Malaysia Airlines woos passengers with higher baggage allowance lower excess baggage charges

In keeping with its Business Plan strategy of ‘Winning Back Customers’, effective today, Malaysia Airlines (MAS) is offering passengers an additional 10 kilograms free check-in baggage allowance and reduced excess baggage charges for travel in all classes.

The new limits of 30, 40, and 50 kgs in Economy, Business, and First class will apply to all MAS flights using the weight system concept for checked baggage. It is not applicable for Los Angeles where the baggage allowance is based on the piece system. The new allowances also apply to tickets issued earlier which show a lower free allowance.

The carrier also announced reduced charges for excess baggage weights over the new free allowance. The charges will be calculated on a ‘zone of travel’ basis, with a rate of Malaysian Ringgit 30, 60, or 90 applied for every five kilograms of excess baggage weight depending on the zone as detailed below. (Approx RM3=US$1 or RM1=Rs.18)

RM30 (Approx US$10) for each five kilo block for each sector travelled in the zone of Malaysia and the ASEAN countries of Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, Philippines, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia.

RM60 applies for sectors between Malaysia and destinations in India, China, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and Australia.

RM90 will be charged on all travel between Malaysia and the cities of Jeddah, London, Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt and Istanbul.

For return travel from the international cities, the RM value of the applicable zone charge will be converted into the local currency of payment during check-in.

The above guidelines apply only for travel on Malaysia Airlines and does not cover code-share flights as well as travel involving other airlines.

The Malaysian national carrier also streamlined cabin baggage rules for all its domestic and international flights. Guests travelling economy class are allowed one piece cabin baggage up to a maximum of seven kilograms. First and Business Class travellers are allowed two pieces of cabin baggage with a maximum weight of seven kilograms each.

From personal experience we can attest to the extra strict enforcement of this rule at London Heathrow Airport, even for Business and First class passengers.

About Devesh Agarwal

A electronics and automotive product management, marketing and branding expert, he was awarded a silver medal at the Lockheed Martin innovation competition 2010. He is ranked 6th on Mashable's list of aviation pros on Twitter and in addition to Bangalore Aviation, he has contributed to leading publications like Aviation Week, Conde Nast Traveller India, The Economic Times, and The Mint (a Wall Street Journal content partner). He remains a frequent flier and shares the good, the bad, and the ugly about the Indian aviation industry without fear or favour.

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