Drukair Baggage Policy: Allowance, Fees & Rules 2026 

Drukair’s international baggage allowance is 40 kg for Business Class and 30 kg for Economy Class. Domestic flights allow 30 kg (Business) and 20 kg (Economy). Carry-on limits are 7 kg (Business) and 5 kg (Economy), with maximum dimensions of 45 × 35 × 20 cm. Excess baggage fees range from USD 1 to USD 11 per kg depending on route.

Planning a trip to Bhutan means flying with Drukair  the Kingdom’s national carrier and one of only two airlines authorized to land at Paro International Airport. Getting your baggage right before you travel isn’t just a packing exercise; it directly affects your total trip cost. Excess baggage charges on some Drukair routes reach USD 11 per kilogram at the airport, meaning a modest 5 kg overweight on a Singapore–Paro flight could cost you USD 50 in fees  fees that drop to USD 45 if you pre-purchase online.

What Is Drukair’s International Checked Baggage Allowance?

Drukair’s international checked baggage allowance is 40 kg for Business Class passengers and 30 kg for Economy Class passengers. These limits apply to all scheduled international routes operated by Drukair from Paro International Airport. Regardless of travel class, no single piece of checked baggage may exceed 32 kg  a hard safety limit designed to protect ground handling staff.

Note that many third-party travel blogs incorrectly list Drukair’s economy allowance as 20 kg  this figure applies to domestic routes only, not international flights. Travelers flying from Bangkok, Singapore, Delhi, Dubai, or Kathmandu to Paro are entitled to 30 kg in economy class. If you are packing for a trekking expedition from Singapore with 28 kg of gear, you fall within your economy allowance with no additional fees.

Key checked baggage rules at a glance:

• Maximum weight per individual bag: 32 kg (regardless of class)
• Free checked allowance is separate from your cabin bag allowance
• Effective January 1, 2026, a 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) applies to all Drukair services, including baggage fees, under the Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Act 2025

What Are Drukair’s Carry-On Baggage Rules?

Drukair’s carry-on (cabin) baggage allowance is 7 kg for Business Class and 5 kg for Economy Class. All cabin bags must fit in the overhead bin, with maximum dimensions of 45 × 35 × 20 cm (17 × 13 × 8 inches). The sum of all three dimensions must not exceed 100 cm. Spot checks are conducted during boarding, and non-compliant bags will be checked in and may incur excess fees.

What can you carry free of charge in addition to your cabin bag?

The following personal items are permitted above and beyond your standard free baggage allowance at no extra cost:

• A lady’s handbag, pocket book, or purse (not used as a general-purpose bag)
• An overcoat, wrap, or blanket
• An umbrella or walking stick
• A small camera and/or a pair of binoculars
• A reasonable amount of reading material for the flight
• Infant food for in-flight consumption and an infant carrying basket
• A fully collapsible wheelchair, crutches, or prosthetic device (for passengers dependent on them)

Items such as briefcases, flight bags, large cameras, and vanity cases are not included in this list. They will be weighed and, if over the cabin limit, charged as excess baggage.

How Much Is the Excess Baggage Charge Per kg on Drukair?

Drukair’s excess baggage charge ranges from USD 2 to USD 11 per kilogram at the airport, depending on the route. Pre-purchasing excess baggage online or through the Drukair mobile app reduces this cost by approximately USD 1 per kilogram across most routes. The Dubai sector carries the highest rate at USD 11 per kg both ways, while short regional routes such as Paro–Bodhgaya and Paro–Bagdogra start from USD 2 per kg at the airport.

Airport Excess Baggage Rates vs. Pre-Purchase Rates (Selected Routes)

Real-world cost scenario: A traveler flying Singapore to Paro with 8 kg of excess baggage pays USD 80 at the airport check-in counter. Pre-purchasing those 8 kg online costs USD 72  a saving of USD 8 on a single leg. On a round trip, that saving doubles to USD 16. For trekking groups carrying heavier equipment loads, pre-purchasing is always the better option.

Note: From January 1, 2026, the 5% GST applies to all baggage fees, which means the USD 10 pre-purchase rate on the Dubai–Paro route effectively becomes USD 10.50 per kg once GST is factored in.

