Small personal items like a handbag or slim laptop case are typically tolerated if they fit under the seat, though this isn’t guaranteed on smaller aircraft like the Q400.

Is LAM Mozambique’s checked baggage allowance based on weight or piece count?
It’s based on the “piece concept” for domestic flights since January’s policy update. Passengers get one piece up to 23kg (Economy) or 32kg (Executive), meaning splitting your weight across two bags doesn’t help  only one piece travels free.

How much does an extra 23kg bag cost on LAM Mozambique domestically?
Based on LAM’s published tiers, an additional bag up to 23kg falls into the MZN 3,000 bracket for domestic routes. International passengers would pay USD 50.00 for the same weight tier.

Can I bring my emotional support animal on a LAM Mozambique flight?
No. LAM Mozambique explicitly excludes Emotional Support Animals (ESAN) from cabin travel. Only certified service or guide dogs assisting passengers with disabilities are permitted free of charge in the cabin.

What happens if my hand luggage is between 6kg and 8kg?
Bags in this range are typically handled through LAM’s “Delivery at Aircraft” process, meaning the bag is tagged and loaded into the hold at the gate rather than carried into the cabin, even though it’s returned to you immediately after landing.

Do infants get a separate baggage allowance on LAM Mozambique?
Yes. Infants are entitled to one piece up to 10kg, separate from the accompanying adult’s allowance. This does not include the stroller or pushchair, which typically travels free as an additional item.

Is online check-in available for all LAM Mozambique flights?
Online check-in is available on lam.co.mz for standard LAM Mozambique flights, opening 36 hours before departure. Note that Airjet-operated flights are excluded and require airport check-in only.

How many pets can travel on a single LAM Mozambique flight?
LAM caps live animal transport at three pets per flight, whether traveling in the cabin as PETC or in the hold as AVI. Advance notice of at least 24 hours is mandatory.

Do Flamingo Club members get free excess baggage on every route?
No. The extra allowance (up to 64kg for top-tier Executive Class members) applies as a fixed increase to the free baggage limit, not unlimited free excess. Weight beyond the member’s specific allowance still incurs standard excess fees.

Are firearms allowed in checked baggage on LAM Mozambique?
Firearms and ammunition up to 5kg are permitted within your existing free checked baggage allowance, provided they are unloaded, secured, and declared according to local law. They cannot be carried in cabin baggage under any circumstance.