Codeshare flight baggage policy
I was traveling from Vienna (VIE) to Paris (CDG) to Hong Kong in Dec. The ticket was issued by Air France; however, the first leg from VIE-CDG was operating by Austrian Airlines, with codeshare flight number AF5045/OS417, transiting at Paris and onwards to HKG by Air France.
I needed to purchase an extra checked bag, so since my ticket was issued under AF, I checked the website, which says the price is 100EUR. However, when I arrived at the Vienna airport, the Austrian ground staff insisted I need to follow Austrian Airlines baggage policy instead, which results in 250 EUR.
I wonder if their handling is correct? I searched online and realized there was IATA regulations 302 on codeshare baggage handling, and the price should follow the "significant carrier" which should be AF as the second leg is crossing the IATA boundary, so I do not understand why this happened and wonder if I was being overcharged? Can anyone kindly advise?
Best Answer
Theoretically, any combination is possible, but realistically, most of the time the airline that executes the first leg of the trip defines the luggage rules - that means weight and size allowance as well as cost. That means it won't matter through which airline you book your ticket. One reason is that they have to physically handle the luggage check-in - plus they probably find it as complicated as most other users to understand all the details from the following partner airlines - imagine, if they are in sky-xxx-group with 12 global partner airlines, they would need to fully know all baggage rules and cost from all them.
Worst case would be that the worst (smallest, lightest, and most expensive) combination is valid, as each airline only wants to transport luggage according to their own rules. In reality though, most major groups have agreed to respect the first-leg-airlines rules.
So yes, you're stuck with paying Austria however much they ask.
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Do you have to pay for baggage twice on connecting flights?
Baggage basics Baggage fees are per bag and per direction. So one way = one charge. Round trip = two charges. If your flight has a connection, bags will generally transfer from flight to flight and no additional fees will apply.How does baggage allowance work with connecting flights?
When you purchase a connecting flight, checked baggage is usually forwarded to your final destination, and will change planes when you do. The agent at check-in will usually ask if you want your luggage checked through to your last stop.Can baggage allowance be shared?
Usually, combining the checked luggage allowance is allowed only between passengers on the same booking. This means that not only do you have to be on the same flight, but also share the same booking number. Normally, it doesn't matter if you're related or not, as long as you share the same booking number.How many luggage bags are allowed on international flights?
For Economy passengers with two pieces of luggage, the total combined dimensions (length + breadth + height) of both pieces should not exceed 273cm (107 inches). Also the linear dimension of each piece should not exceed 62 inches. The weight of each bag must not exceed 23 Kgs or 50 pounds.Travel Tip Tuesday: What Exactly is a Codeshared Flight?
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