Fastjet Baggage Policy: Fees, Limits & Rules Explained

Fastjet’s baggage policy allows one 7kg cabin bag on every fare, while checked baggage ranges from one 23kg bag on Value fares to two bags (up to 46kg) on Business Premium. Excess weight costs $10/kg, and an extra bag costs $40 at the airport. Always confirm limits before booking to avoid surprise fees.

Anyone who has stood at a check-in counter watching an agent weigh their suitcase knows the anxiety of wondering if they’re about to pay an unexpected fee. Fastjet, the Zimbabwe-based low-cost carrier connecting Harare, Bulawayo, Victoria Falls, and Johannesburg, structures its baggage allowances around four fare types, each with different weight and piece limits.

What Is Fastjet’s Baggage Allowance for Each Fare Type?

Fastjet’s baggage allowance depends on the fare purchased. Value and Value Flex fares include one 23kg checked bag, Value Plus includes two bags up to 32kg combined, and Business Premium includes two 23kg bags (46kg combined). All fares include one 7kg cabin bag plus a small personal item.

Here’s how the four fare types compare side by side:

No single checked bag, regardless of fare, can weigh more than 32kg or exceed a combined dimension of 319cm (81cm + 119cm + 119cm). Bags larger or heavier than this won’t be accepted at all, even if you’re willing to pay excess fees.

What Are Fastjet’s Carry-On Baggage Rules?

Fastjet permits one cabin bag weighing up to 7kg with maximum dimensions of 55x35x20cm, plus one small handbag or laptop bag no larger than 40x30x15cm. This second item must fit under the seat in front of you. Infants get an additional small bag for in-flight essentials.

This carry-on allowance is identical across Value, Value Flex, Value Plus, and Business Premium fares, so upgrading your fare won’t get you more cabin space.

A few practical notes on carry-on baggage:

• Drop & Fly policy: If overhead bins fill up, a Fastjet representative will tag your cabin bag and place it in the hold. You’ll retrieve valuable items first and collect the bag near the aircraft steps on arrival.
• Smart bags: Bags with lithium batteries are allowed in the cabin, but the battery must be removable and carried separately if the bag is tagged for Drop & Fly.
• Camera equipment: Recording equipment larger than standard cabin dimensions (up to 63x27x28cm) can be carried on but must be stored lengthwise in overhead lockers, not under the seat.

If your carry-on exceeds these limits at the gate, it will be checked and charged at airport excess baggage rates, not standard fees, so it pays to measure your bag before you leave home.

What Are Fastjet’s Baggage Weight Limits?

Fastjet’s standard checked baggage weight limit is 23kg per piece, with a hard maximum of 32kg per item regardless of fare or fee paid. Cabin baggage is capped at 7kg. Anything heavier than 32kg will not be transported under any circumstances, even with excess payment.

It helps to think of Fastjet’s weight structure in three tiers:

1. Included allowance: 23kg per checked piece (or 32kg combined for Value Plus).
2. Payable excess: Weight between your included allowance and 32kg, charged at $10 per kg.
3. Hard cutoff: 32kg per single item. This is a safety-driven limit, not a pricing tier, so no amount of money will get an overweight bag on board.

For example, a Value fare traveler checking a 27kg suitcase would pay for 4kg of excess weight: 4 x $10 = $40 in additional fees, on top of their base fare. A Value Plus traveler with two bags weighing 15kg and 20kg (35kg combined) would exceed their 32kg combined allowance by 3kg, incurring a $30 charge.

What Are Fastjet’s Baggage Size Limits?

Each checked bag must not exceed combined dimensions of 319cm (length + width + height, calculated as 81cm + 119cm + 119cm). Cabin baggage is limited to 55x35x20cm, and the additional personal item cannot exceed 40x30x15cm. Oversized items are refused regardless of fee payment.

These dimension limits apply uniformly across all fare types and cannot be adjusted by paying an excess fee, unlike weight limits. If your bag is within the weight allowance but exceeds the size restriction, Fastjet will not transport it as standard checked baggage. Sports equipment and musical instruments follow the same 319cm rule, though they can be interchanged with your standard baggage allowance.

What Are Fastjet’s Baggage Fees and Excess Baggage Charges?

Fastjet charges $10 per excess kilogram and $40 for an additional checked bag purchased at the airport. Fees vary by currency: excess weight costs ZAR 185, ZWG 300, or GBP 8.50 per kg, while an extra bag costs ZAR 740, ZWG 1,200, or GBP 34 at airport rates.

Here’s the full fee breakdown by currency:

Fastjet explicitly recommends pre-purchasing extra baggage through Manage My Booking, the call centre, or a Fastjet sales shop, since baggage bought at the airport is charged at a premium rate. While the exact online discount isn’t published, the airline’s own guidance confirms it’s cheaper to arrange extra baggage in advance rather than at the counter.

