Etihad to reduce checked luggage allowance on premium fares

Etihad Airways has revamped its checked luggage policy, in a move which will see the allowance reduced for some fares. The carrier has moved from a number of bags to a total weight policy, except on flights to the US and Canada, which retains the number of bags system.

The general policy (although note that Etihad does operate different policies on some routes including to and from Africa) for flights booked from today is now as follows:

• A total of 23kg on Economy Deal fares
• A total of 30kg on Economy Saver and Classic fares
• A total of 35kg on Economy Flex fares
• A total of 40kg on all business class fares
• A total of 50kg on all first class fares
• Guests in The Residence on Etihad’s A380 services have an allowance of four bags at 32kg each.

When compared with the previous policy (still valid for any flights booked before January 31), Economy Deals passengers see no change (previous allowance was one bag up to 23kg), while Economy Saver travellers actually see their allowance rise by 7kg (from the previous one bag up to 23kg).

But Economy Classic customers see their allowance fall by 16kg (previously two bags up to 23kg each), and Economy Flex passengers see their allowance reduced by 11kg (previously two bags up to 23kg).

Business class customers see the biggest fall in allowance, down by 24kg from two bags weighing up to 32kg each (effectively 64kg) to the new allowance of 40kg in total. And finally first class travellers see their allowance fall by 14kg, from two bags weighing up to 32kg each (effectively 64kg) to the new allowance of 50kg in total.

Etihad Guest Silver, Gold and Platinum members continue to receive a complimentary excess baggage allowance of 32kg on US and Canada routes, and 20kg for Platinum members, 15kg for Gold members and 10kg for Silver members on all other routes.

Commenting on the move Etihad Airways executive vice president commercial, Mohammad Al Bulooki, said:

“In line with global best practice and market trends, Etihad Airways has developed a baggage policy that best caters to the differing needs of our guests around the world. The switch to a policy based on weight rather than the number of bags simplifies our allowance system and provides greater convenience and customer benefit while enhancing the travel experience.” etihad.com