Tigerair announces changes to carry-on baggage provisions

Tigerair Australia has announced that its free carry-on baggage allowance will become 7kg from 17 April 2015, bringing the airline in line with the rest of the industry. The change will help manage overcrowding of overhead locker space, assist with passenger safety and comfort and enable efficiencies during check-in to enhance the airline’s on time performance.

The new Tigerair carry-on baggage guidelines allow customers to carry a maximum of two bags free of charge provided they do not exceed 54cm X 38cm X 23cm or a total combined weight of 7 kg per person.

Passengers that want to bring on board extra luggage will have the opportunity to purchase additional carry-on baggage allowance of up to a total of 12 kg, subject to available space and passenger comfort and safety on board.

This new Cabin+ product will enable passengers to have two carry-on items with a maximum combined weight of 12 kg per passenger in total, provided they do not exceed 54cm X 38cm X 23cm.

“Over the past year we have been working hard to communicate with our passengers about the importance of planning ahead and carrying the correct weight of luggage on board,” said Adam Rowe, Commercial Director at Tigerair Australia.

“People generally understand and support these requirements as there is only a finite amount of available overhead locker space and fellow passenger safety and comfort are key considerations, as is the considerable impact on the airline’s on time performance when bags need to be transferred to the hold if they are oversized."

“We know our passengers love low fares delivered on time. To further assist us with these goals, Tigerair will implement these new guidelines from 17 April and all we ask that passengers consider carefully how much baggage they wish to take on board with them.”

Tigerair’s carry-on and checked in baggage policy is made clear throughout the booking process, through airport signage and flight itineraries, so that passengers can prepare themselves ahead of travel and save by only paying for what they need.

The airline has also recently invested in further website enhancements that allow passengers to add bags or buy excess baggage weight after booking their flight (up to four hours before travelling) to take advantage of the lowest bag charge.

“These new guidelines have been introduced in response to customer feedback in regards to overcrowded cabin space and also to help improve Tigerair’s overall efficiency which in turn, enables us to provide consistently great value fares which our customers demand,” said Mr. Rowe.

Following the introduction of the new carry-on guidelines, any carry-on baggage exceeding 7 kg may qualify for the Cabin + product if no more than 12 kg in weight. This can be purchased online in advance for $18 for shorter flights and $23 for longer flights, or at check-in for $36 for shorter flights and $46 for longer flights.

Failing this, the baggage will have to be carried in the hold of the aircraft and forms part of the total checked baggage allowance that is charged accordingly and also varies depending on the length of the sector (see website for details).

“Tigerair continues to be as clear and transparent as possible on the matter of baggage selection and excess baggage and provided that our passengers book the right amount of baggage in advance, they will avoid any extra fees at check-in,” said Mr Rowe.

Tigerair Australia’s new baggage allowance limits will apply for all domestic flights booked from 17 March 2015 for travel from 17 April 2015. For all flight bookings made prior to 17 March 2015 or for travel prior to 17 April 2015, the 10kg baggage allowance is still applicable.

sourced:traveldailynews.asia