Kenya Airways Baggage Allowance, Fees & How to Add Extra Baggage

KQ / KQA · Kenya

Purchase extra checked baggage online through Kenya Airways' Manage Booking portal. Pricing is based on a piece-concept system with fixed rates per piece that vary by route. Use the official links below to review baggage rules, booking access, and related airline services.

Updated Sep 2, 2026

Kenya Airways Baggage Allowance

Free checked and carry-on baggage allowances by cabin class and route. Allowances vary by route, ticket type, and frequent flyer status — always confirm with the official baggage policy before you fly.

Checked baggage

Piece concept; allowance is 2 pieces on intercontinental and intra-Africa routes, 1 piece on domestic and select fifth-freedom/short-haul sectors.

LabelAmountNotes
Africa ↔ America/Europe2 PC 23kg/50lbs max each
  • Rendered verbatim on Free Checked Baggage Allowance table row Africa <-> America/Europe, ECONOMY column.
  • Free allowance shown on e-ticket/DCS prevails; KQ-operated flights only, may vary by aircraft on day of travel; flights on other airline ticket stock may have different restrictions.
  • Each piece max dimensions 158 cm (62 in) total L+W+H per Exceptions note; Asante Silver/Gold/Platinum receive 1 additional PC as per cabin (23 kg economy) on all routes — see FREQUENT FLYER MEMBERS row.
Africa ↔ Middle East/Asia (incl. Bangkok–Guangzhou)2 PC 23kg/50lbs max each
  • Rendered verbatim on table row Africa <-> Middle East /Asia (incl Bangkok-Guangzhou), ECONOMY column.
  • Reference Table defines Middle East/Asia as Middle East and Asian points.
Africa ↔ Africa2 PC 23kg/50lbs max each
  • Rendered verbatim on table row Africa <-> Africa, ECONOMY column.
  • Reference Table defines Africa as All Africa points.
Domestic1 PC 23kg/50lbs max each
  • Rendered verbatim on table row Domestic, ECONOMY column.
  • Reference Table defines Domestic as Kisumu, Mombasa, and Malindi.
Bangkok ↔ Guangzhou–Bangkok1 PC 23kg/50lbs max each
  • Rendered verbatim on table row Bangkok <-> Guangzhou-Bangkok, ECONOMY column.
  • Related to 5th freedom Sectors definition: flights without connecting through Nairobi hub.
Nairobi ↔ Mumbai1 PC 23kg/50lbs max each
  • Rendered verbatim on table row Nairobi <-> Mumbai, ECONOMY column.

Carry-on baggage

2 cabin pieces + 1 accessory; same limits on all routes.

  • All routes2 piece (max L55xW25xH35cm each) + 1 Accessory (Total weight max 18kgs/39lbs)
    • Rendered verbatim on Hand Baggage table Business Class row — both FLIGHTS TO/FROM EU, US & UK and ALL OTHER ROUTES columns show identical 2 piece + 1 Accessory, total weight max 18kgs/39lbs.
    • Personal accessories max L40xW15xH30cms: Handbag, Backpack, Briefcase, Camera, Laptop; plus 1 duty free shopping bag per passenger.
    • All cabin baggage must have approved KQ cabin luggage label; infant <2 years not occupying seat allowed 1 piece MAX 12kgs MAX dimensions L55 x W25 x H35; car seat for seated infant/child may be accepted on top of normal cabin allowance (passenger installs per manufacturer). Airport/airline may impose further restrictions — if so, qualifying piece checked free within cabin weight, otherwise excess charges apply.

How to Add Extra Baggage & Prices on Kenya Airways

Buy Baggage
  1. Go to kenya-airways.com and click 'Manage Booking' in the main navigation or under the 'Book & Manage' section.
  2. Enter your booking reference (PNR) and last name to retrieve your itinerary.
  3. Look for the baggage or extras section in your booking details and select the additional baggage option you need.
  4. Choose the extra checked bag(s) based on your route, complete the payment, and receive a confirmation email with the updated itinerary.
  5. Alternatively, use the Kenya Airways mobile app to manage your booking and add extra baggage through the same process.

