Avelo Airlines is a relatively new player in the airline industry, having launched in April 2021. It’s a low-cost carrier that operates domestic flights within the United States. With its low fares and customer-friendly policies, the airline has quickly gained popularity among budget-conscious travelers.
However, before booking a flight with Avelo, it’s important to understand the airline’s baggage policy to avoid any surprises or unexpected fees when you check in at the airport.
In this post, we’ll explore Avelo Airlines’ baggage policy, including carry-on and checked baggage allowances, limits, and fees. We will also explain what you need to know when traveling with special items such as sports equipment and musical instruments.
Carry On Baggage Allowance
Avelo Airlines allows you to bring the following carry-on baggage onboard:
- 1 personal item (included with all bookings)
- 1 carry-on bag (for a fee).
Personal Item
Size Limit
Your personal item can be up to 14 x 9.5 x 9 inches (35 x 24 x 22 centimeters) in size. It must be able to fit under the seat in front of you.
Typical personal items include:
- Laptop bag
- Handbag
- Purse
- Small backpack
Weight Limit
Avelo Airlines doesn’t impose a weight limit on your personal item.
Personal Item Fee
If your personal item exceeds the above size limit, it will be treated as checked baggage and transferred to the plane’s hold. You will be required to pay a checked bag fee.
Carry On Bag
Size Limit
Your checked bag can be up to 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 35 x 22 centimeters) in size. It must be able to fit in the overhead bins or under the seat in front of you.
Typical carry-on bags include:
- Small suitcase
- Duffel bag
- Large backpack
Weight Limit
As with your personal item, Avelo Airlines doesn’t have a weight limit for your carry-on bag. However, you should be able to lift and store your bag in the overhead bins unassisted.
Carry On Bag Fee
If you choose to bring a carry-on bag, you will have to pay a fee. The bag fee depends on when you pay:
| Carry On Bag Fee | |
|---|---|
| During initial booking | $40 |
| Online prior to check-in | $45 |
| During online check-in | $45 |
| At the airport | $50 |
Hot Tip: If, after you have booked your flight, you decide to bring a carry-on bag, it may be best to delay paying the fee until checking in online. The charge for a carry-on bag fee prior to check-in is the same as during online check-in.
Your travel circumstances may change prior to check-in, and you no longer require a carry-on bag. Baggage fees are non-refundable, so you would be unable to recoup this fee.
Checked Baggage Policy
In this section, we’ll be discussing Avelo Airlines’ checked baggage allowance and fees.
Checked Baggage Allowance
Number of Bags
Avelo Airlines doesn’t include any free checked bags with its tickets. You will have to pay a fee if you wish to bring bags with you.
You can check up to 10 bags.
Size Limit
Each checked bag can be up to 62 linear inches (157 centimeters) in size. This is calculated by measuring the outside, length, width, and height of your bag, and adding these measurements together. When taking your measurements, you need to include any protruding wheels, handles, or straps.
If your checked bag exceeds 62 linear inches, it will be oversized and charged an applicable fee.
Avelo Airlines won’t accept bags larger than 80 linear inches (203 centimeters).
Weight Limit
Your checked bag can weigh up to 50 pounds (22.8 kilograms). If it exceeds this weight, the airline will consider it overweight, and you’ll have to pay the relevant fee upon check-in.
Avelo Airlines won’t accept bags heavier than 70 pounds (31.8 kilograms).
Checked Baggage Fees
The fee that you’ll have to pay to check a bag depends on a couple of factors:
- When you pay the fee. As with most low-cost airlines, you are incentivized to pay your baggage fees earlier. It is cheapest to pay for your bags during your flight booking, and most expensive at the airport.
- When and where you’re traveling: Avelo employs dynamic pricing with its baggage fees. This means that your fee differs depending on your itinerary and your travel date. The airline has a baggage tool that you can use to calculate the fee for your itinerary.
We used the airline’s baggage tool to search numerous itineraries and found that the baggage fees were consistent across all of them:
| Checked Bag Fee (1 to 10) | |
|---|---|
| During initial booking | $40 each |
| Online prior to check-in | $45 each |
| During online check-in | $45 each |
| At the airport | $50 |
One interesting feature of the airline’s checked bag fee structure is that each bag is charged the same flat fee – whether it’s your first checked bag or your tenth. This differs with many legacy airlines such as American Airlines and Delta, where your checked bag fees quickly escalate. For example, your third bag could cost $150, and extra bags are charged $200 each.
Oversized and Overweight Bag Fees
| Bag Fee | |
|---|---|
| Oversized Checked Bag (63 to 80 linear inches) | +$50 |
| Overweight Checked Bag (22.8 to 31.8 kg) | +$50 |
Oversized Bag Fees
If your checked bag is larger than 62 linear inches (157 centimeters), but no greater than 80 linear inches (203 centimeters), you will be charged an oversized bag fee of $50. This is in addition to any other fees applicable to your bag.
Avelo Airlines won’t accept bags larger than 80 linear inches.
