Weight system
Under the weight system, free baggage allowance norms are determined according to the maximum allowable weight of baggage that can be carried free of charge. International standards, applied by almost all airlines, provide for adult passengers and children over two years old the opportunity to carry free baggage weighing up to:
• 40 kilograms – for first class passengers;
• 30 kilograms – for business class passengers;
• 20 kilograms – for economy class passengers.
On certain flights, the airline may increase the maximum allowable weight for free baggage carriage. One of the control parameters under this system is also the maximum size of baggage, which should not exceed the total length of three dimensions:
• 2.03 meters – for first and business class;
• 1.58 meters – for economy class.
Hand luggage, which may be taken into the aircraft cabin, should not weigh more than 10 kilograms and should not exceed the sum of three dimensions – 1.15 meters.
By the way, a traveler cannot always transport cargo that significantly exceeds the maximum allowable weight volumes. In this case, the easiest thing is to order consolidated cargo transportation. For example, some companies offer consolidated cargo transportation not only within Ukraine, but also to foreign countries. Given the wide geography of destinations, delivery speed and cargo insurance, it is not surprising that this service is successfully used not only by individuals, but also by commercial companies.
Piece system
For this system, the determining factor is the maximum number of pieces allowed for free transportation. Regardless of ticket class, two pieces of baggage are allowed free of charge, each weighing up to 32 kilograms. The sum of three dimensions allowed for free transportation is the same as for the weight system. It should be noted that under this system, the weight of two pieces is not summed. That is, if the weight of one piece exceeds 32 kilograms, a fee will be charged for its carriage over the norm, even if the total weight of two pieces is less than 64 kilograms.
Transportation of oversized baggage requires airline approval. In this case, the passenger must agree on all conditions for transporting oversized baggage when purchasing the air ticket.
There is a list of items that are allowed to be taken on board beyond the norm. This list includes: a ladies' handbag, a bouquet of flowers, a plastic bag, a coat, a scarf or blanket, an umbrella or cane, a small camera or video camera, a laptop, binoculars, press for reading on the plane, a stroller, a shopping bag from Duty-free. The airline recommends carrying various documents, medications, fragile and valuable items as part of hand luggage.
If you plan to carry baggage in excess of the established norms, all conditions for its transportation must be agreed in advance. When booking a ticket online, the passenger is assigned a tariff for carrying excess baggage, after which payment is made and a corresponding receipt is issued. Payment for excess baggage transportation on credit is not allowed. In addition, there is the possibility of arranging unaccompanied baggage, which is arranged in advance as cargo. Transportation of some items is paid for regardless of compliance with the free baggage allowance. Such items are animals and musical instruments. In this case, musical instruments are transported in the aircraft cabin provided a separate ticket is purchased.
In the case of a passenger transporting oversized baggage, as well as valuable and fragile items in the aircraft cabin on a passenger seat with a load of up to 75 kilograms per seat, the passenger is obliged to purchase a separate ticket for each seat occupied by such baggage. In the event that the weight of the baggage exceeds 75 kilograms, it must be placed on the corresponding number of seats. The passenger must buy the appropriate number of tickets, the cost of which is determined at the tariff of the passenger transporting the baggage without providing any discounts.
At the same time, when transporting oversized baggage on passenger seats, the ticket price is not reduced if the passenger transporting the baggage is entitled to a discount from the basic tariff (child tariff, student tariff, etc.). In this case, the ticket for the passenger seat occupied by baggage is paid at the regular tariff applicable for these transportation conditions.
It should also be noted that tickets for baggage transported in the aircraft cabin on passenger seats are paid by the passenger in full, regardless of whether the baggage complies with the free baggage allowance.
When transporting in the aircraft hold, oversized and non-standard baggage is considered baggage that, by size and weight characteristics, differs significantly from the characteristics of normally carried baggage. The characteristics of the aircraft operating the flight are also taken into account.
It is worth noting that individual features of baggage transportation may exist on each individual airline. Each airline may set its own free baggage allowance, which may have some differences from the standard norms.
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