Finnair backtracks on cuts to luggage allowance
The Oneworld member reverses course on its controversial baggage restrictions.
By David Flynn, December 14 2023
Business class travellers are accustomed to receiving a generous checked baggage allowance as part of their higher fare and premium passenger experience, so they were seriously stung when Finnair slashed the limits for both carry-on and checked luggage in its premium cabins earlier this year.
Sweeping changes to Finnair’s baggage rules saw the standard carry-on allowance in business class dropped to just 8kg, while only one bag weighing up to 23kg was permitted under the complimentary allowance.
Fees for additional checked luggage ranged from €29 for flights within Europe and €75 for flights to/from Asia if prepaid online – but if you left it until arriving at the airport check-in counter, each extra bag could cost €60 for flights within Europe and €120 for flights to/from Asia.
That’s all changing again this week, but pleasingly for the better, with Finnair winding back those changes and resetting the luggage limits on Business Classic and Business Flex tickets at two checked bags of up to 32kg each.
Of course, travellers booking Finnair’s ‘unbundled’ Business Light fare are not entitled to any checked luggage at all, although Finnair Plus Gold and Platinum frequent flyers and their Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald equivalents still get one piece of checked luggage as a complimentary status perk.
As previously reported, the airline now also permits 12kg of carry-on, which covers one standard cabin bag and one smaller ‘personal’ bag.
The Finnish flag-carrier member is a popular choice for Australians headed for Europe and connecting via Singapore and Bangkok, especially on a Oneworld itinerary with partner Qantas.
In fact, a Finnair A330 is now flying between Sydney and Singapore as part of a long-term lease agreement with Qantas, which brings the airline’s unique non-reclining business class seat onto the route, along with premium economy recliners.
Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles
16 Oct 2017
Total posts 159
Is this just Finnair or are we about see all the others do it too? Making it retrospective to apply to already bought tickets is a) insulting and b) may be a breach of contract. Anyway, Finnair has obviously embraced the Ryanair doctine - if you can make the punters pay more then do it and grin.
22 Jan 2019
Total posts 15
The two bags @32kg each is for new bookings not those booking between June and Dec 10, which I have for flights in April.
Interestingly my baggage allowance has gone from 1x23kg to 2x23kg.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
05 Oct 2016
Total posts 117
I fly business class because they never question you or challenge you (in my many experiences) on carry on bags which I only do in order to travel light and fast for short overseas trips. If other airlines I use are going to start weighing and limiting this, I'll be changing loyalties fast... Like the ridiculous Sydney Airport QF domestic security nonsense...
06 Oct 2021
Total posts 6
What nonsense at Sydney domestic security are you referring to? Are they checking your carry-on at security?
25 Feb 2015
Total posts 68
Yes that’s exactly what they’ve started doing. Does anyone know what they get you to do if it’s overweight? Go to the service desk and ask for another bag to be checked in on an already-completed baggage drop?
06 Oct 2021
Total posts 6
Twice last year, I was flying Jetstar, made it to the airport way early and went into the Qantas lounge before being able to drop my luggage at Jetstar. So I took it in the lounge. It wasn't a 23kg suitcase but a large backpack that fitted through the machine but would not have qualified as Qantas carry-on. Also as far as I know you don't even have to have a boarding pass to go through security and may very well bring a bag airside.
If they warn you at security that you won't be able to take it on board and rather check it now, that could actually be helpful. But they shouldn't enforce it at security (don't know if they do).
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
05 Sep 2016
Total posts 14
It's disappointing that Finnair chose not to provide the more generous baggage allowance for bookings already made as it would have bought them plenty of good will.
30 May 2018
Total posts 35
What no one seems to have decrypted in this story is why Finnair made such an obviously unpopular move in their premium cabin: it’s simple. Take a look at a globe (not a map) and you’ll see what has changed for Finnair with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. They used to have an express route from Helsinki to the Asia Pacific region. Now all those flight have gone from shortest to close to longest EU - Asia routes due to avoidance of Russian air space.
They are fighting for survival with mushrooming fuel costs and this was I presume a desperate measure to offset those costs by lowering take off weight.
Clearly the blowback was not worth it. Interesting to see what they do with fares.
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