Quick Fare Snapshot
Each Avianca economy bundle arrives with its own cabin baggage rights. Buyers who pick S, M, L, XL, or Business may board with a personal item plus one carry‑on weighing up to 10 kg, while XS travellers receive only the personal item unless they add carry‑on during booking or at the airport.
The table below compares what you get by default and what you pay if your needs exceed the allowance. Price bands reflect recent bookings made through the official site, chat bot, and Bogotá counters.
| Fare Bundle | Carry‑On Included | Add‑On Cost* |
|---|---|---|
| XS (Basic) | No | USD 30‑60 online USD 60‑120 airport |
| S / M | Yes (1 × 10 kg) | Second piece from USD 60 |
| L / XL / Business | Yes (1 × 10 kg) | Second piece from USD 60 |
*Indicative 2025 ranges; figures vary by route, demand, and sales channel.
Standard Allowance Rules
The 10 kg limit is flat across Airbus narrow‑bodies and Boeing wide‑bodies. Exceed that weight or 55 × 35 × 25 cm, and the roller must ride in the hold.
Your personal item – purse, small backpack, diaper bag – needs to fit under the seat and stay within 45 × 35 × 20 cm. Soft fabric helps when space is tight.
Cabin crew sometimes check random bags at the gate. They drop them on a scale or into the sizer and print a standby tag if the bag fails. The fee is charged on the spot to a card.
Liquids over 100 ml still fall under the TSA 3‑1‑1 rule, so pack toiletries in a quart‑size bag to keep screening smooth.
When Fees Apply
The biggest cabin‑bag charge trap is the XS bundle, sold as “Travel light.” It is popular on short hops yet catches many visitors off guard.
If you arrive with a roller, agents treat it as an extra service. You can still bring it, yet payment is due during web check‑in, at a kiosk, or at the counter. Buying online stays the cheapest path.
Extra charges also surface when any customer wants overhead space for a second cabin piece. After the included 10 kg bag, all extra items carry tiered pricing that rises the closer you get to boarding.
Carry‑on fees apply equally on award tickets booked with LifeMiles. Taxes and surcharges still pass through, so budget cash even if you paid with miles.
How To Buy Cabin Add‑Ons
Avianca offers four channels: the “Manage Your Trip” page, the mobile app, WhatsApp chat, and airport desks. The web and app often post flash sales that cut the cost by up to fifty percent compared with desk payment.
Once paid, the service sits in the booking as a separate voucher. Save the receipt or screenshot; ground staff at connecting points may request proof before tagging the bag.
How Much Will It Cost?
Fees move with both geography and timing. Avianca publishes dynamic tables during the purchase flow, yet the ranges below give a feel for current charges. They refer to one extra 10 kg carry‑on.
| Region | Buy Online | Pay At Gate |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic Colombia | USD 30‑45 | USD 60‑80 |
| Latin America | USD 40‑60 | USD 80‑110 |
| North America / Europe | USD 50‑75 | USD 90‑140 |
Gate prices run nearly double the web rate, backing up the airline message that pre‑payment saves both money and boarding time.
Regional Exceptions
Flights to or from Brazil and Europe once came with a 12 kg allowance, yet Avianca harmonised the limit to 10 kg in late 2024 to match Latin routes.
Codeshare itineraries with United or Iberia follow Avianca rules on the Avianca‑operated segments, while the partner’s cabin policy applies on its own metal. Check every leg before packing.
Connecting Flights And Stopovers
When journeys mix a domestic hop with an international leg, the carry‑on purchased for the first segment remains valid throughout, yet staff may re‑weigh bags during transfer security in Bogotá or San Salvador. Factor layover shopping into the 10 kg cap.
If your case is gate‑checked on one sector due to full bins, it will return at the jet bridge or belt, free of extra charges, provided it met size and weight rules at the start.
Tips To Avoid Surprises
Pick the right bundle: If you need bin space, choose S or higher when you buy the ticket; the fare jump is often lower than a last‑minute add‑on.
Pack a tape measure: Many hotel desks keep one. Confirm the case fits the 55 cm frame and avoid gate stress.
Board early: LifeMiles Silver and above or travellers who buy Priority Boarding find open bins faster, lowering the risk of gate‑checking.
Weigh at home: Low‑cost luggage scales cost around USD 10 and spare bigger fees at the counter.
Mind batteries: Power banks must ride in the cabin, so slot them into the personal item to keep the main bag under 10 kg.
Choose pliable fabric: A flexible duffel can squeeze into tight bins, helping meet both volume and weight checks without hassle.
FAQ
Can I prepay overweight instead?
For carry‑on there is no overweight payment; the item must meet 10 kg or travel as checked baggage with the usual 23 kg limit and fee.
Can I share weight across two small bags?
No. Avianca weighs each piece, not the total, so splitting 12 kg across two rollers triggers two fees.
Is the 10 kg limit strict on all routes?
Yes. Staff use portable scales at busy gates, especially on flights bound for the United States and Spain. Keep a digital scale in the side pocket.
Do infants get cabin allowance?
Lap infants ride with a guardian’s allowance only, yet one diaper bag may count as the guardian’s personal item.
Does elite status raise the weight limit?
No, but elite flyers keep the same 10 kg rule and may add a checked bag for free, easing cabin pressure.
*Policy data checked July 2025. Always verify current terms on the official Avianca baggage page.