Hello friends. Today is important news. After November 5, 2017, new rules for the carriage of baggage and hand luggage on flights of Russian airlines come into force. If previously each carrier had its own requirements, now the rules will be the same for all Russian airlines (except for the low-cost carrier Pobeda).

Attention! Once again: the law is only for Russian airlines. All other airlines have their own rules that comply with the laws of their state.

The rules to which airlines and we, airplane passengers, are subject are called “General Rules for the Air Transportation of Passengers, Baggage, Cargo and Requirements for the Service of Passengers, Shippers, and Consignees.” They were adopted on June 28, 2007 by order of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation. Since then, the rules have been amended. But the norms were very different and vague. For some carriers they were generally too rigid.

On October 5, 2017, a new law No. 409 was issued amending the document. The changes affect everyone who uses air transport, i.e. and you and me.

It is clear that the law has many interesting details that we will not talk about. Today we will talk about the most important thing, what everyone who wants to take a flight with a Russian airline will face.

Let's agree on terms

1. Baggage - suitcases, bags or boxes that we weigh at check-in and check in as baggage.
2. Carry-on luggage is things packed into a bag, briefcase, backpack or package that we take with us into the aircraft cabin and on which the “carry-on luggage” tag is hung.
3. Things that we take into the cabin of the plane and that do not have a tag attached to them. (Laptops, cameras, gadgets, clothes, flowers, baby food, crutches, canes, etc.)

There are many interesting details in the law that we will not talk about. And we will only tell you about the most important thing, about what an ordinary tourist who wants to take a flight with the help of a Russian airline will encounter.

The law comes into force on November 5, 2017. This means that everyone who purchases air tickets after November 5 is subject to these amendments.

The law does not apply to those who have already purchased tickets in advance (before November 5). This is what is written in the same rules.

The most important things about the new flight rules

General requirements that are important to us as travelers relate to baggage allowances and the carriage of items in the aircraft cabin. Let’s try to clearly explain these rules so that you don’t have any questions and understand what our pros and cons are.

Baggage requirements

Earlier: the maximum weight of one piece of luggage should not exceed 32 kg.

Now: a new requirement has been introduced - the weight limit for 1 piece of baggage is 30 kg for all air carriers. Less is possible, more is not possible.

1 piece of luggage is one suitcase. If you are checking in a large backpack, then this is 1 backpack, if you are checking in a bag, then this is 1 bag.

But! This does not mean that now you can take 30 kg of luggage on any ticket. There is an important point here; it depends on what fare ticket you bought. Simply put, an economy class ticket has fewer options than those who took, for example, a business class ticket.

All luggage can be broken down by weight:

• Up to 10 kg, from 10 kg to 30 kg, over 30 kg
• Baggage up to 10 kg is free

Previously, the weight allowance for free luggage was different for different companies, but now it is the same for everyone.

This means that no company can write in its rules: “It is allowed to carry luggage weighing no more than 3 kg (or 6 kg or 7 kg).” The norm is 10 kg for everyone! You yourself are not required to gain exactly 10 kg, you can take less at your discretion, but the company cannot set you a lower luggage weight limit.

Luggage weighing from 10 to 30 kg

There are some nuances here. As before, you need to go to the carrier’s website and read its rules - what weight your luggage should be in accordance with the tariff of your ticket. This means that “the upper limit can be 23 kg, 25, 27 to 30 kg. If the company rules for your tariff indicate an upper limit of 23 kg (that is, you can carry no more than 23 kg for free), and when weighing If your suitcase at check-in was overweight, then you either need to take something out and leave it, or pay extra for the excess.

Excess baggage

Baggage that is not included in the price of your fare ticket is considered excess baggage.

Example: you bought a ticket Moscow-Vladivostok"Economy flexible" tariff. The ticket price includes baggage allowance weighing up to 23 kg. If your luggage weighs more than 23 kg, but does not exceed 30 kg, then this weight is considered excess and you will have to pay extra for it.

Find out how much it will cost on the airline's website.

Baggage weighing 30 kg

Typically, a passenger who has purchased a business class ticket can carry this much for free. With this fare, the passenger has more options.

