Air TanzaniaTC

Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL), branded as "The Wings of Kilimanjaro," is the flag carrier airline of Tanzania. Founded on March 11, 1977 following the dissolution of East African Airways, the airline is wholly owned by the Tanzanian government and headquartered in Dar es Salaam at Julius Nyerere International Airport.

After years of decline that saw the carrier effectively grounded in 2011, Air Tanzania was revitalized in 2016 under President John Magufuli's initiative to rebuild the national carrier. The revival has been remarkably successful - market share grew from 2.4% in 2016 to over 57%, and monthly revenue increased from 700 million TZS ($297,500) to over 30 billion TZS (nearly $12 million). The airline made aviation history in December 2018 as the first African carrier to operate the Airbus A220, becoming only the fifth airline globally to fly this aircraft type.

Today, Air Tanzania operates a modern fleet of 16 aircraft including Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners for long-haul routes to India and Asia, Airbus A220-300s for regional services, Boeing 737 MAX 9s for medium-haul routes, and Bombardier Dash 8 turboprops connecting Tanzania's domestic destinations and safari hotspots. The airline serves both business travelers and the vital tourism sector, providing connections to Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, and major wildlife reserves.

Carry-On Allowance

Cabin Bag (included on all fares):

• Dimensions: 55 x 40 x 20 cm (22" x 16" x 8") including handles and wheels
• Weight: 7 kg (15 lbs) in Economy, 10 kg (22 lbs) in Business
• Must fit in overhead bin

Personal Item (in addition to cabin bag):

• Examples: Laptop bag, handbag, small bag
• Must fit under seat in front

Class	Cabin Bag	Personal Item
Economy	1 x 7 kg	1 small bag
Business	1 x 10 kg	1 small bag

Checked Baggage

Air Tanzania uses the piece concept with allowances varying by route type.

Domestic Flights (within Tanzania):

Class	Pieces	Weight per Piece
Economy	1 bag	23 kg (50 lbs)
Business	1 bag	30 kg (66 lbs)

International - Africa (Regional):

Class	Pieces	Weight per Piece
Economy	2 bags	23 kg (50 lbs) each
Business	2 bags	23 kg (50 lbs) each

International - Comoro Islands:

Class	Pieces	Weight per Piece
Economy	2 bags	15 kg (33 lbs) each
Business	2 bags	15 kg (33 lbs) each

Intercontinental (Africa to Asia/Other Continents):

Class	Pieces	Weight per Piece
Economy	2 bags	23 kg (50 lbs) each
Business	3 bags	23 kg (50 lbs) each

Standard Size: 158 cm (62 in) linear maximum (length + width + height)

Excess Baggage Fees

Route Type	Fee (per kg)
Tanzania domestic	8,000 TZS (~$3)
Africa regional	$8 USD
Africa to Asia	$15 USD

Special Items

Item	Domestic	Regional	International
Golf equipment	95,000 TZS (~$37)	$100	$160
Bicycle	95,000 TZS (~$37)	$80	$100
Diving equipment	95,000 TZS (~$37)	$100	$180
Car seat	FREE	FREE	FREE
Stroller	FREE	FREE	FREE
Wheelchair	FREE	FREE	Usually free*

*Wheelchair handling fee: $30 from Mumbai, $90 from Dubai

Prohibited in Checked Baggage: Gold, jewelry, laptops, and cash are not accepted as checked baggage. Perishables and firearms (except licensed handguns under Tanzanian government regulations) are restricted.

Fees as of January 2025. Verify at airtanzania.co.tz/baggage before traveling.

Business Class

Air Tanzania offers business class on all aircraft types with varying configurations and amenities.

Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (Long-haul):

• Configuration: 22 seats
• Seat type: Lie-flat or angled flat seats
• Pitch: 38-60 inches
• Width: 20-22 inches
• Features: Personal entertainment screens, power outlets, USB ports
• Service: Multi-course dining, premium beverages
• Best for: Long-haul routes to Mumbai, China, and intercontinental destinations

Airbus A220-300 (Regional):

• Configuration: 12 seats in 2-2 layout
• Pitch: 38 inches
• Width: 20-21 inches
• Features: USB charging at every seat, enhanced legroom
• Service: Complimentary meals and beverages
• Best for: Regional African routes

Boeing 737 MAX 9:

• Configuration: Recliner-style business seating
• Enhanced legroom and meal service
• Ideal for medium-haul African destinations

Economy Class

Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner:

• Configuration: 240 seats in 3-3-3 layout
• Pitch: 31-32 inches (79-81 cm)
• Width: 17-18 inches
• Features: Personal seatback entertainment screens, USB and AC power ports
• Advanced cabin environment with higher humidity and air filtration

Airbus A220-300:

• Configuration: 120 seats in 3-2 layout
• Pitch: 30-32 inches
• Width: 18-18.5 inches
• Features: USB charging at every seat, AC power between seats
• No seatback screens (streaming or no IFE)
• Modern, quiet cabin with large windows

Dash 8-Q400 (Domestic):

• Configuration: 78 seats in 2-2 layout
• Pitch: 30 inches
• Turboprop aircraft for short domestic hops
• Basic service with complimentary snacks

Entertainment

Long-haul aircraft (787) feature seatback entertainment systems with movies, TV shows, and music. Regional aircraft (A220, 737 MAX) have USB charging but typically no seatback screens.

Dining

All flights include complimentary meals and beverages appropriate to flight duration.

Flight Type	Service
Domestic (short)	Complimentary snacks, water, cashews
Regional	Full meal service with hot options
Long-haul	Multi-course dining, wine, spirits
Business Class	Enhanced menu, premium beverages

Special Meals: Contact Air Tanzania at least 24-48 hours before departure for dietary requirements.

Booking

• Book directly at airtanzania.co.tz for best service during disruptions
• Compare with Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways for regional routes
• Air Tanzania often offers competitive fares for Tanzania domestic routes
• Book early for peak safari seasons (June-October dry season, December-February)

Safari & Tourism Connections

Air Tanzania excels at connecting tourists to Tanzania's highlights:

• Kilimanjaro climbers: Fly into JRO, close to park gates
• Serengeti safaris: Connect via JRO or fly to Mwanza for western access
• Zanzibar beach: High frequency DAR-ZNZ and JRO-ZNZ services
• Northern circuit: ARK (Arusha) for Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara, Tarangire

Tip: Domestic Dash 8 flights offer scenic views - request window seats

At the Airport

• DAR Terminal 3 handles international departures; arrive early during peak hours
• JRO is a smaller airport with straightforward processes
• ZNZ can be crowded during tourist season - allow extra time
• Currency exchange available at airports but rates may be better in town

Avoiding Issues

• 7 kg carry-on limit is sometimes enforced - weigh bags before travel
• Pre-book excess baggage to avoid airport surcharges
• Confirm flight times 24-48 hours before departure
• Don't pack valuables (laptops, jewelry, cash) in checked bags - airline policy prohibits this
• Allow connection time at DAR for international-to-domestic transfers

Best Value

• Business Class on domestic/regional A220 flights is often affordable
• Twiga Miles Gold status unlocks 10 kg free extra baggage - valuable for safari gear
• Compare one-way fares - sometimes cheaper than round-trips
• Domestic flights to safari destinations often cheaper than road transfers

Common Pitfalls

• No EU flights available due to current EASA restrictions
• Dash 8 flights have limited baggage space - pack efficiently
• Some regional airports have basic facilities
• WiFi not available on most aircraft
• Flight schedules can change - monitor bookings regularly

Last updated: January 2025