Baggage Allowance & Restricted Items – A Detailed Guide For Air India Passengers

Posted on 10th Aug, 2023 by Heena Ganotra , Updated 3 months ago

One of the most commonly asked questions about flying is how much luggage you’re allowed to bring on the plane. And it’s no wonder air travel can be confusing since airlines seem to change their baggage allowances all the time! For travellers looking to avoid pesky airline fees, it’s essential to be aware of those allowances and pack accordingly. Here, we break down what you need to know about Air India Airlines’ baggage allowance, including weight restrictions and fees for checked and carry-on bags.

About Air India Airlines

Air India Airline is the flag carrier airline of India and operates a fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft. It has its hub at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. The airline was founded in 1932 as Tata Airlines and became Air India Airline in 1946. Air India serves 102 destinations across the globe. The airline offers three cabin classes: economy, business, and first-class. Along with that, the Air India airline provides various services to its customers, including but not limited to international flights, domestic flights, and cargo services. 

Air India Baggage Allowance For Domestic & International Routes

Air India baggage allowance for its passengers varies depending on the class of service you are flying in and your destination. If you’re travelling to or from India with Air India Airlines, it’s essential to be aware of their baggage allowance policies. Air India has different allowances depending on whether you are travelling economy or business class. Travellers are allowed to carry one checked-in bag and one cabin bag free of charge.

Checked-In Baggage Allowance

Air India Airlines offers a generous checked-in baggage allowance that will make your travel experience more comfortable. Travellers are allowed to check-in one piece of luggage at no extra cost, with the airline also permitting an additional item for those travelling in Business Class and First Class. The table below outlines the Air India Airlines baggage allowance by cabin class:

Air India Domestic Baggage Allowance

Essential Points To Consider With Air India Airlines

• If you want to fly with Alliance Air and join Air India domestic flight, or vice versa, you will be eligible for a 25kg allowance. This offer is not available for passengers travelling on Alliance Air flights only.
• As per Air Indian Airlines’ check in policy, the check-in baggage allowance is not applicable on Air India Express, Alliance Air, or other codeshare flights.
• Let’s say you are a Gold member of Star Alliance or a member of Premium Club and Flying Returns. In that case, you are allowed an additional 20 kg baggage allowance in economy class.
• Infants are allowed one collapsible stroller/baby car seat/carrycot.
• As per Air Indian Airlines domestic Baggage Allowance Policy, the maximum weight permissible for one piece of baggage is 32 kg. This rule applies to the entire Air India network.
• In addition, wheelchair-dependent passengers or travelling with such other assistive devices are entitled to an additional baggage allowance of up to 15 kg.

Air India International Baggage Allowance

Essential Points To Consider If You Are Flying With Infants

• Infants of all classes on international flights will be eligible for a piece of 10 kg baggage allowance.
• The maximum weight allowed for one piece of luggage is 32 kg. This rule applies to the entire Air India network.
• Baggage allowance is applicable only on flights operated by Air India and not on codeshare flights.

Hand Baggage or Carry-On Baggage Allowance

Air India Airlines has particular hand baggage and carry-on baggage allowances that passengers must adhere to. The cabin baggage allowance in Air India applicable for carriage on all Air India (AI) operated flights is below domestic and international travel. Air India allows its passengers to bring one piece of hand baggage on board, weighing no more than 8 kgs and measuring 55 cm x 35 cm x 25 cm. 

*If your hand baggage weighs more, the same will not be allowed in the cabin and must be checked in as registered baggage.

Excess Baggage Allowance

The excess baggage allowance for domestic and international travel is different, so it is important to be aware of the allowances before you travel. Extra baggage charges will be levied on any bags that exceed the allowance, with rates varying depending on the route travelled. The table below summarises the domestic and international excess baggage allowances:

Air India Extra Baggage Charges For Domestic Flights

Air India Extra Baggage Charges For International Flights

Air India Baggage Allowance For Student

• As an Air India policy, students are eligible for a free piece of luggage, weighing no more than 23 kilograms, when travelling to any destination served by Air India direct flights, as well as connecting points within India.
• As per size, you can bring an extra piece of luggage (max. weight 23 kgs) for free when flying Business class. You’re also entitled to an extra 10 kgs of baggage allowance for free.
• You get an extra piece of baggage (up to 23 kgs), on top of the usual free baggage allowance. Plus, an extra 10 kgs if you’re travelling First Class. So you can travel in comfort, with all your belongings.