How Do You Pre-Purchase Excess Baggage on Drukair?

Pre-purchasing excess baggage on Drukair requires buying at least 4 hours before departure via the Drukair website, mobile app, or customer service team. Pre-purchased baggage cannot be added after early airport check-in begins and is non-transferable between tickets.

Three ways to pre-purchase:

1. Drukair Website: Go to “Manage Bookings,” enter your booking details, select Additional Services, choose your desired extra weight, and complete payment.
2. Drukair Mobile App: Open the app, go to “Trips,” enter your booking information, select Additional Services, and proceed with payment.
3. Customer Service: Email reservation@drukair.com.bt or visit any Drukair office.

Pre-purchase rules to know:

• Minimum purchase window: 4 hours before departure
• Maximum per bag: 32 kg
• No refund if you carry less than your prepaid allowance
• No refund for no-show passengers
• Cannot be transferred to another ticket or another passenger
• Separate purchase required for each flight on a round trip
• No loyalty points are awarded for baggage purchases
• Applies to checked baggage only  not cabin bags

What Are Drukair’s Rules for Special Items?

Drukair accepts a range of special items, but most carry additional conditions or fall under a limited release classification, meaning the airline will not accept liability for damage to fragile or high-value goods.

Sports equipment and oversized items: Items that exceed standard baggage dimensions are classified as oversized and may attract separate handling fees. Travelers heading to Bhutan for trekking should pre-purchase excess baggage before departure, as equipment loads often push past standard allowances.

Televisions: Drukair accepts televisions up to 65 inches at no extra charge, provided the TV falls within your free baggage allowance. All TV carriage falls under Limited Release  the airline bears no liability for damage.

Fragile and valuable items: Drukair does not accept liability for damage to or loss of fragile items, perishables, jewelry, negotiable papers, medicines, or business documents, whether declared or not. If you are carrying high-value items, carry them in your cabin bag and consider travel insurance.

Dangerous items not permitted in any baggage:

• Compressed gases (butane, liquid nitrogen, aqualung cylinders)
• Corrosives (acids, alkalis, mercury, wet cell batteries)
• Explosives, munitions, fireworks, and flares
• Flammable liquids and solids (lighter fuel, matches, paint)
• Radioactive materials
• Briefcases or attaché cases with installed alarm devices
• Oxidizing materials (bleaching powder, peroxides)
• Poisons and infectious substances (insecticides, weed-killers, live viral materials)

Toiletries and medicines in small quantities needed for the journey  hairsprays, perfumes, and alcohol-based medicines  are permitted within limits.

Lithium battery regulations: Per IATA guidelines, lithium-ion batteries in personal electronics (laptops, cameras, phones) must be carried in cabin baggage. Spare lithium batteries must never be placed in checked baggage. Batteries installed in devices may travel in hold baggage. Always remove batteries from portable electronics before checking them in.

Infants:

• Infants not occupying a seat (IN90, paying 10% fare): No free baggage allowance
• Infants occupying a seat (IN50, paying 50% fare): Entitled to the full adult baggage allowance

What Type of Planes Does Drukair Use?

Drukair operates a mixed fleet comprising the Airbus A320neo, Airbus A319, ATR 42-600, and Airbus H130 helicopter. Aircraft assignment on scheduled routes is subject to operational requirements and may change at short notice. Passengers with specific requirements  such as oversized baggage or mobility assistance  should contact Drukair before booking.

How Safe Is Drukair?

Drukair has maintained a strong safety record throughout its operational history. The airline has operated international commercial flights since January 14, 1983, making it one of Asia’s longest-serving mountain aviation routes. All Drukair pilots who fly into Paro International Airport undergo specialized certification  only a small number of globally certified pilots are qualified to navigate the airport’s narrow valley approach, which requires visual flight procedures between Himalayan peaks at elevations reaching 16,000 feet.

Paro International Airport sits at 2,235 meters above sea level. The approach is entirely dependent on visual flight rules, which means weather conditions directly affect flight operations. This is not an indication of unsafe equipment  it reflects the technical demands of the airfield itself. Drukair operates IATA-recognized aircraft and adheres to international aviation safety standards across its fleet.