Baggage over 30 kg - Heavy luggage

Anything over 30 kg that does not fit standard dimensions is considered heavy cargo. Additional payment for each kilogram is at a special rate for “heavy load”. Each company has its own tariffs. Read the rules on the company’s website (section “Baggage Transportation”). This is required information.

Perhaps this is the main thing.

Baggage free ticket

Let me add that many companies still have a baggage-free tariff. This is when you don’t take any luggage at all and fly only with hand luggage. Tickets are cheap, but there are inconvenient nuances. The main one is that such a ticket is non-refundable.

Consolidated baggage

It is also possible to combine the belongings of two or more travelers into one piece of luggage (put all items in one suitcase - 1 piece of luggage). The weight of such luggage should also not exceed the same 30 kg.

What are the pros and cons that we have in connection with the introduction of the amendments?

Pros: Standard standards have emerged for everyone. The main one is that you can take free luggage weighing up to 10 kg. Here the norm has increased and we feel better.

Minuses: maximum luggage weight limit: instead of 32 kg, you can now take luggage weighing no more than 30 kg

Friends, we are now on Telegram: our channel about Europe, our channel about Asia. Welcome)

Hand luggage - new norms

Earlier: Different airlines had their own requirements. For example, for some: you can take no more than 3 kg in hand luggage, for others - no more than 4, for others - no more than 5 kg, and for some up to 10 kg.

Now: The hand luggage allowance for all carriers is at least 5 kg per passenger. For us this means: we can take less than 5 kg, but carry-on luggage is prohibited above this weight. At the same time, the carrier can change this figure upward at its own discretion. Those. You still need to read the rules, because... some companies may set a limit of 6, 7 kg per person or even 10 kg, which, of course, will please us.

Also, be aware of the dimensions! Those. your hand luggage must fit not only into weight standards, but also into size (length, width, height). Dimensions standards, as before, need to be found on the carrier’s website. There are no changes here.

Earlier: we could check in hand luggage and, in addition to it, carry laptops, cameras and cameras on the plane for free.

Now: All this is included in hand luggage.

In other words, you cannot transport separately:

• telephones;
• laptops;
• cameras;
• documents in folders;

You'll have to put them in your bags. Their weight is also taken into account when calculating the weight of hand luggage.

Is your laptop in your bag or suitcase? You don't need to pay anything extra. Do you want to carry it separately? You are due.

If previously hand luggage was weighed only at check-in, now it can be weighed before boarding (apparently in cases where the bag is suspicious). This is important for those who took few things with them, checked them in as hand luggage, and bought “baggage-free” tickets.

Attention! Your hand luggage can be weighed at the port of arrival!

Minuses this innovation: now at home you will have to carefully weigh your hand luggage and make sure that there is no excess.

Pros: The aircraft cabin will be less crowded. All your hand luggage will fit into the luggage compartment in the aircraft cabin and you don’t need to worry whether there is enough space for your things on the shelf or not.

Updated 19.02. 2018: Due to increasing passenger complaints about the lack of space for hand luggage in the aircraft cabin, Aeroflot has tightened control over the carriage of hand luggage. You can read about it Here.

What things can you take on board the plane without having to check them in as hand luggage?

Both before and now you can take with you things you need during the flight or immediately after landing. They are not checked in as hand luggage and do not require additional payment.

Here is a list of them. The list will be supplemented, but definitely will not be able to be cut:

• handbag, backpack, briefcase;
• bouquet of flowers;
• your clothes (jacket, coat); If we fly from a country where it’s +27 degrees in our winter, where it’s -27. Or vice versa, such an additional package with things is very relevant.
• special children's food; But no more than is needed for the flight.
• specially packaged suit;
• cane or crutch;
• a baby stroller or cradle, which, when folded, fits under the seat of the chair in front;
• walkers, which, when folded, fit under the seat of the chair in front;
• medical chair for those who have difficulty moving.

Are the positions familiar? They were previously allowed to be carried free of charge. Now the list has been expanded:

• sealed bag from dutyfree;
• medications, everything necessary for medical reasons for the passenger.

And once again, what is now prohibited from being transported separately:

• phone, laptop;
• an umbrella, even a small one;
• papers in a folder;
• newspapers, books, magazines;
• camera, camera.

What are the pros and cons of all this?

