Carry-On Rules for Latin American Airlines (2026 Guide)

Latin America has a diverse aviation landscape — from full-service carriers with Star Alliance and SkyTeam memberships to aggressive ultra-low-cost carriers that charge for overhead bin access. The regional picture is complicated by the fact that many airlines operate under different rules for domestic vs. international routes, and several countries have their own civil aviation regulations that carriers must follow.

This guide covers the major Latin American and Caribbean carriers with up-to-date carry-on allowances and the practical details that matter when traveling the region.

Quick Reference: Latin American Carry-On Size Chart

Airline	Carry-On Size	Weight Limit	Personal Item	Notes
LATAM Airlines	55 × 35 × 25 cm	8 kg	35 × 25 × 45 cm	International routes; domestic varies
Avianca	55 × 40 × 20 cm	10 kg	40 × 33 × 17 cm	Star Alliance
Aeroméxico	55 × 40 × 25 cm	10 kg	45 × 35 × 25 cm	SkyTeam
Volaris	55 × 40 × 25 cm	10 kg	45 × 35 × 25 cm (free)	Base fare = personal item only
Gol (Brazil)	55 × 35 × 25 cm	10 kg	Included in 10 kg	Base fare varies
Azul (Brazil)	55 × 40 × 20 cm	10 kg	Fits under seat
Copa Airlines	55 × 40 × 23 cm	10 kg	41 × 30 × 18 cm	Star Alliance
Caribbean Airlines	54 × 35 × 23 cm	10 kg	35 × 20 × 15 cm	Trinidad hub
Wingo (Colombia)	55 × 40 × 20 cm	10 kg	45 × 35 × 20 cm	Budget
Sky Airline (Chile)	55 × 35 × 25 cm	8 kg	Included	Budget Chilean carrier
JetSMART (Chile/Argentina)	55 × 40 × 20 cm	10 kg	45 × 35 × 25 cm (free)	Base fare = personal item only
VivaAerobus (Mexico)	55 × 40 × 25 cm	10 kg	45 × 35 × 25 cm (free)	Base fare = personal item only
Interjet (Mexico)	Suspended	—	—	Operations suspended

LATAM Airlines

LATAM is the largest airline group in Latin America, operating in Brazil, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and Argentina, plus international routes across the Americas, Europe, and Oceania.

International routes: 55 × 35 × 25 cm, 8 kg, plus personal item

Domestic routes (important note): LATAM's domestic allowances are regulated differently by country:

• Brazil (LATAM Brasil): Subject to ANAC regulation; 8 kg carry-on plus personal item on most routes
• Chile (LATAM Chile): Same 8 kg standard applies
• Peru, Colombia, Ecuador: Similar to international, but check specific route for any exceptions

Fare tiers: LATAM's economy fares are tiered (Light, Plus, Top). Lower-tier "Light" fares may restrict to personal item only on some Brazilian domestic routes. Always verify at booking.

SkyTeam: LATAM joined SkyTeam in 2020, replacing its previous oneworld membership. Frequent flyers with SkyTeam elite status may receive additional allowances.

Avianca

Avianca is Colombia's flag carrier and operates across South and Central America, plus long-haul routes to Europe and North America. It's a Star Alliance member.

Carry-on: 55 × 40 × 20 cm, maximum 10 kg

Personal item: 40 × 33 × 17 cm (must fit under seat)

By fare class:

• Economy Base: 1 personal item + 1 carry-on (10 kg)
• Economy Classic/Flex: additional checked bag included
• Business: 2 carry-ons

Avianca's Star Alliance membership means that for multi-carrier journeys, elite status recognition generally applies. However, Avianca-operated segments use Avianca's own bag rules regardless of the ticketing carrier.

Viva Air (defunct): Viva Air Colombia and Viva Air Peru ceased operations in 2023. Former Viva Air passengers should note that Avianca absorbed some routes, but the policies are now Avianca's.

Aeroméxico

Mexico's flag carrier and a SkyTeam member, Aeroméxico serves domestic Mexico, the US, Canada, Europe, and Asia.

Carry-on: 55 × 40 × 25 cm, maximum 10 kg

Personal item: 45 × 35 × 25 cm (must fit under seat)

Domestic Mexico routes: Same allowance applies, but enforcement may be stricter on busier routes. Mexico City (MEX) has significant congestion and Aeroméxico gates can be busy.

US routes: Aeroméxico flies to many US cities. On US-Mexico routes, US domestic carry-on norms don't apply — you follow Aeroméxico's published limits.

Delta code-shares: Aeroméxico is a Delta SkyTeam partner. Delta Medallion members may receive recognition on Aeroméxico flights, but carry-on allowances follow Aeroméxico's rules on Aeroméxico-operated segments.

Volaris (Mexico)

Volaris is Mexico's largest ultra-low-cost carrier, operating domestic Mexican routes and to the US. Its model is similar to Spirit Airlines: base fares include only a free personal item.

Personal item (free in base fare): 45 × 35 × 25 cm, fits under seat

Carry-on (paid add-on): 55 × 40 × 25 cm, 10 kg — must be purchased separately

Gate fee for unpurchased carry-on: Significantly more expensive than pre-booking. Buy the carry-on at booking if you need overhead bin space.

US-Mexico routes: Volaris operates extensively between Mexican cities and US destinations with large Mexican diaspora populations (Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, etc.). Budget travelers on these routes should factor carry-on fees into fare comparisons.

Gol (Brazil)

Gol is Brazil's largest domestic carrier by passenger volume, operating a low-cost model domestically and to some international South American destinations.

