TAAG Angola Airlines allows Economy Class passengers one carry-on bag weighing up to 8 kg (55 × 35 × 25 cm) plus one small personal item. Long-haul intercontinental routes include two checked bags up to 23 kg each in Economy, and two to three bags up to 32 kg each in Business Class. Domestic routes within Angola generally include one checked bag up to 23 kg.
Baggage Allowance Snapshot
TAAG Angola Airlines operates under the piece concept on all scheduled international and domestic routes. Baggage allowances depend primarily on your booked cabin class and aircraft type.
What can change: Regional turboprop flights (Dash 8-Q400) enforce strict cabin locker limits requiring gate-checking. Promotional light fares and connecting partner flights may alter checked piece allowances.
Baggage Size Visual
Use TAAG Angola Airlines' stated order of dimensions: Height × Width × Depth. Measurements include wheels, handles, and side pockets.
Cabin Carry-On Bag
Published limit: 55 × 35 × 25 cm • Max 8 kg
All cabins (Economy, Business, and First)
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.
TAAG Angola Airlines Cabin Baggage Rules
TAAG Angola Airlines (Linhas Aéreas de Angola, DT) applies cabin luggage allowances based on ticketed travel class and aircraft configuration. Hand luggage must stow safely inside the overhead compartments or under the seat in front of you.
Economy Class Cabin Limits
Passengers traveling in Economy Class receive:
- One main carry-on bag: Weighing a maximum of 8 kg (17.6 lbs).
- Maximum exterior dimensions: 55 × 35 × 25 cm (21.6 × 13.8 × 9.8 in), totaling no more than 115 linear cm. How this compares across worldwide carriers can be seen in our reference guide to international carry-on size.
- One personal item: A small accessory such as a handbag, compact laptop case, small backpack, or airport duty-free shopping bag. The item must slide entirely under the seat ahead.
Ground agents monitor carry-on weight during check-in and boarding gate checks. Bags exceeding 8 kg must be checked into the cargo hold. To avoid unexpected repacking, check our practical strategies on the carry-on weight limit.
Business Class Cabin Limits
Passengers flying in Business Class (Classe Executiva) receive an expanded carry-on allowance:
- Two main carry-on bags: Each bag must weigh no more than 8 kg (17.6 lbs), providing a total combined hand luggage allowance of up to 16 kg.
- Dimensions: Each piece must observe the standard 55 × 35 × 25 cm limit.
- One personal item: Permitted alongside the two cabin bags under the same under-seat placement rules.
Regional Aircraft Storage Limits (Dash 8-Q400)
TAAG operates several regional routes within Angola and neighboring Southern African nations using De Havilland Dash 8-Q400 turboprop aircraft. The overhead bins on these aircraft are narrower and shallower than those on wide-body Boeing 777 or Boeing 737 airliners.
When traveling on turboprop flights:
- Standard rigid rollaboard bags measuring 55 × 35 × 25 cm often cannot slide into the overhead bins.
- Ground staff implement a ramp-side "Delivery at Aircraft" procedure. Your carry-on will be tagged at the boarding steps, placed directly into the hold, and returned on the tarmac immediately upon disembarkation.
- Pack passports, medications, electronic devices, and lithium power banks inside your smaller personal item so they remain in your care inside the cabin.
Checked Baggage Allowances by Cabin and Route
TAAG Angola Airlines applies the international Piece Concept across its scheduled network, with distinct piece and weight caps across domestic, regional, and long-haul intercontinental routes.
Intercontinental Routes
Flights connecting Luanda (Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport, LAD, and Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport, NBJ) with European, South American, and Caribbean destinations (such as Lisbon, Madrid, São Paulo, and Havana) provide the following allowances:
- Economy Class: 2 checked pieces, up to 23 kg (50.7 lbs) per piece.
- Business Class: 2 to 3 checked pieces (depending on fare brand), up to 32 kg (70.5 lbs) per piece.
- First Class (Select Boeing 777 Flights): 3 checked pieces, up to 32 kg (70.5 lbs) per piece.
