Air India reduces free baggage limit to 15 kgs — Check how to book excess baggage at minimal cost

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Air India has reduced its maximum free baggage allowance limit to the lowest fare bracket from 20 kgs to 15. The new maximum free baggage limit of the Tata Group-owned airline came into effect on Thursday, May 2. In a notification to travel agents, the airline stated that travellers who will be booking tickets under the ‘Economy Comfort’ and ‘Comfort Plus’ fare categories will now be allowed to carry only up to 15 kg of check-in baggage, according to reports.

Tata Group took over the airline in 2022. Earlier, Air India used to provide free baggage allowance of up to 25 kgs before the Tata takeover. However, this limit was reduced last year to 20 kgs.

With the latest development, Air India’s free baggage allowance limits now equal that of rival airlines. However, unlike other airlines most of which have limited passengers to one luggage, Air India will continue to allow multiple bags within the permissible weight limit.

Also read: Air India deploys its first Airbus A350 aircraft on Delhi-Dubai route

For the unversed, civil aviation regulator DGCA had mandated all airlines to allow passengers to carry a minimum of 15 kg of free checked-in luggage.

How to ensure 25 kg baggage limit

Meanwhile, Air India will allow passengers to carry up to 25 kg of baggage to those travellers who booked a ticket under the ‘Economy Flex’ category. Besides this, the airline offers a few amenities including no-change fee on tickets.

While the price difference between ‘Comfort Plus’ and ‘Flex’ fares is around ₹1,000 on a route like Delhi-Mumbai, it gives customers value of ₹9,000, including 10 kg extra baggage, loyalty points and greater choice of free seats that travellers can choose from, a spokesperson was quoted as saying.

The airline introduced the new multiple fare bracket last year in an attempt to maximise revenues. These fare bracket have been designed to allow customers to choose the kind of fare and services that suit their requirements, the spokesperson said, adding that travellers in today’s time have varied preferences, while the one-size-fits-all approach is now no longer considered an ideal situation  for carriers.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow