15kg
Checked baggage
15kg / 33lb per passenger, in soft-sided bags no larger than 24in (60cm) high × 18in (45cm) long × 13in (33cm) wide.
Travel information
Baggage, documents and the day of travel
Everything an AirKenya passenger needs before they fly, from the baggage allowance included with every seat to the paperwork for crossing a border.
- Checked baggage
- 15 kg
- Hand luggage
- 5 kg
Baggage
Included with every seat
Cabin space on a light aircraft is limited, so the allowance is set by weight and bag shape rather than by the number of pieces. All baggage must travel in soft-sided bags.
5kg
Hand luggage
Up to 5kg / 11lb, no larger than 12in (30cm) high × 21in (53cm) long × 9in (23cm) wide. This forms part of the 15kg allowance, not additional to it.
Excess and extra baggage
Excess baggage is charged at USD 5 per kilo, on both domestic and international flights. A complimentary luggage storage facility is offered to passengers travelling on a return flight who would rather leave excess baggage behind.
Booking an extra freight seat
Where a very large amount of luggage is expected, an additional freight seat carrying up to 75kg / 165lb can be booked and paid for in advance, subject to the airline’s baggage policy.
Special items and assistance
Wheelchairs, canes, walkers and crutches are carried free of charge for passengers with a disability and are not counted within the baggage allowance, provided they are collapsible. Baby car seats and foldable prams or strollers are also accepted. Soft-sided bags can be purchased at the terminal if you arrive without one.
Need to discuss assistance before you fly? Call reservations on +254 20 391 6000.
Documents
What to arrange before you cross a border
AirKenya flies within Kenya and across into Tanzania. Each country has its own entry requirements, and the airline advises arranging them well before departure.
Kenya
Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA)
Every traveller to Kenya applies for an eTA in advance. Apply at least three days before travel; applications open three months ahead. Submit it at etakenya.go.ke once flights and accommodation are booked.
Tanzania
e-visa
Travellers who need a visa for Tanzania should obtain an e-visa before entry. Applications can be made up to six months ahead, and a tourist visa permits a 30-day stay.
Uganda
e-visa
Visas for Uganda can be obtained online or from an embassy in advance. Applying early avoids queues on arrival.
East Africa
East Africa Tourist Visa
A single visa covering Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda for travellers whose itinerary crosses those borders.
At the airport
Before you fly
Depart from Wilson, not JKIA
AirKenya’s scheduled services leave from the airline’s own terminal at Wilson Airport in Nairobi. Wilson is a separate airfield from Jomo Kenyatta International, and much closer to the city.
Arrive with time to spare
Check-in at the private Wilson terminal is quick, which is the point of it. Even so, allow time for the drive across Nairobi and for your baggage to be weighed at the desk.
Pack soft and light
The holds on these aircraft are smaller than an international airliner’s. Bring soft-sided bags, keep within 15kg checked, and carry no more than 5kg into the cabin.
Keep your papers to hand
Carry photo identification and, where your itinerary crosses a border, the eTA or e-visa that covers it. Keep the documents with you rather than in checked baggage.
Reservations
A question we have not answered?
Reservations are the quickest route to a real answer — call +254 20 391 6000 or email info@airkenya.com.
Frequently asked questions about AirKenya
Where do AirKenya flights depart from in Nairobi?
Scheduled AirKenya services leave from the airline’s private passenger terminal at Wilson Airport, Nairobi — not from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The terminal has its own lounge, free Wi-Fi and baggage check-in.
What is the baggage allowance?
The maximum checked luggage is 15kg (33lb) in soft-sided bags, and hand luggage is limited to 5kg (11lb), which forms part of that 15kg allowance rather than being additional to it.
What happens if I have more than 15kg?
On scheduled flights you can book and pay in advance for an additional freight seat carrying up to 75kg (165lb), subject to the baggage policy. Excess baggage is charged at USD 5 per kilo. A complimentary luggage storage facility is offered to passengers travelling on a return flight who would rather leave excess baggage behind.
What documents do I need to travel?
All travellers to Kenya need an Electronic Travel Authorisation, applied for at least three days before departure. Travellers who need a visa for Tanzania or Uganda should obtain an e-visa in advance. An East Africa Tourist Visa covers Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda in a single document.
Can I book a whole aircraft?
Yes. AirKenya operates charter flights alongside its scheduled services, which take the same aircraft away from the fixed timetable and build the departure around your itinerary.
Can I travel with a wheelchair or a pushchair?
Yes. Wheelchairs, canes, walkers and crutches are carried free of charge for passengers with a disability and are not counted within the baggage allowance, provided they are collapsible. Baby car seats and foldable prams or strollers are also accepted.