Solomon Airlines fees from October 12: baggage and seats

Solomon Airlines changed several charges on October 12, 2026. Prepaid excess baggage now costs the route-specific amount shown below for each extra kilogram. International seat selection now costs AUD18 for a standard seat, AUD54 for a preferred seat or AUD90 for an extra-legroom seat. The fuel surcharge rose by AUD5 to AUD15 per sector, and Solomon Islands domestic airfares increased by 2%.

*Original AI-generated OpenSim editorial illustration. It is not a photograph of a Solomon Airlines flight, a literal airport view or an airline seat map.*

The short answer: Check the total again before paying, even if you priced the same trip earlier. Extra-baggage rates depend on direction and currency, the fuel surcharge applies per sector, and the airline's public notice does not say that every previously issued ticket will be repriced.

The new charges took effect on October 12

The airline announced the changes on October 5 and made them effective one week later. Its request to buy before October 12 has now expired. A traveler shopping today should use the live booking total rather than an earlier quote or an old screenshot.

The notice gives four separate changes:

• Solomon Islands domestic airfares increased by 2%.
• The fuel surcharge increased by AUD5 to AUD15 per sector.
• International seat selection is AUD18 for standard, AUD54 for preferred and AUD90 for extra legroom.
• Prepaid excess baggage uses a new route, direction and currency table.

The announcement does not publish one sample end-to-end fare, so it is not possible to calculate a universal total increase. The result depends on the itinerary, number of sectors, optional seats and excess-baggage weight.

Prepaid excess baggage is charged per kilogram

Solomon Airlines' current excess-baggage page identifies the following amounts as charges per kilogram. Multiply the route rate by the number of kilograms purchased, then confirm the displayed total before payment.

The currency follows the departure direction. A return trip can therefore use two currencies and two different-looking numbers. Do not treat SBD80 and AUD18 as directly comparable without a current exchange rate.

Prepaid baggage is for Solomon Airlines-operated services. The airline tells codeshare passengers to use the operating carrier's rates. It also says acceptance remains subject to aircraft payload and available space, so prepayment is not a promise that an unusually heavy or bulky item will travel on a particular flight.

Check the free allowance before buying extra weight

The airline's baggage information currently lists 30kg checked baggage for international economy, 40kg for international business and 16kg for domestic economy. Belama Plus or Flexible Economy lists 40kg internationally, while eligible international business travelers in that column receive 50kg. No single checked item may exceed 32kg.

Cabin baggage is different: 5kg in domestic economy, 7kg in international economy and 10kg in international business. Size limits also apply. Read the allowance on the e-ticket because another airline's rules can govern a mixed-carrier journey.

Children receive the same baggage allowance as adults. The airline also lists additional infant items and a 7kg sporting-equipment allowance on its own operated flights, but bulky-item charges can still apply when equipment exceeds standard dimensions.

A seat fee does not guarantee a specific seat

The three new amounts apply to international seat selection. They are optional service fees, not a new cabin fare. The seat-selection page explains how to choose a seat, while the conditions of carriage allow the airline to change seating for operational or safety reasons.

If a particular location matters, save the confirmation and check the seat map again after an aircraft or schedule change. Ask the airline what remedy applies if it moves a paid selection because the public fee notice does not set out every refund scenario.

Existing bookings need a line-by-line check

The airline directs customers to Manage My Booking. Open the existing reservation and compare the fare, surcharge, seat and baggage entries separately.

For an already issued ticket, do not assume the 2% domestic increase or the higher surcharge has been added retrospectively. The primary notice states an effective date but does not define every ticketing or reissue case. Optional services bought now may display the current prices even when the underlying ticket was issued earlier. Ask Solomon Airlines for a written breakdown if the portal total is unclear.

Separate tickets create another boundary. Solomon Airlines says it will not through-check a passenger or bags onto a second, separate ticket. On one ticket number, it says bags can be checked to the final destination. Inspect the bag tag at the counter and leave enough time for immigration, collection and another check-in when tickets are separate.

Mobile data at the route endpoints

OpenSim currently has no Solomon Islands plan. An Australia eSIM, New Zealand eSIM or Fiji eSIM can provide mobile data on the ground at those route endpoints when the selected plan covers the destination. It will not provide coverage in Honiara or Munda, work in flight, change an airline fee or protect a connection.

Check the plan's allowance, validity, supported networks and top-up status before purchase. Also confirm that the phone is eSIM compatible and keep the booking details available offline for arrival in the Solomon Islands.

Ten questions about the new Solomon Airlines fees

When did the new Solomon Airlines fees start?

They took effect on October 12, 2026. The earlier opportunity to buy at the previous rates has ended.

Is the prepaid baggage amount charged once or per kilogram?

Per kilogram. For example, five prepaid extra kilograms from Brisbane to Honiara use the AUD18-per-kilogram rate. Confirm the final total in the booking before paying.

Are the outbound and return baggage prices the same?

Not necessarily. Direction controls both the amount and currency. Honiara departures in the published table use Solomon Islands dollars, while Brisbane departures use Australian dollars.

Is prepaid excess baggage cheaper than paying at the airport?

The airline publishes separate prepaid and airport tables, with the current prepaid amounts lower on the routes listed. Compare both live rates before payment because the airline can revise them.

Can I buy prepaid baggage for a codeshare flight?

Do not apply this table automatically. Solomon Airlines says its rates are valid on Solomon Airlines-operated flights and directs codeshare passengers to the operating carrier.

What happens if one checked bag weighs more than 32kg?

The airline says no single checked item may exceed 32kg. Buying more total allowance does not remove that per-item limit.

Does the 2% increase apply to international fares?

The announcement specifically identifies Solomon Islands domestic airfares for the 2% increase. It does not state a matching 2% rise for every international fare.

Is the AUD15 fuel surcharge charged for the whole booking?

The airline describes it as AUD15 per sector. A multi-sector itinerary can therefore carry more than one surcharge line, but the booking total is the authority for the actual ticket.

Will my paid seat always stay assigned?

No seat assignment is absolute. Operational or safety requirements can lead to a change, so retain the confirmation and ask about the applicable remedy if the airline moves a paid selection.

Will Solomon Airlines transfer my bag to a separate ticket?

No. The airline says passengers on two separate tickets must collect and recheck their bags. Flights on one ticket number can be through-checked to the final destination, subject to the itinerary and entry process.

Confirm the fee lines before departure

Reopen the booking before departure and verify the operating carrier, sector count, baggage allowance, extra kilograms, selected seat and final currency. At check-in, inspect the bag tag and keep essential medication, documents and valuables in cabin baggage.

We will update this guide if Solomon Airlines changes the effective date, fare increase, fuel surcharge, seat fees, baggage allowances, prepaid rates, route list or separate-ticket policy. The airline's live booking and baggage pages remain the final source for a particular itinerary.