Carry-on: 55 × 35 × 25 cm, maximum 10 kg (including personal item combined)

Personal item: Must fit under seat; weight is combined with carry-on (total 10 kg)

ANAC regulation note: Brazil's civil aviation authority (ANAC) has specific regulations about domestic carry-on allowances. As of 2025, Brazilian domestic flights are required to allow at least 10 kg in the cabin. Gol complies with this regulation.

Smiles loyalty: Gol's Smiles program partners with many international carriers. Status does not typically change carry-on allowances on Gol-operated flights.

Azul (Brazil)

Azul is Brazil's third-largest carrier, known for operating to smaller Brazilian cities not served by Gol and LATAM.

Carry-on: 55 × 40 × 20 cm, maximum 10 kg

Personal item: Must fit under seat

Regional aircraft: Azul operates some routes with ATR and Embraer regional aircraft where overhead bin space is more limited. On these routes, carry-on stowage may require planeside checking.

Code-shares: Azul has a code-share agreement with United Airlines and TAP Portugal. Check the operating carrier for each segment.

Copa Airlines

Copa, based in Panama City (Tocumen airport, PTY), is Panama's flag carrier and a Star Alliance member. It operates a hub-and-spoke model connecting North, Central, and South America.

Carry-on: 55 × 40 × 23 cm, maximum 10 kg

Personal item: 41 × 30 × 18 cm

Copa's Tocumen hub is a significant transit point for travel between North and South America. If you're transiting through PTY, your carry-on compliant with Copa's limits will serve you for the entire journey on Copa metal.

Caribbean Airlines

Based in Trinidad and Tobago, Caribbean Airlines is the largest carrier in the English-speaking Caribbean, operating across the Caribbean islands and to North America and South America.

Carry-on: 54 × 35 × 23 cm, maximum 10 kg

Personal item: 35 × 20 × 15 cm — note this is smaller than most airlines

Caribbean Airlines serves routes across Barbados, Jamaica, Guyana, Suriname, Grenada, and other islands, plus New York (JFK), Toronto, and London.

Small aircraft note: On inter-island routes, Caribbean Airlines may operate smaller turboprop or regional jet aircraft where overhead bin space is limited. Gate-checking small rollers is not uncommon on island hopper routes.

Regional Trends: What's Different About Latin American Aviation

Budget Carrier Growth

The region has seen rapid ULCC expansion — Volaris, VivaAerobus, JetSMART, and Wingo have pushed base fares down and carry-on fees up. The ULCC model (personal item free, overhead bag costs extra) is now firmly established across Mexico, Colombia, Chile, and Argentina.

Domestic vs. International Divide

In most Latin American countries, domestic aviation is regulated separately from international. Brazil's ANAC mandates specific carry-on rights for domestic passengers. Colombia's Aerocivil, Mexico's SICT, and other national authorities have similar oversight. This means:

• Domestic routes may have different (sometimes better-protected) carry-on rights than international routes
• Airlines like Gol and LATAM Brasil operate under ANAC rules domestically that don't apply on their international segments

Enforcement: Moderate to Inconsistent

Enforcement of carry-on size and weight rules across Latin America is generally less consistent than in Europe. US-style "eyeballing" rather than sizer-frame enforcement is common at many airports. However:

• Major hub airports (GRU São Paulo, BOG Bogotá, SCL Santiago, MEX Mexico City) see more consistent enforcement
• Budget carriers are more likely to enforce limits than full-service carriers
• Weight limits are more rarely checked than size

Multiple Currencies and Regional Pricing

Gate fees for oversized carry-ons are charged in local currency at many Latin American airports. This can obscure the true cost for international travelers. Always check the fee in local currency and convert before assuming it's low.

What Changes Between Countries

Country	Key Regulation	What to Know
Brazil	ANAC mandates 10 kg domestic carry-on right	All domestic airlines must allow this minimum
Mexico	No federal mandate on carry-on specifics	Each airline sets its own rules; ULCC fees apply
Colombia	Aerocivil has domestic passenger rights framework	Basic carry-on rights protected domestically
Chile	No mandatory carry-on standard beyond IATA	JetSMART ULCC model common
Argentina	ANAC AR regulates domestic aviation	Aerolíneas Argentinas (flag carrier) has standard allowances
Panama	Copa is dominant; standard allowances	Through-connectivity to international routes standard
Caribbean islands	Each island's civil aviation authority differs	Caribbean Airlines applies its own rules; inter-island variation

Tips for Traveling with Carry-On in Latin America

Check domestic vs. international rules separately. If your itinerary includes a domestic leg (e.g., BOG to MDE within Colombia) and an international connection, the domestic leg may have different rules. Check both.

Budget carrier fees add up fast. On Volaris, JetSMART, or VivaAerobus, calculate total cost with carry-on fees included before comparing against LATAM or Avianca.

Larger cities have stricter enforcement. São Paulo GRU, Mexico City MEX, Bogotá BOG, and Santiago SCL all have more professional gate operations and more consistent size enforcement than smaller regional airports.

Arrive early for domestic connections. Domestic operations in Latin America can have higher delay rates than international. Baggage rules and enforcement can also be more variable on tight schedules.

Copa through Panama City is efficient. If connecting across the continent, Copa's Tocumen hub is a smooth transit option with consistent carry-on enforcement aligned with Star Alliance standards.

The Bottom Line

Latin America's carry-on rules span a wide range — from generous full-service carrier policies (Avianca, Aeroméxico, Copa) to strict ULCC fee structures (Volaris, JetSMART, VivaAerobus). Key distinctions: domestic vs. international rules vary by country and airline, Brazil has ANAC-mandated carry-on rights domestically, and ULCC base fares typically exclude overhead bin access. For travelers covering multiple countries in the region, checking each airline segment's rules individually is the most reliable approach.