Rules and regulations for baggage transportation of popular low-cost airlines
When purchasing a low-cost airline ticket, it can often be difficult to understand the baggage and hand luggage requirements. Therefore, we have made for you a guide to the main low-cost airlines: Pobeda, Ryanair, WizzAir, Easy Jet, AirAsia, AirBaltic. In this material we tell you: what you can take in your luggage and hand luggage, how best to pay for the baggage transportation service, what nuances you should pay attention to.
The general rules are as follows: hand luggage must fit into a special measuring frame – it is usually located at the check-in counter. Some low-cost airlines, in addition to a small carry-on suitcase, allow you to take a handbag or a small shoulder bag that can be placed under the seat in front of your seat.
In all cases, the cheapest way is to pay for additional luggage via the Internet, best when buying a ticket – it will cost more later. The highest price for a piece of luggage is at the airport.
Well, the main rule of flying with low-cost airlines: read the airline’s rules and strictly follow them. Then there will be no unexpected surprises or unforeseen expenses.
“Victory”
Luggage: The cheapest rate includes luggage weighing 10 kg.
How much does extra luggage cost: The cost varies depending on where you purchase your extra luggage. Cheapest online (1499 rubles for one piece of luggage weighing 20 kg one way),
more expensive – before the gate (3000 rubles in Russia or 45 euros abroad).
Carry-on baggage: You can carry one item free of charge from the list established by paragraph 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAP-82). This could be: a handbag or a men’s briefcase (but not a backpack!),
a folder for papers, a piece of outerwear, a suit in a suitcase, a photo or video camera, a laptop. Important: one person can take on board only one item from this list. Boxes (including pizza or pies),
cakes, packages, backpacks, sports bags are transported for a fee.
Please note that duty free bags are considered additional baggage and at the gate you will be asked to pay 2000 rubles in Russia or 35 euros abroad for them.
Strollers:A convertible stroller can be carried free of charge, but must be checked in as luggage at the check-in desk. According to the airline’s rules, you can only take a cane stroller up to the plane. For a child, you can take baby food on board free of charge. Each child can carry only one item in their luggage free of charge: either a stroller or a car seat.
Wheelchairs: are carried free of charge, but a chair weighing more than 60 kg (without battery) or a stroller with a battery with a galvanic cell will not be taken on the plane, this is prohibited.
Passengers in wheelchairs who require assistance when moving or boarding an aircraft must notify the call center in advance or select the appropriate option on the website. The service is provided free of charge.
Sports equipment:Can be checked in as luggage for an additional fee. Be sure to reserve your baggage space in advance when purchasing your ticket. The equipment must be in a special case. A bicycle, snowboard or skis can be carried for 1999 rubles when paying online or for 4000 rubles when paying at the airport (55 euros if you are abroad).
Pets: A small dog, cat, ferret or bird can be transported in the cabin in a special container or cage. The container together with the animal must weigh no more than 8 kg, the size cannot exceed 55x40x20 cm. Pay 1999 rubles for one piece of such luggage, and this can only be done online or through the call center in advance: you cannot pay at the airport, and in the cabin with They won’t let you in the cage. Animals are not carried in the luggage compartment.
Full text of the airline’s rules
Ryanair
Luggage:for a fee. The cost depends on where to pay for baggage and the direction of the flight. When paying online, one suitcase weighing 15 kg will cost from 10 to 40 euros, if you want to buy a piece of luggage at the airport – from 25 to 50 euros. If you are overweight, you will definitely be asked to pay at the airport; it will cost 10 euros per kilogram.
Hand luggage: 1 small suitcase measuring no more than 55x40x20 centimeters and weighing no more than 10 kg + 1 small handbag (handbag, laptop case etc.) no larger than 35x20x20 cm – it should easily fit under the chair in front of your seat. Your hand luggage will be checked in a special frame, which is located at the check-in counter. If the suitcase does not fit there, you will have to check it in as checked luggage and pay 50 euros.
Strollers:You can bring two items for a child for free, for example, a stroller and a child car seat. The stroller can be taken to the plane, where it will be picked up and loaded into the luggage compartment. If you want to take two strollers for one child, this is possible, but for the second you will have to pay an extra 20 euros at the airport or 10 euros online.
Wheelchairs: are transported free of charge, there are no weight restrictions for them, only by measurements: when folded, the stroller should not be more than 81 cm in height height, 119 cm width and 119 cm depth.
