Sunrise Airways Baggage Policy and Allowance Rules
Sunrise Airways operates domestic routes within Haiti and international flights connecting the Caribbean and Florida. Because the fleet includes both small turboprop aircraft and leased passenger jets, baggage limits change depending on the aircraft and route you fly.
Sunrise Airways baggage allowances depend on your route and operating aircraft. On domestic turboprop flights within Haiti, carry-on bags are capped at 5 kg (11 lbs), while international flights permit up to 10 kg (22 lbs), plus one personal item. Standard checked bags allow 15 to 20 kg (33 to 44 lbs) domestically and 20 to 23 kg (44 to 50 lbs) internationally, with a 158 cm (62 inch) linear limit. Excess bags fly on a space-available basis on regional aircraft.
Baggage Allowance Snapshot
Carry-on and checked luggage limits depend strictly on whether you fly a domestic turboprop route or an international jet service. Checked allowances also vary by your purchased fare tier.
What can change: Fare class, operating aircraft, wet-lease charter partners, and departure airport counter procedures can alter specific bag permissions and fee schedules.
Baggage Size Visual
Use the airline's stated order of dimensions. Measurements may include wheels and handles only when the official source says so.
Domestic Carry-On Bag
Published limit: 55 × 35 × 20 cm (21.6 × 13.7 × 7.8 in), 5 kg (11 lbs)
Domestic Haiti turboprop flights
International Carry-On Bag
Published limit: 55 × 35 × 25 cm (21.6 × 13.7 × 9.8 in), 10 kg (22 lbs)
Regional jet and international flights
Visual guide - not to scale. Use the published numerical limit as the controlling rule.
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.
How BaggageBase Checks This Information
BaggageBase tracks regional airline tariffs, fleet changes, and airport ground handling rules across the Caribbean. We cross-reference published dimensions against aircraft cargo holds and cabin overhead bin limits.
Because regional carriers periodically update fees or adjust wet-lease partnerships, we separate confirmed base allowances from variable counter surcharges. When specific baggage fees or dimensions are not published online, we state that verification is required on your travel itinerary.
Sunrise Airways Carry-On Baggage Rules
Sunrise Airways divides cabin baggage allowances based on aircraft type and route. Domestic flights within Haiti rely heavily on small turboprop aircraft, such as the Jetstream 32 or Embraer 120, which have tiny overhead storage bins. International routes often use larger regional jets or narrowbody planes with standard overhead space.
On domestic flights, your carry-on bag must not exceed 5 kg (11 lbs). Its exterior dimensions must remain within roughly 55 × 35 × 20 cm (21.6 × 13.7 × 7.8 in), or approximately 110 to 115 linear centimeters (43 to 45 linear inches). Standard rolling suitcases often fail to fit inside turboprop cabin compartments. If a bag exceeds these measurements, ground staff will gate-check it at the aircraft boarding stairs.
On international jet flights, the carry-on limit increases to 10 kg (22 lbs). Dimensions for these flights generally follow standard jet limits of 55 × 35 × 25 cm (21.6 × 13.7 × 9.8 in). You can see how this compares to other regional and long-haul airlines in our airline carry-on size comparison.
The official source does not clearly state whether airport sizing frames include or exclude wheels and handles. To avoid issues at boarding, measure your bag from the floor to the top of the handle.
| Flight Route & Aircraft | Cabin Bag Limit | Max Dimensions | Weight Limit | Space Guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Haiti (Turboprop) | 1 piece | 55 × 35 × 20 cm (21.6 × 13.7 × 7.8 in) | 5 kg (11 lbs) | Gate-check required if bins fill |
| International (Regional Jet) | 1 piece | 55 × 35 × 25 cm (21.6 × 13.7 × 9.8 in) | 10 kg (22 lbs) | Fits standard overhead bins |
| Charter / Wet-Lease Routes | 1 piece | Check e-ticket itinerary | Varies | Subject to operating carrier |
Personal Item Policy and Under-Seat Fit
Sunrise Airways allows passengers to bring one small personal item into the cabin alongside an eligible carry-on bag. A personal item must fit entirely underneath the passenger seat in front of you.
Acceptable personal items include:
- A small handbag or purse
- A compact laptop bag or slim sleeve
- A small briefcase or camera pouch
Standard dimensions for personal items generally measure around 40 × 30 × 15 cm (16 × 12 × 6 in). On small turboprop aircraft, seat support rails or floor hardware can restrict under-seat floor space. Choose soft bags that can compress into tight spaces. You can review safe packing choices in our airline personal item size comparison.
Checked Baggage Allowances and Fare Classes
Sunrise Airways defines checked baggage allowances through the fare class purchased and the flight destination. Standard checked baggage must not exceed 158 linear centimeters (62 linear inches), calculated by adding length, width, and height.
Checked luggage limits generally fall into these tiers:
- Promotional or Basic Fares: Some discounted promotional tickets do not include a free checked bag. Passengers must purchase baggage allowance during booking or at the airport check-in desk.
