Cabo Verde Airlines Baggage Policy: Fees, Allowances & Rules 2026 

Cabo Verde Airlines’ baggage allowance depends on your fare type. Carry-on ranges from 8kg to 10kg, and checked baggage ranges from zero (Economy Light) to two bags of 23kg each (Morabeza Flex). Excess baggage costs 15 EUR/50 USD per kilogram, and bags over 32kg won’t be accepted per IATA rules.

Packing for a trip to Cape Verde sounds simple until you hit checkout and realize your fare type barely covers a carry-on. Cabo Verde Airlines, the national flag carrier based in Praia, structures its baggage allowance around six different fare families  and the difference between them can mean paying nothing extra or forking out over 100 EUR at the airport.

What Is Cabo Verde Airlines’ Baggage Allowance?

Cabo Verde Airlines’ baggage allowance varies by fare type: Economy Light includes only an 8kg handbag with no checked bag, Economy Plus adds one 23kg checked bag, and Economy Flex and Morabeza fares include two 23kg checked bags. Domestic fares typically allow one 23kg (or 30kg on Flex Plus) checked bag.

If you’re booking the cheapest Economy Light fare, don’t assume a checked bag is included  you’ll need to purchase one separately, which often costs more than simply booking Economy Plus upfront.

What Are Cabo Verde Airlines’ Carry-On Baggage Rules?

Cabo Verde Airlines’ carry-on baggage rules allow one handbag measuring 55cm x 35cm x 25cm, weighing up to 8kg on Economy fares or 10kg on Morabeza fares. Liquids must be in containers under 100ml, bagged together up to 1 liter total.

Beyond your main carry-on, you can bring one additional free item without it counting toward your weight allowance, as long as the combined weight stays under 8kg:

• A coat, blanket, or umbrella
• A briefcase or handbag
• Books and magazines
• A camera, video recorder, or binoculars
• Baby food for the flight
• Walking aids, wheelchairs, or medical devices (with prior approval)
• A duty-free bag with up to two bottles of alcohol

Practical tip: Pack electronics, passports, cash, and medication in your carry-on. Cabo Verde Airlines explicitly states it isn’t liable for damage to these items if they end up in checked baggage.

What Are Cabo Verde Airline Baggage Rules for Checked Bags?

Checked baggage with Cabo Verde Airlines is free up to your fare’s included allowance (23kg per bag on most fares), but no single bag can exceed 32kg under IATA rules  heavier bags are refused entirely, not just charged extra. Infants get a separate 10kg allowance.

A few edge cases worth knowing:

• Infants (0–23 months): 1 checked bag up to 10kg, plus a free stroller, bassinet, or car seat.
• Musical instruments: Up to 45kg in the hold for 150 EUR / 185 USD, or a seat purchase for cabin transport (30kg max).
• Sports equipment: Golf bags, surfboards, bicycles, and similar gear cost 100 EUR per item between Europe and Cape Verde (120–150 EUR to/from the US), and require booking at least 24 hours before departure.

What Does Cabo Verde Airlines Charge for Excess Baggage?

Cabo Verde Airlines charges 15 EUR (or 50 USD) per kilogram for checked baggage over 23kg and for hand luggage over 8kg. Pre-purchasing an extra bag online costs 85 EUR up to 48 hours before departure, rising to 100 EUR closer to departure  cheaper than paying at the airport.

Here’s a real cost scenario: if your checked bag weighs 28kg on an Economy Plus fare (5kg over the 23kg limit), you’ll pay 5 x 15 EUR = 75 EUR in excess fees. If you’re flying from the US, that same overage costs 5 x 50 USD = 250 USD  a steep difference worth noting before you fly.

Extra hand luggage carried to the gate is billed separately at 20 EUR per kg (all destinations) or 50 USD per kg (USA routes).

Decision tip: If you know you’ll exceed your allowance, buy the extra bag online at least 48 hours before your flight. Waiting until check-in or the airport typically costs 15–50% more.

What Items Are Prohibited on Cabo Verde Airlines Flights?

Cabo Verde Airlines prohibits weapons, explosives, disabling sprays, and sharp objects in both carry-on and checked baggage. Smart bags, hoverboards, and electric bikes with lithium batteries are banned entirely, while spare lithium batteries and e-cigarettes are allowed only in carry-on, never in checked bags.

