Austrian Airlines … weighing up the options
Austrian Airlines is rolling out new baggage allowance rules from 1 June.
Following in the footsteps of certain US and Canadian carriers, the airline will offer each passenger the “baggage item concept”, which allows a specified number of bags to be checked-in free of charge.
Currently, the airline still uses the weight policy, which allows travellers to take as many bags as they want on board, so long as they weigh less than 20kg in total.
The number of bags each person will allowed to check in from 1 June will depend on their flight class – Economy-Class passengers will be allowed one bag weighing up to 23kg – a bonus of 3kg!
Those lucky Business-Class travellers can check in two bags, which can weigh up to 32kg each. Currently, these passengers are only allowed up to 30kg. Kids under the age of two will be allowed one bag weighing up to 23kg plus a foldaway pram or buggy.
The airline is also rolling out plans to make excess baggage charges cheaper for passengers. If an Economy-Class traveller checks in a bag weighing between 23kg and 32kg, they will be charged €50 (about £44) per leg on flights within Europe and €100 (approximately £88) per leg on long-haul flights. The charge will now be dependant on the weight of the excess luggage rather than its mere presence.