Special Baggage Allowance

Extra Seat

You can book an extra seat on Air India Airlines to safekeeping your special baggage such as diplomatic mail, expensive or fragile items like antiques, musical instruments, artefacts, heritage etc. You can carry small musical instruments in the aircraft cabin, subject to prescribed cabin baggage dimensions/weight. All such baggage is subject to security clearance for carriage in the cabin.

The following restrictions apply to luggage in the seat:

• Items must not weigh more than 165 pounds (75 kg).
• Particular items should be packed or covered to prevent other passengers on the flight.
• It is advisable to secure the seat adjacent to your seat and book your flight ticket in advance.
• The use of seat belts is a must as it ensures your item prevents shifting during flight.
• There should be no dangerous items.

Sports/Music/Other Equipment

• Golfing Equipment: It is advisable to pack one golf bag and a pair of shoes with a total weight of 6 kilos in a single kit.
• Snow/Water Skiing Equipment: The skiing equipment kit may contain one pair of skis, one pair of boots or one snowboard, one pair of boots and one pair of standard water skis with a maximum weight of 3 Kilos.
• Angling Kit: The maximum weight of your Angling Kit shall be equal to 4 Kilos of excess baggage. 

Carriage of Arms & Ammunition

Domestic Sectors:

As per Government of India regulations, serving personnel from Indian Defence Forces, Police, Customs officials travelling on Duty, Para Military Forces, and a person carrying an official Movement Order can carry one licensed revolver or pistol or shotgun and fifty cartridges in registered baggage. Along with that, a sportsperson travelling either domestic or International for a competition or representing the country can carry licenced/authorised firearms and ammunition after declaring them at check-in and meeting all safety and security requirements. As per Air India Airlines baggage allowance, all the passengers must fill out a prescribed form and must be verified by the Airport Manager.

However, there is no provision to carry weapons and ammunition on ATR (Aerospatiale/Alenia) flights. A handling charge of INR 5000/ (plus GST ) per firearm and 50 cartridges will be levied per passenger by Air India Airline. 

Banned Items

• Personal Items: Lighter, realistic replica of toy weapon, and scissor-metal.
• Sharp Items: Box cutters, ice axes/ice picks, knives (round blades, any length and type except butter and plastic cutlery), meat cleavers, razor-type blades 
• Sporting Goods: Baseball bats, cricket bats, ski poles, bow and arrow, golf clubs, lacrosse sticks, hockey sticks, pool cue, spear guns.
• Guns and Firearms: BB guns, ammunition, firearms, compressed air guns, pellet guns, guns and parts of weapons, starter pistols, realistic replicas of weapons.
• Tools: Axes, cattle prods, crowbars, hatchets, hammers, drills, saws, screwdrivers, wrench and pliers.
• Martial Arts/Self Defence Items: Billy Clubs, Brass Knuckles, Martial Arts Weapons, Kubatons, Black Jacks, Mace/Pepper Spray, Night Sticks, Throwing Stars, Martial Arts/Self Defence Items, Stun Guns/Shocking Devices, Nunchakus.
• Explosive material: flare gun, gun lighter and gunpowder, blasting caps, dynamite, fireworks, flares, hand grenades, plastic explosives.
• Compressed gases: Butane, Oxygen, Aqualung cylinders and Liquid nitrogen. 
• Flammable Items: Aerosol, fuels, Gasoline, Lighter Fluid, Realistic Replicas of Incendiaries, Strike matches, Gas Torches, Turpentine and Paint Thinner.
• Oxidising materials: Bleaching powder, peroxides
• Toxic and infectious substances: Insecticides, weed killers and live virus material.
• Restriction on shipping particular 15-inch MacBook Pro laptops: Apple Inc. recalls a limited number of older-generation 15-inch MacBook Pro laptops. The batteries in these laptops can overheat, so Apple is asking customers to replace them. Not all 15-inch MacBook Pro laptops are affected, and passengers can check if their unit needs a battery replacement by using the serial number lookup tool on the Apple Support website.
• Radio-active materials: Acids, mercury, alkalis, wet cell batteries (except wheelchairs), oven, or drain cleaners.  
• Battery cells: You can currently carry battery cells for any electrical/electronic item in hand baggage. However, extra/loose batteries, including lithium-ion cells or batteries for portable electronic equipment, should be carried in carry-on baggage only. The lithium metal content should not exceed 2 grams, and the watt-hour rating should not exceed 100Wh. Along with that, the power bank is supposed to be a maximum of 20 spare batteries.
• Carriage Of ‘Kirpan’ By Sikh Passengers While Travelling By Air India Airlines: As per Indian Law, the Kirpan is an important religious symbol of Sikhism a passenger can carry on flights between India and other countries. As per Air India Airlines baggage allowance, the maximum size for a kirpan is 9 inches (22.86 cm) in total, with the blade measuring 6 inches (15.24 cm) or less and the handle measuring 3 inches (7.62 cm). But, the carriage of Kirpan is not permitted in the cabin, and it must be carried by the passenger in the checked-in baggage only.

