When booking a flight with Azores Airlines, one of the important things to know is the airline’s baggage policy. Regardless of whether you’re a frequent flyer or an occasional flyer, it’s good to be informed about baggage restrictions, charges, and allowances to avoid airport stress and time, as well as surprise charges at the airport. Azores Airlines, under the SATA Group with SATA Air Açores, provides differential allowances depending on fare classes, travel categories, and destinations. 

This is an all-encompassing guide that addresses every point you require to understand Azores Airlines’ baggage policy with ease. It is also essential to know that Azores Airlines was previously called SATA International. It is also a subsidiary of SATA Acores. That’s why more of the baggage policies of both are closely the same. 

Azores Airlines Checked Baggage Allowance

The checked baggage allowance on Azores Airlines varies according to the fare type. 

Economy Class Fare Types 

The economy class on Azores Airlines has a little restricted baggage allowance, with no free checked baggage for the Simple Fare. 

• Simple Fare: This fare type doesn’t have any checked baggage allowance. Passengers are required to buy extra baggage if required.
• Basic and Flex Fares: Both fares include one piece of checked baggage with a maximum weight of 23 kg (50 lb).
• Top Fare: Two checked bags, each with a maximum weight of 23 kg, are included for passengers, totaling 46 kg (100 lb).

Comfort Class Fare Types

Comfort Class passengers have more generous baggage allowances.

• Light Fare: This permits two checked bags with a total weight of 46 kg, where the maximum weight for each bag is 23 kg.
• Plus Fare: The most exclusive fare in Comfort Class allows two bags with a total weight of 64 kg, with each piece weighing no more than 32 kg (70 lb).

Special Categories

• Babies: One piece is allowed for babies up to 23 kg, excluding under the Simple Fare.
• Goldsky Frequent Flyers: Members receive an additional piece of baggage beyond their fare’s standard.

SATA Air Açores Baggage Rules

Inter-island flights by SATA Air Açores:

• One checked bag to a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb) is permitted for Economy Class passengers.
• Babies can travel with a maximum of 10 kg (22 lb) bag.
• Goldsky members also get 10 kg of extra checked baggage.

Extra Allowances for Residents and Students

Travelers who live in the Azores and are traveling to/from mainland Portugal or Madeira with a Basic or Flex fare get an extra 23 kg allowance for baggage.

Passengers 12 to 26 years of age traveling between their home and school are eligible for additional baggage: 10 kg on SATA Air Açores and one additional 23 kg bag on Azores Airlines when flying on a Basic or Flex ticket if they present evidence of enrollment.

Oversized and Overweight Baggage

Although most checked luggage has a maximum weight of 23 kg per piece, up to 32 kg is accepted at an additional fee. Bags over 32 kg have to be mailed as freight. There are exceptions for checking up to 45 kg in certain circumstances, such as pets in the cargo and musical instruments, but they will incur excess weight and service charges.

You must also remember that at the Frankfurt airport, baggages that have a dimension of over 85 cm x 65 cm x 45 cm shouldn’t be dropped off at the conveyor belt during check-in. Instead, the Fraport AG staff must collect them. The same goes for baggage that has loops, like backpacks. This initiative is taken to avoid damage to the baggage. 

Azores Airlines Carry-On Baggage Policy

Azores Airlines prefers passengers to bring only essentials in the cabin to minimize contact and improve safety. The normal cabin allowance is:

• Economy and Comfort Light: One carry-on bag (55x40x20 cm) and one personal item (40x30x15 cm), together weighing 8 kg (17 lb).
• Comfort Plus: Same size as above, but the total weight can be up to 15 kg (33 lb).

Acceptable Personal Items

Passengers can have one of the following as a personal item:

• Laptop bag
• Small backpack
• Handbag or purse
• Garment bag
• A bag with electronic equipment
• One duty-free shopping bag (if you are carrying more than one duty-free bag, then it will go in as a carry-on bag and not a personal item. 

Keep in mind that duty-free articles over two bottles of alcohol will be considered as extra baggage. The dimensions for personal items are 40 cm x 30 cm x 15 cm.

Acceptable Free Cabin Items

Passengers traveling with infants may carry a small bag with baby essentials. Passengers with mobility needs can bring assistive devices such as crutches or prosthetics free of charge.

Items That You Cannot Carry in Your Handbag

Here are some of the items that you cannot bring in your carry-on after they are turned off: 

• Radio devices 
• Remote control toys
• Walkie-talkies
• CRT monitors
• Printers
• Wireless computer equipment, like a mouse
• Stereo equipment 
• Mini-disc and CD players
• Pocket radios
• Bluetooth technology
• TV receivers 

Azores Airlines Sports Equipment Travel Policy

Travel with your sports equipment by booking in advance through our Contact Center (+351 296 209 720 or info@sata.pt), sales offices, or travel agencies. Specify equipment type, weight, and dimensions when booking.

