Baggage allowances, both cabin (carry on board) and checked (stowed in the aircraft hold), vary greatly from airline to airline depending on class of ticket, size of aircraft, destination of flight and age of passenger (eg. infants and children). These allowances apply not only to the weight of the piece but also to its size. Airlines are free to set their own allowances - there is no legislation on the matter. Some airlines reserve the right to change their baggage rules without prior notice. The printed ticket gives little or no information about your baggage allowances let alone any dimensions and most e-tickets provide even less!!

AIRPORT SECURITY

Since 9/11, airlines have introduced enhanced security measures paying even more attention to passenger baggage. Some airlines are actually reducing the Free Baggage Allowance for many reasons including the higher cost of aviation fuel.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Two of Britain’s busiest airports have recently announced a weight limit of 32kgs/70 lbs. Anyone now checking in a single piece of baggage in excess of this limit will be told to re-pack the baggage into lighter units or send it by cargo. This rule comes into effect on the 1st of June 2004.