Ethiopian Airlines is one of the best airlines in Africa. It is the national carrier of Ethiopia, with over 40 aircraft in its fleet, and provides flights to over 100 destinations across six continents of the world. For most air travelers, one of the most common issues they have when planning their trip is the issue of extra baggage.
They want to make sure they pack all their essential needs well in their baggage without going against the airline’s minimum baggage weight, so they won’t have to forfeit any vital items in their baggage at the airport.
In this article, we will guide air travelers who intend to use Ethiopian Airlines for their next air trip on everything they need to know about Ethiopian Airlines extra baggage policy, which will include baggage restrictions and allowances.
ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES BAGGAGE CLASSIFICATIONS
It is important for an air traveler to have an insight into how passengers baggage is classified on an airline to ensure adequate planning of their baggage. Here is a list of how Ethiopian airlines and other airlines classify passenger baggage.
1. Carry-on Baggage
As the name implies, it is small-weight baggage that passengers are allowed to carry on board. The airline allows passengers to keep them in the overhead compartment of the aircraft. The weight of carry-on baggage must not exceed 7kg per piece of baggage on Ethiopian airlines.
Passengers on economy flights are only permitted to carry one piece of baggage on board, while those on business class flights are allowed to bring two pieces of baggage, whose combined weight must not exceed 14kg. Its dimension should not exceed 23 cm×40 cm×55 cm (L×W×H).
2. CHECKED BAGGAGE
This is the type of passenger baggage that is checked at the airport. This type of baggage is thoroughly checked 45 minutes to 1 hour before the plane’s departure. For economy flights, passengers must not weigh more than 20kg to 46kg and 40kg to 69kg for business class. They are kept in the cargo compartment of the plane after it is certified to meet the airline’s standard baggage requirements. This baggage dimension should not exceed 158cm.
3. SPECIAL BAGGAGE
Bags that need special handling are classified under this category. Such baggage includes music instruments, sports equipment, and luggage items. Wheelchairs and other mobility aids are also classified in this category. They can be kept in the cabin’s overheard compartment or the cargo compartment of the aircraft.
If they meet carry-on baggage requirements, it will be acknowledged as one. However, if it does not, Ethiopian Airlines will charge an extra baggage fee.
4. Extra baggage
This is baggage that exceeds the minimum requirements of checked baggage or carry-on baggage. They add extra charges to the average baggage fee. Ethopian Airlines extra baggage charges may be quite high, depending on the weight and dimension of the extra baggage.
Note that extra baggage charges will be paid before boarding; if you fail to make payment for this baggage, you may risk leaving it behind at the airport.
EPTHIOPIAN AIRLINE EXTRA BAGGAGE POLICY
It is important to know that Ethiopian airlines extra baggage policies were put in place to guarantee passengers safety and comfort.
- The airline’s extra baggage policy allows passengers to bring their needed personal items, such as a phone, small handbag, blanket, food, books, and other duty-free items, on board for free as long as they do not weigh more than 5kg.
- Passengers mobility aids, such as wheel chairs, crutches, walking sticks, and other walking aids, are not recognized as extra baggage. No charges will be paid by passengers who want to carry their mobility aid on the bus. Nevertheless, passengers with mobility aids need to inform the Ethiopian airlines at the check-in desk because only a few spaces will be available after other checked and carry-on baggage is kept in various baggage compartments of the plane. The few spaces remaining will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Passengers’ checked baggage on economy flights must not weigh more than 20kg for a domestic flight, and on an international flight, it can weigh between 40kg and 46 kg.
- On an Ethiopian airline, checked baggage weight should not exceed between 64kg and 69kg for an international flight, depending on the destination. The weight of checked baggage on a domestic flight is not allowed to exceed 30 kg.
- In addition, items such as radioactive materials, power banks, corrosive materials, trionic briefcases, spare lithium batteries, etiologic agents, sharp objects, explosives, poisonous substances, and firearms are prohibited in the checked or carry-on baggage on Ethiopian airlines.
Conclusion
Ethiopian Airlines extra baggage restrictions and allowances are created to help the airline achieve its ultimate commitment to passenger satisfaction by prioritizing their comfort and safety. It is advisable that passengers check baggage restrictions and allowances on the airline’s official website before their air trip to avoid their baggage breaking the minimum requirements, as they are subject to change from time to time.
