Caribbean AirlinesBW

Caribbean Airlines is the flag carrier of Trinidad and Tobago and the largest airline in the Caribbean region. Headquartered in Port of Spain, the airline was founded in 2006 following the acquisition of assets from the defunct BWIA West Indies Airways, taking over the mantle of the national carrier.

The airline operates a network connecting Caribbean islands with North America (New York, Miami, Toronto) and South America (Guyana, Suriname). Caribbean Airlines is known for its warm Caribbean hospitality and generous baggage allowances—a significant advantage for travelers moving between island nations.

While not a member of any major airline alliance, Caribbean Airlines offers codeshare partnerships with several carriers and maintains its own Caribbean Miles loyalty program.

Carry-On Allowance

Personal Item (included on all fares):

• Dimensions: 17" x 13" x 8" (43 x 33 x 20 cm)
• No weight limit
• Must fit under the seat

Cabin Bag (included on all fares):

• Dimensions: 20" x 16" x 9" (51 x 40 x 23 cm)
• Weight: 22 lbs (10 kg) maximum
• Must fit in overhead bin

Fare Class	Personal Item	Cabin Bag
Economy	✓ Free	✓ Free
Business (Caribbean Plus)	✓ Free	✓ Free

Checked Baggage

Caribbean Airlines offers one of the most generous baggage policies in the Americas—two free checked bags on most routes.

Size Limit: 62 linear inches / 158 cm (length + width + height)

Route	Fare Class	Bags Included	Weight per Bag
Caribbean routes	Economy	2	23 kg (50 lbs)
Caribbean routes	Business	2	32 kg (70 lbs)
North America	Economy	2	23 kg (50 lbs)
North America	Business	2	32 kg (70 lbs)
Guyana/Suriname	Economy	2	23 kg (50 lbs)
Guyana/Suriname	Business	2	32 kg (70 lbs)

Additional Bags:

• Third bag: $50-100 USD (varies by route)
• Fourth+ bags: Contact airline for pricing

Overweight & Oversized Fees

Overweight Bags:

Weight	Fee
51-70 lbs (24-32 kg)	$50
71-100 lbs (33-45 kg)	$100
Over 100 lbs	Not accepted

Oversized Bags:

Size	Fee
63-80 linear inches (160-203 cm)	$75
Over 80 linear inches	Prior approval required

Special Items

Item	Fee	Notes
Golf clubs	Standard bag fee	Counts as 1 checked bag
Skis/snowboard	Standard bag fee	Within size/weight limits
Surfboard	$75	Pre-notification recommended
Bicycle	Varies	Must be boxed, contact airline
Car seat	Free	For traveling child
Stroller	Free	Gate-check available
Wheelchair	Free	Always complimentary
Musical instrument	Varies	Cabin if fits, or purchase extra seat

Note: Caribbean Airlines' generous two-bag allowance makes it particularly attractive for travelers relocating, visiting family, or bringing goods between the Caribbean diaspora and their home islands.

Caribbean Airlines operates a fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircraft and ATR 72 turboprops for shorter regional routes.

Caribbean Plus (Business Class):

• 2-2 configuration in the front cabin
• 38" seat pitch
• 20.5" seat width
• Recliner seats with additional legroom
• Priority boarding and dedicated cabin
• Enhanced meal service with Caribbean cuisine
• Complimentary alcoholic beverages
• Priority baggage handling

Economy Class (Boeing 737-800):

• 3-3 configuration
• 30-31" seat pitch
• 17.2" seat width
• Standard recline
• Complimentary meals on most routes
• Non-alcoholic beverages included

Economy Class (ATR 72):

• 2-2 configuration
• Used for shorter inter-island routes
• Complimentary snacks and beverages
• Scenic views of Caribbean islands

In-Flight Dining:

• Complimentary meals on international and most regional flights
• Caribbean-inspired cuisine featuring local flavors
• Rum punch and Caribbean beverages available (for purchase in Economy)
• Special meals available with 24-hour advance notice
• Halal, vegetarian, and other dietary options

Entertainment:

• No seatback screens
• Overhead monitors on some aircraft for announcements
• Bring your own device for entertainment
• Caribbean music and culture highlighted

What to Expect: Caribbean Airlines emphasizes Caribbean hospitality over high-tech amenities. Expect friendly service, local food, and a laid-back island atmosphere. The focus is on comfortable transportation with genuine warmth rather than premium hardware.

Booking:

• Book directly on caribbean-airlines.com for best service
• Check for promotional fares—the airline runs regular sales
• Consider Business Class for night flights to North America
• Two free bags make Caribbean Airlines competitive even at higher fares

Packing:

• Take full advantage of the generous 2x23kg allowance
• Popular for bringing goods between diaspora communities and islands
• Weight limits enforced—pack strategically to stay under 50 lbs per bag

At the Airport:

• Check in online to avoid queues
• Arrive early during peak travel periods (Christmas, Carnival, summer)
• POS airport can get congested—allow extra time
• Caribbean island airports vary widely in size and facilities

Best Routes:

• POS-JFK and POS-MIA for competitive transatlantic connections
• Inter-island routes where Caribbean Airlines may be the only option
• POS-GEO (Georgetown, Guyana) for essential Guyana connectivity

Cultural Notes:

• Expect a relaxed, friendly atmosphere
• Trinidad Carnival season (February/March) sees high demand
• Christmas period extremely busy for diaspora travel
• Sunday flights popular for weekend visitors

Connections:

• Limited connecting options without alliance partners
• POS offers the best hub connectivity
• Inter-island connections may require overnight stays
• Check visa requirements carefully for transit countries

What to Know:

• No WiFi on flights
• Entertainment is BYOD (bring your own device)
• Generous baggage is the main differentiator
• Caribbean hospitality prioritized over premium amenities
• Currency accepted: TTD at headquarters, USD widely accepted