Pros: The minimum weight limit for hand luggage has increased to 5 kg.

Minuses: The maximum weight requirements for hand luggage have been reduced from 10 to 5 kg. Laptops, cameras, documents will have to be counted as hand luggage.

I think we will get used to the new normal and figure something out. Other countries already have experience; you can use their life hacks.

Video - How the Scots pack things in a special vest

There are people who figure out how to carry more things in the cabin of the plane and not pay for it. One option is an airline passenger vest. Interesting idea.

Common Questions

What happens if I refuse payment?

Refusing to pay for something that you can no longer carry for free? For example, a laptop. Everything is simple here - you may not be allowed on board. They will, of course, tell you about this. And they will give you a second chance to pay. But we don’t recommend taking risks - they will simply cancel your ticket if you insist.

You paid more than you brought. What to do?

Only if you overpay for the number of seats will you get your money back. If you paid for 2 seats, but only used one, you will be refunded.

Hand luggage weighs more than allowed. Is it possible to pay extra?

No! This is a question of passenger safety. If it doesn’t fit in the weight and dimensions, you won’t be allowed to carry it with you.

If the carrier does not follow the new rules

These innovations are relevant for everyone. If you see that they are being violated, you can contact Rospotrebnadzor. To do this, you need to save all the tickets and receipts you receive. Don't pay extra without a receipt! You may receive compensation, but the carrier will be fined.

The rules have changed, perhaps something has become less convenient for us. But, if you think about it, you can find the right “luggage combination”!

This is probably all of the main things. If you still have questions regarding the nuances (oversized cargo, baggage consolidation, refund, etc.), we highly recommend that you familiarize yourself with rules(study changes in the order “General rules for air transportation of passengers, baggage, cargo and requirements for servicing passengers, shippers, consignees”) and deal with your specific case. There are a lot of errors and misleading information on the websites and even in the CT video. Use the original!

Our "Victory"

Pobeda Airlines is a subsidiary of Aeroflot and positions itself as low-cost.

In Russia, today, this is the only low-cost company, so its requirements are slightly different in the direction of minimalism.

Assume that the essence of low-cost airlines is to reduce the price of a ticket as much as possible, i.e. make it cheap, then the rules of Victory will become more clear to you.

Low-cost airlines (from the English “low-cost” - low costs) are a type of airline that operates on an unconventional transportation model, which involves providing very cheap air tickets.

→ 10 ways to save on baggage transportation

Very often we go on vacation to a resort, or on a trip, or simply take flights in which we need to transport a lot of necessary and necessary things.

In addition, we all know that a regular ticket on most airlines allows you to carry no more than 20 kg of baggage for free. Anything we carry in excess of this is subject to a hefty fee (from 5 euros for each extra kilogram). Sometimes the amount reaches the cost of the ticket itself. We want to tell you How can you avoid these surcharges?

1. Get dressed!
Usually, when checking in, you place your suitcases and bags on a conveyor scale. But no one will feel your clothes or your pockets. If you feel seriously overweight, put on the heaviest things on yourself: instead of trousers, jeans with a belt, instead of sneakers, shoes or boots. This will make your suitcases a little lighter and you will be a little hotter, but the inconvenience ends right at the check-in counter. Grab a couple of large plastic bags to put your warm jacket in after check-in and bring it on board.
Gain in kg: 1-3

2. Use pockets!
By wearing items with lots of pockets, you can really load them up with a ton of heavy items from your suitcase. For example, chargers, batteries and CD players can easily fit into your pockets. In addition, remove books from the suitcase - each of them significantly weighs down the main luggage. After check-in, all listed items can be put back into your hand luggage.
Gain in kg: 1-2

3. Come with friends
The most important thing is that the weight of your main suitcases does not exceed 20 kg. per person. If you feel you may be overweight, place the heaviest items from your luggage in a bag or carry-on bag. Usually they may also be asked to weigh it along with the suitcase. To do this, enlist the company of a companion: let him stand with heavy carry-on bags during check-in. The tag that the manager hangs at check-in costs nothing, you will be allowed on board without it, and by leaving hand luggage with friends, you guarantee yourself that they will not be weighed along with your luggage and will not force you to pay.
Gain in kg: 1-5