Overweight Bag Fees
If your checked bag weighs more than 50 pounds (22.8 kilograms), but no heavier than 70 pounds, you will be charged an overweight fee of $50. This is in addition to any other fees applicable to your bag.
Avelo Airlines won’t accept bags heavier than 70 pounds.
Hot Tip: This is mentioned on Avelo Airlines’ website numerous times: it’s cheaper to pay for an extra bag rather than having to pay for a bag that is oversized and/or overweight.
For example, a checked bag that is both oversized and overweight can cost up to $150. For that price, you can pay for 3 standard-sized checked bags (even cheaper if bought during your flight booking).
Special Items in Checked Baggage
Unless mentioned otherwise, special items such as sports equipment and musical instruments follow the same allowances, limits, and fees as checked baggage.
Limited Release of Liability
All special items should be appropriately packed in a protective case or container specifically designed for the item. If, upon check-in, the airline assesses that the equipment is not packed in a container that provides sufficient protection, you may have to sign a liability release form. This will absolve Avelo Airlines of any responsibility or liability for damage during transit.
Sports Equipment
Avelo Airlines will accept the following sports equipment as checked baggage:
Archery Equipment
Archery equipment includes a bow, arrows, and a target.
The equipment should be packed in a protective container or case.
Baseball Equipment
A bag containing baseball equipment will be accepted as a checked bag. It will be subject to oversized and overweight fees, if applicable.
It’s important to note that baseball bats can’t be brought on board as carry-on baggage, as they can be used as weapons.
Bicycles
Avelo Airlines will accept non-motorized, single-seat bikes as checked baggage. You will have to remove pedals and handlebars, and pack them appropriately to prevent damage to them or other baggage.
Boogie-boards, Kneeboards, and Wakeboards
These types of waterboards should be packed in a suitable travel bag or container.
Bowling Equipment
A bag containing bowling equipment will be accepted as checked baggage, subject to oversized and overweight fees, if applicable.
Camping Equipment
Avelo Airlines will accept camping equipment such as sleeping bags and tents.
However, items that use fuel won’t be accepted, even if empty. This is more restrictive than Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations, which allow these items, as long as they are empty and have been thoroughly cleaned.
Fencing Equipment
Fencing equipment should be packed in a protective container or case.
Fishing Equipment
Fishing equipment should be packed in a protective container or case.
Golf Equipment
Golf equipment, such as clubs, golf balls, and shoes, should be packed in a hard-shell golf bag. If you check your golf equipment in a soft-sided bag, you will need to sign a liability release form.
Hockey Equipment
You can check up to two hockey sticks taped together and a hockey equipment bag as one checked bag.
Javelins
Javelins should be packed in a hard-shell container.
Kendo Equipment
Kendo equipment should be packed in a protective container or case.
Lacrosse Equipment
You can check up to two lacrosse sticks taped together and a lacrosse equipment bag as one checked bag.
Pole-Vaulting Equipment
Pole-vaulting equipment should be packed in a hard-shell container.
Pool Cues
Pool cues should be packed in a hard-sided container specifically designed for them.
Scuba Equipment
Scuba equipment should be packed in a protective container or case. All oxygen tanks must be empty upon check-in.
Skating Equipment
Non-motorized skating equipment can be accepted as checked baggage.
Snow Ski Equipment
You can check a pair of snow skis or one snowboard, ski poles, and ski boots, packed in a suitable and protective container.
Surfing Equipment
Surfing equipment must be packed in a bag or container that can adequately protect them during transit. All fins should be removed to prevent damage to the equipment or other baggage.
Water Ski Equipment
Water ski equipment should be packed in a protective container or case.
Musical Instruments
Musical instruments are accepted as checked baggage on condition of the signing of a liability release form, absolving the airline of any responsibility or liability for damage while the instrument is in the airline’s custody.
So, it’s essential that you pack the item in a case that provides adequate protection to withstand its transport in the plane’s cargo hold. If the musical instrument is within carry-on bag size limits (22 x 14 x 9 inches) you may want to consider bringing it on board with you. Alternatively, for larger musical instruments, you could buy a seat to transport the item.
At the Airport
You can check your bags no earlier than 2 hours before your flight’s scheduled departure.
Your bags should be checked no later than 40 minutes before your flight’s departure. If your bags are checked in late, the airline can’t guarantee that your bags will be able to make it to your flight on time.
If your checked bags are transported on a later flight, you’re responsible to have them delivered to you. Alternatively, you can return to the airport to collect your bags once they arrive at your destination.
Final Thoughts
Avelo Airlines’ baggage policy is typical of most low-cost airlines. All fares include a personal item only. If you wish to travel with a carry-on bag and/or checked bags, you’ll have to pay a fee.
You can save some cash by paying for your bags earlier: checked bag fees during your flight booking is typically $10 cheaper than at the airport. Also, every checked bag that you buy costs the same amount ($40 – $50, depending on when you pay the fee), and is less expensive than legacy carriers. The oversize and overweight fees are modest at an extra $50 each.
Remember to always check Avelo Airlines’ website or contact their customer service for the latest information on baggage allowances and fees.
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