Tips on Air Travel to India.

Airline Baggage Rules & Cabin Baggage Limits

from Prime Travels.
Checked Baggage Rules
The Free Baggage Allowance
Weight Concept:
For Travel starting from India to Europe/Far East/Middle East a passenger is allowed Free Baggage
allowance by the airlines that is based on the class of travel. A child gets the equivalent allowance as
an adult. Infant are not allowed any free baggage allowance, except for items like Strollers or Infant's
utility bag.
Normally, the following entitlement is allowed based on the class of travel :First Class: 40 Kg
Business Class: 30 Kg
Economy Class: 20 Kg
Piece Concept
International Air Transport Association (IATA) has formed certain guidelines and rules for smooth
processing of various aspects of travel. The rules framed by IATA are enforced by all member
airlines to avoid any ambiguity and ensure service/quality standards.
Countries where the piece system applies

between USA/US Territories and all countries.

The telephone system is usually quite good, but the quality of the telephone lines is
dependent on the weather. Local and international calls can be made from 'STD/ISD' (standard
trunk dialing/international subscriber dialing) phone booths. These can be found in shops or
other businesses. They are quick and easy to use, and are sometimes open all day. Your bill
must be paid on completion of your call/s. Many of these booths also have fax machines for
public use.

between Canada and Europe, Middle East, Southern Africa, South Asian Subcontinent, the
Far East except Guam and South West Pacific, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Mexico,
Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay.

between the Far East and Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Panama, Paraguay, Peru,
Uruguay, Mexico, USA.

between Guam/Saipan and Japan, Okinawa, Hong Kong, Korea Republic, China, Taiwan,
Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, India.

between Pago Pago and South West Pacific.

The normal Free Baggage Allowance is:

First and business class passengers

2 pieces of free checked baggage upto a maximum weight of 70 lbs (32 Kg) each, where the total of
the three dimensions does not exceed 157cm (62 inches) for each bag.

Economy class passengers

2 pieces of free checked baggage upto a maximum weight of 50 lbs (23 Kg) each, where the total of
the three dimensions for any one bag does not exceed 157 cm (62 inches) for each bag.
Maximum weight of any one bag is 32 kg (70 lb) except within North America where it is 23 kg(50 lb).
(Note: domestic airlines within USA may apply a Free Baggage Allowance based on a weight or
piece system.
Budget Travel
Indian Airlines offers special packages allowing travelers unlimited economy class air travel on the
airline's domestic routes. Other airlines also offer special fares and packages so check the options
before making a reservation.
There are about 16 youth hostels throughout the country, all of them quite cheap. Each one has at
least 40 beds, roughly half for men and half for women. Hostels supply bedding, wardrobes with
locks, electric light points, kitchen utensils and parking. You do not need a Hostelling International
card to stay in the youth hostels but will pay slightly less if you have one. Hostels are usually busy,
especially during big festivals, so book early if you want to be certain of a place. Other budget
accommodation options include a 'home stay' (staying with an Indian family in their home), YMCAs
and YWCAs, and Salvation Army Hostels
Checked baggage over 50 lbs (23 kg) and not exceeding 70 lbs (32 Kg) will be charged at the
rate of USD 25 per piece.
Children are entitled to the same free baggage allowance as adult passengers. Infants not entitled to
a seat are allowed one checked bag of which the total of the three dimensions should not exceed
115 cm (45 inches) plus one fully collapsible stroller or pushchair.
Articles considered as a single piece of baggage
The following articles, irrespective of their actual dimensions, may be considered as a piece of
baggage at 135 cm (53 inches):

one sleeping bag or bedroll.

one rucksack/knapsack/backpack.

one pair of snow skis with one pair of ski poles and one pair of ski boots.

one golf bag, golf clubs and pair of golf shoes.

one duffle-type bag of B-4 type bag.

one suitably packed bicycle.

one pair of standard water skis or one slalom water ski.

suitably packed fishing equipment comprising not more than two rods, one reel, one landing
net, one pair of fishing boots and one fishing tackle box.

certain sporting firearms (subject to each airlines conditions of carriage).

any portable musical instrument not exceeding 100 cm (39 inches) in length.

