Luggage allowance
Traveling from one place to another implies using some mode of transport. If the distance is not too much, most people use personal automobiles. However, public transportation systems such as Amtrak and Greyhound lines in United States, are used by most people for inter city travel. Invariably, people traveling to far off places need to pack a few personal belongings and clothes.
Public transportation systems including airlines, stipulate the quantum of luggage a person may take along with him or her on the bus, train, ship, or airplane, as the case may be.
That does not mean that people cannot take more luggage. They can. However, they are expected to pay for any additional luggage that they intend to take with them. The rationale behind such charges is that most of these transportation vehicles or crafts, earn profits by transporting both people as well as cargo. Their profitability is dependent on striking an optimal balance. They cannot have vacant passenger seats, while their cargo cabins are full. Vice versa, if the passengers are allowed to bring in as much as they want, there will remain some vacant cargo space on each flight or trip that does not fetch these transport companies any income. Moreover, if cargo were to be carried separately, the ticket charges on every flight would have been very high, because of fuel and personnel expenses.
There would also be some travelers who would bring in so much baggage that it would be difficult to accommodate other travelers luggage on flight. As there is no way to precisely define who would be carrying how much luggage on which flight from which destination to which destination, the aircrafts, trains, ships, and even buses, have predefined area in cargo cabins, usable for travelers luggage.
This luggage area is divided equally over the number of passengers the airplane or other modes of transport carries. The probability that some passengers will carry fewer luggages when compared to others is also considered. The ratio of luggage that may be carried by travelers from one destination to another is also accounted for. Bearing these factors in mind, an optimal level of luggage allowance is determined.
Generally, the term luggage allowance is associated with flights, because these days airlines connect most of the cities. luggage allowance on domestic airlines is lesser than that on International flights. This is because the travelers on domestic flights may be traveling for shorter stay and are likely to travel more than once to the city. Moreover, if the luggage to be transported is substantial then he or she is likely to opt for cheaper mode of transportation available in the country, such as transport through road carriers or even trains. This also gives the airlines a clear chance to utilize surplus area for transporting cargo within the country, and earn profits. Charges earned by airlines on cargo are generally higher when compared to charges received by airlines on passengers.
Luggage allowance on International flights is governed by the limits set by government and IATA. The government generally does not stipulate the maximum limit of luggage that a traveler may carry in international travel. However, the government may impose duties and export charges etc. , on some goods, which, if carried beyond a particular limit, are deemed as carried for trade rather than personal use. This is, in effect, an indirect restriction on the luggage allowance , applicable to all forms of international travel, whether by air, water, or roads.
IATA or International Air Transport Association has laid down the limits within which different airlines can redefine the luggage allowance they want to allow their passengers. Therefore, luggage allowance s also differ from airlines to airlines.
Airlines fix the charges for additional luggage based on various factors. Because airlines incur additional costs on fuel for transporting excess luggage, they decide the optimal level of luggage that would not reduce the number of passengers coming to them because of lower luggage allowance when compared to the rest of the airlines.
Factors include:
- The size of door of the cargo cabin in the aircraft restricting the volume of the luggage permissible
- The likely number of travelers to a particular destination. This generally determines the aircraft that will ply on the route. Consequently, the luggage allowance is based on the size of cargo cabins of that particular aircraft.
As mentioned before the luggage allowance's differ based on destinations. In addition, different regions of the world apply different rules for calculating luggage allowance s. luggage allowance s in some flights are based on weight, and in others based on volumes or what is known as piece system.
The ceiling for luggage allowance s based on weight of the luggage is generally is 20 kg. This is, however, not sacrosanct. On some destinations, generally routes not frequented, the airlines may allow as much as 32 kg. This luggage is to be checked in, that is, it is surrendered at the airport, and loaded into cargo cabin of the craft.
In addition to the above, a carry on baggage is permitted, the weight of which should not exceed 18 kgs. This carry on baggage is allowed inside the passenger cabin. Ladies handbags, and any other handbag such as those with babys clothing, are free.
In countries such as USA, Mexico, Colombia, Jamaica, Bahamas, Caribbean nations, Nigeria, Bermuda, Venezuela, and some flights from UK, the system adopted for luggage allowance is the volume system or the piece system.
Each traveler is given luggage allowance of 2 pieces under this piece system. However, the dimensions of the pieces are pre-defined. Each of these pieces should have dimensions such that sum total of height, length, and breadth of the baggage does not exceed more than 157 cms, or 62 inches. Similar calculation of carry on baggage should not exceed 114 cms, or 45 inches.
luggage allowance limits are mentioned on the tickets. The weights or dimensions are not included in these limits mentioned on the tickets.
In addition to the above, there are some categories that are exempt, and some categories are entitled to concessions. These include music instruments, wheel chairs, sports equipments, etc.
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