Avelo Airlines Carry-On Rules (2025 Guide)

When I first heard about Avelo Airlines, I thought, “Cool, another budget airline with cheap flights to places nobody else flies.” And honestly, they do a good job of that. If you’re based near one of their hubs, you can sometimes score flights for less than what you’d pay for a tank of gas.

But here’s the catch — like with most low-cost airlines, what you save on the ticket can easily sneak back up on you in the form of baggage fees. I still remember the first time I flew a budget airline years ago (not Avelo, but same idea). I showed up at the airport with my little roller bag, totally convinced it was “small enough.” The gate agent smiled and handed me a slip… $65 later, I wasn’t smiling anymore. That one mistake taught me to always check the baggage rules before booking.

Avelo works the same way. They’ll let you bring a small personal item for free, but if you want a carry-on or checked bag, you’ll need to pay. And the kicker? The price goes up the longer you wait. Buy it at booking and it’s reasonable; wait until the airport and your wallet will feel it.

That’s why this guide is here. I’ll walk you through Avelo’s personal item, carry-on, and checked bag policies, plus all the little details that could save you money. Trust me, knowing these rules ahead of time can make the difference between a stress-free trip and an expensive surprise.

Personal Item Policy

Here’s the good news: Avelo does let you bring one personal item for free. But — and it’s a pretty big but — the size limit is smaller than most airlines. They cap it at 14 x 9 x 9.5 inches, which is honestly closer to a laptop bag or small backpack than the “weekend bag” many people try to sneak through.

I actually learned this the hard way on another budget airline. I thought my slim duffel would slide under the seat just fine, but nope — the agent made me check it, and suddenly my “cheap flight” wasn’t cheap anymore. With Avelo, you really have to be precise because their under-seat allowance is one of the tightest in the industry.

So what works as a personal item?

• Small backpacks (think school size, not hiking size)

• Laptop bags or messenger bags

• Purses or tote bags that aren’t overstuffed

• Diaper bags if you’re traveling with a baby (and yes, those are allowed in addition to your personal item)

If you’re traveling light for a quick weekend or business trip, sticking to just the personal item is the smartest (and cheapest) move. But if you’re someone who packs “just in case” outfits… yeah, you’ll probably need to pay for more.

Carry-On Bag Policy

Okay, so here’s where Avelo gets tricky. Carry-on bags are not free. If you’re picturing yourself strutting onto the plane with your little roller suitcase like it’s included in your ticket — nope. You’ll need to pay extra.

The Rules:

• Size limit: 22 x 14 x 9 inches (pretty standard for U.S. airlines).

• Weight: Avelo doesn’t list a strict weight limit, but you have to be able to lift it into the overhead bin yourself.

The Fees:

• At booking: usually around $40–$45 each way.

• At the airport or gate: more expensive (closer to $50+, and sometimes a gate fee if you get caught last-minute).

I’ll be real with you — waiting until the airport to pay for a carry-on feels like highway robbery. I made that mistake once on another budget airline when I figured, “Eh, I’ll just deal with it later.” That “later” ended up costing me almost double what I could have paid online. Lesson learned: always add your carry-on at booking if you know you’ll need it.

If you’re someone who can pack everything in a backpack, skip the carry-on and save the money. But if you’re like me and always want at least one “backup outfit” (because, you know, life happens), then budget for the carry-on right when you book.

Checked Bag Policy

If you’re someone who doesn’t even try to travel light (no judgment here, I’ve been guilty of packing half my closet for a 4-day trip), then you’ll need to know Avelo’s checked bag rules.

The Basics:

• Size limit: 62 linear inches (that’s length + width + height).

• Weight limit: 50 pounds (22.7 kg).

• Anything over = extra fees.

The Cost:

• First checked bag when added at booking: usually $45.

• Add it later or at the airport: expect closer to $50–$60.

• Each additional bag: more expensive, usually another $50–$60.

Overweight & Oversize Fees:

• 51–70 lbs = +$50

• 71–100 lbs = +$100

• Over 63 inches = +$100

• 100 lbs or over 80 inches = not accepted

I once watched a family at check-in shuffle clothes around at the counter, pulling sneakers out of one bag and stuffing them into another because they were two pounds over the 50 lb limit. It wasn’t pretty, but it saved them $50 on the spot. Moral of the story? Always weigh your luggage at home — it’s way less stressful than doing it while people are waiting in line behind you.

Bottom line: if you know you’re checking a bag, add it at booking. And if you’re close to that 50 lb mark, maybe skip packing those extra shoes “just in case.”

Infant, Stroller & Special Items

Traveling with kids can feel like moving an entire house through the airport, but at least Avelo makes a few things easier.

• Strollers & Car Seats: You can bring one stroller and one car seat per child for free. These don’t count against your baggage allowance. You can either check them at the ticket counter or gate-check them right before boarding.

• Diaper Bags: If you’re flying with a baby, you get to bring a diaper bag in addition to your free personal item. Parents everywhere breathe a sigh of relief at that one.

• Mobility Devices: Things like wheelchairs, walkers, or medical equipment are also free and don’t count toward baggage limits.

• Sports Equipment: This one’s less forgiving. Avelo treats most sports gear (golf clubs, skis, surfboards, etc.) as checked bags. That means you’ll pay the normal checked bag fee plus any oversize or overweight charges if they don’t fit the limits.