One important exception: there is no refund or partial credit if your checked bag weighs less than your allowance. Unused weight simply doesn’t carry over or convert to cash.

What Are Fastjet’s General Baggage Rules?

Fastjet’s baggage rules include free carriage for strollers, car seats, and up to two mobility aids, while pets (except registered guide dogs) are not permitted. Sports equipment and musical instruments can replace standard baggage allowance but must meet the same 23kg and 319cm limits.

Special baggage categories worth knowing:

• Strollers, car seats, mobility aids: Free of charge, not counted against your baggage allowance.
• Musical instruments: Must travel in a hard case; instruments without one won’t be accepted.
• Bicycles: Limited to 4 per Embraer ERJ145 flight, must be boxed with pedals removed and tires deflated.
• Smart bags: Lithium batteries must be disconnected and removed at check-in if the bag travels in the hold.
• Sporting rifles: Permitted only on Fastjet Zimbabwe flights, subject to documentation and a $40 fee per case.
• Hold restrictions: At certain airports, operational constraints (runway, weather, aircraft limits) may bump checked baggage to the next available flight, even if excess fees were paid.

What Items Are Prohibited or Restricted on Fastjet Flights?

Fastjet restricts liquids to 100ml containers in cabin baggage, bans dry ice and matches entirely, and limits sharp objects to blades under 6cm. Alcohol is permitted only if purchased airside and under 70% ABV. E-cigarettes are cabin-only, with a maximum of two spare batteries.

camping stoves and fuel containers can only travel in the hold if fully drained and aired out for at least six hours beforehand, and camping equipment of this kind is never allowed in the cabin.

How Can You Avoid Extra Baggage Fees on Fastjet?

Weigh your bags at home using a luggage scale, pre-purchase extra baggage online before arriving at the airport, and choose a Value Plus fare if you regularly travel with two bags. Booking the right fare upfront is almost always cheaper than paying excess or extra-piece fees at check-in.

Practical strategies that make a real difference:

• Weigh before you leave: A $15 luggage scale can save you a $40-plus fee at the counter.
• Consolidate into fewer, heavier-but-compliant bags: If traveling with a companion, redistributing weight between two 23kg allowances can avoid excess charges entirely.
• Pre-book extra baggage: Airport-purchased extra bags are charged at premium rates; booking through Manage My Booking avoids this markup.
• Match your fare to your needs: Frequent two-bag travelers often save money choosing Value Plus over paying per-piece fees on a Value fare.
• Account for the personal item separately: Since your handbag or laptop bag doesn’t count toward the 7kg cabin limit, use it strategically for heavier items like electronics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Fastjet charge for a second checked bag?
Yes. On Value and Value Flex fares, a second checked bag costs $40 if purchased at the airport. Value Plus and Business Premium fares already include two pieces, so no additional fee applies unless you exceed those allowances.

What happens if my bag weighs exactly 23kg?
No excess fee applies. Fastjet’s standard allowance is up to and including 23kg per piece on Value, Value Flex, and Business Premium fares. Charges only begin once weight exceeds this threshold.

Can I combine baggage weight with a travel companion?
No. Fastjet applies weight allowances per passenger, per piece. Value Plus allows 32kg combined across two of your own bags, but this cannot be shared or pooled with another traveler’s allowance.

Are infants given a checked baggage allowance?
No. Infants under two years old are not entitled to checked baggage allowance. However, strollers, car seats, and a small in-flight essentials bag are carried free of charge.

Is there a refund if my bag is under the weight limit?
No. Fastjet does not offer refunds or partial credits for underweight checked baggage. Unused weight allowance cannot be converted into a refund or transferred to another bag.

How much does excess baggage cost per kilogram?
Excess checked baggage costs $10 per kg (or the local currency equivalent, such as ZAR 185 or ZWG 300). This charge applies per segment, meaning a return trip could incur the fee twice.

Can I bring a bicycle on a Fastjet flight?
Yes, up to four bicycles per Embraer ERJ145 flight. Bikes must be packed in a protective case, with pedals removed and handlebars aligned to the frame, within the standard 319cm dimension limit.

What’s the maximum weight any single bag can be, even with fees paid?
32kg. This is a hard safety limit, not a pricing tier. No excess fee, regardless of amount, allows a bag heavier than 32kg to be checked in.

Does Fastjet allow power banks or spare batteries in checked baggage?
No. E-cigarette batteries and lithium batteries from smart bags must travel in the cabin, not in checked baggage, due to fire risk regulations. A maximum of two spare batteries is permitted in the cabin.

Is it cheaper to buy extra baggage online or at the airport?
Airport purchases are charged at a premium rate, per Fastjet’s own guidance. Pre-purchasing extra baggage through Manage My Booking, the call centre, or a Fastjet shop is the recommended lower-cost option.