4. Take a lot of bags
Make sure your luggage consists of three small bags rather than one large suitcase. Use permits for additional baggage, such as laptops, cameras and sports equipment (such as alpine skis). Here's an example: laptops and cameras in a case cannot be weighed. This means that in addition to the laptop, your bag may well contain a charger (and indeed all chargers), and in addition, any equipment that may be needed to work with the laptop, disks, books, and so on. At registration, the main thing is that the laptop is working, they check this. And then - at least stick a brick in there, just not very clearly.
Gain in kg: 1-5
Important! On many budget airlines you pay for luggage by the number of bags, in this case, on the contrary, you should try to fit everything into one suitcase.

5. Leave room for maneuver.
In addition to everything that we described in the previous paragraph, many bags are also an opportunity for maneuver. Imagine, you place your suitcase on the belt, and it displays a weight of 21 kg, which, with a ticket costing 1000 euros to New York, costs you an additional 10-20 euros. In this case, you can ask for your suitcase back and offer to leave anything unnecessary at the airport. You can stuff the “unnecessary” stuff into your hand luggage, pockets, or simply ask your friends to hold it, and weigh the suitcase again, which, at 19.9 kg, will not make you pay for it. Therefore, do not pack your suitcase in plastic cellophane without knowing its exact weight.
Gain in kg: 1-2

6. Travel with transfers
It’s clear that carrying ten-kilogram hand luggage is not a pleasant pleasure. But you have a wonderful opportunity to include it in your luggage too. If you are flying with a transfer, your baggage is automatically transferred from one aircraft to another. At the transfer airport, you can add your hand luggage to your luggage, and the airport staff will have no way of knowing how many kilograms you checked in the first time. So theoretically, during a transfer you can add up to 20 kg of luggage for free.
Gain in kg: 1-20

7. Shop locally
You should not buy shampoos, creams, soaps, toothpaste, inflatable mattresses and rings, kites on the road - in a word, everything that you can painlessly and simply buy upon arrival. As a rule, you manage to save not only kilograms, but also space in your suitcase.
Gain in kg: 1-2

8. Buy souvenirs at Duty-Free
Quite often you can buy sweets, local alcohol and ordinary souvenirs there. For example, at the duty-free airport in Vienna you can buy, perhaps, everything that you can buy on the streets of the Austrian capital: magnets, toys, sweets! Find out if it is possible to buy any souvenirs at the duty-free airport of departure and shop there.
Gain in kg: 1-2

9. Weigh your luggage at home!
The advice is the most banal, but as it turns out, not so many tourists use it. Just put your suitcase on the scale at home and solve all your problems “on the shore”!
Gain in kg: everything over 20

10. Don't get carried away!
We advise you not to get carried away by the large amount and weight of luggage. Firstly, it is extremely inconvenient to transport all this to and from the airport. Secondly, large luggage on a plane will certainly cause you troubles, for example, you will have to put your bags under your feet, and you will not be able to fly comfortably. Therefore, one of the main rules for saving on luggage is to travel light!
Gain in kg: priceless

Bonus tip for those who read to the end:

11. Make friends in line
If you are traveling alone, we recommend that you take a closer look at other passengers in the check-in line. One person is entitled to 20 kg of free luggage, and two people are entitled to 40, respectively, so if someone in the queue has a much lighter suitcase or even only hand luggage, ask them to say that you are together, and you most likely will not be forced to pay anything extra.

Let's face it, heavy luggage is annoying, tiring, and sometimes quite expensive. With the help of this short guide, you will forever forget about heavy suitcases and experience the beauty of traveling light.

Indeed, why not follow the example of experienced travelers who can travel half the world with a light backpack on their shoulders? Why try to squeeze your entire wardrobe into a suitcase every time? A few simple principles will help you break this bad habit.

Before packing your bags, take a few minutes to call the hotel or place you plan to stay. Ask if there are towels, sheets, hair dryer, slippers, toiletries. If yes, leave it all at home.

2. Consider the time of year and weather

Is it winter outside? Take warm clothes. Summer? Carry something light. Don’t pack “just in case” items that you are unlikely to even take out of your suitcase.

