free luggage
Under baggage allowance is meant especially in civil aviation , the amount of luggage that a transport provider per person transported, will be provided without additional charge. The amount of luggage is generally limited by a maximum number of pieces of luggage (piece concept) or by the weight of all pieces of luggage (weight concept).
Weight Concept
The transport company specifies a weight as the free baggage allowance that is transported per person . Usually this weight is 20 kg. The weight can be divided between several pieces of luggage and often also between several travelers within a booking . However, the exact regulations differ from company to company.
Every kilogram that exceeds the set limit must be paid additionally. Therefore, the passenger must either pay a flat rate for each additional kilogram or a relative value to the transport fee (one to one and a half percent are usual depending on the transport class or the basis of the freight tariff ).
Piece concept
The piece concept stipulates that a passenger may take a certain number of pieces of luggage with a certain weight. Weight cannot be distributed here, the number and the individual weight count. The details of the regulation also differ here according to the transport company.
carry-on baggage
There is usually a weight limit for hand luggage . The maximum weight is between 5 kg and 12 kg, depending on the airline, but hand luggage is rarely weighed. In some cases (e.g. when the flight is full) the airline may order weight measurements before boarding . It should be noted, however, that the overhead luggage rack can only withstand a limited amount of weight. Being very overweight therefore poses a safety risk. In aircraft types (e.g. the Bombardier CRJ900 ) with an extremely limited number of luggage racks in the passenger cabin, the hand luggage is loaded into special hold by the loading staff.
Additional regulations
In the weight concept, the maximum weight of a single piece of luggage is often stipulated so that employees do not have to lift too heavily when loading by hand. In addition to the weight limits, specifications are made for the size (usually the scope ) of the pieces of luggage.
Allocation of luggage to passenger
During the check-in process, a label with a barcode containing all the important data is affixed to clearly identify the checked baggage . This means that the luggage can also be clearly tracked and assigned to the traveler. The flight number (s), IATA airport code of the destination airport and, if applicable, the transfer airport as well as the name of the passenger are also printed . In the picture example, URA stands for Oral Aq Schol Airport in Kazakhstan as the destination airport .
Barcode label
Excess baggage
As excess baggage , the baggage allowance is referred to that would carry a traveler over the free baggage allowance also. For this he has to pay later at the airport or, if necessary, online beforehand. The prices for excess baggage vary depending on the company and the baggage concept.
Bulky baggage, i.e. baggage that exceeds the free baggage allowance, which is also counted as excess baggage by definition, must always be registered in advance and handed in at a special counter. Often prams or cots are transported free of charge, but they still have to be registered.
Liability in the event of loss of or damage to luggage
The airlines are liable for checked baggage regardless of whether they were responsible for the damage. However, the airline is only liable up to a maximum of around 1,330 euros per traveler, unless the damage was caused intentionally or through gross negligence. The damage must be reported to the airline in writing within four days, otherwise a later action is hopeless.
Web links
- Airlines to Address Carry-On Bag Dilemma , IATA Press Release, June 9, 2015
- http://www.freigepaeckbegrenz.de
Individual evidence
- ↑ Federal Ministry of Justice: Your rights in the event of luggage damage ( page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