- Size Threshold: Every piece must not exceed 158 cm (62 linear inches) calculated by adding Length + Width + Height.
Regional African Flights
On scheduled international flights between Luanda and regional African hubs-including Johannesburg (JNB), Cape Town (CPT), Windhoek (WDH), Kinshasa (FIH), São Tomé (TMS), and Maputo (MPM):
- Economy Class: Typically 2 checked pieces at 23 kg each. Certain low-cost promotional fare classes may be restricted to 1 piece up to 23 kg.
- Business Class: 2 checked pieces up to 32 kg each.
Domestic Flights Within Angola
For domestic services between Luanda and provincial airports like Cabinda (CAB), Lubango (SDD), Soyo (SZA), and Catumbela/Benguela (CBT):
- Economy Class: 1 checked piece up to 23 kg.
- Business Class: 2 checked pieces up to 30 kg or 32 kg each.
Checked Baggage Allowance Matrix
| Route Profile | Cabin Class | Standard Pieces | Max Weight per Piece | Max Linear Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intercontinental (Lisbon, Madrid, São Paulo, Havana) | Economy Class | 2 pieces | 23 kg (50.7 lbs) | 158 cm (62 in) |
| Intercontinental (Europe, Americas) | Business Class | 2–3 pieces | 32 kg (70.5 lbs) | 158 cm (62 in) |
| Intercontinental (Boeing 777 Services) | First Class | 3 pieces | 32 kg (70.5 lbs) | 158 cm (62 in) |
| Regional Africa (e.g., JNB, CPT, WDH) | Economy Class | 2 pieces | 23 kg (50.7 lbs) | 158 cm (62 in) |
| Regional Africa (e.g., JNB, CPT, WDH) | Business Class | 2 pieces | 32 kg (70.5 lbs) | 158 cm (62 in) |
| Domestic Angola (e.g., Cabinda, Lubango) | Economy Class | 1 piece | 23 kg (50.7 lbs) | 158 cm (62 in) |
| Domestic Angola (e.g., Cabinda, Lubango) | Business Class | 2 pieces | 30–32 kg | 158 cm (62 in) |
| All Routes | Infant (No seat) | 1 piece | 10 kg (22 lbs) | 115 cm (45 in) |
Excess, Overweight, and Oversized Baggage Fees
Checked bags exceeding free allowances in weight, piece count, or dimensions are subject to ancillary fees at the check-in desk. Charges are collected in the local currency of the departure station (USD, EUR, or Angolan Kwanza - AOA).
Overweight Surcharges (Economy Class)
If an individual Economy Class bag weighs more than 23 kg (50.7 lbs) up to 32 kg (70.5 lbs):
- An overweight flat fee is billed at check-in.
- On intercontinental routes, this surcharge generally ranges between $50 USD and $150 USD (or local currency equivalent).
- Absolute Weight Limit: TAAG enforces a strict ceiling of 32 kg (70.5 lbs) per individual piece for baggage handler safety. Any bag over 32 kg will not be accepted at check-in and must be divided into separate bags or sent via cargo.
Additional Checked Bags
Passengers purchasing extra baggage allowances beyond their ticketed piece limit pay per piece at airport check-in:
- Intercontinental Routes: An additional 23 kg piece costs between €100 and €200 / $120 and $220 USD per bag depending on the departure point and seasonal travel periods.
- Regional & Domestic Flights: Surcharges follow zoned flat rates or per-kilogram excess pricing structures.
Oversized Baggage Limits
- Checked bags measuring between 159 cm and 203 cm (63 to 80 linear inches) incur an oversized handling surcharge.
- Items exceeding 203 cm (80 inches) in total dimensions cannot be checked through the passenger baggage system and must be booked through TAAG Cargo.
Note: Real-time excess baggage tariffs vary based on currency exchange rate adjustments and local station surcharges. Official verification required at the airport counter.
