Over the years, the Big 3 middle eastern carriers (ME3) have been known for the full-service offerings. While most airlines were skimping on baggage and in-flight service, they were offering passengers more baggage, better food, etc. All of which has led to the three airlines expanding and developing a loyal customer base. The last couple of years have seen the …
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Bangalore airport has become the first airport in India to introduce automated bag drop machines. The 16 new self bag drop counters will allow passengers to check in their baggage without having to interact any ground agent. Using the self bag drop involves a two-step approach. A passenger will first print a boarding pass and an eezee-tag (bag tag) at …
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As expected, the United Kingdom has followed the United States, and imposed its own ban on electronic devices from being carried in cabin baggage. In a written statement to Parliament, British Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said “phones, laptops and tablets larger than 16.0cm x 9.3cm x 1.5cm [are] not allowed in the cabin on flights to the UK from Turkey, …
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Citing potential security threats and extremists seeking “innovative methods” to bring down flights, the United States has indefinitely banned virtually every electronic device from the cabin baggage of passengers flying on nine middle-eastern and north-African airlines or from 10 airports in the region, destined to the US. Domestic flights within, and international flights from, the US are exempt from these …
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British Airways has always had one of the most generous hand-baggage (carry-on baggage) allowances in the world. Like its American counterparts, even in economy class, it permits two carry-on bags per passenger; one main carry-on bag, and one personal hand-bag / laptop bag. Compare this to the one piece allowed on almost every other airline. However, unlike the normal 7kg …
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Following the DGCA’s decision to allow unbundling of check-in baggage, low fare carrier SpiceJet has introduced an ultra-low fare of just Rs 999 ($16) which only allows for hand baggage. These fares which compete head-on with 2AC train fares are valid for booking till April 29, 2015, for travel from July 1 to October 15. The airline says it is …
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Last month the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a Safety Alert For Operators (SAFO) advising airlines about potential fire risks from e-cigarettes which use lithium batteries to heat nicotine in to a vapour inhaled by users. The SAFO issued after two instances of fire caused by e-cigarettes, called for banning of these popular devices from checked-in baggage. Though …
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US airframer Boeing which manufactures the world’s most popular aircraft the 737, will increase the cabin’s baggage storage capacity by over 50% from late next year. Boeing will offer a new type of over-head bin called ‘Space Bins’ which can carry six bags in place of the current four standard size carry-on bag measuring 9x14x22 inches (23cm x 36cm x …
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The Air France-KLM-Delta grouping have announced an increase in economy class baggage allows on their India to USA, Canada, and Mexico routes. However this increased allowance will apply only for tickets issued effective today, April 17, 2014, onwards. The baggage allowance is increased to two pieces of check-in baggage per person with maximum weight of 23 kg (50 lbs) per …
Read More »by Devesh Agarwal Effective 1 September 2013, Qatar Airways has increased the checked-in baggage allowances for its passengers. Economy class weight allowances have increased from 23kg to 30kg while business and first Class have increased by 10kg to 40kg and 50kg respectively. The number of bags allowed to be checked-in remains the same and is dependent on the type of …
Read More »by Devesh Agarwal Last month, I flew more than 50,000 miles across many nations, and airlines, and in the process experienced the carry on hand baggage and check-in baggage rules of different airlines, countries, and airports and to a chance try out new lightweight luggage. [Disclaimer: I have not received any benefit, in any form, from any of the airlines …
Read More »Jet Airways and JetKonnect have effectively hiked their fares by Rs. 1,250 by reducing the economy class free baggage allowance from 20 kilos to 15 kilos on all domestic flights within India, effective May 15, 2013. Cabin baggage will be restricted to seven kilos, against a national norm of eight kilos. Frequent flyers who are JetPrivilege elite status members, (Platinum/Gold/Silver), …
Read More »In keeping with its Business Plan strategy of ‘Winning Back Customers’, effective today, Malaysia Airlines (MAS) is offering passengers an additional 10 kilograms free check-in baggage allowance and reduced excess baggage charges for travel in all classes. The new limits of 30, 40, and 50 kgs in Economy, Business, and First class will apply to all MAS flights using the …
Read More »Open publication – Free publishing Above you can find my article in Orient Aviation India magazine (pages 9-10: reading link is http://issuu.com/orientaviation/docs/oamagindia_may12/3) on Air India Express’ hypothetical shift towards an LCC business model. Readers, what are your thoughts on Air India Express’ plan? Will you stop flying Air India Express because of these service cuts? Can this model be modified …
Read More »Member airlines of the “Lufthansa Group” — Deutsche Lufthansa Airlines, Swiss Airlines, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines, have increased their baggage allowance on trips between USA/Canada and India to TWO checked bags each weighing up to 23 Kgs. As per the website Free Baggage Allowance UPDATE For tickets issued on or after February 17th, 2012, the free baggage allowance for …
Read More »On October 25th, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DCGA) announced an unprecedented rule; it has banned foreign airlines from charging fees for second checked bags. Up until around 3 years ago, most world airlines (including Western ones) allowed passengers to check two bags of up to 23 kg for free. But the global financial crisis, coupled with rising competition …
Read More »German airline Lufthansa is simplifying and harmonising its check-in free baggage allowance policy, adopting the piece concept on all its flights globally. The new rules bring Lufthansa in sync with its North American Star Alliance partners who also follow a piece concept on all their flights. Currently, the piece concept applies to all flights to/from North America across airlines. To …
Read More »Baggage loss, damage, and/or delay is an accepted hazard of air travel. The best of airports have a 0.1% or 1,000 bags per million that do not get delivered as intended. Unfortunately, even today, most airlines operating international flights from India get away by paying paltry sums as compensation thanks to the ignorance of most international travellers from India. Almost …
Read More »In its “Bags fly free” series of ads, US low fare carrier Southwest Airlines hits out at the chargeable baggage policies of “full service” carriers like American, United, Continental, Delta, US Air, and British Airways. In India we are getting ready to celebrate the five days marking the festival of Diwali, the biggest holiday of the year. Travel is high, …
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Bangalore Aviation News, Reviews, Analysis and opinions of Indian Aviation