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On the commercial transportation, mostly with airlines, the baggage allowance is the amount of checked or carry-on luggage the airline will allow per passenger. On some airlines, this is the amount that is allowed free of charge. In other cases, this is the firm limit, and carrying additional weight for an extra payment is not an option.
Contents
- 1 General Overview
- 2 Piece Concept
- 3 Weight Concept
- 4 Star Alliance
- 5 Oneworld
- 6 External links
- 7 References
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General Overview
The general allowance per passenger depends on the policies of the particular airline. On U.S. domestic flights, it is typical for an airline to allow passengers to check up to 2 pieces of lugagge that are up to 50 pounds (22.7 kg) each free of charge (total 100 pounds = 45.4 kg), and this can be exceeded for a fee. However, within Europe, and often on flights between the United States and Europe, the limit is as low as 40 pounds (18 kilograms) total per passenger, and many airlines do not allow passengers to exceed this amount, even with payment of a fee. Many passengers complain about this limit, because after the typical 15-20 pounds (7-8 kg) of the suitcase itself, little room remains for any other items.
Checked luggage is usually measured by weight. All checked items are generally weighed by the airline, and if they exceed the limit, the passenger is informed by the airline. To avoid any fees, the passenger often must switch some of the items found in the suitcase to another suitcase, or else carry it on.
Carry-on luggage tends to be measured more in dimensions. Passengers can thereby skip weight restrictions by carrying on the item. However, there are more restrictions on the types of belongings that can be carried on the plane.
Piece Concept
On flights to and from the United States, as well as flights to and from Canada (and on selected flights which vary by airline), passenger baggage is controlled by the so-called Piece Concept. Under the Piece Concept, passengers are permitted to check two bags with a per-bag weight of up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms) for Economy Class, and up to 70 pounds (32 kilograms) for Business or First Class. Certain airlines operating under the Piece Concept may add additional checked baggage allowance for their Elite Level fliers (see below sections). Weight restrictions are per bag, unlike the Weight Concept (described below).
Weight Concept
On flights not serving the United States or Canada (or other locations specified by the airline where the Piece Concept does not apply), passenger baggage is controlled by the so-called Weight Concept. Under the Weight Concept, each passenger is permitted to check a total bag weight in however many bags they have. Typically, Economy Class is permitted to check in up to 44 pounds (20 kilograms), Business Class is permitted to check in 66 pounds (30 kilograms), and First Class is permitted 88 pounds (40 kilograms). Unlike the Piece Concept, in which weight restrictions are per bag, the Weight Concept allows passengers to combine their bag weight into fewer bags which would otherwise be too heavy to travel under the Piece Concept.
Star Alliance
- Policy
- The baggage allotment for the Star Alliance member airlines tends to be the same across the board so as to ensure seamless travel for passengers, minimizing confusion.
- Exceptions
Oneworld
- Policy
- Oneworld alliance differs greatly from the Star Alliance in the fact that the maximum weight allowed is determined by each individual airline’s policies and procedures.
Customers are advised of the most restrictive allowance for their Oneworld itinerary at time of booking or check-in.
- Exceptions
- Oneworld currently offers no exceptions to any respective member airlines baggage allowance due to it being set by them in the first place.
External links
- TSA List of Permitted and Prohibited Items
References
- ^ http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/passenger/passenger_baggage/check_bag.htm IATA Baggage Information
- ^ http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/passenger/passenger_baggage/check_bag.htm IATA Baggage Information
- ^ Star Alliance, Star Alliance frequent travel benefits. Retrieved on September 21, 2007.
- ^ Oneworld, Oneworld baggage information. Retrieved on September 21, 2007.
Commercial air travel
Airlines
List of all airlines • List of passenger airlines
Industry associations
IATA • ICAO • ISTAT
Airline alliances
Oneworld • Star Alliance • SkyTeam
Ticketing
Airline Reservations System • Airline ticket • Airline timetable • Boarding pass • Codeshare agreement • Continent pass • Electronic ticket • Frequent flyer program • Government contract flight • Open-jaw ticket • Red-eye flight • Round-the-world ticket • Standby • Travel agency • Travel search engine • Warsaw Convention
Airport
Airline hub • Airport • Airport lounge • Domestic airport • International airport • Regional airport
Luggage
Bag tag • Baggage allowance • Baggage carousel • Baggage claim • Baggage handler • Checked baggage • Lost luggage
Check-in
Airstair • Airport check-in • Airport security • Boarding • Gate
Seating
Airline seat • First class • Business class • Premium Economy class • Economy class • Travel class
In flight
Aircraft lavatory • Airline meal • Airsickness bag • In-flight entertainment
Crew
Deadheading • Flight attendant • Pilot
Immigration
Arrival Card • Departure Card • Passport
Safety
Air traffic control • Aircraft safety card • Airline security • Airport authority • Airport police • Civil aviation authority • Flight data recorder • Pre-flight safety demonstration • Overwing exits
Retrieved from “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baggage_allowance”
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