Traveling with Infants and Children
TAAG Angola Airlines maintains structured allowances to assist passengers traveling with young dependents:
Infant Allowance (Under 2 Years, Without a Seat)
- Checked Bag: An infant seated on an adult lap receives 1 piece of checked luggage up to 10 kg (22 lbs) with linear dimensions not exceeding 115 cm.
- Stroller or Pushchair: One fully collapsible pushchair, stroller, or infant car seat may be checked free of charge. Strollers can be pushed to the aircraft gate and handed to ramp staff before boarding.
- In-Cabin Essentials: Accompanying adults may carry a diaper bag containing infant formula, baby food, and changing items needed during flight hours.
Children (Ages 2 to 11)
Children traveling on an individual booked seat receive the full adult baggage allowance corresponding to their purchased cabin class and route.
Sports Equipment, Musical Instruments & Special Items
Special luggage items can often travel as part of your standard checked baggage allowance, provided they satisfy standard handling conditions.
Sports Equipment
Equipment such as golf bags, scuba diving kit, angling rods, and surfboards are accepted:
- Allowance Integration: On piece-concept routes, an approved piece of sports gear weighing up to 23 kg and within standard dimension parameters can replace one of your included checked bags.
- Excess Fees: If the item exceeds your free piece allowance or exceeds 158 linear cm, a dedicated sports handling fee applies.
- Pre-Notification: Passengers carrying bulky sporting goods on regional routes (especially those served by Dash 8 aircraft) should notify the airline at least 48 hours in advance due to cargo bay volume limits.
Musical Instruments
- Cabin Carriage: Small instruments (violins, flutes, small brass) fitting within 55 × 35 × 25 cm and 8 kg can replace your carry-on bag.
- Checked Instruments: Larger instruments traveling in the aircraft hold must be packed in a rigid, flight-ready hard case. Standard weight limits (23 kg in Economy, 32 kg in Business) apply.
- Extra Seat for Baggage: Bulkier instruments (such as cellos) may travel inside the passenger cabin by booking an extra passenger seat. The instrument must be placed in a window seat, safely secured with seatbelt extensions, and must not exceed cabin structural limits.
Connecting Flights, Codeshares & Partner Airlines
Connections through Luanda or transfer points in Europe require an understanding of through-check rules and customs procedures.
Luanda Airport Transit Procedures
TAAG operates its primary hubs through Luanda's airports (Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport and Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport):
- Single-Ticket International Connections: Checked bags are automatically routed to your final destination airport.
- Connecting to Domestic Sectors: When arriving in Luanda on an international flight and connecting to a domestic destination within Angola, you must collect your checked bags, pass through Angolan customs clearance, and re-check your bags at the domestic departures terminal.
Connecting with TAP Air Portugal
A common route for travelers involves connecting between TAAG and flights throughout Europe. If your itinerary involves transferring between TAAG and Portuguese carriers, review the TAP Air Portugal baggage policy to understand differences in cabin weight enforcement and European checked bag tiers.
Under IATA Resolution 302 (Most Significant Carrier rule):
- For through-booked multi-carrier tickets, the luggage rules of the carrier operating the primary intercontinental sector generally control the entire outbound routing.
- If you book separate tickets across different carriers, each airline applies its own piece, weight, and check-in rules independently.
Baggage Delays, Damage, and Claims
In the event of luggage damage or delay, travelers are protected under the terms of the Montreal Convention. Strictly follow these airport steps to preserve your claim rights:
At the Airport
- File a PIR Immediately: Before passing through customs exit doors, visit the TAAG Baggage Service Desk (Serviço de Bagagens) in the arrivals hall.
-
Complete the Report: File a Property Irregularity Report (PIR). Keep the physical copy showing your 10-character reference number (e.g.,
LADDT12345). - Keep All Tags: Keep your original boarding cards and baggage claim tags attached to your passport.
Deadlines for Written Claims
- Damaged Luggage: Submit a formal written claim to TAAG within 7 days of baggage receipt, accompanied by photographs of the damaged suitcase and receipts for item repairs.
