Etihad Airways’ New Baggage Policy Makes Travel Better for Economy Fliers

When an airline revises its baggage allowance and fee for international flights, its regular passengers hit the panic button. Whether airlines increase check-in luggage fees or decrease baggage size and weight limits, travelers end up paying extra bucks in either case. For instance, British Airways’ new cabin baggage policy came to the displeasure of air travelers. British Airways reduced the size limits of hand baggage in a bid to maximize storage space in overhead bins of aircraft. Even boarding is denied to the Premium Economy and Economy passengers carrying handbags larger than 40x30x15 cm.

However, Etihad Airways did just the opposite and revised its baggage policy for transatlantic flights to the pleasure of its customers. As per the latest revision, Etihad Airways baggage allowance has increased, while luggage fees have dropped. The newest Etihad baggage allowance and fee structure is in keeping with the airline’s new Fair Choices released in August 2015.

Etihad will introduce a “one baggage piece” policy on most of its short-haul routes. Fliers can check in one, two or three pieces of baggage according to their travel class, fare choice, route and the status of their Etihad Guest loyalty program membership. It is a fair and transparent baggage policy in tune with the best practices in the air travel industry, according to Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer.

Etihad Baggage Allowance for Economy Class

The new Etihad baggage allowance for Economy flights to and from Brazil consists of two pieces of check-in baggage; each weighing up to 32 kg. Economy Class passengers can carry 2 check-in bags with total weight of 46 kg on Etihad’s flights to and from the US and Canada. As per the new Etihad Airways baggage allowance, the weight limit of check-in bags (one or two) should not exceed 32 kg on Economy flights to and from all other destinations.

Etihad Airways’ Economy Value and Economy Freedom guests can carry two pieces of baggage with a weight limit of 23 kg (51 lbs) for each instead of one piece of 30 kg (66 lbs), on certain routes. The same is the Etihad baggage allowance for all fair choices in the Economy Class.

Etihad’s customers can carry two pieces of baggage with weight limit of 32 kg per bag instead of total 40/50 kg in the Premium Travel cabins. Etihad Gold and Platinum Guest members can check in one extra piece of baggage weighing up to 32 kg apart from the regular check-in baggage allowance for them. The increased check-in baggage allowance for Etihad Guest members is not applicable to flights to and from the US, Brazil and Canada.

Etihad Airways’ excess baggage fee structure has been revised only to benefit passengers flying on long-haul routes. The airline will charge considerably lower fees for excess baggage on most routes. The fee for an additional bag of 23 kg is reduced by up to 90%, on some routes. You will get another 30% discount on Etihad’s excess baggage fees if you pre-purchase the extra baggage allowance directly from the airline within 24 hours before your flight.

Your Bags are Safe on Etihad Airways Flights 

Etihad Airways has deployed a new baggage tracking system to monitor the location of travelers’ bags from check-in to destination airports. It is expected to reduce incidents of baggage loss and baggage mishandling. In future, Etihad may equip its customers with a smartphone app to track their own bags.

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