Baggage Tips

Noteworthy travel light for a pleasant journey – As we know, improper transportation of items causes a lot of inconvenience to a person. That’s why we advise travellers always to pack and tag their luggage correctly.

• Please be advised that you should not pack any valuables in your checked baggage. 
• All bags must be labelled with your name and address, and any old tags or labels must be removed.
• Remember to keep all bags locked at all times and be aware.
• If you have any items over your free baggage allowance, you will be charged for excess baggage, including duty-free purchases. 
• When travelling, always be aware of your surroundings and accept anything from unknown people. 
• You may be asked to identify or claim your baggage at a connecting airport for security or customs reasons. 
• Make sure to keep an eye on your belongings at all times, especially in the airport and on the plane. If you see any unattended baggage, alert airport security.
• Don’t accept any packets from unknown persons, and be sure to claim your baggage at connecting points.
• Make sure you declare any firearms or explosives you have before checking in. Concealment is illegal under the Aircraft Act and Rules.
• Before check-in, you may be asked to put all your baggage on a conveyor belt for X-ray examination by security personnel.
• Be sure to take medication, essential documents, valuable items, and cash with you in your carry-on baggage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a 2pc baggage allowance in Air India Airline?

Answer: Two pieces of luggage for economy passengers, the total combined dimensions (length + width + height) of both pieces should not exceed 273 cm (107 in). Also, the linear dimensions of each piece should not exceed 62 inches. Each bag must not weigh more than 23 kilograms or 50 pounds.

Q: How much hand baggage is allowed in Air India Airline?

Answer: Hand baggage allowance should not exceed 12 kgs for first and business class of 01 pieces. The maximum permissible hand baggage, including duty-free items, should not exceed 12 kg.

Q: Are laptop bags allowed in Air India?

Answer: Each passenger can carry one backpack and one personal item such as a laptop bag, handbag or briefcase.

Q: Can I pack clothes in my bag?

Answer: To save as much space as possible, roll up your clothes, and you can keep things more organised by putting your clothes in a drawstring bag or a reusable shopping bag before putting them in your item size bag.

Q: How much do we have to pay for extra baggage on Air India Airlines?

Answer: If your baggage exceeds the free baggage allowance limit, then additional baggage charges will have to be paid. For domestic areas of India, the rate of excess baggage is INR 600 plus applicable GST per kg.

Q: What items are not allowed in Checked Baggage Air India Airlines?

Answer: Do not carry valuables, explosives, lithium batteries, matches or electronic lighters, medicines, perishables, and electronic cigarettes or vaping devices in checked baggage.

Q: How much Baggage is allowed on international flights from India?

Answer: Your baggage size should not exceed 273 cm (62 in) when travelling with Air India. Additionally, the weight of your luggage may vary depending on the airline and class you are flying. For example, the minimum weight for Economy Class is 23kg, while First Class can go up to 60kg.

Travelling often comes with many restrictions, chief among them weight restrictions for luggage. Those restrictions only increase when travelling internationally, as different countries have different baggage allowances. As a trusted travel agency, we will help you understand the various Air India Airlines baggage allowances and provide tips on making the most of them.

MyIndiaFlight will also help you book your flight tickets at reasonable prices. Our travel agents assist you with the best and allow you to travel without any worries. Whether it is about booking a flight from Australia to India or a flight from USA to India, we offer you the best deals and discounts.

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