Checked Baggage

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Checked baggage is defined as the baggage that passengers may check-in with Air China to be transported to the flight destination.  When checking bags, a baggage tag should be issued.

For domestic and international flights (with the exception of US-China and Canada-China routes), passengers holding adult-fare or half-fare tickets are entitled to a free baggage allowance of 40kg (88 lbs)  for first class, 30kg (66 lbs) for business class and 20kg (44 lbs) for economy class. Any checked in baggage weight that exceeds the free baggage allowance as stated above will be charged at a rate of 1.5% of the one-way non-stop economy class full published fare per kilogram.

Please note that on routes between the US and China, the number of bags that are allowed to be checked is subject to limits.

New Checked Baggage Policy on Routes between the US and China:

General Rules
Economy Class Baggage Allowance

• Two bags per passenger may be checked free of charge
• Maximum dimensions of each piece should not exceed 158cm (62 inches)
• Maximum dimensions of two pieces should not exceed 273cm (107 inches)
• Weight allowance for each piece is 23kg (50 lbs)

Business and First Class Baggage Allowance

• Two bags per passenger may be checked free of charge
• Maximum dimensions of each piece should not exceed 158cm (62 inches)
• Weight allowance for each piece is 32kg (70 lbs)

Platinum Card Members Baggage Allowance

• Three bags per passenger may be checked free of charge
• Maximum dimensions for each piece should not exceed 158cm (62 inches)
• Weight allowance for each piece is 32kg (70 lbs)

Gold, Prime Gold and Silver Card Members Baggage Allowance

• Two bags per passenger may be checked free of charge
• Maximum dimensions of each piece should not exceed 158cm (62 inches)
• Weight allowance for each piece is 32kg (70 lbs)

Infants paying 10% of adult fare Baggage Allowance

• One bag per passenger may be checked free of charge
• Maximum dimensions of each piece should not exceed 115cm (45 inches)
• Baby stroller (if able to fold) or carrying basket may be checked free of charge

Items regarded as baggage if dimensions do not exceed 158cm (62 inches)

• Sleeping bag or bedroll
• Rucksack, knapsack, backpack
• Snowboard/Ski equipment – A ski bag containing one pair of skis/one snowboard and poles.  A boot bag containing one pair of ski boots.
• Golf equipment - Golf bag containing golf clubs and one pair of golf shoes
• Duffle-type bag or a type 22 bag
• Bicycle - Single seat touring or racing bicycle, non-motorized packed properly with handlebars turned sideways and pedals are removed
• Standard water surfboard, wake board or pair of standard water skis
• Fishing equipment – Properly packed equipment containing not more than two fishing rods, one reel, one landing net, one pair of fishing boots and one tackle box
• Sporting firearms- one rifle case containing not more than 2 rifles, 5kg (11 lbs) of ammunition, one shooting mat, a noise suppressor and small rifle tools, or two shotguns and two shotgun cases, or one pistol case containing not more than 5 pistols, 5kg (11 lbs) of ammunition, noise suppressors, one pistol telescope and small pistol tools.  Acceptability of such firearms shall be subject to the carrier’s conditions
• Musical instruments not exceeding 100cm (39 inches) in length

Handicapped passengers may take a wheelchair and/or walking aids

Oversized and excess baggage

• Economy class passengers (not including Platinum, Gold or Silver Card members) will be charged RMB 200 (USD 25) for each piece of luggage that exceeds 23kg (50 lbs) up to 32kg (70 lbs)  and one single unit* if the dimensions of one bag exceeds 158cm (62 inches) or if two bags exceed 273cm (107 inches).
• All classes and elite card members will be charged one single unit* for each additional bag exceeding the two piece limit (three piece limit for Platinum Card members).
• All classes and elite card members will be charged one single unit* for each bag with dimensions exceeding 158cm (62 inches) up to 203cm (80 inches), as long as piece and weight allowances are not exceeded.
• All classes and elite card members will be charged two single units* for each additional bag exceeding two pieces with dimensions exceeding 158cm (62 inches) up to 203cm (80 inches).
• All classes and elite card members will be charged three single units* for each bag with dimensions exceeding 203cm (80 inches) and/or the weight of 32kg (70 lbs) up to 45kg (99 lbs).
• Baggage weighing more than 45kg (99 lbs) will not be accepted as checked baggage.

*Unit rate chart for oversized and excess baggage on US-China Routes

USA-China excluding Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR

BETWEEN	Points in Hawaii	Los Angeles / Portland(PDX) / San Francisco / Seattle	Puerto Rico / US Virgin Islands	Other US Points
AND China excluding Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR	CNY 700 / USD 91	CNY 900 / USD 118	CNY 1200 / USD 158	CNY1080 / USD 142

 

Additional information

• When passengers are connecting flights, the new baggage policy applies for any domestic segments that are in conjunction with international segments.
• If there are any problems with the baggage on a flight, any claims will be processed in accordance with the new baggage policy.
• Passengers taking code-share flights with Air China and other carriers, please refer to the checked baggage policy of the operating carrier.