What is Avianca's carry-on size limit?

Avianca allows one carry-on bag up to 55 × 35 × 25 cm with a maximum weight of 10 kg. Passengers may also bring one personal item that fits under the seat. Size and weight rules are the same across Economy and Business.

Does Avianca include carry-on on its cheapest fare?

Avianca's Básico (Light) fare may not include the overhead carry-on bag. Higher fare tiers (Clásico, Flex, and Business) include carry-on access. Always confirm carry-on inclusion in the fare details before booking.

What happens if my carry-on is over 10 kg on Avianca?

If your carry-on bag exceeds 10 kg, Avianca staff may require you to check it at the gate. Gate baggage fees are significantly higher than pre-booked checked baggage fees. Weigh your bag before arriving at the airport.

Avianca Carry-On Bag Size & Rules Guide 2026

Avianca is Colombia's flag carrier and one of Latin America's oldest and largest airlines, operating routes across Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and major international destinations in North America and Europe. Avianca operates on a tiered fare structure where carry-on access depends on your fare type — an important detail many passengers miss. This guide covers everything you need to know about Avianca's carry-on policy across all routes and cabin classes.

Avianca Carry-On Allowance at a Glance

Fare Type	Carry-On Bag	Personal Item	Weight
Básico (Light)	Not always included — check fare	Under-seat item	—
Clásico (Classic)	55 × 35 × 25 cm	Under-seat item	10 kg
Flex	55 × 35 × 25 cm	Under-seat item	10 kg
Business	55 × 35 × 25 cm	Under-seat item	10 kg

Key Warning: Básico Fare

Avianca's entry-level Básico fare frequently does not include the overhead carry-on bag on domestic routes within Colombia and other Central and South American domestic markets. Passengers booking Básico fares should verify at the time of booking whether carry-on access is included. On many Básico bookings, only the personal item (under-seat) is included at no charge, while the overhead carry-on bag must be purchased as an add-on.

Carry-On Bag Dimensions in Centimetres and Inches

Measurement	Centimetres	Inches
Length	55 cm	21.7 in
Width	35 cm	13.8 in
Depth	25 cm	9.8 in

Like LATAM, Avianca's 35 cm width limit is narrower than the 40 cm found on many European and North American carriers. This is a meaningful distinction — bags designed to fit British Airways, Air Canada, or Lufthansa's 40 cm width limit may be too wide for Avianca. Always verify your bag's width against the 35 cm limit before flying.

Personal Item Policy

All Avianca passengers (regardless of fare type) may bring one personal item:

Must fit: Under the seat in front of you
Weight: No published weight limit
No published maximum dimensions, but must genuinely fit under the seat
Examples: Laptop bag, handbag, small backpack, camera, purse

For Básico fare passengers, the personal item is typically the only free cabin item. Overhead carry-on access is the tier above.

Weight Limit: 10 kg

The 10 kg carry-on weight limit places Avianca among the more generous Latin American carriers, on par with LATAM and Aeromexico. Compared to Brazilian and Andean market competitors:

Airline	Economy Carry-On Weight
Avianca	10 kg
LATAM	10 kg
Copa Airlines	10 kg
VIVA Air (LCC)	8 kg

In practice, Avianca enforces the weight limit at check-in on domestic routes. International routes may see less systematic enforcement, but the limit remains in policy.

International Flights from Colombia and Central America

Avianca's main international hubs are Bogotá El Dorado (BOG) and San Salvador (SAL). International routes include:

Bogotá to North America: New York (JFK, EWR), Miami (MIA), Los Angeles (LAX), Toronto (YYZ), and more
Bogotá to Europe: Madrid (MAD), Barcelona (BCN), London (LHR) via codeshare
Central America: Extensive coverage via San Salvador hub

On international long-haul routes (operated on Airbus A330 or Boeing 787 aircraft), overhead bins are larger and enforcement of carry-on weight tends to be less systematic than on domestic routes. The policy still applies, however.

LifeMiles Status Benefits

LifeMiles is Avianca's loyalty program (part of Viva Colombia's network). Status and carry-on benefits:

Status	Priority Boarding	Carry-On Weight	Extra Checked Bags
Silver	Yes	10 kg (same)	1 × 23 kg
Gold	Yes	10 kg (same)	2 × 23 kg
Diamond	Yes	10 kg (same)	3 × 23 kg

Status does not increase the carry-on weight limit but ensures priority boarding and overhead bin access.

Avianca Star Alliance Benefits

Avianca is a member of the Star Alliance. On Avianca-operated flights, Avianca's carry-on rules apply regardless of the booking airline. On Star Alliance partner-operated segments (e.g., Lufthansa, United, Air Canada codeshares), the operating carrier's rules govern.

Fees for Excess Carry-On Baggage

If your carry-on bag is oversized or overweight when presented at the airport:

Added at booking: Cheapest option for carry-on on Básico fares
Added online before check-in: Moderate fee, cheaper than airport pricing
At the airport/check-in desk: Higher fee
At the gate: Highest fee — bags are checked to hold and the gate surcharge applies

The fee structure incentivises early planning. If you know you will need the overhead carry-on bag on a Básico fare, add it at the time of booking.

Tips for Avianca Passengers

Check carry-on inclusion on Básico fares at booking. This is the single most important step. Avianca's Básico fare may appear cheap but can have hidden costs if you need the overhead carry-on. Confirm whether the overhead bag is included or needs to be purchased.

Choose a bag under 35 cm wide. The 35 cm width is narrower than many international bags. A 40 L travel backpack designed within 55 × 35 × 25 cm dimensions will serve you better than a standard cabin-sized four-wheel spinner designed for 40 cm width allowances.

Pack your laptop and camera in your personal item. No weight limit on the personal item gives you flexibility to put the heaviest items under your seat, keeping your overhead bag within 10 kg more easily.

Fly out of Bogotá El Dorado early if connecting internationally. Bogotá is a major South American hub with significant traffic. Security queues and boarding processes can be long, particularly during peak hours. Allow extra time for international departures.

Understand Colombian DIAN restrictions on carry-on. When flying to Colombia from abroad, customs regulations may restrict amounts of cash, certain electronics, or goods. This is a customs issue, not an airline one, but it is worth knowing if you carry valuable electronics in your cabin bag.

Security and Restricted Items

Avianca flights operate under the security regulations of each departure country:

Colombia (Aerocivil/UAEAC): Standard liquid restrictions (100 ml per container, 1-litre bag)
El Salvador (CAAS): Similar IATA standards
US-bound flights: TSA security protocols apply for pre-clearance or upon US arrival

Standard carry-on restrictions:

Lithium batteries: spare units in carry-on only
Sharp objects: prohibited in the cabin
Liquids: 100 ml per container in a transparent bag

The Bottom Line

Avianca's carry-on policy is generous in weight (10 kg) but has a narrower-than-average width limit (35 cm) and critical fare-level variation on carry-on inclusion. Verify whether your Básico fare includes the overhead carry-on bag before booking. Choose a bag sized for 55 × 35 × 25 cm, use your personal item for heavy essentials, and plan to arrive at the airport with time to spare. On Clásico, Flex, and Business fares, the 10 kg carry-on plus a personal item creates a comfortable cabin baggage allowance for most trips.

Rules change — verify with Avianca before flying.