Fiji Airways Baggage Allowance and Fees

If you’re considering flying with Fiji Airways, or maybe have already booked a flight with the airline, you will want to familiarize yourself with the airline’s baggage policy.

How much carry-on can I bring? What is my checked baggage allowance? How much will I have to pay for extra or oversized bags? When do I have to arrive at the airport to check my bags?

In this post, we’ll answer all these questions and more. We will explore Fiji Airways’ international carry-on and baggage policy for both Economy and Business classes. We will also detail the airline’s baggage fees: for both extra and overweight bags and how to pay for them. Also, we’ll let you know when you should arrive at the airport to make sure that you check in on time.

Summary

Carry On Allowance

Checked Baggage Allowance

Carry On Policy

In this section we’ll discuss Fiji Airways’ carry-on policy in detail. We’ll detail your carry-on’s size and weight limits, and what happens when you exceed these limits.

If you’re traveling with an infant, we’ll also explain what carry-on baggage allowances they receive.

Carry On Allowance

For international travelers, the number of carry-on items that you can bring into the cabin depends on the cabin class you’re traveling in:

• Economy: 1 personal item + 1 carry-on bag,
• Business: 1 personal item + 2 carry-on bags.

The following table summarizes Fiji Airways’ carry-on allowance.

Carry On Size Limit

The size limit of your carry-on depends on the cabin class that you’re traveling in:

Economy Class

For Economy Class passengers, your carry-on bag can be up to 55 x 40 x 23 centimeters (21.7 x 15.7 x 9.1 inches) in size. Your carry-on should be able to fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you.

Business Class

The carry-on size limit for Business Class passengers is slightly larger than that of Economy. Your carry-on bag can be up to 56 x 45 x 25 centimeters (22.0 x 17.7 x 9.8 inches) in size. Your bag should be able to fit in the overhead bin.

If the carry-on bag exceeds your cabin class’s size limit, Fiji Airways may charge an excess carry-on fee (see below). You may also have to check your carry-on to the plane’s hold.

Examples of typical carry-on bags include:

• Small suitcase
• Duffel bag
• Backpack
• Garment bag

Carry On Weight Limit

As was the case with your carry-on’s size limit, its weight limit also depends on your cabin class:

Economy Class

For Economy Class passengers, your carry-on bag can weigh up to 15 pounds (7 kilograms). With such a modest carry-on weight allowance, you’ll want to travel with lightweight carry-on baggage.

You should be able to lift your carry-on into the overhead bin without requiring assistance.

Business Class

The weight limit of your carry-on when traveling in Business Class depends on how many carry-on bags you bring on board.

If you are traveling with 2 carry-on bags, each bag can weigh up to 15 pounds (7 kilograms).

However, you have the choice of traveling with only one carry-on, with a higher weight limit. In this instance, your carry-on can weigh up to 30 pounds (14 kilograms).

Whichever way you decide to distribute your carry-on baggage, the total weight limit mustn’t exceed 30 pounds (15 kilograms).

I like Fiji Airway’s flexible approach to carry-on baggage for business class travelers. Being able to consolidate your two carry-ons into one bag is a handy option, especially if you’re having to manage with multiple checked bags as well.

If the total weight of your carry-on exceeds your cabin class’s weight limit, you may be charged an excess carry-on fee (see below). You may also have to check your overweight baggage to the plane’s hold.

Personal Item

All passengers are allowed to bring a personal item onboard in addition to their carry-on allowance.

Personal Item Size Limit

Fiji Airways doesn’t specify a size limit for your personal item. However, it should be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you.

The personal item size limit for many other international airlines is 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm), which you can use as a guide.

Examples of typical personal items include:

• Handbag
• Laptop bag
• Small backpack
• Briefcase

Personal Item Weight Limit

Fiji Airways doesn’t specify a weight limit for your personal item.

Something that I don’t like about Fiji Airways’ carry-on policy is its vagueness when it comes to the rules governing personal items. I much prefer it when an airline stipulates size and weight limits for its carry-on items.

Infant Carry On Allowance

Infants under the age of 2 are eligible for a carry-on baggage allowance of 7 pounds (3 kilograms).

A collapsible stroller is also permitted onboard. It must be no larger than 39.4 x 9.8 x 9.1 inches (100 x 25 x 23 centimeters). The stroller does not count against your carry-on allowance.

Excess Carry On Baggage Fees

If your carry-on baggage exceeds the number of pieces, size, or weight limits outlined above, the excess piece will be subject to an excess carry-on fee. Also, you’ll most likely have to check the item to the plane’s hold.

The carry-on fee that you’ll have to pay depends on your itinerary.