- Domestic Classic or Standard Fares: Typically include one piece of checked luggage weighing up to 15 kg (33 lbs) or 20 kg (44 lbs), depending on aircraft payload restrictions.
- International Fares: Standard tickets usually permit one or two checked bags weighing 20 kg (44 lbs) or 23 kg (50 lbs) per piece.
- Absolute Safety Maximum: No single checked item may exceed 32 kg (70 lbs). Any item heavier than 32 kg must be shipped through commercial cargo services.
| Fare Class & Route | Included Checked Pieces | Max Weight per Piece | Max Linear Dimensions | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promo Fare (All Routes) | 0 pieces | 0 kg (0 lbs) | 158 cm (62 in) | Must purchase bag separately |
| Domestic Standard (Haiti) | 1 piece | 15 kg to 20 kg (33–44 lbs) | 158 cm (62 in) | Included on standard fares |
| International Standard | 1 to 2 pieces | 20 kg to 23 kg (44–50 lbs) | 158 cm (62 in) | Route and ticket dependent |
| All Fares (Safety Limit) | Not applicable | 32 kg (70 lbs) | Hold door limits apply | Hard cap per single piece |
Verify the exact allowance printed on your electronic ticket receipt before departing. Seasonal operations and charter partnerships can alter baseline allowances.
Excess Baggage, Overweight, and Oversized Fees
If your luggage exceeds weight limits or you bring extra bags, Sunrise Airways assesses additional charges at the airport counter. Online pre-payment for extra luggage is limited or unavailable on many routes, meaning transactions take place during check-in.
Overweight and extra piece fees follow distinct models:
- Domestic Routes: Overweight luggage on domestic Haitian routes is typically charged at a fixed per-kilogram rate for every kilogram above the ticketed limit.
- International Routes: Extra bags are charged as a flat fee per piece up to standard weight limits. Heavier bags between 23 kg and 32 kg incur separate overweight penalty charges.
- Payment Methods and Currencies: Fees at domestic stations (such as Port-au-Prince or Cap-Haïtien) are accepted in Haitian Gourdes (HTG) or US Dollars (USD). International departures typically quote fees in USD.
On turboprop routes within Haiti, extra luggage travels strictly on a space-available basis. Aircraft weight and balance requirements take priority over excess passenger luggage. If the flight reaches its payload limit, excess bags will be held and transported on the next available scheduled service.
| Condition | Route Scope | Fee Structure | Critical Operational Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overweight bag (Domestic) | Domestic Haiti flights | Charged per excess kilogram | Subject to payload capacity |
| Extra bag (International) | Caribbean & international routes | Flat fee per additional piece | Maximum 23 kg (50 lbs) per piece |
| Overweight tier (23–32 kg) | International routes | Fixed overweight surcharge | 32 kg (70 lbs) absolute cutoff |
| Oversized item (>158 cm) | All routes | Special handling surcharge | Subject to aircraft cargo door size |
Regional Turboprop vs. Wet-Lease Jet Operations
Sunrise Airways operates two distinct flight models that directly influence how bags are processed. Domestic routes inside Haiti connect cities like Port-au-Prince (PAP), Cap-Haïtien (CAP), Les Cayes, and Jérémie using regional turboprops. International services connect Port-au-Prince and Santo Domingo with wider regional destinations and South Florida.
On international sectors, Sunrise Airways frequently utilizes wet-lease partnerships (ACMI charter agreements), deploying narrowbody aircraft like the Airbus A320. When flying on a wet-leased or chartered flight, the baggage allowance printed on your travel voucher governs your flight.
If your itinerary connects from a domestic turboprop to an international flight, pack to satisfy the stricter 5 kg domestic carry-on limit. If your Caribbean trip connects to long-haul carriers, check our guide on international carry-on size rules to avoid gate issues across different airlines.
Infant, Medical, and Mobility Equipment
Special baggage items for health, mobility, and childcare follow standard international safety exceptions on Sunrise Airways:
- Infant Equipment: Passengers traveling with an infant under two years old on their lap do not receive an additional checked bag allowance for the infant. However, you can check one fully collapsible stroller or car seat free of charge. Strollers can be checked at the ticketing desk or tagged at the gate for delivery at the aircraft stairs.
- Mobility Aids: Manual and electric wheelchairs, crutches, and braces are transported free of charge and do not count toward your checked luggage limit. Because cargo doors on turboprop aircraft are small, passengers traveling with powered mobility devices should notify the airline in advance to confirm door clearance and battery disconnect requirements.
- Medical Devices: Essential medical items, including CPAP machines, must travel in the passenger cabin. They do not count toward your personal item or carry-on allowance, provided they contain only necessary medical hardware.
Sports Equipment, Musical Instruments, and Boxes
Travelers in the Caribbean frequently travel with sturdy cardboard boxes, cooler chests, or special sports equipment. Sunrise Airways accepts these items subject to strict packaging standards:
- Cardboard Boxes and Coolers: Boxes and hard coolers are accepted as checked luggage if they stay within the 158 linear cm (62 inch) size limit and meet normal weight rules. Boxes must be heavy-duty, completely sealed with reinforced tape, and structurally sound. Leaking ice chests or open cartons are refused at check-in.
