If you’re ready to start your journey and want to know if your airline allows combining luggage allowance, you’re in the right place.
In this post, we will answer all your questions about combining luggage allowance and which airlines allow luggage pooling, as well as how to pool luggage allowance with others.
Many people travel in groups or with family and want to combine their luggage to reduce charges.
Others still wonder if they can share or transport their checked baggage allowances. This is often referred to as shared luggage allowance.
The truth is, you can benefit enormously from combining your baggage allowance; but most of the time it depends on the airline you’re flying with.
What Does Pooling or Combining Luggage Mean?
Combining or pooling luggage means that a group of two or more people check in their luggage together, with or without additional charges, based on their total combined baggage allowance.
This is commonly known as luggage allowance for traveling together.
To do this, the members of the group must check in at the same time and travel together on the same flight.
But the weight of one piece of checked baggage cannot exceed the airline’s baggage allowance.
Example: If an airline’s maximum free checked baggage weight is 30kg for a single bag, that means 60kg for two bags. You can take 25kg, and your partner can take 35kg, or you can have 40kg and your partner can have 20kg. The total combined luggage should not exceed 60kg.
Can You Share Suitcase Weight?
Luggage weight can be shared only for checked luggage, but it must not exceed the airline’s weight limit, as stated above.
If you are traveling with a partner, you can fly with the total combined weight of two individual baggage allowances.
Most airlines require you and your companion to check in at the same time and travel together.
Can You Combine Carry-On Luggage?
Combining carry-on baggage is not common, and most airlines will not allow combining hand luggage.
If you’re traveling with a partner who has more pieces or heavier items, you can transport one of their bags under your name without informing the airline.
That said, it is not recommended to check in any baggage that is not your own (with strangers) unless it’s someone you trust closely to avoid any risks.
Is Baggage Allowance Per Person or Per Family?
Airlines generally set the baggage allowance policy based on each person.
The free baggage allowance is per passenger, and your baggage will be displayed on your booking ticket.
Some airlines allow you to combine baggage as described above.
There are two types of baggage, which are treated differently: checked baggage and hand / carry-on luggage.
For both types, transportation companies have rules about the weight and size limits.
For checked baggage, stored in the aircraft hold, the weight is usually the limiting factor.
All checked items are weighed by the airline during check-in, and if they exceed the limit, the passenger is informed.
To avoid any fees, you may need to switch some items to another bag or carry them on.
Carry-on luggage is judged primarily by size. Bags are measured by dimensions or total linear measurement (length + width + height).
There may also be additional restrictions on the types of belongings that can be carried onto the plane.
What Is 2-Piece Baggage Allowance?
Most airlines allow each passenger to have two pieces of luggage, either as checked baggage or carry-on luggage (one carry-on and one personal item).
The free baggage allowance and limits depend on the airline and booking type.
Limits may vary depending on the flight origin, destination, type of ticket, and elite status.
If the flight is connected to another flight, the baggage allowance may differ (e.g., if a long-haul flight is involved).
Pooling luggage on Airlines
American Airlines does not allow combining luggage, and they will not accept checked bags over 100 lbs (45 kg) on its operated flights.
You can check in up to three bags of 22kg per person. If you pay for three bags, you can bring 66kg total, which can be spread across multiple bags. Just make sure no single bag exceeds 32kg. Jet2 does not provide free baggage allowance, so additional bags must be booked online before arriving at the airport.
British Airways does not allow baggage pooling, so make sure you know the number of bags per person, as well as the size and weight limits for checked bags.
Air France allows guests to combine baggage (2 or more) at no charge. For convenience, guests must check in at the same time and travel together. Each bag should weigh less than 23 kg (50 lb) or 32 kg (70 lb), depending on the travel class.
Ryanair allows baggage pooling or sharing the purchased baggage allowance among other passengers traveling on the same reservation, as long as everyone checks in together. For example, if you have two checked bags of 20kg each (40kg total), you can split the weight differently (e.g., one bag at 15kg and the other at 25kg).
Emirates does not specify luggage pooling on its website, but a passenger on TripAdvisor mentioned that they were told the airline does not accept pooling luggage allowance.
TUI Airways allows pooling baggage allowances with other travelers on the same booking. but each individual bag can only weigh up to 25kg.
EasyJet allows pooling baggage allowances among travelers on the same booking. No single item can weigh more than 32kg, and the total size (length + width + height) cannot exceed 275cm.
Finnair does not allow combining baggage allowances between guests. The luggage allowance displayed on your ticket is for one person only. Bags weighing 23kg–32kg (50–70 lb) will incur extra fees.
KLM does not allow combining baggage allowances for different passengers. Each person is entitled to their own baggage allowance, as per their individual ticket. KLM does allow you to share the total weight of your checked luggage if you are traveling together on the same booking, as long as the weight limit for each piece is not exceeded.
Final Thoughts
Combining luggage with another person or family member when traveling usually depends on the airline you’re flying with.
This is often referred to as luggage allowance for traveling together.
For carry-on luggage, most airlines do not allow combining luggage.
Some airlines permit shared luggage allowance if you’re traveling on the same flight only.
I hope this helps.
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