Baggage
Tips
The following
tips should help you avoid many of the problems
that passengers commonly have with their
luggage, whether carry-on or checked.
- Do not carry
any Swiss Army knives or any other container
or object that may look dangerous or
hazardous to airport or airline security
personnel. They have the right to confiscate
it.
- Travel with
carry-on luggage whenever possible. Remember
that each passenger is allowed to take one
item of hand luggage inside the aircraft.
This must be small enough to fit under the
seat in front of you or in the overhead
bins.
- Pack so that
you can continue your trip if one of your
checked bags is lost or delayed. Carry a
backup set of essential information or send a
copy ahead of time.
- If you wish
to take a valuable, fragile bulky package
with you, such as a large musical instrument,
book a separate seat for it. The security
will be worth the cost.
- Never pack
valuable items in checked luggage. Pack them
in a small carry-on bag that fits under the
seat as you may have to check larger carry-on
bags if the plane is full.
- Don't even
consider packing hazardous items and
flammable materials, gases, explosives,
corrosives, poisons.
- Assume that
your luggage will be thrown around; check and
secure all locks, zips and
straps.
- A carrying
basket for a baby is permitted above the free
baggage allowance, but you may have to check
it, or it may have to be put in the
hold.
- Put your
contact information inside and outside every
tag, including your carry-on bag, in case you
must check it at the last minute. Luggage
labels should not show your home address;
this information should be concealed behind a
tab.
- Customize
your bag so you can spot it on the baggage
carousel and so others won't grab it by
mistake.
- Be sure the
tag on your checked luggage is for your
correct destination.
- Keep the
stub from your checked luggage. You'll need
it if your bag is lost.
- Stow heavy
items under the seat. They can cause severe
injuries if they fall out of an overhead
bin.
- Immediately
report the loss of checked luggage. It's
usually just delayed and will catch up with
you later.
Baggage
Allowances
This information
provides a guide for passengers on flights
operated by member airlines of IATA and most
other international carriers
It
is important to note that some airlines may
deviate significantly from these quoted standard
allowances and excess baggage charges, either
throughout their domestic/international network
or on specific routes only. Therefore, to avoid
unexpected charges, it is essential to check
with the airline, or the travel agent, before
traveling. The Free Baggage Allowance comprises
two elements as shown.
Checked
baggage
This is baggage,
up to a specified limit, to be carried in the
hold of the aircraft. There are two systems
determining the amount of checked baggage
allowed
- The weight
system is based on the total weight of
baggage, no matter how many different pieces
there are.
- The piece
system is based on the number of pieces of
baggage.
Subject
to space availability, airlines will carry
amounts of baggage in excess of the free
allowance at an excess baggage charge.
Passengers traveling together to the same
destination by the same flight may, if they
check-in together, pool their free baggage
allowances, perhaps avoiding excess baggage
charges
Weight
system
This system is used in all areas
except where the 'piece' system is
used. The normal free baggage allowance
is:
- First Class
40 kg (88lb)
- Business
Class 30 kg (66lb)
- Economy
Class 20 kg (44lb)
Note: These are
the normal allowances. Some carriers may have
different allowances, particularly on domestic
routes. Please confirm with carriers
Children are
entitled to the same free baggage allowance as
adult passengers. Infants not entitled to a seat
are only allowed one fully collapsible stroller
or pushchair
An excess
baggage charge is levied on baggage in excess of
the free allowance. The charge is 1.5% of the
highest normal direct adult one way economy
class (in local currency) for each kilogram in
excess of the free allowance
Exceptions:
- 1% from
Austria, Bulgaria, Isreal; from Australia,
New Zealand (except 1.5% from Australia, New
Zealand to South West Pacific); from Europe,
Middle East to Australia, New
Zealand
- 1.35% within
Europe (except 1% from Austria, Bulgaria,
Finland)
- Special
charges Special charges apply for the
carriage of:
- Bulky or
fragile items up to 75 kg (165 lb) as hand
baggage warranting the use of one or more
additional seats. Normal excess charges apply
for the weight carried but will be not less
than 75% of the full one-way adult fare for
the class used by the passenger
- Accompanied
pets. Normal excess charges apply but the
weight of animal and container cannot be
allowed in the passenger's free
allowance
- Snow skiing
equipment and golfing equipment. Special
excess baggage charges apply for these items.