The following tables summarize the carry-on baggage fee that you’ll expect to have to pay:

For Flights Departing Fiji

All Flights Except from Fiji

The carry-on baggage fees are given in the departing country’s currency. An exception to this is the Pacific Islands. In this instance, charges are in Fijian dollars, converted to the local currency.

If you wish to convert the fee to another currency, you can use the Xe Currency Converter.

Checked Baggage Policy

In this section, we will discuss Fiji Airways checked baggage policy in detail.

We will cover how large and heavy your checked bags can be, and what baggage allowance you can expect based on your itinerary and type of fare purchased.

Checked Baggage Size

Each checked bag can be up to 62 linear inches (158 centimeters) in size. To determine the size of your bag, you measure the outside length, width, and height, then total these measurements together. Be sure to include any protruding wheels, handles, or straps in your measurements.

If your checked bag exceeds 62 linear inches, it will be considered oversized, and subject to an additional fee at check-in.

Fiji Airways doesn’t accept checked baggage larger than 109 linear inches (277 centimeters).

Checked Baggage Weight Limit

Each checked bag can weigh up to 66 pounds (33 kilograms). This baggage weight limit applies to both Economy and Business Class.

66 pounds is also the maximum weight allowed. Fiji Airways doesn’t accept overweight baggage.

If any of your bags are overweight at check-in, you will be required to transfer items from the overweight bag into another until it meets the airline’s weight limit. If you check in an additional bag, you will incur an extra baggage fee.

Checked Baggage Allowance

Fiji Airways’ checked baggage allowance is determined by the following factors:

• The cabin class you’re traveling in,
• The type of fare purchased within each cabin class,
• Your destination.

Economy Class Baggage Allowance

The number of checked bags included with your Economy Class ticket depends on the type of fare purchased:

Business Class Baggage Allowance

If you’re traveling in Business Class, the number of checked bags included with your ticket depends on your itinerary:

United States

• To/from Los Angeles: 3 checked bags
• To/from San Francisco: 3 checked bags
• All other U.S. destinations: 2 checked bags.

Canada

• To/from Vancouver: 3 checked bags
• All other Canadian destinations: 2 checked bags.

Infant Checked Baggage Allowance

Infants aged less than 2 years old receive the following checked baggage allowance:

• 1 piece of baggage, up to 62 linear inches (158 centimeters) in size, and weighing up to 22 pounds (10 kilograms)
• 1 stroller

Exception: If the parent or guardian of an infant is traveling on an Economy Lite fare, the infant is not eligible for a checked baggage allowance.

Travel to or from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Vancouver

The following table summarizes the checked baggage allowance for passengers traveling to or from the following airports:

United States

• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

It’s important to note that Los Angeles and San Franciso are Fiji Airways operated flights. Flights to and from other U.S. destinations are with one of the airline’s codeshare partners.

Canada

• Vancouver International Airport (YVR)

All Fiji Airways Canadian flights are operated by one of the airline’s codeshare partners.

All Other Travel

The following table summarizes your baggage allowance for travel from all airports except LAX, SFO, and YVR:

Checked Bag Fees

In this section, we’ll explain how much you’ll have to pay if you wish to purchase extra baggage.

We’ll also detail the charges if your checked baggage exceeds the standard size limit of 62 linear inches (158 centimeters).

Extra Baggage Fees

When purchasing extra baggage, you can either pay for it before your flight or at the airport. By prepaying your extra baggage fees, you will benefit from a discounted rate.

Prepaid Extra Baggage Fees

You can pre-purchase up to 2 extra checked bags. Doing so can save you some cash.

For example, if you’re flying from the U.S. to Fiji, prepaying a checked bag will cost you $180, while paying at the airport will see you being charged $200 instead.

Prepaid rates are available up to 4 hours before your flight’s scheduled departure time.

Each excess bag has the following allowances:

• Size limit: 62 linear inches (158 centimeters)
• Weight limit: 66 pounds (30 kilograms)

How to Prepay Your Extra Baggage Fees

To pay for your extra baggage before you arrive at the airport, you can either visit a Fiji Airways Sales Office if there is one located near you or contact their Reservations Center by phone.

Unfortunately, it appears that you currently can’t pay for these fees online.

Prepaid Excess Baggage Fees for Flights from Fiji

All extra baggage fees for flights departing Fiji are in Fijian dollars (FJD).

Prepaid Extra Baggage Fees During High Season

For travel on specific itineraries during high season, you can expect to pay higher fees for prepaid extra baggage.

The following itineraries will be impacted:

• Fiji to Samoa
• Fiji to Tonga

The increased fees don’t apply to flights in the opposite direction.

