What you need to know about refundable and non-refundable tickets. Carriage of baggage and hand luggage Non-refundable tickets and luggage

Who will benefit from this situation?

In the midst summer season, when Russians strive to fly to warmer climes, the debate continues over what kind of airline luggage is now non-refundable tickets will have to pay. The day before corresponding . Another conflict is that the list of things allowed for free transportation did not include cameras, umbrellas, mobile phones, outerwear.

The government is confident that the new baggage rule will reduce ticket prices and support low-cost airlines. Aviation market experts say that the beneficiaries of the bill are carriers. Who will benefit from this situation - the airlines or their customers?

Fares with non-refundable seats are most often offered by low-cost airlines, although classic airlines also have this option. According to the existing legislation of the Russian Federation and in accordance with the Federal Aviation Regulations, baggage allowance up to 10 kg and hand luggage included in any rates, including non-refundable ones. In particular, the only low-cost airline in the country, Pobeda Airlines, is required to include baggage allowance in its tariffs.

However new normal, proposed by the Ministry of Transport and approved by Parliament, can help passengers save money if they are traveling light. At least, the low-cost airline Pobeda has announced its readiness to reduce base prices for air tickets if the legislation regarding baggage transportation changes. As representatives of the low-cost airline noted, the tariff reduction could reach 20%. The airline believes that carriers should be able to independently, but taking into account the interests of customers, set baggage allowances without additional fees or provide more favorable rates to those who want to save on their flights.

At the same time, this measure is necessary for the successful development of low-cost airlines, price policy which is based on the refusal of many services. In European low-cost carriers, services such as baggage in the hold, airport check-in, duplicate boarding pass are not included in the minimum tariff, unlike the Russian low-cost airline. For example, in the British EasyJet these options cost from £13 to £45, and in the Hungarian Wizz - from € 10 to € 50. Hand luggage on these airlines is usually included in the fare, but everything in excess is paid separately. In Pobeda, on the contrary, passengers pay extra for things brought into the cabin, but the low-cost airline does not charge money for a handbag, laptop, umbrella, stroller and some other items above the norm. It turns out that people flying light, with the same handbag or briefcase, are forced to pay for their non-existent baggage, since it is automatically included in the fare. According to the low-cost airline, the airline has about 40% of such passengers and they will only benefit from the removal of baggage burden.

The largest Russian carrier, Aeroflot, does not plan to introduce baggage-free fares either. The airline said that prices for economy class tickets will not change due to the adoption of the new law, and the new rule will enable passengers flying without luggage to buy tickets at a lower cost. “This bill will allow us to harmonize Russian legislation with international practices and is extremely necessary for the overall development of low-cost transportation in Russia. It is necessary to give the passenger the right to choose the services that he prefers on a given flight. It is important that tickets for a baggage-free fare will be an alternative, and not a replacement, for regular tickets,” the airline told MK.

Adopting the Ministry of Transport bill at the final meeting of the spring session of the Federation Council, senators noted the need to finalize it. According to the members of the upper house, it is irresponsible to prohibit the free transportation of zones and telephones. In any case, the document has been approved, now the main thing is that it doesn’t turn out “as always” when “they wanted the best.”

In Russia they are going to cancel free transportation luggage upon purchase non-refundable air tickets. The corresponding bill was approved by members of the Federation Council and sent to the president for signature. According to carriers, the initiative is worth accepting: it will reduce the cost of flights for passengers. Experts note that a sharp reduction in the price of air tickets is unlikely to be expected. No airline has yet officially published new tariffs for non-refundable tickets without baggage, Primorskaya Gazeta reports.

The government of the country has prepared two regulatory documents that change the rules for carrying hand luggage and baggage on an airplane.

BY THE WAY

The cost of non-refundable air tickets can be returned if the carriage is refused at the initiative of the airline (if the passenger’s health condition requires special conditions transportation). Also, the money will be returned in case of cancellation of the flight due to deterioration of health (illness) or death of a family member. The fee is also refunded if the passenger refuses the flight due to a flight delay or other actions of the carrier resulting in non-fulfillment or improper fulfillment of the airline’s obligations.

The first of them allows airlines not to provide free baggage allowance to buyers of non-refundable tickets. The corresponding bill was approved the day before by the Federation Council and sent to the president for signature. The law will come into force two months after its official publication. Currently, passengers can carry up to 10 kg without additional charges, regardless of the type of ticket.

