Airline Baggage Policies, You Need to Know Before You Fly

Each carrier has its own carry-on and checked-bag policies and weight limits and fees. Not knowing them beforehand will cost last-minute fees or even be denied boarding.

If you’re a seasoned traveller or about to embark on your first flight, this guide will help you manage airline policies on baggage with ease.

Classes of Airline Luggage

Before we talk about fees and allowances, we need to be familiar with the principal airline baggage classes.

Carry-on Baggage (Cabin)

Carry-on or cabin bags are small bags brought onboard by the passenger. The carry-on bags stay in the overhead bins or under the seat in front of you.

Most airlines permit:

• One carry-on suitcase or garment bag
• One personal item (e.g., laptop computer carrier, handbag, or backpack)

Carry-on size limits usually fall between 55–56 cm tall and 35–45 cm wide. Weight limits also differ but usually between 7 kg and 10 kg.

Checked Baggage

Checked-in luggage is the large cargo bags in the cargo bay section of the plane. These are deposited during check-in and claimed during landing.

Checked bag weight limits vary from carrier to carrier:

• Budget airlines may allow no free checked baggage at all.
• Full service carriers typically offer 20 kg to 23 kg for economy class.
• Passengers in the first and business classes are allowed 30 kg or even higher, sometimes in two bags.

Excess and Oversize Baggage

Anything higher than the standard carry-on limitations—numbers-wise, size-wise, or weight-wise—enters the realm of the “excess baggage.” You do pay additional fees and even some carriers demand advance booking on the oversize item such as equipment or an instrument.

Standard Airline Luggage Policies

Budget Airlines

Low-cost carriers like Ryanair, Jetstar, or AirAsia are notorious for charging for every item besides a small hand carry item, even carry-on luggage unless you buy one of the premium fares or pay for baggage during the booking process.

Full-Service Airlines

Carriers like Qantas Airways, Singapore Airlines, or Qatar Airways usually provide allowances standard on the ticket. All the same, allowances still depend on the function of the fare type, flight class, and destination.

Codeshare Flights

If you have a multi-airline ticket covering a codeshare agreement, the rules on baggage may be complex. One flight may have higher allowances than the next. You also need to examine the airline that is the “operating carrier” and its policies.

Baggage Fees: What You Should Know

Baggage fees vary primarily on the following:

• Route (international or domestic)
• Fare class
• Booking time (airport booking or prepaid online booking)

In general:

• Web check-in of the luggage is cheaper than payment on the airport.
• Extra large or heavy bags cost big ticket prices—literally, sometimes more than the ticket cost.

Airlines usually charge per kilogram or per piece for excess baggage. For instance, exceeding a 23 kg limit by just 2 kg could cost $50 or more, depending on the airline.

Restricted and Prohibited Items

Carriers and the Civil Aviation Authority also have particular rules about articles to be stowed in carry-on and checked-in luggage.

In Carry-On Baggage:

• Liquids need to be in containers of 100 ml or less and be packed in a transparent zip-lock package.
• Pointed items such as scissors and knives should not be brought.
• Lithium battery and power banks must be accommodated in hand-baggage.

In Checked Baggage:

• No electronics with lithium batteries unless declared.
• Aerosol or combustible materials prohibited.

You also need to check the airline’s prohibited article list to prevent security delays.

Luggage Rules for Overseas Flight Travels

When travelling internationally, there are even more considerations.

• For travel to or through the United States, use TSA approved locks.
• Know any customs limitations at your destination. For instance, Australia and New Zealand are very strict with biosecurity. If you do not declare food or plant items, you will face fines. 
• For travelling to the EU and UK, hand luggage is sized regulated and usually weighed at the gate.

Be sure to check your airline’s international travel rules, and customs rules at your destination country.

Common Baggage Errors to Be Avoided

• Assuming all airlines have similar policies:They don’t. The internal organization of every carrier is unique.
• Carry-on overpacking:Particularly on weight-checking airlines who do the weigh-in on the gate.
• Not reviewing baggage allowances on connecting routes:Particularly if they belong to a second airline.
• Forgotten labels on handbags:Lost luggage is harder to recover without identification.
• Storing articles in checked-in bags:Valuables, documents, electronics and medication must be kept in carry-on bags.

Special Cases: Families, Sports Equipment, and Pets

• All carriers permit parents to carry on the flight free of charge a stroller or child seat for babies.
• Sports gear like bicycles or surfboards must usually be declared and pre-booked. Fees vary.
• If pets are being transported, then check the possibility of in-cabin or cargo flight and get the documents required in advance.

Final Travel Tips for Smooth Travels 

• Weight the bags back home on the electronic weight scale. 
• Photograph the checked-in baggage in case the same gets lost and the matter needs to be declared lost. 
• Use colourful suitcase straps or labels so that on the carousel you immediately identify the suitcase. 
• Print/screen capture the checked baggage allowance information during check-in. 

Conclusion 

Knowing your airline baggage policy is no longer a “nice to have”, it’s a “need to have”. A small oversight with respect to the weight limits, or misunderstanding on your allowance, can lead to excess fees or travel delays. A little research prior to your trip can not only save you money, while eliminating stress, it can also provide a much smoother travel experience and life in general.

As a general rule whenever you travel: always check your airline’s website and when in doubt “pack smart & pack light.”