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Amelia Baggage Policy: Allowances, Carry-On & Checked Rules

Source-focused editorial review BaggageBase prioritizes official airline, baggage calculator, conditions-of-carriage, and aviation-authority sources. Variable or unclear rules are identified in the guide.

Amelia allows passengers on standard scheduled flights to bring one personal accessory and one standard cabin bag with a combined weight typically up to 10–12 kg. Due to compact overhead bins on regional jets, carry-on rollaboards are routinely collected at the aircraft steps for hold loading and returned upon deplaning. Standard and Flex tickets include one checked bag up to 23 kg.

At a glance

Baggage Allowance Snapshot

Amelia provides standard regional allowances with one personal accessory and one cabin bag. Hold luggage depends on the fare class and aircraft cargo capacity.

Personal accessory 1 item included Must fit under the seat in front
Carry-on bag 1 piece Typically 10–12 kg combined with accessory
Regional jet cabin handling Ramp check Collected at aircraft steps (free of charge)
Standard checked bag 23 kg (50.7 lbs) Included on Standard and Flex fares
Checked bag size 158 cm (62 in) Sum of length + width + height
Basic / Light fare 0 checked bags Hold luggage requires an extra fee
Maximum hold bag limit 32 kg (70.5 lbs) Strict airport health and safety cap
Infant equipment Stroller or car seat Checked free of charge in the aircraft hold

What can change: Allowances vary based on fare tier, ticketed route, codeshare agreements (such as Air France bookings), and regional aircraft compartment limits.

Source check

Official Source Verification

Baggage rules can vary by fare, cabin, route, operating carrier, traveler status, and purchase channel. BaggageBase separates published rules from practical guidance.

Official source Amelia Conditions of Carriage & Booking Terms (flyamelia.com)
Source type Airline conditions of carriage and regional ticket disclosures
Policy scope Scheduled French domestic and European regional routes (e.g., Paris-Orly network)
Last checked Official verification required
Confidence Medium
Important caveat Flights ticketed under Air France flight numbers follow Air France rules, but remain subject to regional cabin bin limits.

Cabin Baggage Rules and Hand Luggage Limits

Amelia (operated by Amelia International, part of the Regourd Aviation Group) operates regional flights with distinct hand luggage rules. When booking directly on Amelia scheduled routes, passengers can bring two pieces into the cabin environment: an under-seat personal accessory and a standard cabin piece.

The under-seat accessory must fit completely beneath the seat directly in front of you. This can be a small handbag, laptop briefcase, or slim backpack. It should remain within approximate dimensions of 40 × 30 × 15 cm. On regional aircraft, you must not place this accessory in the overhead bins, as that limited space is reserved for larger bags and coats.

The primary carry-on bag is designed to fit standard regional aircraft overhead compartments or cargo holds. Amelia generally enforces a total combined cabin weight limit of 10 to 12 kg for both the personal item and the carry-on bag together. If you want to see how this cabin allowance compares to other European airlines, explore our airline carry-on size comparison.

Cabin Item Piece Limit Maximum Dimensions Weight Limit Placement on Board
Personal Accessory 1 per passenger Approx. 40 × 30 × 15 cm Included in total cabin weight Under the forward seat
Standard Cabin Bag 1 per passenger Approx. 55 × 35 × 25 cm 10–12 kg combined with accessory Overhead locker or gate-checked

All standard civil aviation security rules apply. Liquids, pastes, and gels must be in containers of 100 ml or less and packed inside a clear, resealable one-liter bag. Sharp objects, pocket knives, and scissors must be packed in hold luggage.

Regional Jet Reality: "Au Pied de l'Avion" (Aircraft-Side Loading)

A key part of flying with Amelia is aircraft cabin size. Amelia operates regional aircraft, primarily Embraer ERJ 135 and ERJ 145 regional jets, alongside ATR turboprops.

The overhead lockers on an Embraer 145 are much smaller than those on an Airbus A320 or Boeing 737. They run along only one side of the cabin and are too shallow to hold standard wheeled rollaboard bags. Even if your carry-on suitcase meets standard European carry-on measurements, it will often not physically fit inside the overhead compartment.

To solve this, Amelia uses the standard regional procedure known in France as "au pied de l'avion" (delivery at the aircraft steps):

  1. Gate Tagging: At the gate, ground staff place a special luggage tag on your rolling suitcase.
  2. Drop-Off at the Steps: You carry your bag across the tarmac or boarding bridge. Before stepping onto the aircraft stairs, you place your bag onto the ramp baggage cart.
  3. Hold Storage: The ground crew places your bag into the aircraft hold right before departure. This service is provided free of charge for compliant hand luggage.
  4. Collection on the Tarmac: When you land, ramp agents unload these tagged bags and place them directly beside the aircraft stairs. You pick up your suitcase immediately after walking down the steps, before heading into the terminal.

