Air Caraibes carry-on baggage

On Air Caraïbes, cabin baggage is limited to 55x35x25 cm and 12 kg in Caraïbes class and 15 kg in Madras class, with the addition of one free personal item (handbag, backpack, or laptop). This guide consolidates all 2026 rules for flights from Paris Orly to Pointe-à-Pitre, Fort-de-France, Cayenne (French Guiana), and Saint-Martin: maximum dimensions, maximum weight, liquids, food, fruits, prohibited items, and excess hold baggage fees.

An Air Caraïbes 55x35x25 cabin suitcase will pass without question at the time of boarding.

Air Caraïbes cabin baggage dimensions and weight (55x35x25 cm, 12 kg)

Air Caraïbes cabin baggage must not exceed 55x35x25 cm with a maximum weight of 12 kg in Caraïbes class (Economy), and 15 kg in Madras class (Premium). These maximum dimensions include wheels, handles, and side pockets. At Orly airport as well as in Pointe-à-Pitre or Fort-de-France, staff may measure your suitcase in the sizer provided at the boarding gate before takeoff.

What are the maximum dimensions and weight for cabin baggage on Air Caraïbes?

The official cabin allowance published by Air Caraïbes uses a unique 55x35x25 cm format, which is a slightly more generous allowed size than the 55x40x20 cm standard imposed by other French airlines like Air France or Corsair. The allowed weight varies according to your ticket:

• Caraïbes class (Basic, Smart, Flex): 1 cabin bag of 12 kg + 1 personal item.
• Madras class (Premium long-haul): 1 cabin bag of 15 kg + 1 personal item.
• Diamant Préférence or Gold member: identical cabin allowance, priority boarding.

Is cabin baggage free or paid on Air Caraïbes flights?

Cabin baggage is included for free in all Air Caraïbes tickets, including the Basic fare and the Basic ticket for transatlantic flights between Paris Orly and the French West Indies, French Guiana, or Saint-Martin. Unlike low-cost airlines, Air Caraïbes does not charge a cabin supplement, even on its long-haul flights to Pointe-à-Pitre, Fort-de-France, or Cayenne. The format remains more permissive than the Simply network average.

Difference between hand luggage and cabin baggage on Air Caraïbes

Hand luggage refers to the free personal item that you keep under the seat in front of you, while cabin baggage is the main suitcase stored in the overhead compartment. On Air Caraïbes, you can carry both for free, in addition to hold baggage depending on your fare. This double allowance is one of the concrete advantages over the low-cost airline French Bee.

Small free hand luggage (handbag, backpack, laptop bag)

The personal item must fit under the seat (approximately 40x30x15 cm). Accepted items include: a handbag, a backpack, a laptop in its case, a camera, or a diaper bag for a baby on your lap. For light travel on inter-island short-haul flights between Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Saint Lucia, this item alone is often sufficient. What you pack inside depends on the season: check the climate of Guadeloupe month by month before packing your bag.

Large format cabin baggage (55x35x25 trolley suitcase)

The large format is stored exclusively in the overhead compartment. Choose a hard-shell trolley with silent double wheels and an integrated TSA padlock, which is ideal for quickly measuring against the sizer before checking in. If you are comparing several airlines, also consult our Air France cabin baggage guide or our cabin baggage guides which cover all long-haul specialists.

Special cases: baby on lap, umbrella stroller, car seat

A baby on your lap entitles you to a free diaper bag in the cabin, plus an umbrella stroller or a car seat checked for free in the hold (outside the adult allowance). Children with paid tickets have the same allowance as an adult passenger. Remember to declare them when booking to avoid any issues at the boarding gate.

Regulation of liquids and prohibited items in the cabin

Liquid products in the cabin are limited to bottles of 100 ml maximum, grouped in a transparent resealable 1-liter bag, in accordance with European regulations controlled by the DGAC. This restriction applies at security checkpoints at Paris Orly as well as at all airports in the French West Indies. Sharp objects, non-standard lithium external batteries, and unprotected electronic cigarettes are prohibited or strictly regulated.

Allowed bottles and toiletry bag

You can carry the following in the passenger cabin: perfumes, creams, toothpaste, shampoo, and gels, in individual bottles of 100 ml maximum. Prescription liquid medications and duty-free items purchased after the security checkpoint are not subject to the limit, provided you keep the sealed receipt.

