Baggage Allowance – Know Your Limit
In response to government recommendations and limitations, airlines worldwide have instituted restrictions on the number and size of bags that travellers are permitted to have. The baggage allowance varies by airline, travel destination and type of fare. Checked baggage to be stowed in the hold of the airplane is limited by weight (use a good set of easy to use digital luggage scales to accurately weigh your baggage); hand luggage is limited by size and weight. In the UK, The Department of Transport has established the Piece System and the Weight System. Whereas the Piece System considers the number of pieces and size of each individual piece, the Weight System is based on the total weight of all the cases together
The Piece System is used for all UK flights to and from USA, US Territories, Bermuda, Canada, Columbia, Mexico and Nigeria, to Venezuela (not from), flights between Bermuda and the Bahamas and Jamaica, and flights between points in the Caribbean. The flight baggage allowance for adult travellers on domestic flights within the UK and the international flights listed above is two pieces of checked luggage, with a combined size of 158cm (length + height + width) with neither individual piece weighing more than 32kg. Individual airlines may impose different Piece System standards and travellers should inquire about them when purchasing a ticket.
Flight Baggage Allowance
The Weight System is applicable for all international flights from the UK not listed above. The flight baggage allowance is 40kg of total hold luggage for first-class passengers, 30kg for club class, and 20g for economy class. Children and infants are subject to the adult allowance if 50% or more of the applicable adult fare was paid for their ticket. If only 10% is paid, the allowance is one checked bag no larger than 115cm and weighing no more than 32kg plus one collapsible pushchair. If the child or infant is travelling for free, only one collapsible pushchair is allowed, and no bags.
Cabin baggage includes anything a traveller will carry on board, including personal items, laptop computers and even musical instruments. The baggage allowance for cabin luggage based on size and shape as it must be able to fit in the overhead locker or under the seat. The generally accepted size is 115cm of combined linear length, or 56cm x 45cm x 25cm. Individual airlines may have smaller limits. Hand luggage contents must not include more than 100ml of any liquid which must be in clear containers and stored in a transparent resealable bag. Exceptions can be made for medicine and baby food.