The second document for the first time regulates the weight of hand luggage for air passengers. According to it, citizens can carry no more than 5 kg on board. The Ministry of Transport published the corresponding draft amendments to the Federal Aviation Rules (FAR) on the federal portal of draft regulatory legal acts - www.regulation.gov.ru. Now the FAP only states that items whose weight and dimensions allow them to be safely placed in the aircraft cabin are accepted as hand luggage.

In addition, the amendments significantly reduce the list of things that can be taken with you for free. Outerwear, printed publications, cameras, video cameras, laptop computers, telephones, umbrellas, canes and bouquets of flowers were excluded from the list. If the listed items are not included in hand luggage weighing more than 5 kg, you will have to pay extra for them.

A handbag or briefcase was left on the list, baby food, a cradle when transporting a child, crutches and a folding wheelchair. In any case, you won’t have to pay extra for them.

The list was optimized based on research that identified the least popular items that passengers usually take on board the plane in addition to hand luggage, the press service of the Ministry of Transport clarified.

The stage of public discussion of the bill on the portal www.regulation.gov.ru will last until August 7. At this time, everyone can write their wishes and comments to the document.

Air carriers say that the innovations are primarily beneficial to passengers. The client will be able to choose the most suitable fare - more expensive, but with free luggage, or without free luggage, but the cheapest.

People flying without luggage will have the opportunity not to overpay for a ticket and enjoy lower fares,” Konstantin Sukhorebrik, general director of Aurora Airlines, told Primorskaya Gazeta.

Adoption of amendments to Air Code The Russian Federation is also beneficial for air carriers, analysts insist. Therefore, many companies are already actively lobbying for the bill.

There are several factors due to which airlines can either save or earn money,” emphasized Oleg Panteleev, head of the analytical service of the Aviaport agency. - The first of them is fuel consumption, and the less cargo on board, the lower it is.

The second important factor is free luggage takes up space that could be used for paid cargo, the expert clarified. This means that it is not profitable for airlines to transport it. Third, the stricter the baggage restrictions, the higher the likelihood that most passengers will choose more expensive, refundable fares or still pay for the baggage. In both cases, the carrier will benefit.

According to minimal estimates, the difference in the cost of tickets with and without luggage should be about three thousand rubles. with a flight duration of three hours, Oleg Panteleev calculates. However, it is impossible to say that the cost of air tickets will definitely decrease in the near future, the analyst emphasizes. No company has yet published new tariffs.

However, there are already statements, in particular from Pobeda Airlines, according to which the air carrier is ready to reduce the cost of the fare by 20% if baggage-free fares are legalized, noted Oleg Panteleev.

As for the requirements for hand luggage, amendments to the FAP should be finalized, experts are sure. In the current version, they raise a lot of questions for both passengers and air carriers. For example, if a person has a phone in his hands or, say, a jacket that he has taken off, then it is not clear whether they need to be labeled and weighed. Taking money for transporting a cane or a bouquet of flowers is completely ridiculous.

Now the wording of the law is ambiguous, noted the Deputy Chairman of the Russian Operators Association air transport Boris Shakurov. - In addition, it is necessary to return to passengers the opportunity to carry outerwear for free, at least on long flights, for example, from the regions of Siberia and the Far East.

What can you take on a plane?

The aircraft has a certain carrying capacity, so baggage weight limits are limited. Carry-on luggage standards are also established in order to freely place things on luggage racks or under the seat. Otherwise, things may interfere with the evacuation of passengers.

Hand luggage is checked in simultaneously with the passenger's check-in for the flight. Check-in at any airport usually begins 2-3 hours before departure and ends 1 hour to 40 minutes before departure. You can find out for sure when check-in for your flight begins and ends at the representative office of the airline from which you purchased your ticket. To plan your trip more accurately, check out how to get to your departure airport on.

Hand luggage- these are things that you can take with you into the cabin. The weight limit for hand luggage is determined by the airline. The weight limit for hand luggage can vary from 5 to 10 kg. Hand luggage may not be included in the ticket fare - it may be charged.

Regardless of whether hand luggage is included in the fare or not, on flights Russian airlines You can take the following items with you into the aircraft cabin:

• handbag or briefcase;
• bouquet of flowers;
• outerwear;
• baby food for the child during the flight;
• suit in a suitcase;
• a cradle/folding stroller when transporting a child (use of the stroller is possible up to the aircraft ramp, then the stroller is transferred for transportation in the luggage and cargo compartment);
• crutches, folding wheelchair, having dimensions that allow them to be safely placed in the aircraft cabin on a shelf above the passenger seat or under the seat in front passenger seat(when transporting a passenger with limited mobility).