The weight of these items can be included in
the passenger's normal free allowance and
only the overweight is charged at the special
rate
The normal free
baggage allowance is:
First
& business class passengers
2 bags (pieces) where the total of the three
dimensions does not exceed 158 cm (62 inches)
for each bag
Economy
class passengers
2 bags (pieces) where the total of the three
dimensions for any one bag does not exceed 158
cm (62 inches) and where the total for both bags
does not exceed 273 cm (107 inches)
Maximum weight
of any one bag is 32 kg (70 lb) except within
North America where it is 23 kg (50 lb). (Note:
domestic airlines within USA may apply a free
baggage allowance based on a weight or piece
system)
Children are
entitled to the same free baggage allowance as
adult passengers. Infants not entitled to a seat
are allowed one checked bag of which the total
of the three dimensions should not exceed 115 cm
(45 inches) plus one fully collapsible stroller
or pushchair
Articles
considered as a single piece of baggage
The following articles, irrespective of their
actual dimensions, may be considered as a piece
of baggage at 135 cm (53 inches):
- one sleeping
bag or bedroll
- one
rucksack/knapsack/backpack
- one pair of
snow skis with one pair of ski poles and one
pair of ski boots
- one golf
bag, golf clubs and pair of golf
shoes
- one
duffle-type bag or B-4 type bag
- one suitably
packed bicycle
- one pair of
standard water skis or one slalom water
ski
- suitably
packed fishing equipment comprising not more
than two rods, one reel, one landing net, one
pair of fishing boots and one fishing tackle
box
- certain
sporting firearms (subject to each airlines
conditions of carriage)
- any portable
musical instrument not exceeding 100 cm (39
inches) in length
Excess
baggage charge
The excess baggage charge levied on
baggage in excess of the free allowance is
determined by a number of factors: the city or
country of departure; city or country of
arrival; and, in a number of instances, by the
airline of travel. Each combination of factors
has a standard excess baggage fee
Each bag in
excess of the number permitted which does not
exceed the dimensions/weight limits is charged
at the standard fee
Any piece of
baggage in excess of 203 cm (80 inches) or in
excess of the 32 kg (70 lb) or, within North
America 23 kg (50 lb), weight limit will not be
carried unless prior handling arrangements are
made with the airline. If accepted for carriage,
such bags are weighed and charged at three times
the standard fee for any amount up to 45 kg (99
lb) and at the standard fee for each additional
10 kg (22 lb) or fraction thereof
Special
charges
Special charges apply for the carriage
of:
- Bulky or
fragile items as hand baggage warranting the
use of one or more additional seats. To/from
the USA the normal piece system excess
charges apply but the minimum charge will be
75% of the full one-way adult fare for the
class used by the passenger. Elsewhere, a
standard excess charge of 75% of the full
one-way adult fare for the class used by the
passenger applies.
- Accompanied
pets. The animal and container cannot be
allowed in the passenger's free allowance.
To/from USA the normal excess baggage fee is
charged. Elsewhere, the charge is twice the
standard fee.
- Snow skiing
and golf equipment. If in excess of the
normal free allowance, one set of skis/ski
poles/ski boots will be carried at 25% of the
standard excess baggage fee and one golf
bag/golf shoes at 50% of the standard fee.
Additional sets are charged at the full
standard fee.
Where
the piece system applies
- Between
USA/US Territories and all
countries
- Between
Canada and Europe, Middle East, Southern
Africa, South Asian Subcontinent, the Far
East except Guam and South West Pacific,
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Mexico,
Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay
- Between the
Far East and Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil,
Chile, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay,
Mexico, USA
- Netween
Guam/Saipan and Japan, Okinawa, Hong Kong,
Korea Republic, China, Taiwan, Philippines,
Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore,
India.
