Air Algérie Sets New Free Luggage Procedures

Air Algerie announced new procedures related to the luggage allowed on board its flights, which will come into effect as of October 29, as part of a plan to adapt to the procedures in force among modern airlines.

A statement by the national airline company, checked out by Echorouk, said: “Air Algerie informs its valued customers that as of October 29, 2023, the company will move from the baggage system by weight to the baggage system by pieces.”

As is known, the higher the plane’s weight, the greater the fuel consumption and vice versa. Therefore, airlines impose additional fees on excess baggage weight.

Air Algérie’s document on the new baggage policy, seen by Echorouk, indicates that when booking or purchasing a ticket, the customer notices a phrase indicating the number of pieces of luggage allowed, as the phrase (1Pc) means that one free bag is permitted, and (2Pc) means two pieces of baggage are allowed for free.

The document stated that the length, width and height of a piece of registered baggage must not exceed 158 centimetres and weigh 23 kilograms, and the baggage for children between 2 and 12 years old are the same as those allowed for adults.

According to the document, the implementation of the new procedures for baggage weight is divided according to destinations, as it is divided into 7 regions: France, international destinations (Europe and Tunisia), the Middle East, Turkey, long-haul flights, Africa, and flights to and from international destinations that stop at Algiers International Airport.

For flights from and to France, there are 10 airports concerned: Paris (Charles de Gaulle and Orly), Metz, Mulhouse, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Montpellier and Nice, where two pieces of luggage are allowed for first and business class, while for economy and premium class, only one bag is allowed.

As for international destinations, which include Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Tunisia and Russia, two pieces of free luggage are allowed for business class and one bag for economy and premium class.

Regarding the Middle East destinations, which include the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan, the free pieces of baggage are 3 bags for business class and 2 bags (two pieces) for economy and premium class.

As for Turkey, despite its classification in Zone C, the permitted pieces for business class are two bags and only one for economy and premium class.

Long-haul flights that include Canada, China, Ethiopia, and South Africa, allow three pieces in business class and two pieces in economy and premium class.

The African destinations, which include Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mauritania, Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon for business class allow two pieces and one free piece for tourist (economic) class.

As for flights to and from international destinations that stop at Algiers International Airport, two pieces are allowed for free, whether in business or economic (tourist) class.

It is noted that the document did not provide details about the free bags (pieces) allowed for Hajj and Umrah flights to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and merely referred to Jeddah and Medina airports, but without including details of the permitted pieces, which is an indication of the special management of luggage for these two destinations given the difference that distinguishes them.