As the cost of plane tickets and airfares decrease, the airlines look for alternative sources of revenue. This includes charging for baggage. The days of free allowances and generous check-in staff appear to be dwindling as airlines tighten their belts. Some airlines still have free allowances for checked in baggage. Others charge. Most have a combination of both available dependent on destination and number of bags.
Checked Luggage Allowance
Up until recently, the most generous checked baggage allowances for economy class travel from New Zealand were on the routes that included the U.S. For example, the piece system was used for travel to the U.S. so this entitled travellers to two pieces of luggage weighing up to 23 kilos per piece. In fact, a few years ago, this allowance was actually up to 32 kilos per piece – a very generous allowance in light of recent changes. Today, the allowance in economy class on direct services between New Zealand and the U.S. has been trimmed down to a single piece weighing no more than 23 kilos.
Most airlines employ either the piece system or the weight system. The piece system dictates the maximum number of items included in the cost of the ticket. Additional items can usually be checked at an additional cost. For example, British Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, and Qantas permit one piece of baggage. Air Canada permit one piece between Canada and Europe but a second piece can be purchased for $50 per direction.
The weight system specifies the maximum amount of kilos of baggage permitted. This means that multiple bags can be checked as long as they don’t go over the maximum weight limit specified as free allowance. Asian airlines often employ this system of baggage allowance. For example ANA Airlines operates the weight system on flights to and from places other than the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Brazil. For these destinations, they operate the piece system.
Other Ways to Increase Economy Baggage Allowance and Decrease Costs
Some airlines structure their airfares so that different economy fares are entitled to different allowances. For example, Scandinavian airlines allow once piece on their standard Economy fare but two pieces on their Economy Extra fare. It pays to check the allowances on different fares when carrying more than one bag because the cost of an additional bag on the standard fare may be similar to a slightly higher fare with a greater baggage allowance. A higher fare may also have other benefits e.g. better seating.
Airline memberships can also be of benefit in regards to baggage allowances. For example, extra checked baggage may be allowed according to the passenger’s Skypass grade when traveling on Korean Airlines. Star Alliance Silver status entitles members to two free pieces as opposed to the standard single piece on United Airlines when traveling between North America and Europe.
Some airlines reduce the cost of checked baggage when paid online prior to the flight. For example, Continental Airlines charge nothing for the first bag on flights between the U.S. and Hawaii. However, they charge $23 for the second bag when paid online, compared to $25 when paid at the airport. It may not appear to be a huge saving but it can add up for families on holiday.
Other airlines impose limits on baggage to certain destinations at particular times of the year. For example, American Airlines have Summer Checked Bag Limitations from June 5 to August 24, 2010 when traveling to Latin America and Caribbean destinations. Whilst not everyone can pick and choose when they go on holiday, it doesn’t hurt to check how much will be saved by choosing a less popular time to travel.
When traveling on more than one carrier over the course of an itinerary, it’s important to check the baggage allowances of all carriers because they may differ. For example, Scandinavian Airlines specify that when traveling with them, Blue1 or Wideroe on two or more sectors, the same baggage allowance will apply for the entire trip. However, if traveling on a ‘codeshare’ flight, the allowance of the operating carrier may be more restrictive. It pays to check these restrictions to avoid being charged with additional, oversize, or excess luggage costs.
Baggage Allowance on Low Cost Airlines
Low cost Airlines have always been fairly upfront about the cost of checked baggage. Typically, low cost airlines are booked online where all extras including baggage can be ticked and charged accordingly from a seemingly endless menu of additional services. There has even been talk of Ryanair charging for the use of onboard restrooms, no doubt to offset the airline's cost of lavatory paper and associated amenities.
The cost of checked baggage can be a huge expense in addition to a relatively small airfare if proper thought has not been given to the amount of checked luggage to be taken. For example, on Ryanair, it is cheaper to book and pay for luggage online. Luggage paid at the airport can incur charges up to approximately 20 pounds or 20 euros per kilo. Checked luggage can be added online to a booking up to four hours before a flight.
Easyjet allow up to eight pieces of checked luggage weighing a maximum of 20 kilos. However, each piece incurs a fee so the fewer pieces there are, the cheaper it will be. Any weight over the 20 kilo allowance is charged per kilo.
Most full service international airlines still offer a free baggage allowance for either the first bag or the first 20 kilos. Low cost airlines charge for all checked baggage but the overall cost of the ticket still tends to be good value for money because one is only paying for the services being used.
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