New baggage rules SAA

[elsahoffmann]

http://www.news24.com/Travel/Flights...ights-20120801


SAA introduces baggage piece concept

2012-08-01 10:07






Johannesburg – South African Airways (SAA) is introducing a new check-in baggage policy in response to varying customer requirements in each of its markets.

The policy aligns with most of the larger Star Alliance member carriers ensuring a transparent and consistent set of rules across SAA and other Star Alliance network.

From 5 September 2012, SAA will move to a checked baggage policy that restricts the number of pieces of baggage a passenger may check in, rather than the total weight of the passenger’s checked baggage. Each of these pieces will be subject to weight and size restrictions. The new policy describes the number of baggage pieces a passenger may check-in, as well as the weight restrictions for each piece, according to route and class of travel.


Affected routes that have changed from weight to piece baggage are:

• Domestic - 1 piece allowance in both cabins

• Africa (excl Lagos and Doualla/Libreville) - 2 piece allowance in both cabins
o Lagos - 3 piece allowance in both cabins
o DLA/LBV - 1 piece allowance in both cabins

• Europe/UK - 2 pieces in business | 1 piece in economy
• Australia - 2 pieces in business | 1 piece in economy
• Asia - 2 piece allowance in both cabins

Excess baggage, ie. additional items, or where the baggage exceeds the weight and or size allowance, will be charged at a flat rate per piece of luggage. This is a change from the current policy where excess baggage is charged per kilogram. According to SAA, these rates vary from route to route and by point of sale.

"We are still finalising the excess baggage charges in order to ensure we are competitive across our network for each point of sale. These rates will be communicated closer to the launch of the new policy."

In addition, and to comply with airport loading equipment limits, SAA cannot accept any check-in items weighing more than 32kg. Any items exceeding this limit will either have to be repacked into separate bags or checked in at the SAA Cargo counter and flown at cargo rates. Carry-on/hand luggage allowances are unaffected by this policy change. Passengers are allowed to take 1 bag on board the aircraft, weighing no more than 8kg. In addition, passengers may take 1 laptop bag not weighing more than 8kg.

The new policy, which contains simple explanations and identifies routes where variations are applicable, may be viewed online at www.flysaa.com. It also forms an important part of the Terms & Conditions of all SAA tickets, including flights purchased online.

Passengers travelling on multi-sector/multi-carrier tickets and SAA code-share partner flights, ie. tickets purchased from SAA for a flight with an SA flight number, but operated by another airline, should check with the other airlines to see which baggage policy is applicable.

The policy will apply on tickets for all flights operated by SAA, i.e. flown using an SAA aircraft and crew. For tickets involving joint international transport services (code share) provided by SAA and foreign airlines the free baggage and excess baggage charge policy have been adjusted and will be based on the policies of the predominant carrier for the trip.

SAA’s check-in baggage policy for all flights

Travel Between	Business Class	Economy Class
Domestic (within South Africa)	1 piece at a maximum of 32kg (70lb)	1 piece at a maximum of 23kg (50lb)
Worldwide – USA / Canada	2 pieces at a maximum of 32kg (70lb) each	2 pieces at a maximum of 23kg (50lb) each
Africa and South America	2 pieces at a maximum of 32kg (70lb) each	2 pieces at a maximum of 32kg (70lb) each
Africa and Europe / UK	2 pieces at a maximum of 32kg (70lb) each	1 piece at a maximum of 23kg (50lb)
From Blantyre / Lilongwe to London	2 pieces at a maximum of 32kg (70lb) each	2 pieces at a maximum of 23kg (50lb) each
Africa and Asia / Japan	2 pieces at a maximum of 32kg (70lb) each	2 pieces at a maximum of 23kg (50lb) each
Africa and Australia / New Zealand	2 pieces at a maximum of 32kg (70lb) each	1 piece at a maximum of 23kg (50lb)
Africa and Africa: except Libreville / Doula and Lagos	2 pieces at a maximum of 32kg (70lb) each	2 pieces at a maximum of 23kg (50lb) each
Africa and Libreville / Douala	1 piece at a maximum of 32kg (70lb)	1 piece at a maximum of 23kg (50lb)
Africa and Lagos	3 pieces at a maximum of 32kg (70lb) each	3 pieces at a maximum of 23kg (50lb) each
South America and Australia / New Zealand	2 pieces at a maximum of 32kg (70lb) each	2 pieces at a maximum of 23kg (50lb) each
South America and Asia / Africa	2 pieces at a maximum of 32kg (70lb) each	2 pieces at a maximum of 23kg (50lb) each

[Anonymous]

Bloody nuisance. I'll just have to add this to the list of reasons why I avoid SAA like the plague.