Practical Tips to Avoid Excess Baggage Fees on Drukair

A few planning decisions made before departure can eliminate surprise charges at the airport.

• Pre-purchase rather than pay at the counter. The rate difference is USD 1 per kg, and on high-rate routes like Singapore–Paro or Dubai–Paro, those savings add up fast.
• Weigh your bags at home. Economy passengers on international routes get 30 kg for checked luggage and 5 kg for the cabin bag  know where you stand before you reach the airport.
• Pack your carry-on strategically. The 5 kg economy cabin limit is strict. Drukair conducts spot checks during boarding. Dense items like books, cameras, and power banks add weight fast.
• Label all bags inside and out. Drukair recommends attaching name labels to both the inside and outside of all checked baggage, with your name, address, and phone number. Labels are available at Drukair offices and check-in counters.
• Lock your luggage. Drukair does not accept liability for items lost due to bags falling open.
• Arrive early. Check-in counters open 3 hours before departure and close strictly 1 hour prior. During peak seasons, queues at Paro are longer than usual.
• Reconfirm your flight at least 72 hours before departure. Contact any Drukair office, email reservation@drukair.com.bt, or call 1300 (within Bhutan).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Drukair baggage allowance for international flights?
Business Class passengers receive 40 kg and Economy Class passengers receive 30 kg of free checked baggage on all scheduled international flights. No single piece may exceed 32 kg regardless of class. Carry-on allowances are 7 kg (Business) and 5 kg (Economy).

How much is the excess baggage charge per kg on Drukair?
Airport rates range from USD 2 to USD 11 per kg depending on the route. Pre-purchasing online reduces each rate by approximately USD 1 per kg. The Dubai–Paro sector carries the highest rate at USD 11 per kg at the airport (USD 10 pre-purchase). From January 1, 2026, a 5% GST applies to all fees.

What is Drukair’s domestic baggage allowance?
Domestic routes (Paro–Bumthang, Paro–Gelephu, Paro–Yonphula, and others) offer 30 kg for Business Class and 20 kg for Economy Class. Carry-on limits remain the same as international flights: 7 kg (Business) and 5 kg (Economy).

Can I carry a television on Drukair?
Yes. Drukair accepts televisions up to 65 inches at no extra charge if the item falls within your free baggage allowance. However, all TV carriage is handled under Limited Release  Drukair accepts no liability for damage.

Do infants get a baggage allowance on Drukair?
It depends on the fare type. Infants paying 10% of the adult fare (IN90, no seat) receive no baggage allowance. Infants paying 50% of the adult fare (IN50, occupying a seat) receive the full adult checked baggage allowance.

When must I pre-purchase excess baggage to get the discounted rate?
Pre-purchases must be completed at least 4 hours before departure. After early check-in begins at the airport, online pre-purchase is no longer available. There is no refund if you carry less than your prepaid allowance.

Are lithium batteries allowed in checked baggage on Drukair?
Spare lithium batteries must be carried in cabin baggage only and are not permitted in checked baggage. Lithium batteries installed in personal devices (laptops, phones, cameras) may travel in the hold as long as the device is properly packed. This follows standard IATA dangerous goods guidelines.

Does Drukair award loyalty points for baggage purchases?
No. Drukair explicitly states that no loyalty points are awarded for pre-purchased excess baggage. Baggage add-ons are a separate commercial transaction and do not count toward frequent flyer accrual.

What happens to my pre-purchased baggage if Drukair changes my flight?
If Drukair initiates the change, your pre-purchased baggage allowance transfers to the new flight at no extra cost, and a full refund is issued if your flight is cancelled. If you change your route and the new sector carries a higher baggage rate, you pay the difference. If the new sector’s rate is lower, no refund is issued.

Are excess baggage rates different for Drukair’s domestic connecting routes?
Yes. Domestic excess baggage rates are significantly lower than international rates. Routes such as Paro–Bumthang, Paro–Gelephu, Paro–Yonphula, and all Gelephu–Bumthang–Yonphula connections carry a uniform airport rate of USD 2–3 per kg, with pre-purchase rates starting from USD 1 per kg.