Baggage and air travel go hand in hand. You cannot be sure of a hassle-free journey when you do not know the exact baggage allowance of the airline you are traveling with from the USA to India.
Although there are some fixed baggage allowance policies while you travel on Air India, these might vary as per the travel conditions and the class you choose for traveling.
Moreover, your fare type, journey type and the type of airline you choose affect the baggage policies fixed by the airline for the passengers.
We have provided the information linked with the baggage policies of India’s largest air carrier, Air India.
Hand Baggage or Carry-on Baggage
The cabin baggage allowance for Air India for both the domestic flights as well as the international flights is mentioned below.
Dimensions of the baggage
The hand baggage that one can carry on an Air India flight should be Height 55 cms (22 inches) + Length 35 cms (14 inches) + Width 25 cms (10 Inches).
The allowance mentioned is for Boeing as well as Airbus aircraft. So, the total dimensions come out to be 115 cms.
Number of Pieces/ Weight
Passenger is allowed to carry one hand baggage of a maximum weight of 8 kg. As per the baggage policies from Air India, the hand baggage if exceeds the mentioned 8 kg will be charged.
Moreover, even after the payment of excess baggage fees, one can carry a maximum weight up to 10kg and that too including the duty-free items.
In case the hand baggage does not meet the excess baggage allowance of 10 kg, it will not be taken as cabin baggage by the Air India airlines.
For Domestic Sectors
The passengers will have to pay a charge of INR 500 for every kilo of excess baggage.
For International Sectors
For the passengers planning an international trip with Air India, they have to follow the international baggage allowance.
The baggage allowance is as under:
- If you are traveling from India to the USA with Air India, every Kg of excess weight has to charge as USD 40.
- In a similar manner, if you are traveling from the USA to India, you will have to pay USD 40/ Kg for excess baggage.
- Also, if you are traveling to and from India to any International destination, the excess baggage fees are USD 15/ Kg of extra luggage weight.
Moreover, in addition to one piece of carryon baggage, the passengers can carry the following personal items that are subject to the security restrictions:
- Camera or Binoculars
- Reading Material
- Overcoat and Wrap
- Landy’s Hand Bag
- Infant Feed consumption during the flight, including the accessories like the feeding bottle.
- A blanket or a rug
- A laptop
- An umbrella
There are specific regulations set by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security that the passengers traveling on Air India from Delhi to Chicago or any other destination cannot carry with them the following:
- Shampoos
- Suntan lotions
- Liquid cosmetics
- Hair Gels
- Toothpaste
- Creams, and the like
It is always advisable to include the essential items in the checked baggage.
However, the things that you might require during your journey with Air India should be made a part of your carryon baggage.
Carrying of Kirpans in the Passenger Cabin
As per the regulations set by the Indian law, the passengers that are traveling on the flight with origin and destination in India can carry a Kripan with them as an Air India domestic baggage.
The dimensions set by the regulatory body for the kirpans are:
It should not exceed the total length of 9 inches that is 22.86 cm, including the length of the blade that should not exceed 6 inches that is 15.24 inches.
Also, the length of the handle not exceeding 3 inches that is 7.62 inches.
Carrying of Power Banks or Samsung Galaxy Note 7
One can carry a power bank in the hand baggage and not in the carryon baggage while traveling on Air India.
But as far as Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is concerned, you are not permitted to carry the same in any baggage.
Carrying of Battery Cells
One can conveniently carry the battery cells as carry-on baggage with Air India, and it will not be removed in the security check. If you are carrying lithium metal batteries, the content should not exceed 2 kg of lithium and for ion batteries, the watt-hour rating should be less than 100Wh.
Carrying of Powdered Substances on US-Bound flights
According to the instructions fixed by Transport Security Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the passengers traveling from the USA to India should follow the following conditions linked with powdered substances:
Carrying of powdered substances in the hand baggage that is 120 oz or greater is prohibited. Although certain conditions can allow passengers to carry extended baggage.
If the passenger is carrying a medically prescribed powder or a baby formula can exceed the quantity from 120 oz.
You should, however, not try to pack these powders in sealed containers as they are to be checked at the airport during security.
Checked-in Baggage Allowance
The international or domestic checked-in baggage allowance with Air India depends on the ticket type of passengers. It is briefly stated below:
- First Class: 40 Kg
- Business Class: 35 Kg
- Economy Class: 25 Kg
- Infants: 10 Kg
Special Note:
The checked baggage allowance of Air India is applicable only for Air India operated flights.
If the passengers are traveling as a combination of domestic and international sectors, they need to follow the Air India international baggage allowance.
For the Gold members of Star Alliance, passengers can carry an additional 20 kg baggage on the Economy class.
Premium Club members Flying Return members will also be permitted to carry additional baggage as stated by them at the time of flight booking.
Infants in any class can carry the baggage of 10 kg along in Air India.
Dimensions of Baggage for First and Business Class
The sum of all three dimensions should be 62 inches or 158 cm. Further, the maximum weight allowed as per the baggage allowance is 32 kg or 70 pounds.
Dimensions of Baggage for Economy
The economy class travelers can travel with two pieces of luggage, with combined dimensions of 273 cm. However, the weight of one baggage should not be more than 23 kg.
Oversized Baggage Between India and USA
If your oversized baggage comes as a part of the baggage allowance and is under 62 inches of dimensions, it is not included in the extra baggage policy.
In case, the oversized baggage that can even include a television comes as an addition to the free baggage; passengers will have to pay USD 240.
Furthermore, this fee is applicable if you are traveling to or from EWR, Chicago, San Francisco, Washington.
Special Baggage Allowance: Air India
Some of the items included in Special Baggage are:
-
Sporting Equipment
It includes golfing equipment, snow or water skiing equipment, Angling kit, etc.
-
Musical Instruments
Carrying heavy and bulky musical instruments is not allowed in the carryon baggage as this can cause inconvenience for the co-travelers.
Also, such items should be adequately packed and taken as checked baggage with Air India.
-
Carrying of Arms
While traveling on Air India in the domestic sector, the bonafide passenger can carry one revolver, pistol or shotgun along.
at the time of the security check, bring it to the notice of the security officials. Follow proper instructions.
However, one cannot carry weapons and ammunition on ATR flights.
The passenger has to pay INR 5000 in addition to the GST for every free arm or 50 cartridges if traveling on Air India.
In the case of the International baggage allowance of Air India from the USA to India, the passenger has to pay USD 100 for the carrying of Arms.
Restricted Items in the Baggage Policies
Air India doesn’t permit passengers to carry some of the items while traveling. These include:
-
Sharp Objects
Meat Cleavers, utility knives, razor blades, Sabres, Sword, Ice Axes/Ice Picks, Knives, etc.
-
Sporting Goods
Bows and Arrows, Golf Clubs, Spear Guns, Hockey Sticks, Cricket Bats, Ski Poles, Lactose Sticks, Pool Cues.
-
Guns and Firearm
Compressed Air Guns, Parts of Guns and Firearms, Realistic Replicas of Firearms, Ammunition, BB guns, Pellet Guns.
-
Martial Arts and Self Defence Items
Black Jacks, Kubatons, Martial Arts Weapons, Nunchakus, Stun Guns/Shocking Devices, Billy Clubs, Mace/Pepper Spray Throwing Stars.
One needs to be cautious about the items that they pack during their journey with Air India.
So, have hassle-free travel experience. Stick by the baggage allowance set by the airlines on their international trip to India from the USA.