[visagieh]

In addition, and to comply with airport loading equipment limits, SAA cannot accept any check-in items weighing more than 32kg. Any items exceeding this limit will either have to be repacked into separate bags or checked in at the SAA Cargo counter and flown at cargo rates.

Damn, now that SHEEP for the spitbraai will have to fly cargo.

[anco85]

I don't think my equipment weighs more than 32kg in total, so I should be fine. My bag is pretty large though and there's no way I'm letting them handle it.

Wonder if the Thinktank airport bags will still be allowed

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

Wonder if the Thinktank airport bags will still be allowed

Carry-on/hand luggage allowances are unaffected by this policy change. Passengers are allowed to take 1 bag on board the aircraft, weighing no more than 8kg. In addition, passengers may take 1 laptop bag not weighing more than 8kg.

thanx for posting this Elsa!

[Roberto]

OK, let me try again after deleting my previous post...

If you have a look at KLM, Lufthansa or Virgin Atlantic they're on the same 23/32kg policy regardless of what flight. Only British Airways and Emirates are fractionally higher but not by much.

If anything I would like SAA to restrict passengers with carry-on baggage because how many times have I flown where one person alone take up an entire cabin.

[Anonymous]

I don't think my equipment weighs more than 32kg in total, so I should be fine. My bag is pretty large though and there's no way I'm letting them handle it.

Wonder if the Thinktank airport bags will still be allowed

As long as they meet the size and weight restrictions why not?

[anco85]

Thanks for the reply guys, but my carry on bag is def more than 8kg, guess I'll be driving down from now on

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the reply guys, but my carry on bag is def more than 8kg, guess I'll be driving down from now on

You can always wear your gear. You'd be surprised how much you can fit around your neck and in the pockets of a vest.

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

Thanks for the reply guys, but my carry on bag is def more than 8kg, guess I'll be driving down from now on

As is mine, and most travelling photographers I know... I have heard, however, that you can more or less skip the "in cabin" requirements if you have a press affiliation/press pass and travel for "work" (like for an event)

I cannot confirm how accurate that is, though...

[Thndr_strck]

The 32kg max per item has been in effect for a few years now. It is a health and safety issue for the airlines, whose employees may be injured trying to lift numerous 32kg bags.

[Rooikop1]

Just returned from the UK on Emirates, and at JHB was there no problem with my gear which weighed in @ 23kg. However, when I checked in @ Heathrow, they weighed my gear. Only after explaining that it was camera equipment the checker inner discussed the matter with his supper, and was I allowed to take it on board. He did request somesort of verification of my profession as a photographer, but in the end was that also forgotten after his chat with his supervisor.

I got the distinct impression that, although enforced to a degree, they do look at circumstances and are not unnecessarily and unreasonably strict in the enforcement of these rules.

Also, do most of the airlines that I have used the same sort of restrictions, but is it interesting to note the amount of luggage allowed to Lagos (3x23) the USA(2x23) and the UK(1x23).

[ABDurbs]

" Passengers are allowed to take 1 bag on board the aircraft, weighing no more than 8kg. In addition, passengers may take 1 laptop bag not weighing more than 8kg."

Ok, because I don't use a laptop when I travel, I can take a carry on of 8kgs and a fat "lap top" bag of 8kgs ??
I can see some "fighting" going on at check in counters around the country

[Roberto]

Only afterexplaining that it was camera equipment the checker inner discussed the matterwith his supper, and was I allowed to take it on board.

I had a similar experience. Maybe the replacement cost to the company was the reason?

[Gerrit Laubscher]

The 32kg max per item has been in effect for a few years now. It is a health and safety issue for the airlines, whose employees may be injured trying to lift numerous 32kg bags.

The 32 kg has to do with the load carrying capasity of the convayor systems in airports. I have been flying SAA a lot into Africa over the past 4 years and it was great to always be able to carry more ... because we need to carry more. We (family of 4 normally would have had up to 9 units of luggage plus one for onboard each. I never had a problem to pay the overweight either because it was worth it.

It is fine if they want to align with their Star Alliance partners but why do so also on routes where they are not handing a passenger over to another Star partner?