Air Madagascar Baggage Policy: Fees, Allowances & Rules 2026 

Air Madagascar’s baggage allowance depends on your route and fare. Domestic Economy passengers get one 20kg checked bag and a 5kg carry-on; long-haul Economy gets two 23kg bags and a 12kg carry-on. Excess bags on domestic flights cost 190,000 MGA (about €48), payable only at the airport.

Packing for a trip to Madagascar involves more moving parts than most travelers expect. Air Madagascar’s baggage rules shift depending on whether you’re flying domestically between cities like Antananarivo and Nosy Be, connecting regionally to Mauritius or Comoros, or crossing continents on a long-haul route to Paris. Layer in five different fare families each with its own weight limits and it’s easy to see how travelers get caught off guard at the check-in counter.

What Is Air Madagascar’s Baggage Allowance?

Air Madagascar’s baggage allowance varies by travel class, fare family, and flight type. Domestic Economy passengers receive one checked bag up to 20kg; Business Class gets one bag up to 30kg. On long-haul flights, Economy passengers can check two bags up to 23kg each, while Business Class allows two bags up to 32kg each.

Here’s the allowance broken down by network:

One detail that trips up many travelers: the lowest-priced fare on regional and long-haul routes, called Eco Light, includes zero checked baggage. If you’ve booked a bargain fare and assumed a checked bag was included, you’ll need to purchase one separately before departure.

What Is Air Madagascar’s Baggage Policy for Economy Class?

Economy Class baggage allowance on Air Madagascar depends on the fare family purchased, not just the cabin. Domestic Economy fares (Liberté, Découverte, Coup de cœur, Légèreté) all include one 20kg checked bag and a 5kg carry-on. Long-haul Economy fares range from full allowance (Eco Flex, Eco Smart) to zero checked baggage (Eco Light).

This is where Air Madagascar’s system differs from many competitors that tie baggage strictly to cabin class. Two passengers sitting in the same Economy cabin on the same flight can have completely different allowances based on the fare code on their ticket.

Domestic Economy fare families:

• Liberté, Découverte, Coup de cœur, Légèreté: 1 cabin bag (5 kg) + 1 checked bag (20 kg)
• Privilège (Business): 1 cabin bag (10 kg) + 1 checked bag (30 kg)

Long-haul Economy fare families:

• Eco Flex, Eco Smart, Eco Special: 1 cabin bag (12 kg) + 2 checked bags (23 kg each)
• Eco Light: 1 cabin bag (12 kg) + 0 checked bags

Practical example: a family of four booking the cheapest available long-haul fare (Eco Light) to save on ticket price could unexpectedly face four separate excess baggage charges at check-in if none of them read the fine print. Always confirm your fare family before assuming your checked bag is covered.

What Is Air Madagascar’s Baggage Policy for International Flights?

Air Madagascar’s international baggage policy splits into two categories: regional flights (Indian Ocean and Africa) and long-haul flights (Europe and Asia). Regional Economy passengers get one 20kg bag (25kg for Mauritius), while long-haul Economy passengers get two 23kg bags, provided they haven’t booked the no-baggage Eco Light fare.

International routes also introduce a variable domestic flights don’t have: codeshare and partner airline rules. If your itinerary includes a leg operated by a partner like Air France or Corsair, that airline’s baggage policy applies to that specific segment not Air Madagascar’s. This matters most on connecting itineraries where one leg is marketed under the Madagascar Airlines “MD” code but physically flown by a partner.

Regional network allowance (Indian Ocean, Africa):

Long-haul network allowance (Europe, Asia):

If your journey connects through a partner airline, check that carrier’s site directly. Air France and Corsair, Air Madagascar’s most common long-haul partners, both cap checked bags at 23kg per piece but charge different rates for extras.

What Is Air Madagascar’s Carry-On Baggage Policy?

Air Madagascar’s carry-on allowance is 1 piece up to 5kg in domestic Economy, 1 piece up to 10kg in domestic Business, 1 piece up to 12kg in long-haul Economy, and 2 pieces up to 18kg total in long-haul Business. All carry-on items must not exceed 105cm in combined dimensions.

Beyond your main carry-on, Air Madagascar also permits one small handbag, one laptop bag, or one camera free of charge these don’t count against your cabin baggage limit. Parents traveling with infants under 24 months can also bring a fully foldable stroller and a small changing bag regardless of cabin class.

Liquids in the cabin follow the standard international rule: containers of 100ml or less, packed in a clear, resealable bag. Exceptions apply for baby food, essential medication (a prescription may be requested), and duty-free purchases made after airport security on international flights.

What Are Air Madagascar’s Excess Baggage Fees?

Air Madagascar charges 190,000 MGA (about €48) for an additional bag up to 20kg on domestic flights. Overweight fees on a single bag are tiered: 60,000 MGA for under 3kg over, rising to 190,000 MGA for more than 5kg over the limit. These fees are payable only at the airport, not online.

Here’s the full domestic tiered structure:

Say you’re flying domestically with a 24kg checked bag against a 20kg Economy allowance. That’s 4kg overweight, landing you in the 150,000 MGA bracket (roughly €38) cheaper than checking a second bag entirely at 190,000 MGA. If you’re carrying a modest amount of extra weight, consolidating into one heavier bag rather than adding a second piece is usually the cheaper route.