3. Choose the right colors

It's not just women who carefully plan their wardrobe. For those who are used to choosing everything in the same style and tone, it is recommended to take clothes in brown, white, black, and pastel colors. This way you can combine them with each other and wear a new outfit every day without overloading your suitcase.

4. Simple rule

For trips lasting less than a week, there is one simple rule: take only as much stuff as you need. No less, but by no means more. One shirt (T-shirt) and a set of underwear for each day of the trip, a sweater (jacket), a pair of pants, two pairs of shoes, plus seasonal clothing: a windbreaker, a jacket, a swimsuit. In 90% of cases this is enough.

5. Read and check

Before you start packing things into your suitcase, you need to make a final inspection. Ideally, you can make a list of everything you plan to take, including even small items like socks and toiletries. Or just lay them out on the sofa or floor. This way you will clearly see what you can refuse.

6. We carry the heaviest things on ourselves

This little trick is well known to experienced travelers. That is why they often fly in heavy boots, jeans and a jacket, even in the summer heat. This is not always comfortable, but you can save a whole suitcase.

7. Use the laundry service

There is a 99% chance that the place you plan to stay will have a laundry service. So why carry tons of clothes if you can only take the bare minimum and wash them periodically?

8. There are no trifles

Have you noticed that most of your luggage is taken up by small items? A bottle of shampoo, a bottle of shaving foam - and the free space melts before your eyes. Therefore, you should take with you special, “travelling” versions of the necessary things in small packages. If it is a liquid, you can pour the required amount into a smaller container.

9.Maps, guidebooks and other waste paper

It's amazing how many people plan their itinerary using brochures and magazines, which only add to the weight of their suitcase. Download the necessary applications to your smartphone, send yourself an email with the necessary information (if there is Internet access). If you don’t trust gadgets, write down everything you need in a small notebook.

10. Gifts and souvenirs

If you bring something for everyone you love from every trip, the best option would be local food, sweets and drinks. This way you will save space in your suitcase and save yourself a lot of pain for everyone. And upon arrival, you can gather everyone at the table, where everyone can try everything that was brought. At the same time, look at photos from the trip and share your impressions.

Each airline has its own baggage weight requirements that directly depend on the ticket class. I don’t always succeed in avoiding overweight fees, so on my last trips I'm weighing my suitcase. If you are interested in where and how this can be done, follow me! ;)

How to determine the weight of luggage at home

There are three ways to weigh luggage at home.

• Using householdscales. The technology here is extremely simple: step on the scale without a suitcase, remember your weight, and then weigh yourself with a suitcase in your hands. Calculate the difference between these two measurements - this will be the weight of the luggage. Here, however, an obstacle may arise - if the suitcase is large enough, it will be difficult to see the scale screen, so you will need an assistant.
• If the suitcase is quite compact, try weighing it separately on floor scales, positioned vertically.
• Use luggage scales. They are quite compact, so you can easily take them with you on trips, and their price is low. You can purchase such a miracle of technology at the airport, in stores that sell suitcases, or simply on the Internet. Ordinary hand scales, often used by grandmothers in markets (the so-called “canters”), will not suit you: they are designed for a weight of up to 10 kilograms, while the weight of a suitcase is 20-25 kilograms.

How to determine the weight of luggage at the airport

Weighing your luggage at the airport is as easy as shelling pears, but if at home you can lay out that pink blouse and those torn jeans, then there will only be two options “on the spot”: pay the excess at steep rates or simply throw things away. Nevertheless, the suitcase can be weighed on special scales by going to an empty rack. If there is none, come to the counterDrop off(passenger baggage check-in) for those who have checked in online - here you can also weigh your baggage without any problems.

Conclusion

You can determine the weight of your luggage at home using regular bathroom scales or using special luggage scales. At the airport you can go to an empty reception or Drop off desk.

The maximum that I was able to carry in luggage was 84 kilograms, with a baggage allowance of 20, free of charge.
Of course, I understand that there are few such crazy people, but suddenly these skills may come in handy. Situations are different. Suddenly, on vacation, buy something unimaginably beautiful and equally heavy)
In the pre-cat era, I used to carry everything for myself: sausage and champagne (well, there’s nothing tasty in Egypt, but I love it), decorations, accessories for filming, etc. And now I carry a lot of cat food, because I’m responsible for the cats that were brought from Russia, the local food tempts her, give her the usual one. Then I also brought myself a slow cooker and an air fryer. In general, I, a thrifty hamster, always don’t have enough baggage allowance...