- Delayed Luggage: Submit your claim for reimbursement of essential emergency expenses (such as toiletries and clothing) within 21 days of the date your delayed bag was delivered. Keep all itemized purchase receipts.
- Lost Luggage: Luggage that cannot be located within 21 days is officially declared lost, qualifying you to claim for the depreciated value of the lost bag and its contents.
Pre-Flight Baggage Checklist
Use this checklist prior to departure to ensure smooth check-in and transit across TAAG Angola Airlines flights.
- Weigh your hand luggage. Confirm your cabin bag does not exceed 8 kg (17.6 lbs) and stays within 55 × 35 × 25 cm.
- Inspect your ticket piece allowance. Verify whether your Economy booking includes 1 or 2 checked bags, especially on domestic or promotional fares.
- Remove hazardous items from checked bags. Power banks, spare lithium-ion batteries, and electronic cigarettes must travel in your hand luggage.
- Prepare for Dash 8 ramp delivery. If your domestic route uses turboprops, ensure fragile items are inside your personal item in case your rollaboard is gate-checked.
- Remove old transit tags. Peel off previous flight barcodes to avoid baggage automated sorting delays at transfer hubs.
- Keep claim receipts secure. Hold onto baggage claim stubs until you collect your luggage and clear airport customs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the carry-on baggage allowance on TAAG Angola Airlines?
Economy Class passengers are allowed one cabin bag weighing up to 8 kg (17.6 lbs) with exterior dimensions not exceeding 55 × 35 × 25 cm, plus one personal item such as a laptop case or handbag. Business Class passengers can bring two cabin bags weighing up to 8 kg each, plus one personal item.
How many checked bags are included on international TAAG flights?
Standard Economy Class tickets on intercontinental routes (such as Luanda to Lisbon, Madrid, São Paulo, or Havana) include two checked bags weighing up to 23 kg (50.7 lbs) each. Business Class tickets include two to three bags weighing up to 32 kg (70.5 lbs) each, depending on the fare class.
What are the checked baggage weight limits on domestic flights in Angola?
Standard domestic Economy Class tickets within Angola generally permit one checked piece weighing up to 23 kg (50.7 lbs). Domestic Business Class tickets provide an allowance of two checked bags weighing up to 30 kg or 32 kg each.
What happens to carry-on bags on regional Dash 8 flights?
Due to compact overhead bin compartments on De Havilland Dash 8-Q400 turboprop aircraft, standard carry-on suitcases may be collected at the boarding steps for ramp check-in. The baggage travels in the cargo hold and is returned on the tarmac immediately upon arrival.
What is the maximum size allowed for checked luggage on TAAG?
Every piece of checked baggage must measure no more than 158 cm (62 linear inches) calculated by adding Length + Width + Height. Checked pieces measuring between 159 cm and 203 cm incur an oversize baggage fee. Items over 203 cm must travel via cargo.
Can an Economy Class bag weigh up to 32 kg with an extra fee?
Yes. Economy Class bags weighing between 23 kg and 32 kg are accepted upon payment of an overweight baggage fee at airport check-in. Any individual bag weighing more than 32 kg (70.5 lbs) will not be accepted under any circumstances due to airport handling regulations.
What baggage allowance do infants receive on TAAG Angola Airlines?
Infants under two years of age traveling without an individual seat receive one checked bag weighing up to 10 kg (maximum 115 linear cm). In addition, one fully collapsible stroller, pram, or infant car seat is checked free of charge.
How does luggage transfer work on connections between TAAG and TAP Air Portugal?
When both flights are booked together under a single e-ticket, checked bags are transferred through to your final destination under IATA Resolution 302 rules. If you hold separate tickets on each airline, you must collect your bags, clear customs, and re-check them for your connecting flight.
Baggage rules, excess charges, and operational allowances can vary based on route, fare category, aircraft equipment, and codeshare operating partners. The operating transport company's official conditions of carriage and ticket terms prevail at all times.
