Air China baggage allowance

Air China is not in vain compared to Aeroflot of the Soviet era. It is the largest domestic shipping company in China and the only one with a national flag on board. The carrier is an innovator in some areas - it was the first to launch the sale of combined tickets and turned on Wi-Fi on its aircraft. The Air China baggage rules of interest to our tourists are an exception in this regard. They are, in general, standard and conservative in Chinese.

Baggage requirements

The company uses the rules adopted for most Chinese carriers, as well as partners in the Star Alliance, to which it belongs. In fact, it is a symbiosis of Chinese traditions and modern world trends.

Carry-on baggage allowance

Air China's allowed carry-on baggage is determined by the fare class:

• first and business - 2 units weighing up to 8 kg each;
• economy - 1 piece up to 5 kg.

Bags and belongings are placed on the upper bunk of the passenger compartment and under the seat in front of the passenger.

Carry-on baggage must not exceed 55 x 40 x 20 cm.

Baggage that exceeds its weight or dimensions, as well as unsafe, in the opinion of the carrier, is checked in and loaded into the baggage compartment.

Checked baggage

Air China has adopted the following standards for one piece of checked baggage (baggage alowance) for 2021:

1. Dimensions (sum of measurements of length, width and height, with wheels and handles) - no more than 203 cm and no less than 60 cm.
2. Weight - no more than 32 kg and no less than 2 kg. The place with the greater mass should be divided and repackaged.

The rules for the carriage of goods on domestic and international routes are different. In mainland China, the free carriage rates are as follows:

• Dimensions - 100 x 60 x 40 cm.
• Weight:
  • first class - 40 kg,
  • business - 30 kg,
  • economy - 20 kg.
• Children's ticket - 10 kg. Additionally, you can take a folding stroller or baby cot free of charge.

Air China PhoenixMiles cardholders are allowed one extra seat. This takes into account the status of the client:

• lifetime / platinum - up to 30 kg;
• gold / silver - up to 20 kg.

The holder of the Star Alliance Gold Card can carry extra baggage weighing up to 20 kg. On international / regional flights, the rules are as follows:

• Size - no more than 158 cm (the sum of the sides).
• Weight:
  • first / business class - 2 seats up to 32 kg,
  • economy - 1 place (on some routes - 2) up to 23 kg.

Regardless of the fare class for an infant, you can check in 1 piece of baggage weighing up to 23 kg, a folding baby cot, a stroller or a carrycot free of charge.

PhoenixMiles members are allowed to register 1 additional seat free of charge:

• first / business class - up to 32 kg;
• economy - up to 23 kg.

Star Alliance Gold members can check in an additional 1 piece of baggage weighing up to 23 kg free of charge.

On transit flights, free carriage rates are determined by the rules of the carrier whose route is longer.

For baggage in excess of the free baggage allowance by weight, size or number of units, charges are applicable, which depend on the direction. On domestic routes, for excess baggage, you will have to pay 1.5% of the cost of a direct economy class ticket for each extra kg. On international / regional routes, the calculation is carried out taking into account the excess of the limits for the number of seats. On flights other than Brazil, Canada and the United States, the excess surcharges are as follows:

• By mass:
  • For tariffs limited to 23 kg:
    • from 23 to 28 kg - $ 30,
    • from 28 to 32 kg - $ 75.
• By size:
  • Sizes from 158 to 203 cm - $ 75.
  • With excess of both dimensions and weight - $ 110.
• By the number of units:
  • For one - $ 110.
  • For the second - $ 155.
  • For the third - $ 230.
  • For the fourth - $ 340.
  • For the fifth - $ 480.
  • For the sixth - $ 690.

The accounting system is difficult to describe, so it is better to familiarize yourself with the tariffs on the website. The fees for special baggage are also published there. These are some types of weapons, ammunition, sports equipment, electrical appliances, multimedia devices and animals. The amount of the surcharge varies depending on the excess weight in the range of $ 75-1200.

Limits

Items that you don't want to carry in checked baggage:

• Important or commercial documents.
• Securities, currency, bank checks, travel certificates.
• Jewelry, precious metals and products from them.
• Antiques, paintings, prints or original documents, hard copies of which do not exist.
• Electronics, video and photographic equipment, software and hardware.

Airline permission will be required to transport:

• Precision instruments and electrical appliances. They must be transported as checked baggage in their original factory packaging or Air China approved packaging.
• Sports equipment (ski, mountain, water equipment, bicycles and so on). Included in the free rate. Skis, golf clubs and hockey sticks must be packed in a bag. Pistols and cartridges will be carried as checked baggage, subject to an authorization of carriage issued by the appropriate authority. They must be packed separately and closed. The rate of free transportation of cartridges by weight is 5 kg.
• Animals. Domestic dogs and cats are only transported in the hold.
• Foldable / electronically controlled wheelchair. It must be packed appropriately (battery separated, contacts insulated). Manual seats are transported as checked baggage and do not count towards the free carriage.
• Cutting and blunt tools. Medical, special sharp, cutting and blunt instruments with blades up to 6 cm are packed as checked baggage and carried in the cargo hold.
• Dry ice, drinks, liquid cosmetics and household goods. Dry ice can be placed in luggage or taken into the cabin if its weight is not more than 2 kg.