Because your cabin bag may ride in the aircraft hold, you must keep all critical items inside your small personal accessory. Never pack prescription medication, passports, car keys, delicate jewelry, laptops, or portable power banks inside a suitcase that might be collected at the aircraft steps.

Checked Baggage Allowances by Fare Tier

Checked hold baggage on Amelia scheduled flights depends on the fare class shown on your booking confirmation.

Fare Family Checked Bags Included Weight Limit per Bag Max Linear Size (L + W + H)
Basic / Light 0 bags Not included (fee applies) 158 cm (62 in)
Standard / Classic 1 bag 23 kg (50.7 lbs) 158 cm (62 in)
Flex / Corporate 1 or 2 bags (ticket dependent) 23 kg (50.7 lbs) each 158 cm (62 in)
Infant (under 2 years) 1 stroller or car seat Carried free of charge Standard airline specs

Linear dimensions are calculated by adding the total outside length, width, and height of the bag, including handles, pockets, and wheels.

European occupational health regulations set a strict maximum weight limit of 32 kg (70.5 lbs) for any single piece of luggage. Airport ground staff cannot accept any individual bag that exceeds 32 kg, even if you are willing to pay an overweight fee. Bags over this limit must be split into two separate pieces or shipped as cargo.

Luggage must be packed in durable, closed travel bags or suitcases. Cardboard boxes, soft plastic trash bags, and unsealed containers may be rejected at the check-in desk or accepted only with a limited liability tag.

Excess, Overweight, and Oversized Baggage Fees

If your luggage exceeds standard weight or piece allowances, excess fees will apply at check-in. Because Amelia operates scheduled public service routes and charter operations, exact fee schedules can vary by departure airport.

Overweight Surcharges (23 kg to 32 kg)

If your ticket includes a standard 23 kg bag and it weighs between 23.1 kg and 32 kg, an overweight fee is charged at the airport counter:

  • Fixed price schedules vary by airport handling agent.
  • Official verification required for exact published euro rates per route.
  • Paying at the counter before boarding is mandatory to have the bag loaded.

Adding an Extra Piece

If you purchased a Basic fare without hold luggage, or if you need a second bag on a Standard fare:

  • You can add a checked bag through the Amelia online portal or purchase it at the airport check-in desk.
  • Purchasing extra luggage online before arriving at the airport is always cheaper than paying at the check-in counter.
  • Due to weight and balance limits on regional aircraft like the ERJ 145, the airline reserves the right to restrict extra bags on full flights with heavy fuel loads.

Codeshare Flights and Air France Connections

Amelia frequently operates flights on behalf of major airlines, especially Air France, under wet-lease and codeshare contracts.

If you booked your trip through Air France and your flight ticket shows an "AF" flight number operated by Amelia:

  • Your baggage allowance is set by the Air France baggage policy.
  • Flying Blue Silver, Gold, and Platinum baggage benefits apply based on your Air France ticket terms.
  • Any excess baggage fees follow Air France fee charts.
  • The aircraft cabin remains an Amelia regional jet. Even though you are traveling on an Air France ticket, your rolling cabin bag will still be gate-checked to the cargo hold at the aircraft steps if it cannot fit into the narrow overhead compartments.

If you are planning a trip across regional French destinations, you may also want to review the Air Corsica baggage policy to see how allowances differ between French regional carriers.

Special Luggage, Sports Gear, and Family Travel

Carrying oversized items on regional aircraft requires advance planning because cargo door openings and hold volume are limited.

Traveling with Children and Infants

  • Strollers and Car Seats: If you travel with an infant under two years old, you can check one fully collapsible stroller or one infant car seat free of charge.
  • Gate Check: You can push your stroller through airport security up to the boarding gate or aircraft door. Staff will load it into the hold and return it at the steps upon landing.
  • Diaper Bag: You may bring a small baby care bag with milk, food, and diapers for the flight as part of the accompanying adult's cabin allowance.

Sports Equipment

Sports equipment, such as golf bags, ski gear, diving gear, and bicycles, can be carried in the hold:

  • Advance Notice Required: Because cargo holds on the Embraer 145 and ATR fleet are small, you must notify the airline during booking or contact customer support ahead of time.
  • Bicycles: Bicycles must be packed in a rigid transport case or sturdy cardboard box. The handlebars must be turned sideways, pedals removed, and tires deflated.
  • Fees: Sports gear generally counts as an additional checked bag or requires a special equipment surcharge. Official verification required for specific equipment fee tables.

