Checked Baggage

Checked baggage allowance depends on the fare you purchased. If you exceed the weight limit or the maximum number of volumes your fare allows, you can purchase an extra baggage allowance or pay excess baggage at check-in.
To guarantee space for your extra luggage, book in advance.

  Other information

• All baggage must be packed in suitcases or similar packaging. The packaging must be sufficiently rigid and resistant to withstand pressures caused by normal loading conditions. The Carrier may refuse to transport any item that is not properly stowed inside the baggage (e.g., hiking boots attached to backpacks, tied articles, etc.). 
   
• Volumes above 32 kg (70 lbs) can only proceed as cargo.
   

• The maximum weight limit per volume for checked baggage at check-in is 45 kg (100 lbs) in the cases listed below. However, if the passenger's baggage allowance is exceeded, an excess baggage fee will always apply, in addition to a heavy items fee, on flights operated by SATA Air Açores, and a special service fee, on flights operated by Azores Airlines (see Excess Baggage section, below):
   

  • Pets in the Hold (AVIH);
     
  • Musical Instruments;
     

  If this 45 kg (100 lbs) limit is exceeded, transportation will only be possible as cargo.
   

• Resident passengers traveling between mainland Portugal / Madeira and the Azores with a BASIC or FLEX fare have an additional baggage allowance of one piece up to 23 kg on flights operated by Azores Airlines.
   
• If you are a student aged between 12 and 26 years and traveling between your home and educational establishment, you will have an additional baggage allowance of 10 kg (22 lbs) (inter-island routes) on flights operated by SATA Air Açores (applicable if you are traveling at a student fare or present a student card or proof of enrollment at the respective educational establishment at check-in). On flights operated by Azores Airlines, you will have an additional baggage allowance of one piece up to 23 kg (50 lbs) (applicable if you are traveling with a BASIC or FLEX fare).
   
• When traveling with babies or children it will be allowed to transport, free of charge, a baby stroller/basket and a baby chair as checked baggage. Those will not be included in the free baggage allowance.
   
• Incapacitated passengers or passengers with reduced mobility can transport a wheelchair free of charge.
   
• If your free baggage allowance is not exceeded, no additional charges apply for the transport of sports equipment, musical instruments, or pets in the hold. Otherwise, special services fees will apply (see Excess Baggage section, below).
   

• All sports equipment and musical instruments presented at check-in for boarding require pre-booking and/or confirmation, with payment of the respective special service fees.
  
  Otherwise, the passenger may choose to:

  1. Change their booking/trip to request the special service;
  2. If there is availability on the desired flight, pay the applicable excess baggage fees so that the sports equipment can be admitted.

  
  This procedure does not apply to pet transportation in the cabin and/or hold, which must always be pre-booked and confirmed.
   

• If you are going to carry a pet in the cabin or the hold, check our special transport conditions here.
   
• If you are going to carry sports equipment with you, check our transport conditions here.
   
• Weapons may only be transported within Portuguese territory, upon a fee of EUR 55 per item. Certain types of weapons (except firearms) may be accepted for transport on international routes upon airline authorization and payment of the respective fees. Check our conditions for transporting weapons and ammunition here.
   
• All baggage must be labeled with the passenger’s name and contact information.
   
• Charter flights can accept baggage under different rules.
   
• If your trip includes flights operated by other airlines, other rules may apply. On trips involving flights operated by SATA Air Açores and Azores Airlines, Azores Airlines rules apply.
   
• At Frankfurt airport, baggage exceeding 85 cm in length × 65 cm in width × 45 cm in height and baggage with loops (e.g., backpacks) must not be dropped off onto the baggage conveyor belt at check-in but collected by Fraport AG ground services staff to prevent damage to the baggage and/or the conveyor belts.

Whenever your luggage exceeds the free baggage allowance included in your purchased fare, you will be charged the following additional fees:

• Interisland routes
• Domestic routes
• Europe and Africa routes
• USA, Canada, and Bermuda

 Other information

• The amounts indicated above are for one-way flights and charged in local currency.
   
• If your free baggage allowance is not exceeded, no additional charges apply for the transport of sports equipment, musical instruments, or pets in the hold. Otherwise, special services fees will apply.
   