Prices

Kenya Airways uses a piece-based system. Excess bag charges apply per piece and vary by routing.

LabelAmountNotes
Europefrom USD 75
  • USD 75 for flights via Nairobi hub, USD 100 for all other points in Europe.
  • Charges are per piece for each checked bag exceeding the free allowance.
Americafrom USD 75
  • USD 75 for flights via Nairobi hub, USD 100 for all other points in the Americas.
Asiafrom USD 50
  • USD 50 for flights via Nairobi hub, USD 100 for all other points in Asia.
Middle Eastfrom USD 50
  • USD 50 for flights via Nairobi hub, USD 75 for all other points.
Africafrom USD 50
  • USD 50 for flights via Nairobi hub, USD 60 for all other points within Africa.
DomesticUSD 25
  • Flat rate for all domestic Kenya routes (Kisumu, Mombasa, Malindi).
5th Freedom SectorsUSD 50
  • Applies to flights between points without connecting through Nairobi (e.g., Accra–Monrovia, Abidjan–Dakar).
  • Only applies to 'all points' rate category.

FAQ

Can I buy extra baggage online after booking?

Yes. Retrieve your booking on the Kenya Airways Manage Booking page using your booking reference and last name. You can add extra checked bags during the booking process or after booking through Manage Booking.

Where do I buy extra baggage?

Online via Manage Booking at kenya-airways.com, through the Kenya Airways mobile app, by calling the contact centre at +254 711 024 747, or at an airport ticket office.

How does Kenya Airways calculate extra baggage charges?

Kenya Airways uses a piece-based (PC) system. Excess bag charges are a fixed USD amount per piece depending on the routing and whether the journey is via the Nairobi hub or all other points. The free allowance is 2 pieces (23kg each economy) for most international routes and 1 piece for domestic and selected routes.

How many extra bags can I buy, and what are the bag limits?

The airline does not publish a maximum number of extra bags you can purchase. Each checked piece must not exceed 23kg (50lbs) for economy or 32kg (70lbs) for business class, with total dimensions of 158cm (62in). Wide-body to narrow-body connections may have weight and space restrictions — there is no guarantee of the number of bags uplifted.

When is the deadline to buy extra baggage online?

The airline does not publish a specific deadline. Purchase through Manage Booking as early as possible — availability may be limited, especially for narrow-body aircraft (B737, E170/190) where weight and space constraints apply.

What are the overweight or oversized baggage rules?

Each piece exceeding the free weight allowance (23kg economy / 32kg business) may be accepted as heavy baggage with applicable charges. Items exceeding 23kg require special authorization. Maximum total dimensions per piece: 158cm (L+W+H). Heavy bag charges range from USD 25 (domestic) to USD 100 (international) depending on route.

Do codeshare or interline flights have different baggage rules?

Yes. IATA Resolution 302 determines the Most Significant Carrier (MSC) whose baggage allowance applies for interline journeys. The allowance shown on your ticket or in the check-in system is granted. For flights originating or terminating in the US/Canada, the piece concept applies based on the specified weight.

Is it cheaper to buy extra baggage online in advance vs at the airport?

Kenya Airways does not publish a difference between online pre-purchase and airport rates for excess/heavy bag charges. The published heavy bag charges in the Optional Fees policy apply regardless of purchase channel.

Are there any important exceptions or restrictions I should know?

Asante Rewards members (Silver, Gold, Platinum) receive 1 additional free checked piece on all routes. Families and groups travelling together can pool their baggage allowance. Arriving on wide-body (B787) and connecting to narrow-body (B737, E190) may restrict excess baggage uplift due to weight and space constraints.

Can I get a refund if I cancel prepaid extra baggage?

Kenya Airways does not publish a specific refund policy for prepaid excess baggage. Refunds are handled through the standard refund process — submit a refund request via the online refund form on the Manage Booking page or contact the call centre.

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