Cabin Baggage Allowance

With ever growing emphasis on security and to avoid over crowding of Inside Cabin luggage
overhead bins, airlines are are now enforcing the principle of One cabin baggage in all parts of the
world.
Coats, Canes, umbrellas, reading material, small purses/camera cases don't usually count against
your carry-on allowance. Backpacks, laptops, large purses or briefcases may be counted especially
on crowded flights. Most of the cabin / check-in baggage restrictions are based on Linear inches that
can be described in layman terms as total of length + width + height. One small bag or one
garment bag whose three dimensions should not exceed 115cm/45in and the maximum
weight should be 10kgs.
Excess Baggage Charge
The Excess Baggage Charge levied on baggage in excess of the free allowance is determined by a
number of factors : the city or country of departure; city or country of arrival; and , in a number of
instances, by the airline of travel. Each combination of factors has a standard Excess Baggage Fee.
Each bag in excess of of the number permitted which does not exceed the dimensions/weight limits
is charged at the standard fee.
If within the baggage allowance a bag exceeds the dimensions limit for free carriage but does not
exceed 203 cm (80 inches) and is within the weight limit, the standard fee is still applied. However,
any bag both in excess of the number and dimensions, but where the sum of the three dimensions
does not exceed 203 cm (80 inches) and is within the weight limit, twice the standard fee is charged.
Any piece of baggage in excess of 203 cm (80 inches) or in excess of the 32 kg (70 lb) or, within
North America 23 kg (50 lb), weight limit will not be carried unless prior handling arrangements are
made with the airline. If accepted for carriage, such bags are weighed and charged at three times
the standard fee for each additional 10 kg (22 lb) or fraction thereof.
Special charges
Special charges apply for the carriage of :

bulky or fragile items as hand baggage warranting the use of one or more additional seats.
To/from the USA the normal piece system excess charges apply but the minimum charge will
be 75% of the full one-way adult fare for the class used by the passenger. Elsewhere, a
standard excess charge of 75% of the full one-way adult fare for the class used by the
passenger applies.

accompanied pets . The animal and container cannot be allowed in the passenger's free
allowance. To/from USA the normal excess baggage fee is charged. Elsewhere, the charge is
twice the standard fee.

snow skiing and golf equipment. If in excess of the normal free allowance, one set of skis/ski
poles/ski boots will be carried at 25% of the standard excess baggage fee and one golf bag/golf
shoes at 50% of the standard fee. Additional sets are charged at the full standard fee.

Incidents of Lost Baggage/ Delay /Damaged Baggage

Even though airlines try to ensure that the checked-in baggage arrive at the destination in safe
condition and at the same time as the passenger, there are cases of Lost or Damaged baggage due
to in-flight/airport/transit mishandling of the baggage by the airline staff. Again IATA helps the
passenger to claim his loss based on certain rules and regulations.
Lost Baggage
If the baggage on arrival is found to be missing, passenger must file a complaint with the concerned
airline immediately. In most of the developed countries the process of retrieving the baggage is quick
and delivery process smooth, with airlines delivering the luggage at the doorstep of passenger.
However in India the process is not as smooth.
Once the baggage is reported lost by the passenger, he must take Property Irregularity Report (PIR)
that is issued by all airlines. In India, passenger must get this PIR endorsed by Customs before
leaving Airport premises, as failure to do so will result in customs charging Duty on the goods being
claimed. Once you take the PIR for customs endorsement, they would value the Duty Free
allowance being claimed and balance due so that when passenger comes to the airport for retrieval
of his/her lost baggage the same is given to him.
If the airline is unable to retrieve your lost baggage and declares it Lost and unrecoverable, then the
compensation process is activated. As per IATA guidelines, passenger is entitled for claim with
maximum liability of the airline being limited to USD 20 per Kg or a maximum of USD 635 per piece
of checked-in baggage. For items checked-in with Limited Liability baggage tags, different
compensation rules apply. this amount can be higher if the lost/damaged bag was Insured.
Damaged Baggage
Damage to the checked-in baggage are governed by various rules, that primarily regulates the type
of damage. An airline will not be liable for normal wear and tear/scratches, manufacturers defect etc.
Any damage to the baggage should be reported to the concerned airline immediately, within 24 hrs
of arrival at the airport. In case of the travel being made through a combination of various airline
alliance partners, the delivering carrier is held responsible.
Ensure Your Baggage Safety:
To avoid the possibility of losing your baggage either due to airline's fault or a fellow passenger's
fault because of identical appearance of the baggage - Label all your baggage with Name Label,
that gives your address, destination port, telephone number etc.
Never put Cash, Jewellery, Electronic equipment, computers in the checked-in baggage, as airlines
will not be liable for any loss/damage.
Dangerous Goods
For safety reasons, the dangerous articles listed below must not be carried in passengers baggage

briefcases with built-in alarms or lithium batteries and/or pyrotechnic materials

compressed gases/inflammable or not/toxic/refrigerated liquids like camping gas devices

corrosive products/acids/mercury/alcali/wet batteries

flammable liquids/coal gas/paints and thinners

asbestos materials

oxidizing agents such as chloride of lime and peroxide

flammable solids/matches and materials which ignite easily substances capable of

spontaneous combustion or which on contact with water emit flammable gases

poisonous and infectious substances

radioactive substances