One frequently missed detail: lithium-ion batteries between 100Wh and 160Wh (common in larger power banks or camera equipment) need prior written approval from Cabo Verde Airlines’ customer service before you fly  don’t assume standard airport screening will catch this in time.

Is Cabo Verde Airlines Safe?

Cabo Verde Airlines operates as Cape Verde’s officially designated flag carrier, subject to oversight from the country’s Civil Aviation Agency and international conventions including the Montreal Convention for baggage and passenger liability. The airline maintains codeshare partnerships with TAP Air Portugal and TAAG Angola Airlines, carriers that meet established international operating standards.

Safety in commercial aviation is governed by national aviation authorities and international bodies rather than airline marketing, so it’s worth checking Cape Verde’s Civil Aviation Agency (AAC) records and current advisories before booking if safety oversight is a priority for your trip.

Is Cabo Verde Airlines Reliable?

Reliability data on Cabo Verde Airlines is mixed and route-dependent, with some third-party travel sites noting inconsistent on-time performance historically. The airline has also reduced its route network significantly in recent years, now focusing primarily on flights between Cape Verde and Portugal, plus select international routes.

Given this, travelers should build extra buffer time into connections, enroll in flight status alerts, and confirm schedules close to departure  a smart habit with almost any carrier serving a smaller island network.

How Can You Avoid Excess Baggage Fees?

• Weigh your bags at home. A cheap luggage scale costs less than even 1kg of excess fees.
• Match your fare to your needs. If you know you’re checking two bags, book Economy Flex or Morabeza upfront rather than paying excess later.
• Buy extra baggage online, early. Purchasing 48+ hours before departure saves 15–25 EUR compared to airport rates.
• Consolidate carry-on items. Use the free additional-item allowance (coat, bag, camera) instead of overpacking your main carry-on.
• Check dimensions, not just weight. A bag under 8kg but oversized (over 55x35x25cm) can still be gate-checked and charged.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Cabo Verde Airlines charge for the first checked bag?
It depends on your fare. Economy Plus, Economy Flex, and both Morabeza fares include free checked baggage. Economy Light includes no checked bag, so you’d pay the full extra-baggage fee (85–150 EUR depending on timing and payment channel).

What’s the maximum weight for a single checked bag?
32kg (70lbs), per IATA rules. Cabo Verde Airlines will not accept any single checked bag exceeding this weight, regardless of how much you’re willing to pay in excess fees.

Can I bring a power bank on Cabo Verde Airlines?
Yes, in carry-on only, if it’s under 100Wh. Power banks between 100Wh and 160Wh need prior approval from customer service, and anything above 160Wh is banned entirely.

Are hoverboards allowed on Cabo Verde Airlines?
No. Hoverboards, e-bikes, and other lithium-battery-powered self-balancing devices are banned in both carry-on and checked baggage due to fire risk.

How much extra baggage can I add before my flight?
You can purchase additional checked bags via Manage Booking, starting at 85 EUR (Europe routes) or $100 (US routes) if purchased 48+ hours before departure.

What happens if my bag is delayed or lost?
File a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) immediately at the airport. Lost baggage claims are typically processed after 21 days under the Montreal Convention, with formal claims accepted up to two years later.

Do infants get a separate baggage allowance?
Yes. Infants aged 0–23 months are entitled to one checked bag up to 10kg, plus a free stroller, bassinet, or car seat in addition to the adult’s allowance.

Can I bring alcohol in my checked baggage?
Yes, up to 5 liters per passenger for beverages between 24% and 70% ABV, provided they’re in original, sealed packaging. Beverages over 70% ABV are banned entirely.

Is Cabo Verde Airlines part of a major airline alliance?
Cabo Verde Airlines is not confirmed as a member of a major global alliance like Star Alliance or Oneworld. It does hold codeshare agreements with TAP Air Portugal and TAAG Angola Airlines.

How do I avoid the highest excess baggage rates?
Purchase extra baggage online through Manage Booking at least 48 hours before departure. This locks in the lowest rate (85 EUR/$100) versus airport or late-purchase rates that can reach 150 USD.