Vietnam Airlines changes its baggage policy.

According to the baggage allowance policy, for carry-on baggage, economy class passengers are allowed one piece of carry-on baggage with a maximum total weight of 10kg and an accessory bag of 2kg (for a laptop), instead of 7kg as before. For checked baggage, economy class passengers are allowed one piece of 23kg on domestic flights within Vietnam, Northeast Asia, Europe, and Australia, instead of 20kg as before, and are allowed two pieces, each not exceeding 23kg, on flights to Japan and the Americas.

Premium Economy passengers are entitled to two pieces of baggage, each not exceeding 23kg, on routes to Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, Western Europe, Australia, and the Americas. However, on the Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh City route, Premium Economy passengers have the same allowance as Business Class: one piece of baggage not exceeding 32kg.

Business class passengers are entitled to a free baggage allowance of 1 piece weighing no more than 32kg on domestic flights within Vietnam and Southeast Asia, and up to 2 pieces, each weighing no more than 32kg, on flights to Northeast Asia, Europe, Australia, and the Americas.

In other words, passengers need to prepare in advance, packing their luggage neatly according to the specified number of pieces or purchasing additional baggage allowance. For example, the free checked baggage allowance for domestic flights has been increased from 20 kg to 23 kg, but passengers must pack everything into one piece, not several separate pieces (suitcases of clothes, boxes of fruit, etc.) as before.

This new baggage policy by Vietnam Airlines aims to reduce the rate of lost baggage; provide faster flight service and reduce delays; and help passengers retrieve their baggage more quickly, meeting the requirements for protecting the health of baggage handlers at the airport.

To ensure passengers carry-on baggage complies with regulations, Vietnam Airlines' check-in area will have a weighing and measuring frame, along with baggage tags, for gate staff to inspect.

Mr. Dang Anh Tuan, Head of Marketing and Product (Vietnam Airlines), said that previously, passengers often brought many pieces of checked baggage such as suitcases of clothes, boxes of fruit, etc. When exceeding the weight limit, the airline would charge extra fees based on the excess weight. With the new policy, if baggage exceeds the size or weight limit, the extra fee will be calculated as one additional piece.

Specifically, Vietnam Airlines charges an additional baggage fee of 600,000 VND per piece for domestic flights. For international flights, the additional fee per piece ranges from 60 to 230 USD depending on the route (Southeast Asia, Europe, the US, Australia). Previously, baggage was charged at 5 to 30 USD/kg depending on the route.

Based on the data, the average passenger does not carry more than 20 kg of checked baggage, so the policy change will not significantly affect passengers. If passengers need to carry more, additional fees will apply; however, the airline has reduced the pre-purchase price by 50% to encourage passengers to proactively purchase the necessary baggage allowance.

Additional information:

The piece-based baggage policy is being adopted by many airlines worldwide, including Air France, Aeroflot, British Airways, Lufthansa, All Nippon Airways, and Korean Air. A representative from Vietnam Airlines stated that the airline has joined Skyteam, with 15 out of 19 airlines applying the piece-based baggage policy, and therefore had to adapt to ensure consistency. This change facilitates connecting passengers with other airlines.

PV