Musical Instruments

  • Small Instruments: Violins, flutes, and clarinets in hard cases can be carried as your cabin bag if they fit within cabin limits or can be safely accommodated via ramp check.
  • Large Instruments: Larger items like cellos cannot fit in regional overhead bins. Passengers must book an extra passenger seat at the regular ticket fare to carry the instrument inside the cabin.

Lithium Batteries and Power Banks

International aviation safety regulations strictly limit the transport of lithium-ion batteries:

  • Cabin Only: All spare lithium batteries, power banks, and camera batteries must be carried inside your personal accessory in the passenger cabin.
  • Never in the Hold: Power banks are strictly prohibited in checked luggage. If ground staff tag your carry-on bag for aircraft-side loading (au pied de l'avion), you must take out your power banks and electronics before leaving the bag on the cart.
Before you fly

Amelia Flight Baggage Checklist

Use this pre-departure checklist to avoid gate delays and unexpected baggage fees on regional routes.

  • Check your marketing airline. Look at your ticket flight number; if it starts with "AF", Air France rules govern your allowance, while Amelia rules apply to "8R" flights.
  • Keep essential items in your small accessory. Pack medication, travel documents, keys, and electronics in your under-seat bag in case your cabin trolley is gate-checked.
  • Remove all power banks from rolling bags. Lithium batteries must never enter the cargo hold, even when bags are collected at the aircraft steps.
  • Weigh your checked suitcase at home. Keep checked luggage under 23 kg to avoid excess fees, and ensure no bag exceeds 32 kg.
  • Measure total suitcase dimensions. Ensure your checked piece does not exceed 158 cm (length + width + height) to avoid oversized baggage handling.
  • Arrive at the airport early. Regional airport check-in counters close 30 to 45 minutes before departure, so arrive at least 60 to 90 minutes before scheduled domestic flights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Amelia allow both a carry-on bag and a personal item?

Yes, standard tickets allow one small personal item to place under the seat in front of you and one larger cabin bag. Both items together typically must not exceed a combined weight limit of 10 to 12 kg.

What happens if my carry-on bag does not fit in Amelia's overhead lockers?

Ground staff will place a delivery-at-aircraft tag on your bag at the boarding gate. You place your bag on the luggage cart at the foot of the aircraft steps, and ground handlers return it to you on the tarmac right after landing.

What is the weight limit for checked bags on Amelia?

When your fare includes checked luggage, the standard weight limit is 23 kg (50.7 lbs) per bag with maximum combined dimensions of 158 cm. A single piece of luggage can never exceed 32 kg due to airport safety rules.

Which baggage rules apply if my flight is operated for Air France?

Air France baggage allowances, Flying Blue perks, and excess fees apply if your flight was booked with an Air France ticket. However, your carry-on suitcase will still be subject to regional jet space limits and may be loaded into the hold at the aircraft stairs.

Can I travel with an infant stroller on Amelia?

Yes, you can check one collapsible stroller or one infant car seat free of charge when traveling with an infant under two years old. You can use the stroller up to the aircraft door, where crew members will load it into the cargo hold.

Where should I pack portable chargers and power banks?

All portable chargers and spare lithium-ion batteries must be kept in your under-seat personal item inside the passenger cabin. They are strictly prohibited in checked luggage and cannot be left in bags loaded at the aircraft steps.

Can I buy extra checked luggage before my flight?

Yes, you can purchase an extra baggage allowance through the Amelia website before departure or pay at the airport check-in desk. Booking extra luggage online in advance is generally cheaper than paying walk-up airport rates.

Can I take sports equipment on an Amelia flight?

Yes, sports gear like golf clubs, skis, and boxed bicycles can travel in the cargo hold. Because cargo space on regional aircraft is limited, you should notify the airline during booking to ensure hold space is available.

Baggage rules, dimension limits, and ancillary fees can change based on route, aircraft type, fare class, and operating airline agreements. For exact fee schedules and contract conditions, review your ticket receipt and the operating airline's official carriage rules before departure.

Daisy (Theresa Mitchell)

About the editor

Daisy (Theresa Mitchell)

Editor and Research Writer

Daisy (Theresa Mitchell) is a Wellesley College graduate with degrees in Literature and Communications. At BaggageBase, she applies her research and editorial background to turn complex airline baggage policies into clear, practical guidance for travelers. Her work focuses on source verification, plain-language explanations, and helping readers understand carry-on limits, checked baggage fees, special-item rules, and policy differences before they fly.