Passengers with special needs must contact the airline at least 48 hours before departure to ensure all necessary assistance is available at the airport and on the plane.
Sports equipment: can be checked in as luggage for an additional fee. The cost depends on the type of equipment and where you pay for the baggage space: online or at the airport. For a bicycle (maximum weight 30 kg) you will be charged 60 euros online or 70 at the airport. Skis and snowboards will cost 40 or 45 euros, respectively. Ski equipment can weigh a maximum of 20 kg.
Pets: Pets are not allowed on Ryanair flights, with the exception of guide dogs.
Full text of the airline’s rules (English)
Wizz Air
Luggage: for a fee. The cost depends on the place of payment (online or at the airport),
seasons and flight directions. You can see how much your luggage will cost on the website in a special section. For example, for a flight from Moscow to Budapest, one piece of baggage weighing 20 kg will cost 31 euros when paying online at the same time as the ticket or 55 euros at the airport. If you decide to buy luggage after purchasing your ticket, you will pay 34 euros.
Carry-on baggage: You can carry a bag measuring no more than 42x32x25 cm and weighing no more than 15 kg free of charge. For an additional fee you can take a small suitcase (56x45x25 cm),
pay for it 14 euros online when purchasing a ticket or 35 euros at the airport. Duty free packages containing goods purchased at the airport after passing through security can be taken on the plane for free.
Strollers:You can take a special child seat or car seat on board for free (provided that a separate seat has been purchased for the child and the seat will fit on it),
as well as a folding baby stroller, which is suitable for transportation in the aircraft cabin. A larger stroller needs to be checked in as luggage.
Wheelchairs: devices designed for the mobility of persons with disabilities can be checked in as baggage or taken on board free of charge. Only manually powered chairs can be transported using dry or sealed batteries with insulated terminals.
Passengers with special needs must notify the airline at least 48 hours before departure.
Sports equipment:On flights you can carry skis/snowboards, bicycles, surfing equipment, and golf clubs. Each piece of equipment must be checked in as luggage and paid for. Paying online when booking a ticket is, as usual, cheaper – 30 euros per item. At the airport you will have to part with 60 euros. Please note that the inventory must be packed in a special case.
Pets: Transportation of pets is prohibited, with the exception of guide dogs.
Full text of the airline’s rules
Easy Jet
Luggage: for a fee, the amount differs for different destinations. For a suitcase weighing up to 20kg, pay between $19.50 and $45 online or $52 at the front desk. The most expensive way to pay for luggage is at the boarding gate: this can happen if an airline employee does not allow you to carry your suitcase in hand luggage and requires you to check it in the baggage compartment. In this case, you will have to part with 70 dollars.
Carry-on baggage:You can carry a bag for free, the size of which does not exceed 56x45x25 cm. The weight is not limited, but should not exceed reasonable limits: if you cannot lift your handbag without assistance, you will be asked to check it in as baggage. Outerwear and one duty-free bag can be carried free.
The airline reserves the right to place any hand luggage in the cargo hold of the aircraft.
Strollers: For one child, you can carry two items free of charge, for example, a stroller and a child seat or cradle. The stroller must be returned at the ramp.
Wheelchairs: A passenger with special needs may carry two items of mobility aid (for example, a stroller and crutches) free of charge and in addition to the existing baggage allowance ). If a seat weighs more than 60 kg, it will be accepted for transportation only if both airports have special loading/unloading facilities. Chairs powered by leaking batteries cannot be transported.
Passengers with special needs must notify the airline at least 48 hours before departure.
Sports equipment: the company distinguishes between small and large sports equipment. Skis and snowboards belong to the first group (weight no more than 20 kg),
and a surfboard and a bicycle – to the second (weight no more than 32 kg). A full list of inventory can be found in the corresponding section on the website. For skis/snowboard transportation, pay $45 when purchasing a piece of luggage online or $60 at the airport. A bicycle will cost more: 55 dollars online or 65 at the airport.
Pets: Transportation of pets is prohibited, with the exception of guide dogs.
Full text of the airline’s rules
Air Asia
Luggage:for a fee. The cost is calculated separately for each direction; you can see it in a special section on the website. The low-cost airline does not fly from Moscow, so as an example, we looked at how much baggage would cost on a flight from Bangkok to Phuket. A suitcase weighing up to 20 kg when booking a ticket online will cost 330 Thai baht (about 560 rubles),
and at the airport – 900 baht (1530 rubles).
