Are you heading out for your next international trip? Confused about the baggage allowances and the different baggage rules? We are here to help! The international flight baggage allowance for international flights is quite different than for domestic flights.
You need to think about many different things – what you can carry onboard, what you are allowed in your check-in baggage, how much baggage allowance you have, and so on. We have made the entire task easier for you. Keep reading to find out more about baggage allowance on international flights!
What’s the Difference Between Domestic and International Flights?
Before diving into the baggage allowance for flights, let’s first look at the different types of flights. There are broadly two types of flights – domestic and international. Domestic flights take you from one destination to another within a country – basically, flights within the same country. International flights, on the other hand, are for travel from one country to another country.
Now, what else is different between these two types of flights?
With international flights, you need to do a series of steps before you can get on the flight. For starters, you will need a passport from your country and maybe a visa for your destination country. Along with this, you will also have to go through formalities, such as immigration and customs, at your destination country’s airport.
None of these steps are needed for domestic flights; you must book your flight, get to the airport, check in your baggage, undergo security checks, and then head straight to your flight. This is a lot simpler and a lot more time-efficient.
What Are the Different Types of Seating Sections on Flights?
You must have heard of First Class, Business Class & Economy Class – but what’s the difference? The level of luxury you receive increases from the Economy class to the First Class. One of the most noticeable differences is the leg and seat space. First class has the most amount of leg space, along with a lot more comfortable seating compared to that in Economy class. On top of that, the service you receive in First Class is, well, first class! While the service and facilities you receive in economy are also
Depending on which airlines you take, other differences between these three classes could be:
- The weight of checked baggage allowed
- Availability of power sockets to charge electronic devices
- Access to in-flight WiFi
- Dimensions of TV screen
- Variety of in-flight entertainment
- Options in terms of the food and drinks menu
What Is the Baggage Weight Allowed for International Flights?
Let’s get to the point – what is the maximum weight of the baggage allowed for both carry-on and checked baggage on international flights? Mostly, your baggage will depend on three factors – where you will be traveling, your ticket fare, and which cabin class you will be traveling in.
Some airlines, such as Emirates, grant you a ‘free baggage allowance,’ which has to do with the total weight of your baggage or the number of pieces of baggage you have. They call this the ‘weight’ concept or the ‘piece’ concept. While the weight concept is subject to many different destinations, the piece concept is only applicable to international flights to and from the continents of Africa or the USA.
You may find that there is also a difference in the maximum weight of luggage from country to country. For example, while some flights allow 20 kg of checked baggage for countries like Bangkok, Dhaka Doha, Kathmandu, Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore, to name a few, the same airlines may allow 30 kg of checked baggage for destinations like Doha Dubai, Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi.
Maximum Weight of Checked Baggage Allowance as per the Weight Concept
With the weight concept, you can carry as many pieces of baggage as you wish, provided that the baggage weight stays under a maximum specified weight by the airlines. For example, if you have a checked baggage allowance of 23kg, you can check in as many bags as you want, provided that the total weight does not exceed 23kg.
If it does, you may have to pay a heavy excess baggage fee. Trust us, these excess baggage fees can burn quite a big hole in your pocket. We advise you to pack smart.
For many aircraft in Economy class, the checked baggage weight can range between 20kg to 30kg. At times, if it is a one-way ticket, the checked baggage allowance can also reach up to 40kg.
Likewise, the weight of carry-on baggage can range between 5kg to 15kg, depending on the aircraft type. If the aircraft also provides Premium Economy seating, there can be a difference in the weight of checked baggage allowed. For example, Emirates allows a checked baggage allowance of 35kg.
For Business Class, many airlines allow you to check in a maximum weight of up to 40kg. Unlike the way it is in Business Class, First Class passengers are allowed to carry up to 50kg of checked baggage.
Maximum Weight of Checked Baggage Allowance as per the Piece Concept
The greatest weight allowed according to the piece concept differs from the weight of checked baggage allowed in airlines that rely on the weight concept. For example, if you are traveling in Economy class, the aircraft may allow you to check in one piece of checked baggage.
At times, this may also increase from one piece of baggage to two pieces, depending on the flight. For Business Class & First Class, you may be allowed two pieces of checked-in baggage, and the weight of each piece of luggage can range from 30kg to 40kg.
What Is the Baggage Weight Allowed for Domestic Flights?
Regarding domestic flights, you will not be allowed more than 15 to 25kg of checked baggage for Economy class. For Business class, you will be allowed a baggage allowance of up to 35kg. For First Class, you are provided with a baggage allowance of up to 40kg. You may be granted an allowance for carry-on baggage between 7kg and 12kg.
With the type of airlines you book your tickets through, you may be allowed to only carry one piece of baggage, both for carry-on and checked baggage, irrespective of whether or not the weight reaches the allowed threshold, of suppose 7kg. This means that even if you have a carry-on bag that only weighs 6kg, you will not be allowed to add another carry-on item weighing 2kg.
Listed below are some of the airlines which cater to both domestic and international flights:
- Indigo
- Air India
- Air Asia
- Vistara
- SpiceJet
- Go First
- Jet Airways
Which Items Are Allowed/Not Allowed on International Flights?
The following list of items are not allowed on international flights:
- Sharp objects, such as knives, blades, screw
- Aerosols, liquids, and gels exceeding a particular weightage.
- Medical instruments, such as syringes
- Electronic devices such as power banks and laptop chargers are allowed in carry-on baggage but not in checked baggage
- Fruits, plants, and certain food items
- Lighters and matchboxes
The following items are allowed on international flights:
- Clothing items
- Prescribed medication
- Nonflammable liquids and aerosols
- Baby food and equipment
Final Words – International Flight Baggage Allowance
There you go! Now you are all set to onboard onto your next international journey! Ensure that your baggage fits the specified requirements in terms of weight, dimensions, and number of pieces. For ease of travel, we recommend only carrying 1 piece of luggage.
This allows you more flexibility, and you don’t need to worry about managing multiple bags. Pack smart and read the information the airlines provide on the checked baggage and the hand baggage you can take onboard the aircraft.