For regional flights, advance purchase pricing is €70 for one extra bag up to 20kg, then €50 per additional kilogram up to 9kg over. Oversized bags exceeding 159cm cost €80 per additional kilogram, and availability depends on cargo space so book early rather than assuming you can add a bag at the gate.

Long-haul excess baggage isn’t set by Air Madagascar directly; it defers to whichever partner airline operates the flight. Air France and Corsair both cap bags at 23kg and offer cheaper rates when purchased online in advance rather than at the airport.

How Much Does Air Madagascar Charge for Special or Oversized Baggage?

Air Madagascar charges a flat fee per item for sports equipment, payable at the airport only. Bicycles, fishing gear, and golf equipment cost 80,000 MGA each; kayaks, surfboards, and windsurf boards cost 100,000 MGA each. All special baggage must be declared at least 48 hours before departure.

Weight limits still apply: most special items are capped at 20kg, and anything over 32kg must ship as cargo rather than checked baggage. A few items have unique handling rules worth noting:

• Diving equipment: Compressed air cylinders are accepted; pure oxygen cylinders are not.
• Cello or double bass: Can travel in the cabin if you purchase an extra seat (weight limit 75kg), or in the hold as standard checked baggage.
• Bulky valuables (musical instruments, artwork, diplomatic bags): May require a Cabin Baggage Occupying a Seat (CBBG) booking, where the passenger remains responsible for securing the item with a seatbelt.

Missing the 48-hour declaration window is the most common (and avoidable) mistake here undeclared oversized items risk being denied at check-in if cargo space isn’t available.

What Items Are Prohibited on Air Madagascar Flights?

Air Madagascar prohibits flammable and explosive substances, hazardous materials, weapons, sharp objects, and lithium batteries exceeding 160 Wh in both cabin and checked baggage. Lithium-ion batteries carried separately must not exceed 100 Wh per unit.

Commonly overlooked restrictions include:

• Electrical devices with batteries over 160 Wh (hoverboards, e-bikes, large power tools)  banned entirely
• Lithium-ion batteries  capped at 100 Wh; damaged or recalled batteries aren’t accepted at all
• Weapons and sharp objects  knives, scissors, razor blades, and improvised weapons like bats
• Hazardous materials  corrosives, toxic substances, radioactive materials, compressed gases
• Loose lithium batteries in checked baggage  if a carry-on bag gets gate-checked into the hold, batteries and e-cigarettes must be removed first

A quick way to check if your power bank complies: calculate its watt-hours using Wh = V x Ah. Most standard phone power banks fall well under the 100 Wh threshold, but larger camera or laptop battery packs can exceed it without travelers realizing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Air Madagascar charge for the first checked bag?
No. The first checked bag is included in most fares one bag up to 20kg on domestic Economy, or two bags up to 23kg each on long-haul Economy. The exception is the Eco Light fare, which includes zero checked bags on both regional and long-haul routes.

How much is Air Madagascar’s excess baggage fee for one extra bag?
On domestic flights, an additional bag up to 20kg costs 190,000 MGA (approximately €48). This must be paid at the airport, as domestic excess baggage cannot be purchased online in advance.

Can I buy extra baggage online with Air Madagascar?
Only for regional flights, where advance purchase costs €70 for one extra bag up to 20kg. Domestic excess baggage is airport-only, while long-haul excess baggage is handled through the operating partner airline (Air France or Corsair).

What happens if my bag is both an extra piece and overweight?
Both fees apply separately. If you check an extra 24kg bag on a domestic flight, you’d pay the 190,000 MGA extra-bag fee plus the applicable overweight surcharge for the portion above 20kg.

Is there a difference in baggage allowance for Mauritius flights?
Yes. While most regional Economy fares allow 20kg checked baggage, flights to Mauritius specifically allow 25kg for Ecoflex, Ecosmart, and Eco Special fares.

Are lithium batteries allowed in checked baggage on Air Madagascar?
Loose lithium batteries and e-cigarettes are not allowed in checked baggage. If a carry-on bag is gate-checked into the hold, these items must be removed and carried in the cabin instead.

How much does it cost to bring a bicycle on Air Madagascar?
Bicycles cost a flat 80,000 MGA, payable at the airport only. The bike must be declared at least 48 hours before departure and packed with pedals turned inward and handlebars parallel to the frame.

What’s the maximum weight for special baggage like surfboards or golf equipment?
Special baggage is generally capped at 20kg per item. Anything exceeding 32kg cannot be checked as baggage and must be shipped as cargo instead.

Does Air Madagascar allow strollers in the cabin?
Yes. A fully foldable stroller with a maximum folded diameter of 25.5cm and length of 92cm is permitted in the cabin free of charge for children under 24 months, regardless of fare class.

What is the maximum battery size allowed for a laptop or camera on Air Madagascar?
Lithium-ion batteries must not exceed 100 Wh. Batteries between 100–160 Wh may require airline approval, and anything above 160 Wh (such as hoverboard batteries) is strictly prohibited in both cabin and checked baggage.