Checked Baggage
Rules
The Free Baggage Allowance
Weight Concept:
For Travel starting from India to Europe/Far East/Middle East a passenger is
allowed Free Baggage allowance by the airlines that is based on the class of
travel. A child gets the equivalent allowance as an adult. Infant are not
allowed any free baggage allowance, except for items like Strollers or
Infant's utility bag.
Normally, the following entitlement is allowed based on the class of travel :-
First Class: 40 Kg
Business Class: 30 Kg
Economy Class: 20 Kg
Piece Concept:
International Air Transport
Association (IATA) has formed certain guidelines and rules for smooth processing
of various aspects of travel. The rules framed by IATA are enforced by all
member airlines to avoid any ambiguity and ensure service/quality standards.
Countries where the piece system applies
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between USA/US Territories and all countries. |
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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. |
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between the Far East and Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Panama,
Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Mexico, USA. |
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between Guam/Saipan and Japan, Okinawa, Hong Kong, Korea Republic,
China, Taiwan, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore,
India. |
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between Pago Pago and South West Pacific. |
The normal Free Baggage Allowance is:
First and business class
passengers
2 pieces of free checked baggage upto a maximum weight of 70 lbs (32 Kg) each,
where the total of the three dimensions does not exceed 157cm (62 inches) for
each bag.
Economy class passengers
2 pieces
of free checked baggage upto a maximum weight of 50 lbs (23 Kg) each, where
the total of the three dimensions for any one bag does not exceed 157 cm (62
inches) for each bag.
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.
Checked baggage over 50 lbs (23 kg) and not exceeding 70 lbs (32 Kg)
will be charged at the rate of USD 25 per piece.
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):
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one sleeping bag or bedroll. |
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one rucksack/knapsack/backpack. |
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one pair of snow skis with one pair of ski poles and one pair of ski
boots. |
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one golf bag, golf clubs and pair of golf shoes. |
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one duffle-type bag of B-4 type bag. |
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one suitably packed bicycle. |
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one pair of standard water skis or one slalom water ski. |
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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. |
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certain sporting firearms (subject to each airlines conditions of
carriage). |
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any portable musical instrument not exceeding 100 cm (39 inches) in
length. |
Cabin Baggage Allowance
With ever growing emphasis on security and to avoid
over crowding of Inside Cabin luggage overhead bins, airlines are are now
enforcing the principle of One cabin baggage in all parts of the world.
Coats, Canes, umbrellas, reading material,
small purses/camera cases don't usually count against your carry-on allowance.
Backpacks, laptops, large purses or briefcases may be counted especially on
crowded flights. Most of the cabin / check-in baggage restrictions are based on Linear
inches that can be described
in layman terms as total of
length + width + height. One small bag or one garment bag whose three dimensions
should not exceed 115cm/45in and the maximum weight should be 10kgs.
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 of the number permitted which does not exceed the
dimensions/weight limits is charged at the standard fee.
If within the baggage allowance a bag exceeds the dimensions limit for free
carriage but does not exceed 203 cm (80 inches) and is within the weight limit,
the standard fee is still applied. However, any bag both in excess of the number
and dimensions, but where the sum of the three dimensions does not exceed 203 cm
(80 inches) and is within the weight limit, twice the standard fee is charged.
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
each additional 10 kg (22 lb) or fraction thereof.
Special charges
Special charges apply for the carriage of :-
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Incidents of Lost Baggage/ Delay /Damaged
Baggage
Even though airlines try to ensure that the checked-in baggage arrive at the
destination in safe condition and at the same time as the passenger, there
are cases of Lost or Damaged baggage due to in-flight/airport/transit
mishandling of the baggage by the airline staff. Again IATA helps the
passenger to claim his loss based on certain rules and regulations.
Lost Baggage:
If the baggage on arrival is found to be missing, passenger must file a
complaint with the concerned airline immediately. In most of the developed
countries the process of retrieving the baggage is quick and delivery process
smooth, with airlines delivering the luggage at the doorstep of passenger.
However in India the process is not as smooth.
Once the baggage is reported lost by the passenger, he must take Property
Irregularity Report (PIR) that
is issued by all airlines. In India, passenger must get this PIR endorsed by
Customs before leaving Airport premises, as failure to do so will result in
customs charging Duty on the goods being claimed. Once you take the PIR for
customs endorsement, they would value the Duty Free allowance being claimed
and balance due so that when passenger comes to the airport for retrieval of
his/her lost baggage the same is given to him.
If the airline is unable to retrieve your lost baggage and declares it Lost
and unrecoverable, then the compensation process is activated. As per IATA
guidelines, passenger is entitled for claim with maximum liability of the
airline being limited to USD 20 per Kg or a maximum of USD 635 per piece of
checked-in baggage. For items checked-in with Limited Liability baggage
tags, different compensation rules apply. this amount can be higher if the
lost/damaged bag was Insured.
Damaged Baggage: Damage
to the checked-in baggage are governed by various rules, that primarily
regulates the type of damage. An airline will not be liable for normal wear and
tear/scratches, manufacturers defect etc.
Any damage to the baggage should be reported to the concerned airline
immediately, within 24 hrs of arrival at the airport. In case of the travel
being made through a combination of various airline alliance partners, the
delivering carrier is held responsible.
Ensure Your Baggage Safety:
To avoid the possibility of losing your baggage either due to airline's
fault or a fellow passenger's fault because of identical appearance of
the baggage - Label all your baggage with Name
Label, that gives your address, destination port, telephone
number etc.
Lock all bags and remove old destination and identification tags before checking
baggage.
Never put Cash, Jewellery, Electronic equipment, computers in the checked-in
baggage, as airlines will not be liable for any loss/damage.
Dangerous Goods:
For safety reasons, the dangerous articles listed below must not be carried in
passengers baggage-
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briefcases with built-in alarms or lithium batteries and/or pyrotechnic
materials |
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compressed gases/inflammable or not/toxic/refrigerated liquids like
camping gas devices |
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corrosive products/acids/mercury/alcali/wet batteries |
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flammable liquids/coal gas/paints and thinners |
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asbestos materials |
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oxidizing agents such as chloride of lime and peroxide |
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flammable solids/matches and materials which ignite easily substances
capable of spontaneous combustion or which on contact with water emit
flammable gases |
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poisonous and infectious substances |
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radioactive substances |