During the flight, a passenger cannot carry more than two bottles of 0.5 liters (weighing 670 g) with carbonated drinks, mineral water, tea, milk, acidophilus, juice and so on. The carriage of alcoholic beverages, except for those purchased at the airport after passing through security control, is prohibited. The passenger is allowed to take two bottles with a total weight of up to 1 kg and a volume of no more than 1 liter.

Passengers have the right to carry cleaning agents, air fresheners, provided that the volume of the container does not exceed 350 ml (469 g). The volume of the perfume container should not exceed 500 ml (670 g).

On domestic flights, the following hand luggage rules apply:

• Liquids are not allowed, except for small volumes in separate 100 g containers. Liquids purchased from duty-free shops on co-located flights must be placed in a transparent plastic bag.
• For transportation of liquid baby food and medicines one day before departure, an application must be submitted.

For passengers of international / regional flights, the carriage of liquids in hand luggage is regulated by the restrictions of the General Directorate of Civil Aviation of China from 17.03.07. Details can be obtained from the company representatives.

Prohibited goods

Transportation of dangerous goods is possible, but requires correct declaration. These include flammable, self-igniting, corrosive, toxic, explosive, radioactive, infectious substances, agents that are dangerous in humid conditions, compressed gases, oxidizers, organic peroxides.

Lithium batteries for laptops, cell phones, cameras and other personal portable electronic devices with a capacity of up to 100 Wh and spare batteries for them may be carried in carry-on baggage.

With the permission of the company, devices with lithium batteries with a capacity of 100 to 160 Wh can be carried into the passenger compartment (no more than 2 pcs.).The carriage of batteries over 160 Wh in carry-on baggage and checked baggage is prohibited. Each battery must be in its original packaging or in a separate plastic bag / box, the contacts must be insulated.

Baggage transfer

Currently, the through baggage check-in service is provided on 34 international flights with a transfer in Beijing (including from Moscow) and a number of Chinese airports. The list is on the website. For more information, please contact the Air China Contact Center or local office.

Passengers traveling from North or South America / Europe / Oceania to China via Beijing may request customs clearance of their baggage prior to arriving at their final destination. To use the service, you must sign a declaration and make a mark on the baggage tag during check-in. In this case, you will not need to go through customs control after landing.

Solving baggage problems

Delayed, damaged or lost baggage always becomes the subject of legal disputes.

To receive compensation for damaged baggage, you must submit a written claim to Air China office within 7 days from the date of receipt. In case of baggage delay, the application can be sent within 21 days.

The limitation period is 2 years from the date of actual / planned arrival or from the date of restriction of carriage.

The compensation rules on domestic routes are as follows:

• Damaged or lost luggage worth up to 100 RMB / kg (or equivalent in foreign currency) - at the actual cost.
• Baggage delayed:
  • economy class - 200 yuan,
  • business class - 400 yuan,
  • first class - 600 yuan.

On international flights, compensation is carried out:

• Under the terms of the Warsaw Convention, the actual cost is reimbursed, but not more than 17 SDRs. The abbreviation SDR stands for the Special Drawing Right currency issued by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The current SDR rate is listed at www.imf.org. The maximum compensation for unchecked baggage is 332 SDR.
• Under the terms of the Montreal Convention, the maximum amount of compensation is determined by the amount of actual damage, but not more than 1,131 SDRs.

You can find out about the rules for making an application and paying out on the hotline + 86-10-95583.

If the baggage is insured, the company will issue the documents necessary for filing a claim for damages to the insurer.

The company's website has an entrance to the baggage tracing system. It is important to note that the system only recognizes English transcription. You must enter the registration number of the baggage and your last name in the form, followed by the address.

If you lose your personal belongings and cannot find them within three days, you will have to fill out a form available for download on the website. The form must be sent to the company by email or fax (address and number can be obtained from the Lost Property Office at the airport).

We check in baggage

At the airport, baggage is checked in, as usual, at a special counter. There is also a self-registration option. Terminals are still available at two airports in mainland China - Beijing (4 units) and Hohhot (1 unit). Here you need to get your boarding pass and print your baggage identification tags.

The procedure starts in four hours in Beijing, in three hours in Hohhot, and ends in 30 and 40 minutes. respectively. You will need a passport and e-ticket number. Then you need to attach ID coupons to your baggage and follow to the check-in counter to check in your baggage and receive receipt coupons. The service applies to domestic flights so far. Not available for infants, children, the sick, the disabled and passengers in need of special service.

Passenger check-in

There are more options for passenger check-in:

1. On the counter.
2. Online.
3. Through a self-service terminal.

The first method is known to everyone. The second allows you to carry out the procedure remotely. The official website prompts you to restore your reservation, select a seat and print your boarding pass. You will need a ticket number and passport details.

The third method is convenient for those who did not have time to register online and do not want to stand in line. Login to the system is carried out by scanning an identification card or passport, or by ticket / booking number. The passport is required to be presented to the immigration authorities of some countries. Learn more about the check-in process for an Air China flight.

Conclusion

Air China's rules are not easy to understand. For any incomprehensible question, it is better to contact an airline employee with a specific description of the situation.