- Musical Instruments: Small instruments (like violins or flutes) can be taken into the cabin as your carry-on bag if they fit within overhead bin dimensions and meet weight limits. Larger instruments require purchasing an extra passenger seat or packing inside a heavy-duty hard flight case for cargo transport.
- Sports Gear: Golf bags, scuba diving gear, and surfboards are accepted as checked baggage subject to space availability in the aircraft cargo hold. Oversized sports equipment fees may apply at the counter.
Aircraft Gate-Check and Valet Baggage Process
Because turboprop overhead bins are narrow, standard roller bags cannot go inside the passenger cabin on domestic flights. Sunrise Airways uses a plane-side valet tagging system at boarding.
Here is how the ramp check process works:
- Ground staff attach a valet baggage tag to your carry-on bag at the departure gate or aircraft steps.
- You hand your bag to the ramp crew directly beside the aircraft boarding stairs.
- The crew places your bag into the cargo hold just before the flight departs.
- When you land, ramp workers unload valet-tagged bags and position them on the tarmac near the aircraft stairs for immediate collection.
Before you hand your bag to ground staff at the aircraft steps, remove all lithium-ion batteries, power banks, laptops, e-cigarettes, and vital medications. International aviation rules forbid spare lithium batteries in the cargo hold.
Sunrise Airways Baggage Checklist
Follow these preparation steps to prevent unexpected check-in fees and avoid delays at regional Caribbean airports.
- Weigh your carry-on at home. Keep it under 5 kg (11 lbs) for domestic Haiti flights and under 10 kg (22 lbs) for international routes.
- Choose a soft-sided duffel bag. Flexible bags squeeze into shallow turboprop overhead compartments much easier than rigid roller suitcases.
- Check your printed itinerary receipt. Promotional fares may exclude checked baggage, and ticketed rules override general guidelines.
- Carry cash for airport baggage fees. Check-in desks at small regional airports may experience payment terminal outages, so keep local currency or US Dollars available.
- Remove electronic devices before gate-checking. Take power banks, lithium batteries, and laptops into the cabin if your bag is loaded from the tarmac.
- Arrive at the airport early. Check-in closes 60 minutes before domestic departures and up to 120 minutes before international flights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the carry-on weight limit on Sunrise Airways domestic flights within Haiti?
The domestic carry-on limit is 5 kg (11 lbs). This restriction is enforced due to the small overhead bins and strict weight limits on regional turboprop aircraft.
Does Sunrise Airways allow a personal item in addition to a carry-on bag?
Yes, Sunrise Airways allows one small personal item, such as a purse or laptop sleeve, in addition to your carry-on bag. The personal item must fit under the seat in front of you.
How much checked baggage is included on international tickets?
International tickets generally include one or two checked bags weighing 20 kg (44 lbs) to 23 kg (50 lbs) each, depending on your fare class. Basic promotional fares may require purchasing a checked bag separately.
What happens if my carry-on bag is too big for the overhead bin?
If your carry-on does not fit inside the cabin, ramp agents will tag it at the boarding steps and place it in the cargo hold. You can collect the bag at the aircraft steps upon arrival.
Can I check cardboard boxes instead of suitcases?
Yes, Sunrise Airways accepts cardboard boxes if they do not exceed 158 linear cm (62 inches) and standard weight caps. Boxes must be sturdy, undamaged, and securely sealed with shipping tape.
Is excess baggage guaranteed to fly on the same plane?
No, excess baggage on domestic turboprop flights travels strictly on a space-available basis. If the aircraft reaches its payload limit, excess items are placed on the next scheduled flight.
Can I travel with a stroller free of charge on Sunrise Airways?
Yes, passengers traveling with an infant can check one collapsible stroller or car seat free of charge. You can check the item at the ticket counter or gate-check it at the aircraft boarding door.
What is the absolute maximum weight limit for a checked bag?
The maximum weight limit is 32 kg (70 lbs) per single piece. Ground handlers will refuse any passenger bag exceeding 32 kg due to airport safety regulations.
Decision Summary
When preparing to fly with Sunrise Airways, your packing strategy must match the aircraft operating your route. Domestic flights within Haiti require packing light to stay under the strict 5 kg (11 lb) cabin weight cap, while international flights provide standard jet allowances up to 10 kg (22 lbs).
Always check your electronic ticket confirmation to verify whether your fare tier includes checked baggage. If you plan to carry heavy bags or extra items on small domestic aircraft, remember that excess luggage travels on a standby basis and airport payment desks often require cash.
Airline baggage rules and fees can change by route, fare, cabin, operating carrier, traveler status, purchase channel, and departure date. Check the airline's official baggage policy or calculator before booking, paying, or traveling. BaggageBase reviews information for 2026 where possible, but the airline's published terms remain the final authority.