On Azores Airlines flights, it is required that you pre-book with extra service charges. Alternatively, if you don’t book beforehand, you can adjust your booking or pay for excess baggage at check-in, space permitting. SATA Air Açores can suggest that you pre-book, but can take equipment on board space-permitting, though your equipment could travel on a later flight if space is not available.

We handle different sporting equipment such as canyoning and diving gear, fishing tackle, golf clubs, bicycles, hang gliders, paragliders, boards, kayaks, and horse riding gear. Check in early to ensure documentation and guaranteed space. Equipment can be subject to search on SATA Air Açores flights. There are excess baggage charges if allowances are used up, and for multi-airline itineraries, Azores Airlines regulations prevail.

• Fishing equipment may be composed of fishing rods, lines, reels, and fishing hooks; the maximum dimensions allowed are a length of 240 cm,a width of 40 cm, and a height of 50 cm. You must package the fishing equipment to prevent any damage. On SATA Acores flight, you get an additional allowance of 10 kg or 22 lbs. 
• Golf equipment should comprise a golf bag, golf clubs (wood or iron), proper balls, a proper jacket, a hat, a pair of shoes, and an umbrella. The maximum dimensions should be a length of 130 cm, a width of 75 cm, and a height of 75cm. For SATA Acores flight, you get an extra 15-kg allowance. 
• If carrying bikes, then remember that the total dimensions shouldn’t exceed 240 cm in length, 60 cm in width, and 100 cm in height. You should rotate the handlebars 90 degrees from the original position. If the bikes contain shock absorbers and air suspensions, then you have to depressurize or deflate them. The SATA Air Acores have an additional allowance of 10 kg or 22 lbs. 
• Diving equipment may comprise a diving cylinder (empty bottle), a diving regulator, a harpoon, spear guns, a wetsuit, and underwater photographic equipment. The canyon equipment may include a helmet, ropes, straps, harness, carabiners, a Neoprene suit, lashing straps, a proper suit, and footwear. The maximum dimensions are 150 cm x 75 cm x 50 cm. The SATA Air Açores flights have a 15 kg additional baggage allowance. 
• If you are carrying boards or kayaks, you must note that bodyboard, surfboard, skimboard, wakeboard, kite surf, windsurf, and stand-up paddleboard are permitted. 

On an Azores Airlines flight, you must pre-book your sports equipment and pay if needed. If you don’t prebook, you may have to reschedule your flight. However, if there is space on the flight you desire to travel, you must pay the excess baggage fee, if applicable, and proceed to carry your equipment. 

SATA Azores Airlines Extra Baggage Fees

Route Type	Fee Structure	EUR (€)	USD ($)	CAD ($C)	GBP (£)
Inter-Islands	Per 5kg	€15	$18	$C 23	£13
Domestic Flights	Per 23kg piece	€35	$38	$C 52	£30
Europe	Per 23kg piece	€45	$49	$C 67	£39
USA, Canada & Bermuda	Per 23kg piece	€80	$95	$C 120	£70

Note: The figures in the table are charged based on the country of departure of the trip. If the country of payment is not the country of departure, then the amount will be adjusted by the daily exchange rate.

How to buy prepaid extra baggage?

Prepaid excess baggage may be bought between 48 hours and flight departure, through a SATA Azores Airlines website, shop or Contact Center. The payment and booking are carried out at the same time.

What Not to Pack in Checked Baggage At Azores Airlines

When traveling, it’s important to know what never goes in your checked luggage because it may be damaged, lost, or cause liability problems. Airlines advise against putting weapons of any sort, valuable items like artwork, antiques, and collectibles, or important documents like passports, identification, tickets, or credit cards in your checked luggage.

Electronic items are especially dangerous to test, such as cameras, photo equipment, computers and their parts (hardware and software), glasses and lenses, timepieces, and audio/video devices. Glass, crystal, and musical instruments that can break with the handling procedure of baggage travel should also be left out of checked baggage.

Personal belongings such as money, jewelry, beverages, and medication must always accompany you in your hand carry. Such other items as perishable goods (food and frozen), medical devices, trade samples or catalogs, animals, and even house keys must not be put in the checked baggage. These measures are put in place because airlines will not be held responsible for loss or damage to such items while they are packed in checked baggage.

Packages Not Recommended for Hold Luggage

Some forms of packaging are not well-suited for checked bags because of how they’re built or because they could be harmful. Briefcases, cardboard boxes, beauty cases, and coolers shouldn’t normally go into hold luggage because they could be damaged by the abuse that occurs with baggage handling systems.

Any packages with nails, protruding components, or pointed edges must be shunned since they can lead to damage to your luggage or other people’s bags during transit and handling.