Prohibited items and strict restrictions

The following are strictly prohibited on board Air Caraïbes flights: firearms, knives, long scissors, torch lighters, external batteries over 100 Wh, undeclared musical instruments, and camping equipment (stoves, gas). A complete list of prohibited items can be consulted via Air Caraïbes customer service before departure.

Transporting food and fruit in the cabin

Solid food is allowed in the cabin on Air Caraïbes (sandwiches, dried fruits, biscuits, chocolate), but fresh products like fruits, meats, and cheeses are subject to French and European customs restrictions upon arrival in Pointe-à-Pitre, Fort-de-France, Cayenne, or Port-au-Prince. On inter-island flights in the Caribbean, some islands like the Dominican Republic or Saint Lucia apply stricter rules.

Fruits, meats, and agricultural products

Fresh fruits (mangoes, pineapples, citrus fruits) are tolerated in reasonable quantities from mainland France to Guadeloupe, Martinique, and French Guiana. Conversely, exporting fruits from the West Indies to the mainland is regulated to prevent the spread of parasites like fruit flies. Check with customs services before boarding with a transport crate.

Meals, baby bottles, and baby products

You can take bottles of water or milk into the cabin for a baby on your lap, without the 100 ml limit, in quantities reasonable for the duration of the transatlantic flight. Baby food jars and fruit purées are also accepted. Present them separately at the Orly security checkpoint to speed up the process.

Additional baggage fees and hold baggage allowance

If your cabin baggage is not enough, the first hold bag costs between 50 and 80 EUR on the Basic fare depending on the destination, and is free starting with the Smart fare to Pointe-à-Pitre, Fort-de-France, or Saint-Martin. Excess weight from 23 kg to 32 kg costs an average of 60 EUR at the airport. Oversized baggage (suitcases exceeding 158 cm in total dimensions) triggers an overweight fee of 80 to 120 EUR. Weigh and measure your baggage before departure to avoid paying a supplement at the boarding gate.

Hold baggage allowance according to fare (Basic, Smart, Flex)

Special baggage: sports, musical instruments, animals

Transporting diving equipment, surfboards, musical instruments, or animals in the cabin must be declared at least 48 hours before takeoff. Rates vary from 80 to 200 EUR depending on the format and destination. Dogs and cats under 8 kg can travel in the cabin for a flat supplement.

Differences in allowance based on destinations and member status

Transatlantic flights from Paris Orly to Pointe-à-Pitre, Fort-de-France, Cayenne, Saint-Martin, Santo Domingo, Port-au-Prince, and Havana share the same cabin allowance of 12 kg in Caraïbes class. Inter-island short-haul flights operated by the Simply network have a more restrictive allowance: only 1 cabin bag of 6 kg between Guadeloupe and Martinique. Diamant Préférence, Gold, and Silver Préférence statuses offer an extra kilo and priority at the counter. If your itinerary includes a North American connection to the West Indies, compare with the Air Canada cabin baggage rules, which also serves Pointe-à-Pitre and Fort-de-France via Montreal.

Tips for traveling light and avoiding excess baggage

To optimize your cabin baggage and avoid non-standard baggage fees at boarding:

• Weigh each suitcase before leaving with a travel scale (100 g precision).
• Measure the dimensions including wheels and handles, never flat.
• Check in online 24 hours before takeoff to validate the format.
• Compare with other airlines via our Vueling cabin baggage or Royal Air Maroc cabin baggage guide.
• Prefer a hard-shell ABS+PC suitcase with silent double wheels, which is lighter than soft-shell suitcases.

Air Caraïbes cabin baggage FAQ

Conclusion: preparing for your Air Caraïbes flight with peace of mind

The Air Caraïbes cabin allowance remains one of the most generous on the French transatlantic market: 12 kg at 55x35x25 cm free from the Basic fare, plus one personal accessory included. By following the rules regarding liquids, food, and prohibited items, you will avoid surprise fees at the boarding gate in Orly and Pointe-à-Pitre alike. For a stress-free trip to the Caribbean, French Guiana, or Saint-Martin, choose a hard-shell suitcase with the exact dimensions of 55x35x25 cm, equipped with a TSA lock and silent wheels. As for contents, our guide on what to pack in your suitcase details the ideal list for a 7 to 10-day tropical trip.