As the Caribbean’s peak year-end holiday travel window approaches, regional carrier interCaribbean Airways has formally announced a temporary, network-wide baggage restriction policy that will run from December 15, 2026, through January 15, 2027, aimed at preventing operational disruptions during one of its busiest travel stretches of the year. The Christmas and New Year period typically sees a sharp surge in passenger volumes across the Caribbean, as residents and diaspora members travel across island nations to reunite with family and friends, often carrying extra gifts, household items, and personal belongings. For regional air operators, total baggage capacity on every flight is strictly bounded by individual aircraft cabin and cargo hold configurations, as well as mandatory operational weight and balance safety protocols. Heidi Gardiner, interCaribbean Airways’ Director of Customer Experience, explained that the policy is designed to prioritize reliable access to baggage services for all passengers, rather than forcing last-minute rejections of checked items at airport check-in counters. “Our top goal is to make sure every single traveler can take their guaranteed standard checked bag with them to their destination, no exceptions,” Gardiner noted. “By sharing these rules weeks before the embargo takes effect, we are giving our customers plenty of time to adjust their packing plans, so no one faces unexpected, frustrating hurdles right before their holiday trip.” Under the terms of the embargo, every passenger is guaranteed acceptance of one standard checked bag that adheres to the airline’s published size limits and does not exceed 50 pounds (23 kilograms). A second 50-pound checked bag may be accepted on a space-available basis only, with no guarantee of approval even if the passenger pre-pays for the extra item. Passengers who check a bag weighing between 51 and 70 pounds (23 to 32 kilograms) will be charged a mandatory overweight baggage fee, but will forfeit all eligibility to bring a second checked bag, no matter how light that second item may be. Several categories of items are fully prohibited from checked cargo for the full duration of the embargo: all boxes of any dimension, including plastic storage tubs and bins; any oversized baggage measuring more than 158 centimeters in total linear dimension (sum of length, width, and height); any checked bag exceeding 70 pounds (a permanent year-round ban already in place); any third or additional checked bags beyond two; and any second checked bag for a passenger who has already checked an overweight first bag. Sports equipment will only be allowed if it fits within standard size and weight limits and there is leftover cargo capacity, with oversized sports gear completely barred during the period, and all applicable extra surcharges still applying. Critical assistive mobility devices for passengers with disabilities, including wheelchairs and walkers, remain fully exempt from all restrictions and will be accommodated at no extra cost as always. For carry-on items, passengers are still permitted to bring one personal item or one standard carry-on bag, with a maximum 10-pound weight limit and a 37-inch total linear cap (corresponding to 9 x 12 x 16 inches). The airline is urging passengers who hope to bring a second checked bag to review their pre-paid baggage options well before their departure date, noting that pre-paid extra baggage slots are capped by aircraft type and will be closed for sale once the allocated capacity is fully booked. Even passengers who pre-pay for a second bag are not guaranteed space, as final approval will depend on actual available cargo room at check-in. No perishable goods will be allowed in any extra checked bags during the embargo window. interCaribbean Airways is advising all holiday travelers to review the full updated baggage policy in advance via its official dedicated baggage information page at https://www.intercaribbean.com/travel-information/baggage-essentials.html, or reach out directly to its reservations and customer service team for personalized clarifications before arriving at the airport.