FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Your baggage allowance will be indicated on your tickets. If you have an e-ticket, the baggage allowance information can be found ViewTrail - view your booking on-line. This information will normally be made available within a few weeks of your travel date. If you require this information earlier, please contact us.

As a general guide only, please note the following:

The "Weight System"

• Passengers travelling in Economy class to destinations that DO NOT include the United States or Canada are usually permitted 20kg of baggage for airport check-in.
• Passengers travelling in Business class to destinations that DO NOT include the United States or Canada are usually permitted 30kg of baggage for airport check-in.
• Passengers travelling in First class to destinations that DO NOT include the United States or Canada are usually permitted 40kg of baggage for airport check-in (First class passengers should note that the maximum weight of a single item of luggage will be 32kg).

The "Piece System"

Where journeys are to, from or include the United States or Canada, the Piece System is generally used. Passengers are permitted one or two pieces of baggage, dependant on the airline and the class of travel. Each piece must not exceed 158cm measured as the length plus the width plus the height. In addition, the checked allowance for each piece is 23kg, dependent on the airline (please contact your travel consultant for details). Any piece over 23 kg will incur an excess baggage fee however, please note that no one piece of baggage can exceed 32kg (70lbs) for health and safety reasons.

Round the World Tickets

These are specific tickets booked by Trailfinders, namely 'The Great Escapade', 'One World Explorer', 'Global Explorer', 'Star Alliance' and 'World Walkabout'. All Round the World tickets permit passengers to use the Piece System.

Notable Exceptions

• Internal flights within North America also use a 23kg Piece System, but airlines charge per piece, unless the internal flight connects to an intercontinental flight ON THE SAME TICKET in which case the international baggage allowance applies.
• Lagos - The Piece System can apply for some flights to Lagos, Nigeria. Currently, Air France (from London Heathrow and Manchester only), Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways are the only carriers where this applies. For other carriers assume the 20kg maximum weight rule.
• British Airways offer a Piece System to all destinations, which varies from 1 piece to 3 pieces of baggage up to a maximum weight of 23kg per piece dependant on destination and cabin of travel.
• Virgin Atlantic Airways
will operate a similar piece system from 25 November 09, with 1 to 3 pieces of baggage up to a maximum weight of 23kg per piece dependant on destination and cabin of travel.
• Qantas Airways use the Piece System flying west to Australia from the UK and a 23kg weight limit flying east to Australia from the UK.
• Qatar Airways will offer 30kg on specific routes.
• Jet Airways will offer 28kg or more on specific routes.