• If you are going to carry a pet in the cabin or the hold, check our special transport conditions here.
   
• If you are going to carry sports equipment with you, check our transport conditions here.
   
• For passengers with flights between the USA/CAN, even with more than 24 hours stopover in any airport, an International sector baggage allowance is granted.
   
• If your trip includes flights operated by other airlines, other rules may apply. On trips involving flights operated by SATA Air Açores and Azores Airlines, Azores Airlines rules apply.
   
• For flights with high occupancy,  acceptance of excess baggage may be denied or limited to one (1) bag per passenger. Please book your excess baggage in advance.*

1. Avoid including the following articles inside checked luggage:

• Weapons;
• Works of art, antiques, collectors’ items;
• Important, unique or business documents;
• Passports, personal ID, tickets or credit cards;
• Cameras or photographic material;
• Computers and components (hardware or software);
• Electronic equipment;
• Glasses and lens;
• Watches;
• Glass and crystal;
• Drinks;
• Fragile articles;
• Perishable goods (food, frozen goods, etc.);
• Money, jewellery or valuables;
• Musical instruments;
• Medical equipment;
• Audio/video equipment;
• Trade samples or catalogues;
• Animals;
• Medication;
• Keys.

Note:
Taking in consideration that airlines will not be liable for damage or loss, it’s advisable that such items are carried by the Cargo Service, in carry-on luggage (providing all limitations of weight, size and security are met), or, alternatively, by the acquisition of an extra seat in the cabin.

2. Packages not recommended as hold luggage:

• Briefcases;
• Cardboard boxes;
• Beauty Cases;
• Coolers
• Others with nails or protruding parts that may cause damage to your baggage or other passenger’s baggage.

3. Packages forbidden as hold luggage:

• Styrofoam boxes or other packages that cannot prevent accidental leakage of liquids or other products that can cause damage to other passenger's baggage or aircraft equipment.
  To be accepted, all styrofoam boxes or other packaging, regardless of content, must be wrapped in transparent plastic and securely sealed. In addition to providing additional protection, the transparency of the plastic allows immediate visualization if the contents spill;
• Packing cases or other volumes containing films or ink;
• Glass bottles and/or demijohns (large bottles) that are not securely packed.
  To be accepted, the bottles or demijohns must be properly contained in rigid and resistant packaging (e.g., wooden or fiber boxes), protected against shocks, and filled with sufficient absorbent material to retain all the liquid inside.

4. Tips for your comfort:

• Place a change of clothes and your personal toiletries inside your carry-on luggage.
• Your baggage capacity is limited. Don’t over pack. This puts pressure on locks and latches.
• Use locks or even plastic protections (available in some airports), except on flights from United States (including all domestic flights), where the security authority may need to open and check your baggage contents. The security authority and the airline will not be liable for any damage caused by their need to force the locks. Be prepared to unlock your baggage upon arrival at the United States.
• Place identification tags inside and outside your baggage, with your name, address and a contactable phone number. In case of mishandling this can be critical to make a fast rerouting to you.
• If you have a choice, select flights which minimize the potential for baggage disruption. Flight connections and change of airline may require a considerable time to transfer your baggage.
• Remove all tags from previous trips. This is one of the main causes for baggage delays.
• Make sure you receive a baggage tag for each of your baggage pieces and check to be sure the destination printed is the one intended.
• When checking in with a group, always request the receipt tags for your own bags. In case of delay, it can be very difficult to know your precise tag number(s).
• Make sure that the baggage you’re collecting from the conveyer belt is yours. To avoid confusions, we suggest the usage of coloured ties.
• If you detect any irregularity with your baggage report it to the airline immediately, prior to leaving the airport. That’s the main proof that the damage occurred when the baggage was within the airline's control.
• When you travel with more than one bag, distribute your personal articles among your different bags. If one of your bags is delayed, you will not be missing all your clothes.
• Never accept luggage or packages from other passengers, or the contents of which you have not seen.
• Remove all detachable accessories from your bags (including detachable wheels) or bags. Make sure loose straps or other items are not hanging from the bag. They may get caught on the baggage system.