Luggage allowances

Practical information

Luggage Allowances

Limited room and fuel economies are forcing airway companies to strictly control baggage allowances (number and weight per passenger) and tax the excess baggage. Each company (regular, low cost or charter) has its own regulations, but in most cases the allowance is two items (maximum 50 pounds each) and one hand baggage which must not exceed 26 pounds. The maximum dimensions of carry-on baggage have been defined by the European Union as 22 x 18 x 10 inches. To raise your baggage allowance, you must travel in business or first class (+22 pounds per item).

Here are the luggage allowances for several major carriers, though remember that this information is liable to change, so always check on your airline and airport websites before you start packing.

Regular Carriers:

-American Airlines: American Airlines passengers are permitted one carry-on bag and two pieces of hold baggage, maximum 23kg or 32kg depending on route, all free of charge.
-Virgin: Various free hold baggage allowances are in place, ranging from 23kg to 32kg per person with size restrictions and limits on the number of bags, depending on class of ticket and route. Virgin's free hand baggage allowances depend on ticket class, with the upper class allowance double that of economy and premium economy.
-British Airways: British Airways passengers are permitted one standard-sized bag and one laptop-sized bag, handbag or briefcase as free hand luggage. There is a free hold baggage allowance on every BA flight of 23kg.
-Lufthansa: Lufthansa's hold baggage allowances range from 20kg to 40kg or number of bags depending on destination and class of travel, and are free of charge.
-Air France: Free hand and hold allowances are measured by weight or number of items, according to destination and class of travel. The Air France website features a free allowance calculator. If you need to buy additional baggage allowance, book in advance online and save up to 30 per cent on the usual airport fee.

Low-Cost Carriers:

-easyJet: easyJet passengers are allowed to carry one piece of hand baggage plus an additional accessory such as a laptop or handbag for free. Every item of standard checked hold baggage incurs a fee, payable at the time of booking or at the airport for a higher charge. Total hold baggage allowance is 20kg per person.

-Jet2: Passengers flying with Jet2 are permitted one small piece of hand baggage of not more than 10kg with size restrictions. This is free when checking in online, however there will be a charge of £2 if travelling with hand baggage only and checking in at the airport.
-Ryanair: Every passenger is permitted to check in up to three bags with a maximum combined weight of 15kg, subject to the payment of the applicable checked baggage fees. Ryanair offers a discounted checked baggage fee for those travellers paying online in advance. Passengers who wish to check-in baggage do not qualify for online check-in and must check in at the airport and pay the appropriate airport check-in fee.

Authorised objects on board

On 6 November 2006, the European Commission regulated the restriction of liquids taken in hand luggage to disallow any containers exceeding 0.1 litre (0.02 gallon). Acceptable containers must be carried in a separate, clear, plastic, zip-top or resealable bag of 1 litre (8 inches x 8 inches). Exceptions to the rule include: baby food, medicine with prescriptions and products found in airport shops after the security controls, limited to the airport shopping regulations (duty free or not).

Limiting the risks of baggage transport

An estimated 2% of all baggage transported by airway companies is lost, therefore the likelihood that your baggage will lost on your next flight is very slim. Remember to keep everything handy that you definitely don't want to lose in your suitcase (ID papers, money and credit cards, jewels, anything personal you can't replace where you are going). Another solution if you are travelling in a group is to share out clothes and personal objects in each suitcase. That way if one piece of luggage gets lost, each of you will still have the necessities to begin your holidays.

What to do in case of lost or damaged baggage?

If your baggage goes missing or arrives damaged, then you should carry out the following procedure: file a complaint at the company's baggage service using the form provided at the airport where you have landed. If you leave the airport without it, according to the Montreal Convention (the regulation in airway baggage transportation) you have 21 days to file a complaint. Once the form is filled in then, send it to the airway company's customers service. Enclose photocopies of the flight ticket and boarding cards, as well as a letter describing the value of the lost objects in order to establish compensation. The Convention limits the compensation to a maximum £960 per passenger. If your baggage is significantly more valuable, we strongly recommend that you obtain adequate travel insurance to cover it prior to your journey.

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