The high season periods are as follows:

• 15 May to 15 July
• 15 November to 31 December

The following table summarizes the prepaid baggage fees during high season:

Prepaid Excess Baggage Fees for All Other Flights

All baggage fees are in the departing country’s currency, except for:

• Kiribati
• Tuvalu
• Christmas Island

Baggage fees for these countries and territories are in Australian dollars (AUD).

Airport Extra Baggage Fees

For bags paid for at the airport, or prepaid within 4 hours of your flight’s scheduled departure will incur the following fees:

Airport Excess Baggage Fees from the U.S.

Airport Excess Baggage Fees from Canada

Departing from Other Countries

For the sake of brevity, the excess baggage fees for the remaining countries that Fiji Airways services will be given in price ranges. You can find the fees for specific itineraries on the airline’s website.

Oversize Baggage Fees

If your checked baggage exceeds 62 linear inches (158 centimeters) but no more than 109 linear inches (277 centimeters), it is considered oversized. You will have to pay an oversized baggage fee when checking in at the airport.

Fiji Airways doesn’t accept checked baggage larger than 109 linear inches.

The following table contains the oversize baggage fees for Fiji Airways most popular routes. For other routes, you can visit the airline’s website.

Overweight Baggage Fees

Fiji Airways doesn’t accept overweight checked baggage. Each bag can weigh up to 66 pounds (30 kilograms). So, be sure to weigh your bags before you leave for the airport, to avoid any frantic repacking at the check-in counter.

I don’t begrudge the airline for not allowing overweight checked baggage. The standard weight is quite generous at 66 pounds – more than most airlines that operate in the Oceanic region.

In fact, airlines that service that part of the world aren’t allowed to accept checked baggage heavier than 70 pounds (32 kilograms) for occupational safety reasons.

Special Items

Fiji Airways’ website has very little information relating to traveling with special items such as sports equipment and musical instruments.

I did attempt to contact the airline while researching this post for additional information but have yet to receive a response.

Sports Equipment

Fiji Airways’ website mentions that it accepts golf bags and surfboards as well as other sports equipment, but beyond that, the airline provides very little information.

One provision that the airline allows when traveling with sports equipment is that you can travel with 2 checked bags with a combined weight of 66 pounds (30 kilograms) and they will be considered as one piece of baggage, if one of them contains sports equipment only. Essentially, you can split the baggage allowance of one bag into two, if one of them contains only sports equipment.

For example, you could travel with a golf club bag that weighs 50 pounds and another checked bag that can weigh up to 16 pounds. These two bags would be considered as 1 piece when you check in.

If any of the bags is larger than 62 linear inches (158 centimeters), it will be subject to an oversized baggage fee.

Musical Instruments

Fiji Airways allows musical instruments to be brought onboard as part of your carry-on baggage allowance or to be checked into the plane’s hold.

Musical Instruments in Carry On

Fiji Airways allows musical instruments to brought into the cabin as part of your carry-on allowance. It will need to be within the airline’s carry-on size and weight limits.

However, unlike many other airlines, Fiji Airways doesn’t allow the purchase of a seat to transport your larger musical instruments.

Musical Instruments in Checked Baggage

Fiji Airways accepts musical instruments as checked baggage. It will be subject to the same limits and fees as standard checked baggage.

Check In at the Airport

Recommended Check In Time

For international flights, Fiji Airways recommends that you arrive at the airport 3 hours before your scheduled flight. This will allow plenty of time for you to check in, drop off your bags, and go through security.

Minimum Check In Time

Fiji Airways will allow you to check in and drop off your bags at the airport counter up to 60 minutes before your flight’s scheduled departure time.

If you arrive at the airport check-in counter later than 60 minutes before your flight, the airline may refuse to check you in.

Minimum Boarding Gate Time

Fiji Airways advises that you should be ready to board at your flight’s gate at least 15 minutes before your flight’s departure time.

If you arrive later than this time, you may not be able to board your flight.

Flying into Fiji

If you have a connecting domestic flight within Fiji, you will be required to collect your checked baggage upon entering the country.

You will go through customs and security before having to recheck your bags and boarding your connecting flight.

Final Thoughts

Let’s recap Fiji Airways’ baggage policy. Its carry-on baggage policy is standard for non-U.S. airlines, with Economy Class passengers having a 15-pound allowance, while Business Class passengers receive twice as much.

Fiji Airways’ checked baggage allowance is great for those of us who like to pack a lot. The weight limit for both Economy and Business is 66 pounds (30 kilograms) as standard.

This is perfect if you’re planning to travel with sports equipment, such as golf equipment or surfboards – two activities which are very popular in the country.

Remember to always check Fiji Airways’ website or contact their customer service for the latest information on baggage allowances and fees.

Sources

• Fiji Airways