Frequently asked questions about baggage

Each of our fares includes at least one item of hand luggage. You will find more information about this on our ​baggage allowances page.

No, the free baggage limit does not change.

1. As a general rule, baggage can be checked through when the following conditions are met:

• The connecting flight is departing from the same airport as the outbound flight (no change of airports).
• The connecting flight is scheduled on the same day or within 24 hours. Exception: with flights operated by United Airlines, the connection time must be within 12 hours, otherwise the flight is not counted as a connecting flight.
• The minimum transfer time is observed.
• Checking through is permitted under the regulations of the local authorities, e.g.: customs.

2. If you hold separate tickets, baggage may be checked in according to the above-mentioned general rules and if:

• the flight is operated by any airline within the Lufthansa Group;
  or
• the flight is operated by an airline of the Star Alliance. 

In all other cases, baggage may not be checked through for a connecting flight with separate tickets.

For flights where the destination and/or departure airports are not the same in both directions, or if you have a stopover of more than 24 hours, the baggage fee for the furthest distance will be charged on the entire route.

Yes, the excess baggage costs apply per bag and per leg.

Your free baggage allowance is printed on your  passenger receipt. If more baggage is accepted on a flight free of charge, there is no entitlement to more free baggage on other flights. Excess baggage is subject to a charge.

Yes, the first bag on the Light fare can be booked at your travel agency once your ticket has been issued for individuals booked as part of a group booking. Passengers booked as part of a group booking cannot purchase extra bags via austrian.com.

A valuables declaration must be made no later than 48 hours before departure. You can find more information on our liability provisions page.

If you have booked a journey with several airlines, the baggage rules that apply are those of the airline that flies the most significant leg of the journey (usually the geographically longest leg) and under whose flight number this leg was booked. It is irrelevant which airline actually operates the flight.

If your trip begins or ends in the USA or Canada, your baggage regulations are determined by the first airline stated on the ticket in accordance with the CTA (Canadian Transport Agency) and the US-DOT (United States Department of Transportation).

Yes, you can take one item of hand luggage with you.

You may take two items of hand luggage in Business Class.

We recommend carrying your medication in a personal item in hand luggage in case your hand luggage has to be carried in the cargo hold.

You are generally responsible for your hand luggage and personal items. The liability of airlines is regulated by law. In any event, we recommend you take out a travel insurance policy for your bags.

You have the option of taking your musical instrument with you in the cabin. Depending on the weight and size, you can carry it with you as hand luggage or you must buy an extra ticket. You can also take your musical instrument with you as an additional bag and check it in.

Please ensure that your musical instrument is packed in a hard protective case with as little room for movement as possible and with good padding. This is the only way we can ensure that it will not be damaged during carriage in the cargo hold. This also applies to musical instruments that cannot be accepted in the cabin as hand luggage and have to be loaded at short notice. Traditional transport cases are not suitable for carriage.

Please ensure you contact our Service Centre if your musical instrument exceeds dimensions of 55 x 40 x 23 cm and/or a weight of 8 kg. You must then buy an additional seat. This must be booked at the same time as you book your own ticket. Prices for taking your musical instrument with you depend on the ticket prices available.

Musical instruments that you wish to book to take with you in the cabin must not exceed the following size and weight specifications:

• 155 x 42 x 25 cm (height x width x depth) for musical instruments that stand on the floor in front of the seat;
• 110 x 42 x 50 cm (height x width x depth) for musical instruments strapped to the seat; and
• maximum weight 75 kg.

Report the loss to the lost luggage office of the airport concerned.

You can add the first bag on the Light fare via our website, the Austrian Airlines Guest Service Team, your travel agency or directly at the airport. The price for purchasing a bag at the airport will be greater than if you purchase an additional bag in advance. The fee is charged once for the outbound and once for the return trip.

Note: In the event of interruptions to your journey (stopovers), the baggage fee must be paid again.

The first bag can only be purchased in connection with a Light fare. This bag costs less than an additional bag (excess baggage).