Traveller reference · DM
Arajet
No alliance · IATA DM · the Dominican Republic's low-cost carrier
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This page is a general reference written by our team. Baggage allowances, fees and policies are set by the airline and change without notice, so confirm anything that affects your trip with Arajet directly before you travel.
Official site: arajet.comArajet is a young ultra low-cost carrier based in the Dominican Republic, which began flying in September 2022 and has grown quickly from hubs at Santo Domingo and Punta Cana. It is the country's flag carrier and operates a single fleet type, the Boeing 737 MAX 8.
Its strategic idea is to use the Caribbean as a bridge between North and South America. For journeys between, say, the US east coast and parts of South America, a connection in Santo Domingo can be cheaper than the conventional routing through a US or Panamanian hub, and Arajet has built its network around that proposition.
For travellers in the United States with family in the Dominican Republic, it is simply another option on a corridor that already has substantial service from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, New York, Boston and Orlando. What it adds is a low-cost fare structure on a route group that has historically been dominated by full-service and hybrid carriers.
Arajet at a glance
- IATA code
- DM
- ICAO code
- DWI
- Based in
- Dominican Republic
- Alliance
- No global alliance
- Type
- Ultra low-cost
- Frequent flyer
- None — fares sold as bundles
How Arajet baggage works
Arajet sells a base fare plus bundles rather than a single inclusive ticket. The lowest fare covers a seat and a personal item, with cabin bags, checked bags and seat selection added through a bundle or individually.
As with any unbundled carrier, extras cost less bought at the time of booking than added later, and least of all compared with buying them at the airport.
There is no alliance and no traditional frequent flyer programme, so there is no status-based allowance to fall back on. What you buy is what you get.
Check-in
Check in online or through the app before travelling. Airport check-in can carry a charge on ultra low-cost carriers, and Arajet follows the standard model.
Because Arajet flies international routes almost exclusively, documentation is checked at the counter on every departure. Entry requirements for Caribbean and South American destinations vary considerably by nationality, so confirm yours before travelling.
Boarding
Boarding is by group with priority sold separately. The single fleet type means a consistent cabin layout, which makes seat selection more predictable than on carriers operating several aircraft types.
Bag sizes are checked at the gate, since the fee structure depends on whether your item is a personal item or a cabin bag.
Before you fly Arajet
Two Dominican hubs, and they are far apart
Santo Domingo (SDQ) and Punta Cana (PUJ) are both Arajet bases but they are on opposite sides of the country, roughly a three-hour drive apart. A cheaper fare into the wrong one can cost more in ground transport than it saved.
Connecting via the Caribbean is a real alternative
For some North to South America journeys, routing through Santo Domingo is genuinely cheaper than going via a US or Panamanian hub. It is worth checking as an option rather than assuming the conventional routing is the only one.
A young network changes quickly
Arajet has been adding and adjusting routes rapidly since launch. Any list of destinations, including this page, ages faster than it would for an established carrier, so check the current route map on arajet.com rather than relying on a summary.
Planning a trip rather than researching a carrier?
Our route and airport guides cover the journey itself — when demand peaks, which airports work, and how long the connection really takes.
FAQ
Arajet — common questions
General guidance only. Arajet sets these policies and can change them, so confirm anything that affects your trip at arajet.com.
Is Arajet a reliable airline?
Arajet operates a young Boeing 737 MAX 8 fleet, holds IATA membership and is IOSA registered, which are the standard international benchmarks. As a low-cost carrier without an alliance it has limited ability to rebook you onto other airlines during a disruption, which is a different consideration from safety.
Does Arajet fly to the United States?
Yes, it serves several US cities from its Dominican hubs alongside a wider network across the Caribbean, Central America and South America. Because the network has expanded quickly since 2022, check the current route map at arajet.com rather than relying on any published list.
Does Arajet include baggage?
The base fare includes a personal item. Cabin bags, checked bags and seat selection are sold either individually or as part of a bundle, and cost less when added at booking than later. Current amounts are on arajet.com.
Which airport should I fly into for the Dominican Republic?
Santo Domingo (SDQ) serves the capital and is the practical choice for the city and most family visits. Punta Cana (PUJ) serves the eastern resort areas. They are around three hours apart by road, so the choice should follow where you are actually going rather than the fare.