Prohibited Packages in Hold Luggage

Leak-Prone Containers

Styrofoam containers and other packaging that are not capable of preventing unintentional leakage of liquids or other items are strictly prohibited as hold baggage owing to the possibility of damage they pose to other people’s possessions or aircraft equipment. Nevertheless, such containers are allowed if they are prepared following the given standards.

To become acceptable for checked baggage, Styrofoam boxes have to be fully covered with see-through plastic and tightly closed. The see-through plastic covering plays a double role by giving extra protection and enabling instant visual examination in case the contents start leaking or spilling.

Film and Ink Containers

Cases or containers containing films or ink are not allowed in checked luggage because they can be damaged and contaminated if they leak or spill during transportation.

Glass Bottles and Big Containers

Glass bottles and demijohns (big bottles) that are not packed well are not allowed in checked luggage. However, they are acceptable if they are properly prepared with protective procedures.

Glass bottles and demijohns for checked luggage only need to be contained within rigid, resistant packages like wood or fiber boxes. The packaging should be sufficient to protect from impacts and shocks, and the container should be filled with a sufficient amount of absorbent material to hold all liquid content in case of leakage.

Weapons and Prohibited Items

In Portugal, weapons can be shipped for a 55 EUR fee per piece. On an international flight, some weapons can be accepted with authorization and additional charges. Always inquire with the carrier beforehand for the exact terms and conditions.

Rule of Liquids

Passengers are subject to European Union security regulations, the liquid restriction rule being one of them, where liquids carried in hand luggage are restricted to 100 ml containers contained in a one-liter clear, resealable plastic bag. 

There are exceptions for certain liquids, which include liquids bought onboard or at the airport from stores located after the security checkpoints. The rules are also flexible for liquids for special dietary needs, and medical purposes, as well as baby food. 

However, if the need arises, the passengers must prove the authenticity of the liquid by presenting a medical certificate or by tasting or skin testing. 

You must know that there are no restrictions on carrying solid medicines such as capsules and tablets. However, you must comply with the rules and regulations, lest they may be confiscated by the airport authorities. 

If you have medicines like insulin that need special storage, then a low temperature is needed for storing your medicine. You can use isothermal sheets or even store them on dry ice. You need to consult a doctor for the same. 

Also Read: Northwestern Air Baggage Policy

Comfort and Security Tips To Remember When Traveling On An Azores Airlines Flight

For comfort while traveling, it is always advisable to carry a full set of clothes and personal hygiene items in your hand luggage. Preparing this way guarantees you the availability of basic necessities even if your luggage is delayed or misplaced for a short while.

Packing Strategies

When packing your checked baggage, remember that your baggage capacity is limited, so avoid overpacking. Excessive packing puts unnecessary pressure on locks and latches, potentially causing them to fail during transport. This can result in damaged luggage or scattered belongings.

Security Considerations

Use locks or plastic protections on your luggage, which are available at some airports. However, be aware that on flights from the United States, including all domestic flights, security authorities may need to open and inspect your baggage contents. In these cases, neither the security authority nor the airline will be liable for any damage caused by the need to force locks open. When traveling to the United States, the authorities may request you to unlock your baggage. 

Identification and Contact Information

Put identification tags on the inside as well as the outside of your luggage with your name, address, and phone number that can be contacted. This data is pivotal for rapid rerouting upon baggage mishandling. Internal and external identification enhances the possibility of rapid recovery if your bag gets detached from you.

Flight Choice and Connections

Wherever possible, choose flights that reduce the possibility of baggage interruption. Flight segments and airline changes could take significant amounts of time to forward your baggage, which raises the possibility of delays or mishandling.

Safety Precautions

Never take luggage or packages from other travelers, particularly if you do not get to see the contents. This is both a safety precaution and a protection under law for you.

Prior to having your bags checked, take off all detachable components from your bags, such as detachable wheels. Make sure no loose straps or other materials are dangling from the bag, as these may become entangled in luggage handling equipment, incurring damage to your bag or problems with processing.

Azores Airlines Pet Travel Policies

Pets can either be transported in the cabin or hold, depending on their size and weight. Pre-booking is required for all pet travel. Pet charges in the hold are as follows:

• Max. 23 kg (container included): 25 EUR
• 23-32 kg: 50 EUR
• 33-45 kg: 100 EUR

Cabin pets have to be stowed in the space underneath the seat and cannot be added to other complimentary baggage.

Charter Flights and Other Airline Partners

Charter flights may have different baggage rules. If your itinerary includes flights with other airlines, their baggage policies may apply. However, for itineraries that include both SATA Air Açores and Azores Airlines, the baggage rules of Azores Airlines take precedence.

Final Recommendations

Having a full grasp of Azores Airlines’ baggage policy makes it easier to travel. From fare allowances to allowances for pets and sporting equipment, being well-equipped allows you to enjoy your trip more instead of stressing about your baggage.

Frequently Asked Questions