National carrier Vietnam Airlines will change its baggage allowance policy on all domestic and international flights next month, shifting from the current weight system to a piece-based policy. From August 1 2019, the airline’s free baggage allowance will be determined by the number of pieces of luggage rather than by a total weight allocation.
Time for Change
The piece-based policy is one that has already been widely adopted by major carriers including Air France, Cathay Pacific, Aeroflot, Lufthansa, All Nippon Airways and Korean Air. The change will unify Vietnam Airlines’ policies with such airlines, and make it more convenient for passengers who have connecting flights with other airlines. Passengers who have already purchased tickets on Vietnam Airlines before the effective date of the new rule are still eligible for the standard allowance indicated on their existing tickets.
New Allowances
With the new policy, Business class passengers will have a free allowance of 1 piece (32kg) on domestic Vietnam routes and Vietnam – Southeast Asia routes; 2 pieces (32kg/each) on Vietnam – Northeast Asia, Europe, Australia and US routes. Premium Economy passengers can have 2 pieces (23kg/each) on Vietnam – Northeast Asia, Europe, Australia and US routes, and 1 piece (32kg) on the Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) route. Economy Class passengers are entitled to carry 1 piece (23kg) on domestic Vietnam routes and Vietnam – Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, Europe, Australia routes, and 2 pieces (23kg/each) on Vietnam – Japan and US routes.
In terms of hand luggage, the number of pieces allowed remains the same, but the weight of each piece will be increased, with Premium Economy and Business class passengers allocated two pieces up to 18kg total, and Economy class passengers allowed one piece up to 12kg. Economy Class passengers with flights to and from Europe and Australia before December 31, 2019 will receive 1 extra piece of luggage allowance (23kg).
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