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

LATAM Airlines

LATAM permits one main bag up to 55×35×25 cm and 12 kg in Economy, or 16 kg in Premium Economy/Business, plus a 45×35×20 cm personal item. Basic requires a main-bag purchase. Light is included in the English main page and Spanish tables, but the Portuguese international table lists an extra cost; confirm the issued fare. The personal-item FAQ gives 10 kg, while the Brazilian regional table gives 12 kg in Premium cabins.

Avianca

Avianca includes a 45×35×20 cm personal item on every fare. One main bag up to 55×35×25 cm and 10 kg is included with international Light, Classic, Flex and Business; domestic Basic requires purchase. Check original conditions for Americas Light tickets bought before 27 January 2026. Business still has one main cabin bag.

Aeroméxico

Aeromexico permits one main bag up to 55×40×25 cm plus one underseat personal item when included or purchased. Their combined limit is 10 kg for Basic families, or 10/15 kg for Classic/Flex families by region; the United States row is 10 kg for all. Light, distinct from Básica, excludes the main bag where offered. Check the table row for the complete itinerary.

Volaris (Mexico)

Volaris includes a 45×35×20 cm personal item on every fare. Zero and Basic exclude the main cabin bag; Plus includes one, and Zero/Basic can purchase it. The main bag is 55×40×25 cm and at most 10 kg; both pieces together must not exceed 20 kg. Check My Trips for the actual fee and entitlement rather than assuming a fixed gate price.

GOL (Brazil)

GOL permits one 55×35×25 cm main bag up to 12 kg on tickets issued from 14 October 2025, plus a separate 43×32×22 cm personal item up to 10 kg. International Basic excludes the main bag unless purchased; Light includes it. The current table does not offer Basic domestically. Older tickets and charters use a 10 kg main-bag limit; confirm the issued conditions.

Azul (Brazil)

Azul includes one main bag up to 55×35×25 cm and 10 kg, plus one underseat personal item up to 45×35×20 cm. Azul publishes no separate personal-item weight restriction. A compliant main bag may be checked free if cabin space runs out; oversize or overweight baggage can incur checked-baggage charges.

Copa Airlines

Copa permits one main bag up to 56×36×26 cm and 10 kg, including wheels and handles, with a 118 cm total limit, plus one 43×25×22 cm personal item. Each side and the total must fit. The current passenger page applies one main piece to Economy, Business and Gold; confirm any special connecting entitlement. Excess pieces or oversize baggage can incur applicable charges.

Caribbean Airlines

Caribbean Airlines permits one main bag up to 56×35×23 cm and 10 kg, plus one personal item up to 43×33×15 cm. This applies to every customer on all flights, including Business. Wheels and handles count; duty-free purchases fit within those two items. A separate personal-item weight or combined total is not published on the reviewed page. Confirm space and handling on the booked aircraft; do not assume an extra Business main bag or a universal gate fee.

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

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.

Connections need segment checks. Check each operating carrier and the actual baggage entitlement; alliance membership does not create a universal cabin standard.

The Bottom Line

Compare each operating carrier, fare and segment separately. Full-service branding does not prove that the lowest fare includes a main cabin bag; Avianca Basic and Aeromexico Light illustrate the distinction.

Reviewed carrier allowance

Avianca includes a 45×35×20 cm personal item on every fare. One main bag up to 55×35×25 cm and 10 kg is included with international Light, Classic, Flex and Business; domestic Basic requires purchase. Check original conditions for Americas Light tickets bought before 27 January 2026. Business still has one main cabin bag.

Aeromexico permits one main bag up to 55×40×25 cm plus one underseat personal item when included or purchased. Their combined limit is 10 kg for Basic families, or 10/15 kg for Classic/Flex families by region; the United States row is 10 kg for all. Light, distinct from Básica, excludes the main bag where offered. Check the table row for the complete itinerary.

Avianca carry-on guide · Aeromexico carry-on guide

LATAM allowance for the booked fare

LATAM permits one main bag up to 55×35×25 cm and 12 kg in Economy, or 16 kg in Premium Economy/Business, plus a 45×35×20 cm personal item. Basic requires a main-bag purchase. Light is included in the English main page and Spanish tables, but the Portuguese international table lists an extra cost; confirm the issued fare. The personal-item FAQ gives 10 kg, while the Brazilian regional table gives 12 kg in Premium cabins.

LATAM cabin guide

Viva baggage rules