Guides
Baggage guide: every airline we sell, compared
Free allowances, extra bag fees, weight limits and the December embargoes for Sunrise, American, JetBlue, Spirit, Delta, United, Air France and more. Verified September 2026.
Baggage is where a cheap ticket to Haiti or the Caribbean becomes an expensive one. The headline fare rarely tells you whether a suitcase is included, and the difference between airlines can be more than $100 per bag each way. This guide lays out the rules as of September 2, 2026 for every airline Jetvala sells. Fees change; we show the free allowance on every search result before you book, and we re-verify this page when airlines update their policies.
The three questions to ask before you buy
- Is a checked bag included in this fare, or only a carry-on?
- What is the weight limit, 23 kg (50 lb) or 40 lb, and what does overweight cost?
- Is there a seasonal embargo on extra bags for my dates?
Answer those and you can compare total trip cost, which is the only number that matters.
Haiti routes
| Airline | Included | Extra bags | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunrise Airways | 1 bag, 23 kg (50 lb) on international fares | $40 first extra, $65 second, $115 third and fourth | No bag over 32 kg (70 lb); allowances not pooled |
| American Airlines | 1 free 50 lb bag on all fares except Basic Economy | Basic Economy first bag $45 online, $50 airport; second bag $65 to $100 | 50 lb and 62 linear in; 51 to 70 lb adds $100; over 100 lb refused |
| Spirit Airlines (when it returns) | No free checked bag on any fare | $40 to $99 per bag depending on when added | 40 lb limit; only one bag per passenger guaranteed Dec 1 to Jan 10 historically |
Sunrise's rule about 32 kg is strict: an overweight bag is refused, not charged. American's overweight fee applies per bag per direction.
Dominican Republic and Jamaica
| Airline | Included | Extra bags | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| American | 1 bag on Main Cabin and above; none on Basic Economy | First bag on Basic Economy $35 to $40; second $45 to $65 | 50 lb |
| JetBlue | None on Blue Basic; carry-on yes. First bag included on Blue Plus | First bag $35 to $50 online on Blue; second $45 to $70 | 50 lb; 51 to 99 lb adds $150 |
| Delta | 1 bag on Main; Basic Economy pays | First bag $35 online, $40 airport | 50 lb |
| United | 1 bag on Economy; Basic Economy pays and allows no full-size carry-on | First bag $35 to $40 | 50 lb |
| Spirit | None | $40 to $99 per bag | 40 lb limit |
| Caribbean Airlines | 1 bag on Classic; none on Lite | $45 to $75 | 50 lb |
For a family of four with four suitcases, JetBlue Blue Plus or American Main Cabin usually beats Spirit's lowest fare by the time bags are added.
Europe
Air France Economy Light includes no checked bag; Economy Standard includes one 23 kg bag. United Economy includes one; Basic Economy includes none and allows only a personal item on transatlantic routes. Delta Main includes one. American Main Cabin includes one. Extra bags to Europe run $70 to $100 each way.
West Africa
This is where allowances are generous. Delta Main and United Economy include two 50 lb bags to Lagos, Accra and Dakar. Air France Economy Standard includes two 23 kg bags. Royal Air Maroc includes two on most fares. Ethiopian includes two on US routes. Bags over 70 lb are refused on the US carriers to West Africa.
Carry-on rules
Sunrise: one cabin bag up to 7 kg plus a personal item. American, Delta, United (except Basic Economy on international), JetBlue: one carry-on plus a personal item. Spirit: personal item only; a carry-on costs $40 to $99. On full A320 flights to Cap-Haïtien, overhead space runs out, so put anything valuable under the seat in front of you.
Barrels, boxes and coolers
Accepted as checked pieces by Sunrise and American within the normal weight and size limits (Sunrise 23 kg per piece, American 50 lb and 62 linear inches). Seal boxes with tape and write the name and phone number on two sides. They are the first items offloaded when a flight is weight-limited, so travel mid-week and check in early. Coolers must be drained; no ice.
December embargoes
From mid December to mid January, several airlines limit passengers to one checked bag to Haiti and parts of the Caribbean, regardless of what you paid. Spirit's Port-au-Prince embargo (one bag guaranteed December 1 to January 10) is the known example; expect similar rules on any future Haiti service. Sunrise and American have not announced 2026 embargoes as of September, but December flights are full and extra pieces may be refused on the day. If you must move a lot, ship it ahead.
Overweight math
A 60 lb bag on American costs $100 extra. Two 50 lb bags cost, on Main Cabin to Haiti, $0 for the first and $65 to $100 for the second. So two bags of 50 lb are often cheaper than one bag of 60 lb plus a carry-on, and far cheaper than a refused 75 lb bag on Sunrise. Buy a luggage scale; it pays for itself on the first trip.
Medicine and special items
Prescription medicine in original containers travels in your carry-on, with a copy of the prescription. Large quantities for family in Haiti attract customs questions on arrival; keep them in a separate bag with the paperwork. Wheelchairs and mobility aids fly free on all airlines. Car seats and strollers fly free on the US carriers and on Sunrise when checked at the counter.
What Jetvala shows you
On every search result you see the free allowance for that fare, a "Baggage fees may apply" notice as required by US DOT rule 14 CFR 399.85, and the option to add bags at booking, which is the cheapest time to do it. If you are unsure, message us on WhatsApp with a photo of your suitcases and we will tell you what they will cost.