A Window to Airline Baggage Policies, Rules and Restrictions

Author: samwalker16 | Posted: 23.05.2012

Airline baggage policies, rules and restrictions remain the significant factors that can make or break one’s holiday. Often, holidaymakers look for cheap airlines deals to save and splurge on shopping or other holiday activities but often avoid reading the small prints related to the baggage policies and end up paying a bomb for extra baggage charges.

Anyone who buys air tickets must always remain vigilant about the baggage essentials to ensure a zero inconvenience experience. Here is a little smattering on the general baggage policies, rules and restrictions.

Airline Baggage Policies, Rules & Restrictions

Be it cheap airlines or five-star carriers, each airline has its own baggage policies and fees for cabin and hold baggage.

Generally, airlines allow passengers to carry one luggage piece along with one personal item like handbag, briefcase or laptops as the cabin baggage. However, the hand held luggage is strictly inspected by the airport authorities to ensure utmost flight safety.

Baggage Allowances

The number and weight of the free luggage allowed on-board is termed as baggage allowance. Baggage Allowances offered by airlines remain imprinted on the air tickets. The allowances may vary across airlines or intended routes. One must always confirm the baggage allowance with the preferred airline before-hand.

Excess Baggage

The luggage that weighs over and above the free baggage weight is called the excess baggage. Airlines generally charge hefty amounts as excess baggage fees. Tourists who buy cheap airline tickets but don’t pack within the baggage allowance requisites often end up losing out their hard-earned money in dreaded excess baggage fees. So one should be smart to pack light and avoid those hefty extra baggage charges every time they travel.

Hand luggage

The luggage that passengers can carry on-board in the cabin is called the hand or cabin baggage. However, the number and weight of the hand baggage widely varies with the airlines and aircraft size.

Also there are several restrictions imposed by UK Civil Aviation Authority on what could be carried on board to ensure flight safety. It is sensible to contact the airlines to get exhaustive details about the hand luggage requisites before booking air tickets.

Restricted And Banned Items

Passengers must always adhere to the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s list of restricted or banned items for cabin or hold baggage. Some items are not allowed in the hand luggage while others are not allowed anywhere on the aircraft. Some of these items include fireworks, petrol cans, battery powered equipments, knives, ammunition, guns and scissors.

Travellers who painstakingly book cheap airline tickets must remain considerate about the list of restricted and banned items to avoid fouling up their much coveted vacations. Those looking for further details about banned and restricted items can visit the website of UK Civil Aviation Authority.



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