interCaribbean Airways allows just one carry-on bag, capped at 10 pounds. It lists no separate personal item anywhere on its own site. That single detail makes the interCaribbean baggage allowance stricter than nearly every other Caribbean carrier this site tracks.
The checked side is more generous. One bag flies free on every fare, up to 50 pounds, before any extra fee kicks in.
The carry-on limit that surprises most travelers
The rule sits on interCaribbean’s own site. One item only, no more than 9 by 12 by 16 inches, weighing no more than 10 pounds.
In metric that works out to roughly 23 by 30 by 41 centimeters and 4.5 kilograms.
Most US carriers add a free personal item on top of the carry-on. interCaribbean’s page does not, so a laptop bag and a backpack both count against the same 10 pounds. For general carry-on rules across airlines, see our carry-on size guide.
What the interCaribbean baggage allowance covers for checked bags
The first checked bag is free for every passenger, adult or child. That holds on every fare interCaribbean sells, as the airline states on its own baggage allowances page.
It can weigh up to 50 pounds, which the airline lists as 23 kilograms. Nothing over 70 pounds is accepted at all, at any price.
A bag between 51 and 70 pounds costs 20 to 50 dollars, depending on the route.
Extra bags, overweight and oversize fees
A second checked bag costs 25 dollars on domestic routes within Turks and Caicos or Jamaica.
International second bags run 50 dollars online or 65 dollars through the airport or phone. A third through fifth bag costs 100 dollars each internationally.
Oversize fees start at 50 dollars for a bag between 62 and 80 linear inches. Fees rise to 100 dollars past that. Compare these numbers with our baggage fees overview before you book.
| Item | Limit | Fee if you exceed it |
|---|---|---|
| Carry-on | 9 x 12 x 16 in, 10 lb | Crew may send it to the hold |
| First checked bag | Up to 50 lb | Free |
| Second checked bag | N/A | $25 domestic, $50 to $65 international |
| Overweight, 51 to 70 lb | N/A | $20 to $50 |
| Oversize, 62 to 80 linear in | N/A | $50 |
Why interCaribbean tightens the rules every peak season
interCaribbean has run a formal baggage embargo before, during the December holiday rush. Its own newsroom describes limiting every JY flight to two checked bags per passenger for about five weeks.
The first bag stayed at 44 pounds during that embargo, dropping from the usual 50. A second bag became excess baggage, not a guaranteed seat on the same flight.
Nothing on interCaribbean’s site says the embargo is permanent. It shows the interCaribbean baggage allowance can shrink fast during a busy week. Check before packing to the usual limit near a holiday.
Small planes make the limit matter more
interCaribbean flies Embraer jets on its bigger routes and Twin Otter aircraft on many of its shortest island hops.
A Twin Otter carries a fraction of the cargo hold of even a small jet. Weight and balance limits apply per flight, not just per passenger.
interCaribbean’s own carry-on page gives crew the right to send any bag to the hold before boarding. On the smallest aircraft, expect that rule to get used.
How interCaribbean compares to nearby carriers
Caribbean Airlines and Bahamasair both publish a free first checked bag close to interCaribbean’s 50 pound cap. Check the Caribbean Airlines checked bag policy or the Bahamasair baggage rules before switching carriers mid trip.
Cayman Airways runs a similar split fleet. It offers a much lighter allowance once you board its own Twin Otter service. See our Cayman Airways baggage guide for that comparison.
Silver Airways flies a similar regional pattern out of Florida. Its own baggage policy is worth checking if your trip connects through Fort Lauderdale. Our baggage cost calculator can total up fees across a multi carrier itinerary.
The bottom line
The interCaribbean baggage allowance rewards packing light at the gate and checking a bag instead. One bag flies free at 50 pounds, while the cabin allowance tops out at a strict 10.
Expect the carry-on limit to be enforced literally on the smallest aircraft. Also expect the whole policy to tighten without much notice around the December holidays.
Bring less to the gate than you think you need. Let the free checked bag do the heavy lifting.
Some links on this page are Amazon affiliate links. If you buy through one, Carry On Sizes may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we recommend. How this works.
More airlines in Latin America
See every carrier in the Latin America index.