Carry-on luggage: 1 bag (56x36x23 cm) + 1 small handbag (40x30x10 cm),
which you can put under the seat in front of your chair. The total weight of both bags should not exceed 7 kg. For those who are especially adventurous, the company reminds that several bags tied together are still several bags, and you will not be able to carry them in your hand luggage as one item.
Strollers: You can bring one stroller free of charge, but you must check it in as baggage. This can be done already at the plane’s ramp. Upon arrival, you will only be able to pick up the stroller at the baggage claim area; they will not be brought to the ramp.
Wheelchairs: free, but only manual wheelchairs can be transported. Battery powered wheelchairs will only be accepted on board in exceptional circumstances and the passenger will be asked to remove the battery from the seat.
Passengers with special needs must notify the airline at least 48 hours before departure.
Sports equipment: can be carried, but for an additional fee and in a special case. The bicycle will have to remove the pedals, turn the steering wheel and lower the wheels. On domestic flights, one piece of sports equipment, issued simultaneously with an online ticket, costs from 510 to 1,425 baht (860–2,420 rubles) depending on weight. At the airport you can only check in luggage weighing up to 15 kg for 1100 baht (1870 rubles),
if your bike is heavier, pay another 400 baht (about 650 rubles) for the overweight.
A surfboard can be carried as luggage if its length is no more than 277 cm. Do not forget to pack the surfboard in a special case. Kiteboards and bodyboards are also classified as surfboards. But you won’t be allowed on the flight with a kayak or canoe.
Pets: All animals, including guide dogs, are not allowed on Air Asia flights.
Full text of the airline’s rules (English)
AirBaltic
Luggage: is not included in the Basic tariff; if you plan to take luggage with you, and not just hand luggage, you must pay separately for each suitcase. Prices from 19.99 euros per bag one way when paying online at the same time as tickets, up to 40 euros when paying at the airport. The exact amount depends on the direction and duration of the flight.
Carry-on baggage:You can take into the salon free of charge 1 bag with dimensions no more than 55x40x20 cm + 1 personal item, for example, a handbag or laptop (size no more than 30x40x10 cm). The total weight of both bags should not exceed 8 kg. If the employee at the check-in desk decides that your hand luggage exceeds the permitted limits, you will have to check it in as checked baggage and pay 40 euros. At the gate, your bags will be inspected again, and there you will have to pay 60 euros for oversized luggage.
One duty free bag can be carried as a personal item. But if you already have a small suitcase and a handbag with you, it is better to remove the package, otherwise you will be asked to pay for its transportation.
Baby strollers: If the ticket includes an infant under 2 years old without a separate seat, then in addition to free checked baggage weighing up to 10 kg you can carry it free of charge one fully collapsible stroller, carrycot or car seat. For children over 2 years old, a separate seat is purchased and the general baggage rules apply.
Wheelchairs: are carried at no additional cost.
Sports equipment: the cost of transportation depends on whether you pay for baggage space online or at the airport. It’s cheaper, of course, online: if you pay for the transportation of a bicycle or skis at the same time as purchasing a ticket, you’ll pay 34.99 euros. At the airport, the same piece of luggage will cost 60 euros. The maximum permissible weight of one set of sports equipment is 20 kg. If the weight is higher, pay 50 euros for the excess. And warn the airline in advance that you are bringing sports equipment: a limited number of sets are accepted on each flight. Read more about sports equipment on the AirBaltic website.
Pets: The company allows pets to be carried on its flights both in the cabin and in luggage, but this must be reported in advance. In the cabin you can transport a small dog, cat, bird or rabbit in a special container, the maximum dimensions of which are 55x40x23 cm. The maximum weight of the animal together with the container is 8 kg. Transporting an animal in the cabin will cost 60 euros one way.
Large animals are transported in the luggage compartment in special containers provided by the passenger. The weight of the container with the animal cannot be more than 75 kg. The cost of transportation varies depending on the weight of the animal: if the container with the animal weighs no more than 32 kg, one-way transportation will cost 100 euros. If the weight is between 33 and 75 kg, the cost will increase to 200 euros.
Full text of the airline’s rules
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