Pobeda Airlines allows the carriage of items from this list if their dimensions and hand luggage in total do not exceed the dimensions of 36x30x27 centimeters. If hand luggage exceeds the specified dimensions, it can be checked in as checked baggage for an additional fee.

The bag that you take with you into the cabin (carry-on luggage) should not contain knives, scissors (even manicure scissors), medicines (except for life-saving necessary medications), inhalers, aerosols, cosmetics (creams, gels).

Baggage allowance

Baggage- these are the things you check in when checking in for your flight. They will fly in the luggage compartment. Airlines have different weight and number of pieces of luggage. Some airlines have fares where baggage is not included in the ticket price and is paid separately as additional service. These data are indicated in the fare rules of the air ticket. Also, when purchasing an air ticket on Tutu.ru, you can install a filter and select either only tickets with allowed luggage, or without luggage.

If the baggage allowance established by the airline is exceeded, for example, baggage weighs 30 kg with a limit of 23 kg, then such baggage is considered excess baggage and you will need to pay extra for it. There are tariffs that limit luggage not only by weight, but also by space - that is, one person can carry one bag or suitcase for free. If your luggage meets the weight limit but is packed in two bags, you will have to pay for an additional piece of luggage.

Payment rules are set by the airline; most often, you can pay for luggage or hand luggage online on the airline’s website or by calling its contact center, as well as at the airport.

Baby on a plane

A baby on an airplane is also a passenger, so some airlines allow you to carry 10 kg of baggage free of charge. All baby bassinets or car seats of any size when transporting a child under 2 years of age, as well as strollers when transporting a child under 11 years of age (inclusive) are carried free of charge in addition to the standard baggage allowance or in addition to hand luggage. The folding stroller can be checked in as luggage.

Carriage of sports equipment

If you are flying with sports equipment (skis, snowboard, surfboard, bicycle), then you must inform the airline about this. Check the conditions for transporting sports equipment on your airline's website. Call or write to representatives of the airline you plan to fly with. When booking an air ticket on our website, we can request for you the service of transporting sports equipment (skiing equipment, golf equipment, surfing, diving, paragliding, bicycle).

This service must be ordered more than 72 hours before flight departure:

• by calling us at 8-495-587-43-05 (be prepared to provide your reservation, order number or phone number specified when placing your order);
• sending a letter by email [email protected] or a website indicating the reservation number, order number or phone number specified when placing the order.

It is also necessary to indicate the passenger for whom the service is needed, the dimensions length*width*height and the total weight of the equipment.

The airline will need 24 hours to respond. We will definitely inform you about confirmation or refusal of this service.

The most common rules for baggage and hand luggage in Russian airlines

Aeroflot baggage and hand luggage rules

1. For some destinations, special application rules may apply, and the availability of services may differ.

2. Allowed only at the check-in counter with an additional payment depending on the destination; exceptions may apply for certain destinations.

3. For Economy Promo, changes are permitted only up to the departure time of the flight indicated on the issued ticket, subject to availability of seats at the paid fare with a charge.

For Economy Budget, changes are permitted until the departure time of the flight indicated on the issued ticket, subject to availability of seats at the paid fare with a charge. Changes after the flight departure time indicated on the issued ticket are not permitted.

For Economy Optimum and Comfort Optimum, changes are permitted until the departure time of the flight indicated on the issued ticket, subject to availability of seats at the paid fare with a charge.
Making changes after the departure time of the flight indicated in the issued ticket is not permitted, except for transportation:
— from points in the Near and Middle East to points in the Russian Federation/Europe/BZ, subject to availability of seats at the paid rate with a charge of 85 USD;
- from US points, subject to notification of refusal of carriage before the departure time of the flight indicated in the issued ticket, subject to availability of seats at the paid fare with a charge of 40 USD.

For Business Optimum, changes are allowed before and after the flight departure time indicated on the issued ticket, subject to availability of seats at the paid fare with a fee:

4. For Economy Promo and Economy Budget - refund of the carriage fee is not allowed, except for transportation from points in the Republic of Korea, upon notification of refusal of transportation before the end of the established check-in time for the flight indicated on the ticket, with a fee of 40 USD withheld.