I once flew with my toddler and thought I was clever packing his stroller bag with snacks and toys… until I realized I had to fold the stroller at the gate while juggling everything else. Lesson learned: keep the stroller simple and the diaper bag practical — your back will thank you later.

Fare Types & Baggage Inclusions

One thing I actually like about Avelo is how simple their fares are. Unlike Breeze with its “Nice, Nicer, Nicest” bundles, Avelo doesn’t really play that game. What you see is what you get: a base ticket that includes your seat and one free personal item. Everything else — seat upgrades, carry-ons, checked bags — you add on as you need.

It sounds basic, but honestly, I kind of prefer it that way. I once booked a flight on another budget airline that had four different fare “packages” and by the time I was done comparing, I felt like I needed a math degree just to pick one. With Avelo, you don’t really get that confusion.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Base Fare (all passengers): One personal item included (14 x 9 x 9.5 in).

• Carry-on bag: Paid add-on.

• Checked bag(s): Paid add-on.

• Seat selection: Paid add-on (or free if you let them assign randomly).

So yeah, Avelo is pretty bare-bones, but that’s the whole point. If you’re the type who can travel with just a backpack, you’ll get a genuinely cheap flight. If you need extras, you just tack them on.

Tips to Save Money on Avelo Baggage

Flying Avelo can either feel like a total steal or like you got nickel-and-dimed at every step. The difference usually comes down to how you handle baggage. Here are some ways to keep more cash in your pocket:

• Add bags at booking – This is the golden rule. The moment you think “I’ll just deal with it later,” you’ve already lost. Waiting until the airport almost always costs more.

• Travel light if you can – Avelo’s free personal item size is small, but I’ve managed a long weekend trip with just a backpack. Rolling clothes and using packing cubes really helps.

• Weigh your bags at home – I once had to play the “airport shuffle” game, moving shoes from one suitcase to another in front of a line of impatient passengers. Never again. Keep a luggage scale at home, it’s worth the $10.

• Share bags if traveling with family – Instead of everyone buying their own checked bag, combine into one or two bigger ones. It cuts costs and makes less stuff to haul around.

• Skip seat selection if you don’t care where you sit – Not a baggage tip exactly, but Avelo charges for seats. Letting them assign you a random one for free can shave off a few extra bucks.

At the end of the day, if you treat Avelo like a no-frills ride and plan ahead, you’ll avoid those last-minute “gotcha” fees.

Comparison With Other Budget Airlines

Avelo is still the new kid on the block compared to Spirit or Frontier, but their baggage rules fit right into the budget-airline playbook. The main difference? Avelo’s free personal item allowance is a bit smaller than most competitors. That might not sound like a big deal until you’re trying to squeeze your backpack under the seat and the agent tells you it’s “too big.”

Here’s a quick side-by-side look:

So if you’re comparing Avelo to the big budget names, they’re not worse — but they definitely don’t give you extra wiggle room either. If anything, that smaller personal item limit makes it more important to measure your bag before you pack.

Recommended Luggage for Avelo Airlines

Rolling Backpack (fits as personal item)

This roller backpack has a clever design—remove the wheels and it becomes a regular backpack that fits most personal-item rules (like Avelo’s tight 14 × 9 × 9.5 in limit). It includes a wide-open main compartment, dedicated laptop pocket, and even a built-in power-bank slot—perfect for those of us who like to travel light and tech-ready.

TILY MOL Hardside Carry‑On 22 × 14 × 9 in

This Amazon’s Choice hard-shell carry-on checks every box: exactly 22 × 14 × 9 inches, TSA-approved lock, spinner wheels, and a solid hard shell to protect your items. Great build quality and glowing reviews highlight its durability and ease of navigation through airports.

Travelpro Maxlite Air Checked Luggage (62 linear in)

When it comes to a checked bag that won’t push you into oversize fees, this Travelpro Maxlite Air does the trick. Its dimensions stay within the 62 linear-inch limit, it’s ultra-lightweight polycarbonate, and even expands 2 inches when needed. The 8-spinner wheels and Travelpro’s lifetime coverage make it a smart long-term investment.

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Why These Bags Shine for Avelo Flyers

• Perfect sizing – Tailored to Avelo’s strict limits, so you don’t end up paying surprise baggage fees.

• Amazon Prime-ready – All are currently available on Amazon with strong user feedback.

• Practical features – Built-in locks, smooth financing, expandability, and long-term durability.

Conclusion

Flying Avelo Airlines can be a steal if you play the baggage game smart. Their fares are often super cheap, but remember — the airline makes a big chunk of money from bags, not tickets. With one of the smallest free personal item allowances out there (14 x 9 x 9.5 in), you really need to pack light or be ready to pay for a carry-on or checked bag.

The best way to save? Add your bags during booking. Every time I’ve delayed and thought, “Eh, I’ll just add it later,” it ended up costing me more. If you can manage with just a backpack that fits under the seat, Avelo can be a seriously budget-friendly option. But if you’re someone who needs a rolling suitcase, just accept the fee and plan ahead.

At the end of the day, Avelo’s rules aren’t worse than Spirit or Frontier — they’re just strict. The more you know before you fly, the less stressful (and expensive) your trip will be. So measure your bag, pre-purchase what you need, and enjoy the fact that you got a cheap flight to somewhere most airlines don’t even bother flying.