CHICAGO: Air India has amended its baggage policy by enhancing overweight and excess baggage fees on its transatlantic India services for all tickets issued after Nov 15.
For First and Executive 2 pieces of 70 lbs (32kgs) per piece is permitted. Each additional piece up to 50 lbs (23kgs) will be charged USD 200. The total linear dimensions (length+breadth+width) of each piece is to be within 158cms (62 inches).
For Economy 2 pieces of 50 lbs (23kgs) per piece is permitted. Each additional piece up to 50 lbs (23Kgs) will be charged USD200. Any check-in piece between 51 to 70 lbs (23kgs to 32kgs) will be charged additional USD 100 per piece. The total linear dimension (length+breadth+width) of each piece is to be within 158cms (62 inches). Yet, both pieces put together should be within 273 cms (107 inch).
The following will be considered one piece irrespective of its dimensions: One sleeping bag or bedroll; one rucksack, knapsack or backpack; one duffle type bag or a soft-sided zippered bag with zippered side panel; one pair of portable musical instrument not exceeding 100cms (39 inch); one golf bag with clubs and one pair of golf shoes; and other sporting equipment.
For non-US tickets the checked-in baggage allowance for international travel is First – 40 kgs (88 lbs); Executive – 30 kgs (66lbs); Economy – 20 kgs (44 lbs). For domestic travel First – 40 kgs (88lbs), Executive – 35kgs (77 lbs), Economy – 25 kgs (55lbs). Infants not allowed a seat – 10kgs (22lbs) for a collapsible stroller or car seat or carrycot/basket.
In UK and elsewhere no piece can exceed 32kgs, even with payment of excess baggage charges.
Additional seat can be paid for at non-rebated/non-child fare for unchecked/carry-on baggage of sensitive nature.
Carry-on /hand-baggage for all the classes of travel is 1 piece of maximum 8 kgs (17.6 lbs). Laptop or ladies purse permitted, subject to small size. The linear dimensions should not exceed 55cms (22 inch) by 40 cms (16 inch) by 20 cms (8 inch).
It is particularly important to note that valuable and important items like personal medicine (with prescription copy), jewelry, money, travel and securities documents, fragile or perishable permitted goods, portable electronic devices, heirlooms, house and car keys must not be checked-in, and carried in the handbag.
If for any reason the handbag is excessive in size or heavier than permitted, the same will be taken at the boarding gate and checked-in with Limited Release and No Liability tag. Passengers must remember to take out medicines and valuables as once checked-in these bags cannot be retrieved till the final destination. These bags must be locked, and keys kept safely in purse as the bags may not be accessible in transit stations.
Traveling light is most recommended. “Smaller and lighter is always better”. Especially for the aged, infirm/incapacitated passengers and family traveling with infants. Passengers on wheelchairs should not carry anything more than required medicines and travel documents for their safety and convenience.
Airlines pay handling charges to airport service providers for wheelchairs. It must be noted that baggage poses health and safety risks during any emergency situation. Family of aged parents and infants must be considerate in this respect.
India has seen a consumer resurgence which ensures availability of global goods at affordable prices. Many of the electronic items and phones do not work in India with its different specification.
The New Year is full of promises and excitement back home. Festivals like Sankranti and Holi will add color and verve in the months ahead.
A brief summary of coming festivities for the first few months is presented for ready reference:
12/25/2012 – Christmas (Birth of Lord Jesus)
1/05/2013 – Guru Gobind Singh birthday (Guru Granth sahib – holy book of Sikhs was dictated)
1/14/2013 – Makar Sakranti (Thanksgiving to Mother Nature for an abundance of crops, well being and prosperity).
1/24/2013 – Milad-un-Nabi (Birthday of Prophet Muhammad as celebrated by the Sunni sect)
1/29/2013 – Milad-un-Nabi (Birthday of Prophet Muhammad as celebrated by the Shia sect)
2/15/2013 – Vasant Panchami (Spring season and birth of Goddess Saraswati – The Goddess of Learning and Education)
3/10/2013 – Maha Shivratri (Lord Shiva performed ‘Tandava’, the dance of the primal creation, preservation and destruction)
3/14/2013 – Nanakshahi New Year (Sikh New Year commemorating Guru Nanak – founder of Sikhism)
3/16/2013 – Shushan Purim (Jewish day of fun, joy and celebration)
3/21/2013 – Jamshed-e-Navroz (Parsi-Zoroastrian New Year symbolic of rejuvenation and rebirth)
3/27/2013 – Holi (Festival of colors. End of winter. Holi fire to cleanse the air of evil spirits and bad vibes)
3/31/2013 – Easter Sunday (Resurrection of Lord Jesus)
4/20/2013 – Ramanavami (Birth of Lord Rama, Revered Hindu God, redeemer from evil)
4/23/2013 – Mahavira Jayanti (Birth of Lord Mahavira – the last Tirthankara of Jainism)
4/25/2013 – Hanuman Jayanti (Birth of Lord Hanuman – Huge following of the prime devotee of Lord Rama, an embodiment of loyalty, strength and energy)
5/25/2013 – Buddha Purnima (Birth and Enlightenment of Lord Gautam Buddha)
AQ Siddiqui
India Post News Service
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