- Between Pago
Pago and South West Pacific
Note:
Some governments have not approved the piece
system. The free baggage allowance from such
countries to USA/Canada is therefore based on
the weight system
Carry
on Guide
|
Airline
|
Carry
on
|
Size
in.
|
Weight
lbs.
|
Additional
Items Allowed
|
|
Aer
Lingus
|
1
|
9x14x22
|
30
|
overcoat,
camera, purse
|
|
Aeromexico
|
1
|
9x14x22
|
20
|
none
|
|
Air
Canada
|
1
|
9x14x22
|
22
|
none
|
|
Air
France
|
1
|
45
|
22
|
none
|
|
Alaska
Airlines
|
1
|
9x14x22
|
20
|
overcoat,
umbrella, purse
|
|
Alitalia
|
1
|
45
|
11
|
purse,
laptop
|
|
All
Nippon Airways
|
1
|
45
|
70
|
none
|
|
American
Airlines
|
1
|
45
|
40
|
1 extra
for 1st class
|
|
America
West
|
1
|
45
|
none
|
none
|
|
Ansett
Australia
|
1
|
9x13x19
|
40
|
none
|
|
British
Airways
|
1
|
9x14x22
|
13
|
1
additional bag at 18x14x8"
|
|
Canadian
Airlines
|
1
|
9x15.5x21.5
|
32
|
1
business article at 6x13x17"
|
|
Cathay
Pacific
|
1
|
45
|
11
|
none
|
|
Continental
Airlines
|
|
9x14x22
|
40
|
briefcase,
purse, laptop
|
|
Delta
Air Lines
|
1
|
9x14x22
|
40
|
small
purse, snack
|
|
El
Al
|
1
|
45
|
40
|
none
|
|
Japan
Airlines
|
1
|
45
|
none
|
purse,
overcoat, umbrella,
laptop
|
|
KLM
|
1
|
45
|
25
|
purse,
overcoat, umbrella
|
|
Korean
Air
|
1
|
45
|
22
|
none
|
|
Lufthansa
|
1
|
45
|
18
|
none
|
|
Midwest
Express
|
1
|
9x14x22
|
40
|
purse,
briefcase, umbrella, coat,
camera
|
|
Northwest
Airlines
|
1
|
9x14x22
|
40
|
1
additional bag for first class and
platinum
|
|
Philippine
Airlines
|
1
|
45
|
15
|
none
|
|
Qantas
Airways
|
1
|
45
|
15
|
none
|
|
Saudi
Arabian Airlines
|
1
|
45
|
44
|
none
|
|
Scandinavian
Airlines
|
1
|
45
|
18
|
purse,
umbrella
|
|
Singapore
Airlines
|
1
|
45
|
15
|
purse,
coat, camera, laptop,
umbrella
|
|
Southwest
Airlines
|
1
|
10x16x24
|
none
|
none
|
|
Swissair
|
1
|
8x16x22
|
22
|
1
additional bag for first and business
class
|
|
Thai
Airways
|
1
|
45
|
15
|
none
|
|
TWA
|
1
|
10x16x24
|
40
|
purse,
coat, umbrella, camera
|
|
United
Airlines
|
1
|
9x14x22
|
50
|
purse,
coat
|
|
US
Airways
|
1
|
10x16x24
|
40
|
purse
|
* 45 inches is height, width, and
depth in total
Dangerous
Goods & Passenger
Baggage
A number of
common household items, while innocuous in
everyday life, are regarded as "dangerous goods"
and consequently are not permitted for carriage
by passengers in their checked or carry on
baggage. These include:
Explosives:
Fireworks, flares, toy gun caps
Corrosives: Car
batteries, mercury
Flammable
materials: Petrol, lighter fuel, thinners,
paint, non-safety matches, lighters
Gases: Camping
gas, tear gas, mace, CS gas devices
Poisons: Weed
killers, insecticide
However, some
dangerous goods are permitted and these
include:
Alcoholic
beverages: not exceeding 70% alcohol by volume,
in containers of up to 5 litres (maximum of 5
litres per person)
Medical or
toilet items (including aerosols): Hair sprays,
deodorants, perfumes & after shaves in
containers not exceeding 500gr or 500ml (maximum
of 2 litres per person)
Gas-powered hair
curlers: one per person, provided the safety
cover is fitted at all times. Separate refills
are NOT permitted
Safety matches
or lighter: When carried on the person. Lighter
refills are NOT permitted
Battery powered
wheelchairs: In the hold, contact airline in
advance to check whether special conditions
apply
Certain
other specific items of dangerous goods are also
permitted, contact airline for further
information.
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