Winair Baggage Policy 2026: Fees, Allowances & Rules 

Winair’s baggage policy depends on your fare type. All fares include one personal item (3kg/7lbs). Carry-on bags (6kg/13lbs) are included only with Lite and Prime fares. One checked bag (23kg/50lbs) is included with Value and Prime fares. Saver fare passengers pay for every bag added at check-in.

Flying Winair through the Caribbean’s island-hop routes means navigating one of the region’s most fare-dependent baggage systems. Pack the wrong amount for the wrong fare, and you could pay $50 in overage fees before you even board. Pack too light when you had a free checked bag coming  and you’ve simply left money on the table.

What Is Winair’s Baggage Allowance by Fare Type?

Winair’s baggage allowance is entirely tied to the fare family you book. The airline operates four fare tiers  Saver, Lite, Value, and Prime  each with distinct rules for carry-on and checked bags. Every passenger, regardless of fare, receives one free personal item weighing up to 3kg (7lbs).

A traveler booking a Saver fare and arriving at the airport with a rolling carry-on suitcase will be required to check that bag and pay airport-counter fees. Booking Lite instead adds the carry-on entitlement and typically costs far less than the airport bag fee.

What Are Winair’s Carry-On Baggage Rules?

Winair allows one carry-on bag weighing up to 6kg (13lbs) on Lite and Prime fares only. On Saver and Value fares, carry-on bags are not included  they must be checked at the airport, and a $50 overage fee applies if your allowance is exceeded. Every passenger also receives one personal item (up to 3kg / 7lbs) that must fit under the seat in front of you.

What Is the Winair Carry-On Size?

Winair does not publish a fixed carry-on dimension online. The airline uses size templates at the check-in counter to assess fit, particularly on Twin Otter routes where cabin space is extremely limited. Practically speaking, a soft-sided backpack or small tote is the safest choice on Twin Otter flights. Wheeled suitcases are rarely accepted in the cabin and are typically checked.

Carry-on rules at a glance:

• Max weight: 6kg / 13lbs (included on Lite and Prime fares only)
• Personal item: max 3kg / 7lbs (all fares)
• Personal item must fit under the seat in front of you
• No wheeled suitcases in the cabin on most routes
• $50 fee applies if you bring a carry-on on a fare that doesn’t include one

Items allowed as personal articles (always free, not counted toward your allowance):

• Handbag, pocketbook, or purse
• Overcoat, wrap, or blanket
• Umbrella or walking stick
• Small camera or pair of binoculars
• Reasonable reading material for the flight
• Fully collapsible disability wheelchair, crutches, or prosthetic device

What Is Winair’s Checked Baggage Allowance?

Winair’s checked baggage allowance is one bag up to 23kg (50lbs) with maximum dimensions of 62 inches / 157cm (L+W+H), included free only on Value and Prime fares. All other fares pay per bag. Infants are allowed one checked piece at 10kg. Passengers are generally capped at two checked bags, with a third accepted on a standby basis only.

What Are Winair’s Checked Baggage Fees?

Winair’s checked baggage fees vary by route and whether you pay online or at the airport. Fees are lower on short-hop routes (SAB, EUX, AUA–CUR, BON–CUR) and higher on all other Winair routes. Paying online is always cheaper than paying at the airport counter.

Saver and Lite fares  checked bag fees:

Value and Prime fares  additional bag fees (1st bag already included):

A passenger on a Saver fare flying a standard (non-SAB/EUX) Winair route with two checked bags would pay $90 online  or $110 at the airport counter. The $20 difference per booking is money saved simply by adding bags through Manage My Booking before traveling.

What Are Winair’s Overweight and Oversized Baggage Fees?

Winair charges separate fees for bags that exceed the standard 23kg weight limit or 62-inch dimension limit. Overweight bags (23–32kg) and oversized bags are accepted on a space-available basis only and fees are collected at the check-in counter  they cannot be prepaid online.

Overweight bag fees (23–32kg / 51–70lbs):

Oversized bag fees:

No bag exceeding 70lbs / 31kg will be accepted under any circumstance.

A bag that is both overweight AND oversized is subject to both applicable fees simultaneously. This is an important distinction competitors rarely clarify  packing a 28kg surfboard-adjacent case on a non-SAB route could trigger both the $75 overweight fee and the $110 oversized fee in a single transaction.

What Special Items Can You Bring on Winair?

Winair accommodates several categories of special baggage, each with specific conditions. Sporting equipment is generally accepted as part of your standard checked allowance, but some items carry flat fees or route restrictions.

Sports equipment and musical instruments:

Mobility devices: Fully collapsible wheelchairs are allowed in the cabin at no charge. Other approved mobility aids may be checked as a free item, subject to space availability.

What Is Winair’s Pet Policy for Baggage?

Winair transports small domestic pets  dogs, cats, and small domestic birds  in either the cabin or the cargo hold. A minimum of 48 hours’ advance notice is required, and confirmation must be received from Winair before travel. Pets require a valid pet passport, up-to-date vaccination certificates, and applicable import/export licenses.

