Austrian Airlines: Strict Baggage Rules And Regulations?

Austrian Airlines has strict rules regarding the size and weight of carry-on and checked luggage. The airline provides a baggage calculator on its website to help passengers determine whether their luggage complies with the rules. For carry-on luggage, the permitted dimensions are 55 x 40 x 23 cm, and the weight must not exceed 8 kg. Passengers are also allowed to bring one additional personal item, such as a handbag or laptop bag, with maximum dimensions of 40 x 30 x 10 cm. Any carry-on baggage that exceeds the permitted size or weight will be checked into the hold, and excess baggage fees may apply. Similarly, checked baggage must not exceed total dimensions of 158 cm and a maximum weight of 32 kg. If baggage exceeds these limits, it will be considered excess or oversized, and additional fees will apply.

Carry-on baggage allowance

Austrian Airlines allows passengers to carry one item of cabin baggage and one personal item on board. The personal item could be a handbag, a travel pouch, or a laptop bag, for example. The carry-on baggage allowance depends on the travel class booked. Premium Economy Class passengers can carry one item of carry-on baggage, while Business Class passengers can carry two.

All carry-on baggage must not exceed the dimensions of 55cm x 40cm x 23cm and must not exceed a total weight of 8kg. The baggage must be appropriately sized to be stowed in the overhead bin or under the seat. Any carry-on baggage that exceeds these restrictions will be checked into the hold and excess baggage fees may apply.

Passengers travelling with infants under two years old may also bring a carrycot, an approved child seat, or a completely foldable travel pram with a maximum weight of 10 kg.

Liquids carried in hand luggage must be in containers with a capacity of up to 100 millilitres and packed in a transparent, reusable one-litre plastic bag. Liquids include pastes, lotions, mixtures of liquids and solids, as well as the contents of pressure containers such as toothpaste, hair gel, drinks, soups, perfume, shaving foam, sprays, aerosols and gels. Medication and special foods required during the flight may be carried outside the plastic bag but must be presented at security control.

Checked baggage allowance

Austrian Airlines' checked baggage allowance depends on the type of ticket booked and the travel route.

For European routes, passengers are allowed one bag per person, with a maximum weight of 23 kg and total dimensions of 158 cm. Intercontinental routes also allow one bag per passenger, with the same weight and size restrictions.

Economy Light tickets do not include any free checked baggage allowance. However, passengers with these tickets can still book a checked bag for an additional fee, which varies according to the route. For example, for flights between selected European countries and the USA or Canada, passengers can book a bag at the advance sale rate up to two hours before their flight.

Any checked baggage exceeding the maximum weight or size restrictions will be subject to excess baggage fees, which also depend on the flight route. Pieces of checked baggage exceeding the maximum weight allowance of 32 kg will not be accepted at check-in.

Austrian Airlines offers a baggage calculator on its website, which can be used to determine whether your checked luggage meets the requirements.

Excess baggage fees

Austrian Airlines allows passengers to travel with excess baggage, although additional charges will be applied. Excess baggage fees are incurred when your baggage exceeds the free allowance in weight and/or size, or if you wish to carry additional pieces of baggage.

The amount you will be charged depends on your flight route and baggage allowance. An additional ticket service fee may also be charged, which varies depending on the airport of departure. For departures from Austria, a service charge of €15 per service and leg is applied.

The weight allowance for excess baggage is between 24 and 32 kg. Any baggage weighing over 32 kg will not be accepted at check-in. The size allowance for excess baggage is between 158 and 292 cm (height + width + length). Baggage exceeding the maximum dimensions of 158 cm will need to be registered with the Austrian Airlines help desk in advance of travel.

If you are travelling with more than five extra bags in addition to your standard allowance, you must register these in advance by telephone.

Musical instruments

Austrian Airlines allows you to bring your musical instrument on board with you, and they will take good care of it. How you bring your instrument on board depends on its size and weight.

If your instrument does not exceed 55 x 40 x 23 cm in size and 8 kg in weight, you can bring it on as carry-on luggage. If your instrument is slightly larger, Austrian Airlines may still allow you to bring it on as carry-on luggage, but you should contact their Service Centre before booking.

If your instrument is too large to be stowed away in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you, you can book an extra seat for it. Instruments that stand on the floor in front of the seat must not exceed 155 x 42 x 25 cm in size and 75 kg in weight. Instruments that are strapped to the seat must not exceed 110 x 42 x 50 cm in size and 75 kg in weight. The price of the extra seat depends on the ticket prices available.

You can also check in your musical instrument as additional baggage. However, you must ensure that it is packed in a hard protective case with little room for movement and good padding to prevent damage.

Sports equipment

Austrian Airlines will carry your sports equipment for free, as long as it does not exceed the number of bags and weight of the baggage allowance on your ticket. This does not apply to hang gliders, longboards, and tandems.

If your sports bag exceeds your ticket's allowance, there will be a fee to pay, starting at €70, depending on your journey and the item you are carrying. You will also be charged a ticket handling fee of between €10-20.

When travelling with sports equipment, you must notify Austrian Airlines in advance via telephone or online contact form. Acceptance of sporting equipment depends on space availability in the aircraft compartment. When space is available, you will receive confirmation from the Special Cases Desk. At check-in, only pre-notified sports equipment up to a maximum weight of 32 kg and a maximum length of 3.15 m is accepted.

• For a bicycle (except tandem), small boards up to 2m, fishing equipment, golf equipment, hockey equipment, scuba equipment, ski equipment, snowboard equipment, and sporting/hunting weapons plus ammunition, the following sports equipment charges apply:
• Domestic – EUR 70.
• Hang gliding equipment, large boards (2 – 3.15 m), and tandems do not count as part of the free baggage allowance and are always subject to the following fee:
• Domestic – EUR 110.

Additionally, a supplementary Excess Baggage Ticket Service Charge will be charged in case of payment at the airport. The charge depends on the departure airport and varies between €10 and €20.

Frequently asked questions