Air New Zealand Proposed Domestic Baggage Improvements

Air New Zealand confirms today it is planning to introduce a simplified baggage allowance process for domestic passengers later in the year.

This would see the current weight based allowance for checked-in baggage replaced by a piece system.

Under the proposed piece system, customers would be entitled to one piece of checked-in baggage weighing up to 30kg, providing customers with up to 10kg more baggage than they are currently allowed.

Domestic customers today have an allowance of 20kg, with excess baggage charges of $5 per kg over that allowance. Under the current system, 30kg of baggage costs the customer $50 in excess baggage charges.

Under the new proposed piece system, customers wishing to travel with an additional bag would be charged $10 for that second bag, which could also weigh up to 30kg. This would provide significant savings compared to today’s weight allowance where this amount of additional weight costs the customer up to $150.

“This is a customer led initiative as a result of our customers telling us very clearly that they hate the restriction and cost involved because of the weight system,” says Air New Zealand Group General Manager Short Haul Airline Bruce Parton.

“Not knowing if you’re over the 20kg weight allowance when you get to the airport is a huge worry for people. This would eliminate that.”

“It is part of a wider project to simplify the domestic experience and reduce the amount of time people need to spend in queues at the airport.”