Aeroflot to strictly enforce hand baggage regulations

The aim is to improve passenger experience and bring additional safety to the cabin (ATO.ru)

In an attempt to combat the universal problem of travelers bringing too much hand baggage inside the passenger cabin, Russia’s largest carrier Aeroflot is tightening its control of carry-on baggage on all flights across its network from February 15.

The SkyTeam Alliance member, which carried 32.8 million passengers last year, explains that although there will be no changes to the hand luggage allowance rules, it will enhancing its enforcement of the existing rules.

A new hand baggage tracking system is being introduced as a result of frequent complaints from unhappy passengers that there is not enough space to accommodate their carry-on belongings inside the cabin. “Placing hand luggage that does not conform to the regulations in the overhead compartments prevents other passengers from being able to safely store their baggage in the cabin,” explains an Aeroflot statement. “This ultimately has a negative impact on passenger comfort and flight safety.”

Under the new regime, passengers must now present all baggage for pre-flight registration at the airport. This includes hand luggage and additional items carried at no extra charge in excess of the free-of-charge checked baggage and hand-baggage allowance.

Before boarding the aircraft, Aeroflot employees or the airport’s dispatch agents will assess all pieces of passengers’ hand luggage to check that they comply with the airline’s standards in terms of maximum size and weight, as well as according to the number of aircraft seats available.

Hand baggage that does not conform to the prescribed standards will instead be checked in with the hold luggage and, if exceeding the free baggage allowance included in the passenger’s ticket, will incur excess charges.

When there is a violation of the baggage rules, and should a passenger refuse to pay the excess charge as required by the terms stipulated in the passenger’s contract of carriage as per Article 107 of the Russian Air Code, Aeroflot reserves the right to refuse transport to the offending passenger.