Carry-On Baggage

To reduce movements and contacts in the cabin, with our passengers' safety as a priority, we have set maximum limits for cabin baggage to be transported on board. You should limit your cabin baggage to the essentials, and to volumes that can be handled only by you.      
 

When the cabin volume limit is reached, your carry-on baggage may have to be carried in the aircraft's hold free of charge. In this case, you must make sure to have your travel documents and essential documents with you.      
 

All carry-on baggage must be shown at the time of check-in for proper labeling.      
 

Limitations

Free hand-baggage items

In addition to the piece of cabin baggage, you can carry one of the following free hand-baggage items, provided that it complies with the established maximum dimensions and that the combined weight of the hand baggage and the item below does not exceed the weight allowed by the acquired fare:

• One diplomatic handbag type or a bag with one laptop; 
• One small backpack;
• One lady’s small handbag, a wallet, or a purse with appropriate dimensions for the flight and without articles considered as baggage;
• One garment bag;
• Small pouch with electronic equipment.
   

In addition to the carry-on bag and the free hand-baggage item, you can also take it with you:

• One overcoat, a coat, or one blanket;
• One umbrella or cane;
• Books and magazines in a reasonable amount to read during the flight;
• One duty-free store bag: up to 2 bottles of alcoholic beverages or other items (as long as they do not exceed one bag per passenger).    
   
• Passengers traveling with babies: one portable crib, one small bag with food, and clothes to wear during the flight;
• Incapacitated passengers, or passengers with reduced mobility: one pair of crutches, prosthetic devices, or other articles considered indispensable for their locomotion.
   

Note 1: pet transportation may not be combined with another Free hand-baggage item and must be accommodated under the seat.    
Note 2: musical instruments carried in the cabin, depending on their size, will be considered as cabin baggage (with maximum dimensions of 55×40×20 cm) or as free hand-baggage item (with maximum dimensions of 40×30×15 cm).

— Maximum dimensions include wheels and handles;     
— Although there is a maximum weight limit for luggage carried in the cabin, it must be light enough for the passenger to place it in the luggage compartments;     
— Items labeled with the white label must be placed under the seat in front.

Carry-on baggage requirements for flights departing from the USA

Due to new procedures related to carry-on baggage introduced in the USA through the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) "One Plus One" program, please take into consideration the following information.

Limited to one carry-on bag plus one personal item (such as a purse, briefcase, or laptop) per passenger except for:

• Medical assistance items (such as crutches and wheelchairs)
• Musical instruments;
• One bag with photographic equipment;
• Duty-free items;
• Passengers traveling with babies: 1 volume in total allowed per passenger and baby;
• Passengers traveling with pets: it is not allowed to transport any volume beside the container with the pet

*NOTE:

• Crutches may be transported in the cabin or in the hold;
• Baby stroller/basket and a baby chair will always be accepted as checked baggage and will not be included in the free baggage allowance. These items are loaded last, in order to be delivered quickly at the destination;
• The guide dog shall be transported free of charge, in the cabin or in the hold. If accepted in the cabin, the dog can’t occupy a seat.

We recommend the transportation of the following items as carry-on baggage:

• Identification documents;
• Mobile phones (previously turned off);
• Money, checks, credit cards, credit documents, bonds and other securities;
• Jewelry;
• Medicine;
• Commercial samples;
• Fragile or perishable items.

Check Security Rules for carry-on liquids and Prohibited items on board.

Items you should avoid transporting in your carry-on baggage (once they must be turned off)

• Radio devices;
• Walkie-talkies;
• Remote-control toys;
• CRT monitors;
• Wireless computer equipment (mouse);
• Printers;
• CD and mini-disk players;
• Stereo equipment;
• Pocket radios (AM/FM);
• TV receivers;
• Bluetooth technology.

Pets

If you are going to carry a pet in the cabin, check costs and our special transport conditions here.

Musical instruments

Musical instruments may be accepted as carry-on baggage, as long as they do not exceed the stipulated dimensions (55x40x20cm / total 115cm (45 inches)) and weight (8kg/17lb).          
If these dimensions or weight are exceeded, musical instruments will have to be transported in the hold, properly packaged in a hard-shell case for appropriate protection, or transported in the cabin by acquiring an extra seat.          
You must inform the type of instrument, weight and dimensions when booking, which will be subject to further confirmation.

Security Rules

New security rules have been established at European Union airports to protect passengers from the new threat of liquid explosives.

Passengers may not bring liquids (beverages in general, soups, gels, lotions, perfumes, aerosols, etc.) as carry-ons in containers larger than 100 millilitres (maximum of 1 litre total). These containers must be enclosed in an easily sealable, 19 cm x 20 cm transparent plastic bag.

Exceptions:

• Liquids purchased at stores beyond the airport’s screening checkpoint, or purchased on board the aircraft;
• Liquids for medical purposes, including a medical prescription and proof of authenticity of the exempt liquid;
• Liquids for special dietary needs, with doctor’s certificate;
• Baby food.

Upon request, passengers must prove authenticity by means of a medical prescription or by tasting/skin testing.

Note:          
To transport liquid medicines in carry-on luggage, passengers must print out and complete an Authorization Form for Restricted Carry-On Items. This must be sent to ANAC/FALSEC with its corresponding medical documentation.

ANAC/FALSEC will evaluate the request and approve or reject the exemption. Approved exemptions will be issued an authorization letter, valid for two years, which passengers must have in their possession whenever travelling.

Prior to receiving this authorization letter, passengers must carry a doctor’s certificate (confirming the need to use the medicine), which may be requested by security agents at screening checkpoints.

For further information, please consult the New Security Rules, visit http://www.anac.pt/ or take a look at the EU "Blacklist" of unsafe air carriers.

Please consult:          
Prohibited Articles on board.

Traveling with medications

We recommend that medicines be transported in your carry-on baggage.

SATA Azores Airlines is not responsible for the loss or damage to medications, which should not be included in checked baggage.

Medicines requiring special conservation

To transport your medication that needs to be kept at low temperatures, such as insulin, you should consult your doctor and make sure your medication is preserved at a low temperature according to the duration of your trip, using refrigerated isothermal plates and/or bags, or even kept on dry ice, and preferably protected in styrofoam packaging.

Due to operational limitations, with rare exceptions, it will not be permitted to refrigerate onboard our aircraft.

Liquid Medicines

Liquid medicines, such as syrups, must be carried in bottles or tubes with a capacity of up to 100 milliliters (3.38 US fluid ounces), which must be placed inside a transparent plastic bag that can be opened by the authorities. Each passenger may only carry up to one liter (33.81 US fluid ounces) of liquids.

To transport liquid medicines in carry-on luggage, passengers must print out and complete an Authorization Form for Restricted Carry-On Items. This must be sent to ANAC/FALSEC with its corresponding medical documentation.

ANAC/FALSEC will evaluate the request and approve or reject the exemption. Approved exemptions will be issued an authorization letter, valid for two years, which passengers must have in their possession whenever traveling.

While this authorization letter is not received, passengers must carry a doctor’s certificate (confirming the need to use the medicine), which may be requested by security agents at screening checkpoints.

Liquid medicines in aerosols or gels

Regarding liquid aerosol or gel (LAG) medicines, we advise you to provide proof (prescription or medical statement, for example) that you need the medication to facilitate and speed up security control at airports.

Syringes and needles

When carrying syringes and needles, we also recommend you provide a document proving their need to facilitate and expedite security checks at airports.

Solid Medications

Solid medicines, such as tablets or capsules, have no restrictions.

Failure to comply may result in the medicines being seized by security staff at the airport or carried in the airplane's hold.