For Economy Optimum and Comfort Optimum, a refund of the carriage fee is allowed upon notification of refusal of carriage before the end of the established check-in time for passengers for the flight indicated on the ticket with the fee being withheld. Refund of the carriage fee upon notification of refusal of carriage after the end of the established check-in time of passengers for the flight indicated on the ticket is not permitted, except for transportation from points of the Near and Middle East to points of the Russian Federation/Europe/BZ, with a fee of 85 USD withheld.

For Business Optimum, a refund of the carriage fee is allowed upon notification of refusal of carriage before and after the end of the established check-in time for passengers for the flight indicated on the ticket, with the fee being withheld:
— 2300 rub. for transportation within the Russian Federation;
— 35 EUR/40 USD for international transportation, except for transportation from points in Japan;
— 4500 JPY for transportation from points in Japan.
BZ countries: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Georgia.

5. For Economy Promo and Economy Budget, the service is not provided, with the exception of participants in airline loyalty programs - members of the SkyTeam alliance at the Elite and Elite Plus levels (Silver, Gold, Platinum).

For Economy Optimum and Economy Premium passengers, in addition to participants in the loyalty programs of airlines that are members of the SkyTeam alliance of the Elite and Elite Plus levels (Silver, Gold, Platinum), the service is provided only after issuing an air ticket by selecting seats through the online service (check reservation).

6. For Economy Optimum, Comfort Optimum and Business Optimum, it is allowed for a transfer duration of up to 72 hours; for a transfer duration of more than 72 hours, it is not allowed. For Economy Premium, Comfort Premium and Business Premium, it is allowed regardless of the duration of the transfer.

7. Allowed only within the same fare group by additional payment of the difference between the paid fare and the fare of another class of service.

8. At the check-in counter it is provided for one segment at the departure point. Advance upgrades are provided in advance for both one-way and round-trip transportation. The service is provided using miles from the Aeroflot Bonus program.

9. Check-in and baggage check-in for Comfort class passengers is carried out at a specially designated check-in counter (in the Economy class area) or at a counter (in the SkyPriority area).

Airlines will now be able to sell tickets that do not include baggage allowance at all - previously 10 kg were guaranteed free (new baggage rules on planes).

On July 20, the State Duma adopted amendments to the Air Code (Rules for the carriage of baggage on an airplane), which will affect millions of air passengers. Now on plane tickets airlines may not include free baggage allowance at all. Is it true, this only applies non-refundable tariffs - and they are the cheapest, and most travelers buy them.

The news left many tourists stupefied or slightly confused: how is it that baggage-free fares were introduced a long time ago, I paid for a suitcase on the S7 flight last summer? But Pobeda only lets you in with a handbag, and demands money for a backpack!

In fact, the baggage-free fares of Russian airlines have so far been conditionally baggage-free - any of them allowed you to take 10 kg for free. Even Pobeda, with all its strictness, allowed you to carry 10 kg of hand luggage in the luggage compartment. Precisely because this norm was prescribed in the Air Code. Now it has been cancelled. And carriers have every right not to include luggage at all in the ticket price. If you need a suitcase - pay, if you are ready to fly light - save.

And now, tomorrow at all airports in the country they will start charging money for each suitcase? Komsomolskaya Pravda figured out the details of the new rules.

AS IT WAS

Baggage and hand luggage: The air code allowed each passenger to carry a minimum of 10 kg free of charge. At the same time, it was not specified where exactly - in the luggage compartment or hand luggage. And the airlines interpreted it as they saw fit. For example, S7, according to the baggage-free fare, allows you to take 10 kg of hand luggage into the cabin; there is no free luggage at all. “Victory” is the opposite: a suitcase weighing up to 10 kg can be checked in as checked baggage free of charge, but they are not allowed to take anything other than the list specified in the Federal Aviation Regulations (See “Important”). For other carriers, even at the cheapest fares, free rates are more generous than the minimum required by law: “ Ural Airlines» 5 kg of hand luggage and 10 kg of luggage, Aeroflot has 10 kg of hand luggage and 23 kg of luggage.

Eventually: 10 kg is quite possible if you are flying for the weekend or on a short business trip. And it really doesn’t matter where these 10 kg fly, in the luggage compartment or the cabin. Passengers could actually save money by buying conditionally baggage-free tickets - after all, they still include 10 kg.

HOW WILL IT BE*

Baggage: The airline may not include free luggage at all in the ticket price. Or maybe include it - as she decides.

