Air India’s Baggage Policy Update: Extra Fees for Second Bag on Flights to Europe and the UK
Air India’s Baggage Policy Update: Extra Fees for Second Bag on Flights to Europe and the UK
Air India passengers flying to Europe and the UK will now face higher charges for a second check-in bag. The airline has updated its fare structure as of October 17. Under the new rules, only one checked bag weighing 23 kg is permitted with the lowest economy class ticket. Those who want to check in two bags will need to select a higher economy fare, with the price difference beginning at approximately Rs 4,000 for a one-way ticket.
This change aligns Air India with major Western airlines. For instance, Lufthansa allows one free checked bag in economy class, while a fee applies for an additional bag. Similarly, British Airways offers basic economy fares that only include a handbag, with higher fares permitting two checked bags of 23 kg each.
Earlier this year, Air India implemented a similar policy for domestic flights, where economy class passengers are now limited to 15 kg of baggage, reduced from 25 kg. This adjustment mirrors the policies of other Indian airlines.
Before the Tata Group took over, Air India, a state-run airline, had a more flexible baggage policy to attract customers. This approach was intended to offset the airline’s poor cabin experience and frequent delays. However, with significant investments from the Tatas, Air India is now aligning its baggage policy with international standards.
Despite these improvements, not all passengers are happy with the changes. A chartered accountant from Delhi mentioned that he booked a ticket for his son traveling from Europe to Delhi, where the fare difference for checking in two bags was as high as ₹8,000. He noted that a major Gulf airline offers a lower fare by ₹20,000 and allows a 35 kg baggage limit, but opting for that airline would result in an additional five hours of travel time due to a layover at its hub.
Air India’s clarification
A senior official from Air India explained that the price difference between economy fares for one checked bag and two checked bags on flights to Europe and the UK is minimal, typically around ₹4,000 for a one-way trip, like from Delhi to Frankfurt. The reason behind this pricing is to avoid charging the same fare for passengers traveling with one checked bag as for those with two.
Air India officials are confident that as the airline enhances its cabin services and improves on-time performance, foreign carriers will need to offer competitive prices to maintain their market share in India. Additionally, domestic airlines like IndiGo are expanding their operations on long-haul routes, which is expected to heighten competition even further.
Air India recently announced that its new fare structure includes a ‘Value’ fare that permits only one checked bag, while the ‘Classic’ and ‘Flex’ options allow for two bags. Currently, Air India operates 264 weekly flights to Europe and the UK.
