I’ve seen and heard many stories about how people deal with the fees they incur from excess baggage when they travel. Some cry in an attempt to get airline staff to show them some sympathy, some throw tantrums and demand “better service”, others simply hand over their money without question, like they’ve done so many times before.
Excess baggage charges are confusing to navigate: costs vary according to airline, and cabin luggage limits range from as little as 5kg to a generous 23kg. The fact that this information is usually hidden in an obscure location on an airline’s website only makes it harder for travellers to stay clear of unnecessary costs. So to make things easier for us this festive season, KAYAK has created an infographic that collates the baggage information of all major airlines. Here’s a look at what they found:
Take note that airlines measure the amount of cabin baggage you bring onboard in two ways: by the number of pieces you carry, and the total weight of the bags you take with you. This can affect the amount of charges you must pay — bringing numerous bags onboard might not cost you extra if your airline charges by weight, for example.
It’s pretty clear from the infographic that British Airways is winning when it comes to allowing for the maximum cabin baggage and luggage size. What this means is that you really should start bringing more of your stuff with you on board rather than check them in, if you fly often with the airline. This will also cut down on the amount of time you spend waiting for your baggage to get unloaded.
Alternatively, if you’re planning to sign up for a frequent flyer programme, this information might be something you want to take into account before you start accumulating all those air miles.