Carry-on baggage: A passenger has the right to carry carry-on baggage free of charge “within the limits established by the carrier in accordance with federal aviation regulations.” That is, and here almost everything is left to the airline. Maybe my brother will allow 5 kg into the salon, maybe 10 kg. Or it may be limited to items from those same federal aviation regulations (see "Important"), their amendments did not affect them.

That is: the airline will legally be able to demand payment for everything except a handbag or briefcase. Both for luggage and for hand luggage - be it a backpack, a sports bag, or a duty-free bag. Have you seen many ascetics who fly to another city with only a handbag over their shoulder, without, sorry, a change of underwear or socks? In this situation, the passenger will have to pay on top in any case - either for a suitcase or for hand luggage. But. There is hope that airlines will avoid extremes and leave some reasonable standards for free hand luggage. This is what happens in the world, in any case (see “What about them”).

*After the amendments come into force. All this applies only to non-refundable tickets. For passengers with refundable fares, the new law does not change anything.

6 NAIVE QUESTIONS

When will the new rules take effect?

Calmly - only 60 days after the official publication of the amendments. Approximately from the end of September - beginning of October. That is, we will have time to fly off during the summer holidays, as usual, 10 kg are guaranteed free of charge even at baggage-free fares.

Will they charge for a suitcase on any flight?

No. It all depends on the airline and the fare at which you buy the ticket. The amendments make it possible to make only non-refundable tickets completely baggage-free. If the ticket can be returned, then its price automatically includes at least 10 kg of luggage (or more, this is the right of the airline).

Most likely, carriers will reshape their tariff schedules to accommodate the new rules over the next two months. There will be the cheapest tickets, which cannot be checked in and any baggage is only for money, there will be average ones, with 10 kg of free baggage and restrictions on return (with a fine, for example), and expensive ones, where you can take a suitcase weighing 23 kg and change the ticket itself and return it. This is a conditional diagram, of course.

How do I know if I qualify for free luggage?

The amendments oblige the airline to inform the passenger about the conditions for the carriage of baggage and hand luggage when purchasing a ticket. To be fair, they still do not hide this information on their websites. As a rule, you need to click on the name of the tariff next to the price or the icon symbolizing baggage. You will see: hand luggage only, 10 kg, 23 kg... If you realized it after the purchase, in electronic ticket look for the “Baggage” column.

How much will it cost to check in a suitcase?

Tariffs are set by the carrier. On average, at current prices, 2,000 rubles or 50 euros (for international flights) for a suitcase weighing up to 23 kg.

Will tickets become cheaper?

The main argument of supporters of the law is that plane tickets will become cheaper. Why? Baggage transportation is a service for which the passenger pays. After all, with suitcases, the plane is heavier, it needs more fuel, again loading and unloading, wages for loaders, luggage belt. Now everyone pays for this service. And if you divide it - the flight separately, the luggage separately - some passengers will be able to pay only for the flight itself and thereby save. Pobeda's base tariffs, they say, will be reduced by 20%.

Those who are willing to fly at a “naked” fare and without luggage at all will probably pay less. But for most passengers, flights will eventually become more expensive, he believes Alexander SIZINTSEV, General Director of the Internet service for travelers Biletix. Because in addition to the fare, they will fork out money for luggage, even minimal ones.

WHAT ABOUT THEM?

Let's see if we have tickets for 10 euros!

In the European Union and the United States, laws do not regulate the issue of luggage at all; airlines themselves decide what they will allow a passenger to carry for free, and what for money, he comments PR Director of Aviasales Janis Dzenis.

So in Russia now it’s like all over the world. Anyone who has flown with Western low-cost airlines knows: with Ryanair, EasyJet and the like, the ticket really does not include any baggage at all. But they are generous with hand luggage - Ryanair even allows you to carry two bags, one on the shelf above the seat, the other under the seat. So passengers save on suitcases and take as much as they can into the cabin.

Russian aviators who lobbied for the newly adopted amendments argued that our 10 kg free baggage allowance prevents domestic low-cost airlines from competing with foreign ones that do not have such restrictions. Well, let's see if we will now have tickets for 10 euros, like in Europe - the obstacles have been removed!

NUMBERS

50% of passengers do not know whether free luggage is included in the ticket they purchased.

30% pay for the suitcase already at the airport, was surprised to learn that the fare was baggage-free.

You can save 60%, if you pay for baggage not included in the ticket in advance, on the airline’s website.