AirKenya Express Baggage Allowance, Fees & How to Add Extra Baggage

P2 / XAK · Kenya

AirKenya Express includes 15 kg of soft-bag baggage per passenger and sells extra capacity as USD 30/50 advance bundles (max 10 kg, at least 48 hours ahead), a 75 kg Freight Seat, or USD 5 per kg excess at check-in. Use the official links below to review baggage rules, booking access, and related airline services.

Baggage PolicyOfficial website

Updated Oct 8, 2026

AirKenya Express Baggage Allowance

Free checked and carry-on baggage allowances by cabin class and route. Allowances vary by route, ticket type, and frequent flyer status — always confirm with the official baggage policy before you fly.

Checked baggage

All cabins

Single 15 kg soft-bag allowance on all services; small aircraft with no cabin-class split.

  • All routes15 kg
    • Maximum luggage weight on all services, packed in soft-sided bags.
    • Children aged 2-11 receive the full 15 kg allowance; infants under 2 receive no separate allowance unless a dedicated seat is purchased.
    • Standard checked dimensions guideline: 60 cm x 45 cm x 33 cm (24 x 18 x 13 in).

Carry-on baggage

All cabins

Personal items up to 5 kg, counted inside the 15 kg total allowance.

  • Personal items5 kg
    • Handbags, small umbrellas, walking sticks, coats and small backpacks stored under the seat or in overhead bins where applicable.
    • Included within the 15 kg total allowance, not in addition to it.
    • Hand luggage dimensions guideline: 30 cm x 53 cm x 23 cm (12 x 21 x 9 in).

How to Add Extra Baggage & Prices on AirKenya Express

Buy Baggage
  1. Go to airkenya.com and start a booking, or contact AirKenya Reservations at [email protected] or the call centre on +254 020 391 6000 (you can also book through your tour operator, DMC or travel agent).
  2. Tell reservations how much extra weight you need and choose an option: an Advance Bundle or a Freight Seat for heavy or professional equipment.
  3. Complete the advance purchase at least 48 hours before departure and keep the payment confirmation.
  4. If you did not pre-book, declare excess baggage at check-in at the Wilson Airport terminal and pay there if your flight has space.
  5. Repack everything into soft-sided bags before check-in (soft bags are also sold there) and move spare lithium batteries and power banks into your hand luggage.

Prices

Three official options: advance bundles (max 10 kg per passenger, at least 48 hours before departure), a 75 kg Freight Seat, or USD 5 per kg standard excess at check-in.

LabelAmountNotes
Advance Bundle 5 kgUSD 30
  • Must be purchased at least 48 hours before departure.
  • Advance bundles are limited to 10 kg per passenger in total.
Advance Bundle 10 kgUSD 50
  • Must be purchased at least 48 hours before departure.
  • Advance bundles are limited to 10 kg per passenger in total.
Freight Seat 75 kgSee official pricing
  • Books an extra seat's worth of weight: 75 kg (165 lbs) of additional baggage on scheduled flights.
  • The airline publishes no fixed fare for the Freight Seat; confirm the price with Reservations when booking.
  • Ideal for professional photographers or heavy packers; baggage must still meet the baggage policy.
Standard Excess at check-inUSD 5 per kg
  • Same rate on both domestic and international routes.
  • Payable at check-in, strictly subject to space availability on the flight.
  • Carriage of excess baggage is at AirKenya's sole discretion based on aircraft type and passenger load; pre-booking is strongly advised.

FAQ

Can I buy extra baggage online after booking?

There is no self-service online baggage shop; advance bundles and Freight Seats are booked and paid for in advance through the AirKenya website booking flow, Reservations ([email protected]), the call centre (+254 020 391 6000), or your tour operator or travel agent. Standard excess can only be paid at check-in.

Where do I buy extra baggage?

Book Advance Bundles or a Freight Seat in advance via airkenya.com, Reservations ([email protected]), the call centre (+254 020 391 6000), or your tour operator, DMC or travel agent; pay Standard Excess at check-in at the Wilson Airport terminal.

When is the deadline to buy extra baggage?

Advance Bundles must be purchased at least 48 hours before departure and are limited to 10 kg per passenger. Standard Excess is only available at check-in subject to space and may not be an available option on the date of departure, so pre-booking is strongly advised.

How does the airline calculate extra baggage charges?

AirKenya uses three options: Advance Bundles (up to 5 kg for USD 30 or up to 10 kg for USD 50), a Freight Seat granting 75 kg (165 lbs) with the fare confirmed at booking, and Standard Excess at USD 5 per kg on both domestic and international routes.

How many extra bags can I buy, and what are the bag limits?

The free allowance is 15 kg per passenger in soft-sided bags, including carry-on items up to 5 kg. Advance Bundles are capped at 10 kg per passenger; a Freight Seat adds up to 75 kg (165 lbs). Standard checked bags should measure about 60 x 45 x 33 cm (24 x 18 x 13 in) and hand luggage about 30 x 53 x 23 cm (12 x 21 x 9 in).

Is it cheaper to buy extra baggage in advance vs at the airport?

Advance purchase buys certainty rather than a discount: 10 kg costs USD 50 whether bought in advance or at check-in (USD 5 per kg), but check-in excess is strictly subject to space availability while pre-booked baggage is secured ahead of time.

What are the overweight or oversized baggage rules?

AirKenya publishes no separate overweight tiers: anything above the 15 kg allowance is excess baggage charged at USD 5 per kg, and all bags must still meet the soft-bag and size policy because of the small aircraft holds.

Are there any important exceptions or restrictions I should know?

Excess carriage is at AirKenya's sole discretion based on aircraft type and passenger load and may be refused on full flights. Charter passengers can arrange extra luggage only if the aircraft is not filled to capacity. Complimentary luggage storage is offered at Wilson Airport for return-flight passengers. Drone carriage follows lithium-battery rules but drone use is regulated by the KCAA and generally prohibited in national parks and reserves without prior permits.

Do partner-operated or codeshare flights have different baggage rules?

Uganda safari destinations are operated by sister company AeroLink Uganda and Tanzania destinations by Regional Air; both are bookable through AirKenya Reservations ([email protected] / +254 020 391 6000), so confirm the applicable baggage allowance when your itinerary includes those legs.

Can I pay for extra baggage with cards, loyalty points, or miles?

AirKenya accepts credit and debit cards, bank transfers, and Mobile Money, as well as payment through tour operators, DMCs and travel agents. No loyalty-point or miles redemption for baggage is published.

Related airlines

Explore more airline baggage pages to compare rules, fees, and official service links.

JambojetKenya AirwaysSafarilink Aviation9 AirAegean AirlinesAer Lingus