Lufthansa Group Lowers Check-in Baggage Allotment for Economy Flights between India and North America

Traveling by air, which already costs a lot due to sky-high airfares and a weak rupee, is poised to become considerably more expensive, particularly for those traveling between India and North America, who do not travel light. Lufthansa has cut the luggage allowance for India-North America economy passengers in half.

Economy customers who book international flight tickets online to fly between the two nations from Monday, August 1 will only be allowed one check-in of luggage weighing up to 23 kg at no extra fee. This is half of the two-bag allotment. Passengers who purchased tickets before or on July 31 will not be charged an additional fee on this count.

Travelers who book international flight tickets online, these days, pack light or pay for checked luggage. Airlines are passing on the brunt of sky-high airfares to customers and devising procedures to boost income from travel-related services or amenities in order to continue their international operations. One of these is check-in luggage; because of the rise in jet fuel prices and their influence on operational overheads, airlines are restricting the flexibility of budget travelers traveling with two free check-in bags.

New baggage fees

The carrier will now charge €200 (US$ 206) for checking in a second bag if booked in advance online, or €250 (US$ 257) if done at the check-in counter. So, passengers buying economy Lufthansa flight tickets online from USA to Delhi or Vancouver to Delhi will now have to pay €400 more for the return journey for checking in the second bag if booked in advance, or €500 if paying for the second bag at the check-in counter.

“In accordance with Atlantic’s joint venture partners United Airlines and Air Canada, Lufthansa Group’s checked baggage guidelines will become coherent as of 1 August 2022″ in India and North America (US, Canada, Mexico, etc.) The Lufthansa Group and its partners will offer free baggage in economy class on all flights between the Lufthansa Group and its partners,” the well-known travel agency quoted in a Lufthansa statement.

“All other compartment luggage policies will remain intact, along with the additional free baggage allotment for status clients.” The report states that “all tickets purchased through July 31, 2022, will be permitted with the current luggage allowance.”

Lufthansa’s luggage policy for business class flights between India and the United States/Canada remains unaltered. According to the most recent modification of the economy class check-in luggage limit, Lufthansa Group airlines are similar to North American carriers such as United Airlines, American Airlines, and Air Canada, which allow economy class passengers to check in only one bag for free. This offers Air India’s nonstop flights a competitive advantage, as do Middle Eastern carriers, who are recognized and favored for their substantial check-in luggage allowance on routes between North America and India.

According to top EU airline executives, not only the German mega carrier but other airlines worldwide might follow suit as increasing oil costs compel them to look at maximizing revenue from cargo hold by requiring flyers to pay extra for the second bag and/or leaving more space for paid cargo.