The new luggage regulations came into effect on 2nd February 2015. Do you know how they will affect your travel?
ACSA are cracking down on size, weight and amount of hand luggage each passenger is allowed to take with them during air travel. We know that this will effect most of our frequent travellers, so we’ve drawn up a quick and simple list of what the new regulations are (as well as a note on which airlines plan to be more lenient on you – very important information!).
ECONOMY CLASS TRAVELLERS
YOU WILL BE ALLOWED:
- One piece of hand luggage, as well as a “slimline” laptop bag (the word “slimline” is important here…no trying to pass your oversized beach bag as a laptop bag)
- Up to 7kg per bag
- Your bag’s dimensions must not exceed:
56CM + 36CM + 23CM = OVERALL DIMENSION OF 115CM (INCLUDING HANDLES AND WHEELS)
BUSINESS CLASS & FIRST CLASS TRAVELLERS
YOU LUCKY TRAVELLERS WILL BE ALLOWED:
- Two pieces of hand luggage, as well as a slimline laptop bag
- Each bag must not weigh more than 7kg
- Each bag’s dimensions must not exceed:
56CM + 36CM + 23CM = OVERALL DIMENSION OF 115CM (INCLUDING HANDLES AND WHEELS)
You’ll notice how seriously all the South African airports are taking these new regulations, as the bag-sizing bins are being used more than ever before, and your bags should be checked at every security check point. If your bags don’t comply with the above guidelines – we’re afraid you’ll probably be made to go back and check in your bags instead.
Some airlines, however, promise to give their passengers a little leeway, so take note!
MANGO AIRLINES
If your hand luggage does not comply with the new regulations, Mango promises not to penalise travellers for having to check in extra bags. As long as it’s within their 20kg limit, Mango passengers are allowed to check in as many pieces of luggage as they want.
SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS
These guys have gone the extra mile for their passengers and secured an exception to the hand luggage weight – SAA travellers are allowed up to 8kg per bag. Be mindful though that the amount of bags, as well as the dimensions, must still be adhered to by passengers.
If you’re planning to fly with any other airline, just make sure to check how they will handle things if your hand luggage isn’t quite right before going to the airport. Good news though – both a woman’s (normal-sized) handbag, and a man’s satchel or “man-bag” are exempt from these regulations.
ACSA basically just wants to ensure that all passengers are as safe as possible during the flight, without people trying to pass off oversized and heavy bags as hand luggage, that could then end up harming someone.
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