What if you suddenly need to carry more than what is allowed? My personal experience below.

You're about to fly, you're weighing your luggage, and oops, you're overweight. What to do?
There are several options:
The easiest way is to fly with an airline where these standards are higher, there is an option of 23 kilograms, or even 30 like Turkish Airlines. But most often there is no choice.

And even if only 20 kilograms are allowed, options remain:

1. Respectable. Ask for help from passengers who are flying below normal limits.
There are always such passengers, on any flight, and as a rule, people agree to help. That's why we are social creatures, to be able to negotiate) To do this, you just need to go through check-in and the process of weighing your luggage together with these passengers who agreed to help you.
You need to arrive at the airport in advance, before check-in begins, in order to have time to find good Samaritans, make arrangements, weigh your luggage, their luggage, and make sure that there is no overweight in general. This is how I carried my maximum kilograms. To be on the safe side, I divide the load into several parts.
- The things I need are in one suitcase, within the permitted limits, which I can take away myself if help is not suddenly found (there is always, but I play it safe).
- Less necessary ones, which if anything I can temporarily leave with relatives until the next flight (for this purpose, someone is going with me to the airport).
Pros: You can bring a lot of things you need, and quite legally.
Minuses: if you are flying in transit, then this method is not suitable. You will also have to receive baggage checked out collectively at the same time; you will have to fly together with people from point A to point B.

2. Holiday of disobedience. Bring what you need in your hand luggage.
Now, when I have to fly in transit, I use this exact method. As a rule, hand luggage is not weighed, and in it you can carry as much as you can easily carry without bending under the weight of the load, so as not to arouse suspicion.
Because the most important rule for carrying excess cargo in hand luggage is don't get burned!
If they see that you are barely dragging your plump, heavy luggage, they will certainly want to weigh it and you will get money.
Therefore, first we determine our deadlift strength))

An important point if you are carrying equipment, a laptop, a camera, a tablet, etc.: do not put the equipment in the same bag with hand luggage; the equipment cannot be weighed separately, and you should not add its weight to your hand luggage.

A bag for carrying hand luggage should not be bulky, it would be better to be small but deep, and it would be nice to have dark colors, so it looks visually smaller.
When packing, it is better to put light and bulky items in a suitcase, and send heavy, but not bulky items into hand luggage. For example, it is better to take a down jacket in a suitcase, and heavy shoes in hand luggage. This is the principle I use to arrange things.
But we must not forget that there are items that cannot be carried in hand luggage, for example liquids.
When flying between Russia and Egypt, I never carry: shampoos, masks, varnishes and other cosmetic crap. It’s easier to buy everything on the spot than to take away precious kilograms of weight.

Another convenience of transporting equipment in separate bags is that you can add part of the cargo there, but these bags are not weighed. For example, my laptop bag carries an additional kilogram of cat food)

In my hand luggage, I always pack those things that, if weighed, I wouldn’t mind parting with, such as cat food or edible treats. In the end, there is no particular tragedy if you have to throw away a kilogram of sweets)
Thus, purely in hand luggage, I carried a maximum of 19 kg, not counting the equipment hung on me! This is the handbag. You can’t tell by looking that it weighs as much as a suitcase, right?


Of course, I don’t advise anyone to repeat my experience, it’s still a pleasure: standing in line for registration and when your shoulder literally comes off, pretending that there’s at most a cosmetic bag in this bag, smiling sweetly, and thinking to yourself “if only I don’t die, if only You won't die until landing."
Well, of course you can pump up your arms by flying)

At the same time, there should be no excess in the suitcase checked in as luggage; everything should be tight. After all, we play the role of a respectable passenger.
Pros: You don’t have to depend on anyone, you rely on yourself.
Minuses: You can’t carry much, and there’s always a risk that your hand luggage will be weighed, and then it’s a disaster! Either throw it away or pay.

But whoever doesn’t take risks, doesn’t drink, doesn’t carry delicious champagne, right?