Pet in cabin:

• Max weight: 6kg / 13lbs (including carrier)
• Carrier dimensions: 11″ x 11″ x 18″
• Fee: $40 per pet, per flight
• Limited cabin spots available

Pet in hold:

• Max weight: 32kg / 70lbs (including kennel)
• Kennel dimensions: 45″ L x 32″ W x 42″ H
• Fee: $60 per flight
• One live animal per passenger

Important distinction: Emotional support animals are not classified as service animals by Winair. They are treated as standard pets and charged accordingly. True service dogs (trained task-performing dogs for passengers with documented disabilities) travel free in the cabin with appropriate documentation.

What Restricted Items Should You Know About Before Flying Winair?

Winair follows IATA and Aviation Authority guidelines on restricted items. Several commonly carried items require attention before you pack.

Liquid restrictions (carry-on):

• Liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes must be in containers of 100ml / 3.4oz or less
• All items must fit in a single quart-sized clear bag

Electronic devices  critical rule: Power banks, spare lithium batteries, e-cigarettes, and lighters must travel in the cabin only. They cannot be placed in checked baggage. These items must remain visible to the passenger at all times and cannot be stored in overhead bins or seat pockets during the flight.

Prohibited items (checked and carry-on):

• Explosives and fireworks
• Flammable liquids
• Compressed gases and aerosols
• Corrosive, magnetized, or radioactive materials
• Pesticides and poisons
• Toxic or infectious substances

How Can You Save Money on Winair Baggage Fees?

Paying online before your flight is the single most reliable way to reduce baggage costs on Winair. Airport counter fees are consistently $10 higher per bag on standard routes. For frequent travelers or families checking multiple bags, that gap compounds quickly.

Practical money-saving tips:

• Add bags online via Manage My Booking  saves $10 per bag versus airport pricing on standard routes
• Choose the right fare from the start  if you know you need a checked bag, Value or Prime fares include one, potentially costing less than a Saver fare plus a paid bag
• Weigh bags before departure  overweight fees start at 60–75 per bag and are collected only at the airport
• Pack personal articles separately  handbags, cameras, and reading material don’t count toward your allowance and travel free
• Book sports equipment correctly  golf bags incur no special charge; bicycles are a flat $50; understand which route your equipment is on before assuming it’s accepted

Code share note: If your journey includes a code share partner flight, the operating carrier’s baggage rules may apply rather than Winair’s. IATA Resolution 302 governs these cases. Always verify baggage rules against the operating carrier when booking through a partner airline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Winair include a free checked bag with every ticket?
No. Winair includes one free checked bag (23kg/50lbs) only with Value and Prime fare families. Saver and Lite fares do not include any free checked baggage  fees apply for every bag checked.

What happens if I bring a carry-on bag on a Saver fare?
Carry-on bags are not permitted on Saver fares. They must be checked at the airport, and a $50 fee applies if your included allowance is exceeded. This is a common and costly surprise for first-time Winair passengers.

Can I pay for extra baggage at the airport instead of online?
Yes, but airport fees are $10 higher per bag than online prices on standard routes. Adding bags in advance through Manage My Booking is the more cost-effective option.

Does Winair accept bags heavier than 23kg?
Winair may accept bags between 23kg and 32kg on a space-available basis only, with an overweight surcharge of 60–75 for the first bag depending on your route. No bag exceeding 70lbs / 31kg is accepted under any circumstances.

Are infants allowed free baggage on Winair?
Infants are entitled to one checked piece weighing up to 10kg, free of charge. A pushchair (stroller) is also accepted free in the luggage compartment. Infants are not entitled to carry-on baggage.

Can I bring my power bank in my checked luggage on Winair?
No. Power banks, spare lithium batteries, e-cigarettes, and lighters must travel in the cabin with the passenger. Placing them in checked baggage is prohibited and may result in bags being flagged or refused at security.

How much does it cost to bring a bicycle on Winair?
Winair charges a flat $50 fee for bicycles. The bicycle must be fully disassembled, packed in a cardboard container, with tires deflated and handlebars turned sideways or paddles removed. Acceptance is space-dependent.

Does Winair carry surfboards on all routes?
No. Surfboards are not accepted on Twin Otter aircraft. They may be transported on Winair’s ATR aircraft only, subject to space availability. Check your specific route and aircraft type before assuming your surfboard will be accepted.

Is my emotional support animal considered a service animal on Winair?
No. Winair does not classify emotional support animals, comfort animals, or therapy dogs as service animals. They are treated as standard pets and charged cabin (40)orhold(60) fees based on their size and weight.

What is Winair’s third-bag policy, and is it guaranteed?
The third checked bag is accepted on a standby basis only, meaning it will be loaded if aircraft weight, balance, and volume allow. If the third bag cannot travel on the same flight as the passenger, Winair forwards it on the next available service. This is particularly relevant on small Twin Otter routes where cargo space is limited.