German airlines are changing their approach to baggage transportation: from now on, passengers can only bring one suitcase for free.
Many airlines in the country, including the national carrier Lufthansa, have changed their baggage policies, following the example of their American counterparts by switching from weight limits to piece limits. Starting in June, passengers with standard economy tickets can only bring one suitcase for free – though it has become somewhat heavier: instead of 20 kilograms, one piece of baggage can weigh up to 23. A second checked suitcase will cost a considerable amount – for Lufthansa, it is 50 euros. First-class passengers can check up to three suitcases for free, each weighing up to 32 kilograms.
Previously, the weight of free checked baggage was not to exceed 20 kilograms, but it could be distributed over any number of bags and suitcases. Now, excess weight is especially expensive: it is better to pay 50 euros for a second suitcase and bring an additional 23 kilograms than to pay 50 euros per kilogram of excess weight – such a rate applies, for example, on flights from Germany to Thailand. Exceeding the allowed baggage weight on a Lufthansa flight to Australia will cost $60 per kilogram, to the USA or South Africa – from 88 to 129. Carry-on luggage still must not exceed eight kilograms, and its quantity is also limited to one piece, but this latter requirement comes from airport security, not the airlines themselves.
The same restrictions as Lufthansa are being introduced by its Austrian subsidiary Austrian Airlines. It is expected that Germany's second-largest airline by passenger traffic, Air Berlin, will soon start counting suitcases as well. The Air France/KLM alliance introduced similar baggage requirements for customers back in March 2010.
It is well known that low-cost carriers are notorious for additional and often hidden fees. On airlines like Irish Ryan Air, you have to pay for everything – from checking any number of suitcases to a fee for paying for tickets by credit card (even though it is the only way to pay), not to mention a drink and a sandwich on board. The head of the Irish airline, Michael O’Leary, even once considered making the use of the lavatory in the air a paid service. Airlines of Lufthansa's caliber are not allowed to so brazenly reach into their customers' wallets by their status – but perhaps only for now.
Maxim SMIRNOV.
«Russian Germany»