Etihad introduces new weight-based baggage allowance
Middle Eastern carrier Etihad Airways is to base its baggage allowance on total weight rather than the number of bags checked in.
For all tickets bought from today, passengers will be entitled to 23kg of checked baggage when buying Econony Deal fares, 30kg on Economy Saver and Classic fares and 35kg on Economy Flex fares.
Business class customers get 40kg and First 50kg.
There will be no restriction on the number of bags checked in, as long as passenger don’t exceed their weight allowance.
Guests in The Residence onboard Etihad’s Airbus A380 fleet are allowed four bags at 32kgs each.
The change, which will mean a more generous allowance for those travelling on the cheapest tickets but a slightly reduced weight allowance for premium passengers, will apply to most but not all Etihad services. Flights to and from the US and Canada have a different allowance, as do select routes from other destinations.
For tickets bought before today, the old luggage allowance applies, which restricts those travelling on the cheapest fares to one bag each, weighing a total of 23 kgs, while those who bought Classic and Flex fares are allowed two bags weighing 23kgs each. Business and First passengers are currently allowed two bags weighing 32 kgs each.
Executive vice president commercial Mohammad Al Bulooki, said: "In line with global best practice and market trends, Etihad Airways has developed a baggage policy that best caters to the differing needs of our guests around the world.
"The switch to a policy based on weight rather than the number of bags simplifies our allowance system and provides greater convenience and customer benefit while enhancing the travel experience."
Etihad Silver, Gold and Platinum members will continue to receive a complimentary excess baggage allowance of 32kg on US and Canada routes, and 20kg for Platinum members, 15kg for Gold members and 10kg for Silver members on all other routes.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive