Austrian Airlines is known for terrific in-flight service.
Part of the larger Lufthansa Group, the airline has over 60 years of aviation experience and flies to over 120 destinations.
So, how about their baggage allowance? What do you need to know before you fly with this airline?
For general baggage information, Austrian Airlines has a handy baggage calculator, with prices in multiple currencies for extras. While it’s a good way to get a general idea of what you can bring, always check the details in your confirmation email, especially if your itinerary includes multiple airlines.
Carry-on baggage allowance
All passengers are permitted carry-on baggage. The allowance depends on the travel class booked. Economy Light, Classic and Flex are all permitted one carry-on and Business Class two. Carry-on baggage cannot exceed dimensions of 55cm x 40cm x 23cm and must not weigh more than 8kg. Alternatively, you can carry a folding garment bag which cannot exceed 57cm x 54cm x 15cm instead of your carry-on baggage allowance.
All passengers can also bring a personal item on board such as a small bag or laptop, free of charge. The measurements of which must not exceed 40cm x 30cm x 15cm.
Your carry-on luggage will always be measured and weighed at the airport. If found to be over the limit, the airline charges €75-100 each way and a €10-20 handling fee per bag to place it in the hold.
If you’re travelling with a child under the age of two, you can also take on board a carry-cot, child seat or foldable pram with a weight limit of 10kg. Strollers or prams more than 10kg must be checked in as baggage.
Checked baggage allowance
Your checked baggage allowance depends on the flight route and the class of your ticket. Economy Light has no free check-in baggage allowance, regardless of route. Economy Classic and Flex allow 1 bag weighing up to 23kg, measuring 158cm in total (height + width + length). Business Class allows you 2 bags weighing up to 32kg, with the same measurements as Economy.
The airline also has an extra free baggage policy for winter sports. If you are travelling in Economy Class Light or en route to or from the USA, this allowance is not applicable. For the other 3 classes of tickets, this allows 1 piece of ski or snowboard equipment per person. This can weigh no more than 32kg and not exceed 200cm in length. If you want to use this added allowance, you should contact the airline as there may be a limit due to capacity.
Excess baggage
The airline considers bags as excess if they are larger than 158-292cm and weigh more than 24kg. If you are travelling Business Class this weight increases to 32kg but can not exceed 158cm. If it does, this is also counted as excess.
The excess baggage charges vary depending on the route and the class you are travelling in. For example, if you are travelling within Europe and pay at check-in for one more bag than your ticket class allows, it costs c.€80 per bag one way. And a whopping €300 per bag one way for destinations such as Asia, South Africa, and the USA (West). Arranging this excess baggage online will save you between €15-€50 per bag, each way.
If your bag is over 32 kg and exceeds 292 cm (length + width + height) it won’t be accepted at check-in. You may still be able to travel with your bags but you should contact the airline and register any bags of this dimension with them. Also, if you intend to travel with more than five extra bags, you need to register this too.
Kids
You can keep a foldable pram or pushchair with you until you board, without charge, as long as it weighs less than 10kg. It will then be returned to you upon landing. If your pram or pushchair weighs more than 10kg, it must be checked in as baggage. You will be charged an excess baggage fee if you exceed your free baggage allowance. You can take “pocket buggies” on board as part of your free baggage allowance if packed accordingly.
Sports equipment
You can travel with your sports equipment for free if it does not exceed the weight or number of bags your ticket allows. If you are flying Economy or Flex, you can also take one item of skiing or snowboard equipment that weighs less than 23kg and is no more than 200cm in length. This increases to 2 extra pieces if you travel in Business Class. For example, 1 pair of skis would be one piece and a set of ski poles a second piece.
All oversized sports baggage must be registered online before check-in. The airline must confirm this arrangement in advance due to limited capacity. A maximum weight of 32kg and a length of 3.15m are the limits.
If the sports equipment you are travelling with is more than your baggage allowance, you will incur a charge and a ticket service fee of around €10-20.
The following sports equipment can be checked in at an additional charge of €70 for domestic flights (within Austria) and up to €250 for long-haul intercontinental flights:
Fishing Equipment
Bicycles (packed in a suitable bicycle travel case or similar)
Golf clubs
Hockey equipment
Shortboards (up to 2m in length)
Scuba diving equipment
Winter sports equipment (that exceeds the free allowance and for those travelling in Economy Class Light).
The following sports equipment can be checked in at an additional charge of €110 for domestic flights (within Austria) and up to €400 for long-haul intercontinental flights:
Hang gliders
Longboards (up to 3.15m in length).
Tandems
Musical instruments
You can opt to take your instrument into the cabin with you or check it in. It will depend on the size and weight of your instrument.
If the instrument is in a case no bigger than 55 x 40 x 253m and doesn’t exceed 8kg, you can place it in an overhead locker or under the seat in front. It counts as one piece of carry-on baggage, so you can also take one small bag such as a handbag or laptop bag.
If your instrument exceeds the above limits but not 155 x 42 x 25cm or 110 x 42 x 50cm (height x width x depth) and weighs less than 75kg, you can buy an extra seat. This should be booked via the airline’s service centre at the same time as your ticket.
Checked instruments
If your instrument is within the limits of your baggage allowance, you can also check it in. As long as the instrument is securely packed. But, if it exceeds the weight, size or your ticket allowance, then excess baggage fees are applied.
If your instrument weighs more than 32kg and measures more than 292cm, contact Customer Service before travelling. You may have to send your instrument as cargo if Austrian Airlines cannot accommodate you.
Whether you’re quaffing beer in Belgium, flirting in France, eyeing the aurora borealis in Iceland or skiing in Switzerland, Austrian Airlines can take you there. Gute Reise!
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