The maximum weight of air baggage can be accepted for carriage free of charge or on a paid basis. It depends on the fare, ticket class or whether the passenger has a pre-emptive right in the form of frequent flyer cards or cards of companies associated with an agreement with this airline.
Some general information
The weight of the free checked baggage of an air passenger is usually indicated on the ticket. This condition of air transportation, like many others, can be checked on the official website of the airline. Exceptions are charter flights, in which it is possible to fix passengers according to the general list, and the weight of individual baggage, like other air transportation rules, is conveyed to each passenger by another accepted method, for example, notification.
Typical luggage
Most of the regular airlines, such as Lufthansa, Air France, Delta, Aeroflot, allow first class passengers to carry 3 seats no more than 32 kg each free of charge; business class passengers - 2 seats, 32 kg each; economic (tourist) class - one per 23 kg. Each piece of baggage is weighed separately and cannot be added to other pieces, i.e. each piece must fit within the permitted weight.
Low-cost airlines, or low-cost airlines such as Ryanair, Wizzair are usually allowed to carry no more than 1 piece per 10 kg for free.
All other baggage of the passenger that does not fit into the carriage norms is subject to payment. Prices vary widely by airline, for example, for a flight within Europe, you can pay 70 euros for an extra piece of baggage. Low-cost airlines are more merciless to overweight luggage: 1 kg of overweight can cost 20 euros, and 1 piece - 100 euros. In this case, it is cheaper to send the baggage as cargo through the cargo departments of the airlines.
Baggage in excess of 32 kg will generally not be accepted for carriage because it violates the safe operation of union-protected baggage loaders. But the total number of pieces of paid baggage is not strictly negotiated by air carriers. If necessary, the passenger can accept for transportation, for example, 20 pieces of baggage. A prerequisite for this is prior notification and receipt of the airline's consent.
Carry-on baggage allowances also differ depending on the class of the ticket: for the first class - 3 pieces of 10 kg each; for business class - 2 x 10 kg; for the economy - 1 x 10 kg.
Atypical baggage
For air transportation of animals, there are increased weight standards. So, the weight of the dog together with the cage should not exceed 75 kg. The same applies to wheelchairs or every part of them. Animal cages and wheelchairs fit in the trunk of an aircraft.
If the passenger's baggage is very valuable (a picture or diplomatic pouch) or fragile (a musical instrument), it can be taken into the cabin of the aircraft, to a neighboring seat, by purchasing an additional ticket. The weight of such baggage must also not exceed 75 kg.
Size plays a role
Air baggage is limited not only in weight, but also in size: the sum of three dimensions (length, width, thickness) must not exceed 158 cm. Otherwise, you must pay for non-standard baggage dimensions. The same applies to carry-on baggage, where 115 cm is critical.
