When it comes to checked in luggage entitlements, Japan Airlines has to be the most generous in Asia to date, with two pieces of 23kg luggage each for Economy Class passengers or three pieces of 32kg luggage in Business and First Class. And if you are a premium member of Japan Airline’s frequent flyer programme (JMB FLY ON or JGC), you get one more piece of luggage allowance. That means three x 32 kg luggage in Economy and Premium Economy and four x 32kg luggage on Business and First class. This allowance is given to passengers flying on Japan Airlines operated flights. Maximum luggage measurement should not exceed 203cm.
We take a look at international luggage allowances of some of the other Asian airlines and compare them here.
All Nippon Airways offers its Economy and Premium Economy Class passengers an allowance of only one x 23kg checked in luggage. Business Class Passengers get two x 32kg per luggage and First Class passengers get the same allowance of three x 32 kg luggage as in Japan Airlines. ANA Premium members and Star Alliance Gold members get an additional free luggage allowance.
Asiana Air allows all passengers to check in up to two pieces of baggage when flying on U.S. routes. In Economy each piece cannot exceed 23kg while in Business and First, each piece cannot exceed 32kg. Diamond, Diamond Plus and Platinum Asiana Club members get and additional luggage allowance based on class of travel. For all other destinations, Economy class passengers are entitled to 20kg luggage allowance, while Business and First Class passengers are entitled to 30kg and 40kg luggage allowance. Gold Asiana Club members additional 10kg allowance, while Diamond (Star Alliance Gold) members enjoy additional 20kg allowance and Diamond Plus, Platinum members enjoy an additional 30kg allowance.
Korean Air offers an allowance of two pieces at 23kg per piece for Economy passengers flying to and from Americas and one piece at 23kg for Economy passengers travelling to other international destinations except America. Prestige and First class passengers enjoy an allowance of two and three pieces of 32 kg per piece respectively. Maximum measurement per luggage cannot exceed 158cm. Morning Calm Club members enjoy a waiver of overweight fee for one piece excluding travel to and from Americas. Morning Calm Premium Club members get an additional one piece of 32 kg luggage allowance in First and Prestige Class or additional one piece of 23 kg in Economy class. Million Miler Club members are entitled to additional one piece of 32kg luggage.
China Airlines offers a weight system for flights to and from countries other than U.S., Canada and certain countries in South/Central America. Economy passengers get a 20kg allowance, while Business Class passengers get 30kg and First Class passengers get 40kg. Paragon/Emerald/SkyTeam Elite Plus members enjoy an extra 20kg allowance. Gold/SkyTeam Elite members enjoy an extra 10kg allowance. For flights to and from U.S., Canada and certain countries in South/Central America, a maximum of two pieces of luggage is allowed for check in in all classes. The maximum weight per luggage is 23kg for Economy and 32kg for Business and First. Paragon member on flights operated by CI/AE code get additional two more pieces and one extra piece for flights operated by SkyTeam member airlines. Gold and Emerald members get 1 extra piece.
EVA Air offers a weight system allowance to all destinations except the U.S., Canada and certain South/Central American countries. Economy passengers enjoy a 20kg allowance, while Evergreen Deluxe/Elite passengers get 25kg allowance while Business/Premium Laurel and Royal Laurel passengers get a 30kg allowance. For Flights between U.S., Canada and certain countries in South and Central America, Economy passengers are entitled to two pieces with each luggage not exceeding 23kg. Evergreen Deluxe/Elite passengers get two pieces not exceeding 28kg each while Business/Premium Laurel/Royal Laurel passengers get two pieces not exceeding 32kg each. Diamond Card, Gold Card & Star Alliance Gold members enjoy 20kg extra luggage allowance or 1 additional piece at 23 kg for America and Canada. Silver Card members enjoy 10kg additional baggage allowance or one additional piece weighing no more than 23kg for America and Canada.
Cathay Pacific has no restriction on the number of pieces checked-in. Instead the allowance is based on maximum combined weight. In Economy, the allowance is 20kg, Premium Economy 25kg, Business 30kg and First 40kg. Marco Polo Club members get additional allowance of 10kg for Silver, 15kg for Gold and 20kg for Diamond. For flights to Central, North and South Americas, you can only check in up to 2 pieces of luggage regardless of class of travel. Total dimensions of each piece should not exceed 158cm and the maximum weight per bag is 23kg for Economy, 25kg for Premium Economy, 32kg for Business and 32kg for First. Members of Marco Polo Club get to check in three pieces.
Thai Airways also offers a checked luggage policy by weight. Economy passengers get 20kg, Premium Economy Class 30kg, Royal Silk Class (Business) 30kg and Royal First Class 40kg. Royal Orchid Plus (ROP) and Star Alliance Gold Members get an extra 20kg while ROP Silver member flying on Thai Airways sectors only get an extra 10kg. For travel to and from North America, passengers in all classes can check in 2 luggage. In Economy, the allowance is 23kg, while Royal Silk and Royal First Class passengers enjoy 32 kg luggage allowance. Maximum dimension of the bag should not exceed 158cm. ROP Gold cardmembers will be given one extra luggage allowance.
Malaysia Airlines offers a checked luggage policy by weight to all destinations except for North and South America. Economy passengers enjoy a checked in allowance of 30kg while Business Class passengers enjoy a 40kg allowance and First Class passengers get a 50kg allowance. For flights to and from North and South America, Economy passengers are entitled to two pieces at 23kg each while Business and First Class passengers get to check in two pieces of 32kg luggage. Enrich Platinum members get an additional 100% extra checked baggage allowance, while Enrich Gold members get 50% extra and Enrich Silver members enjoy 5% extra. Maximum dimension of the bag should not exceed 158cm.
Singapore Airlines also operates on a weight concept for flights to and from all destinations except the U.S. or Brazil. In Economy, the allowance is 20kg, Business 30kg and First/Suites 40kg. PPS Club members get 100% extra while KrisFlyer Elite Gold and Star Alliance Gold enjoy 20kg extra. For flights to and from U.S. or Brazil, the allowance is two pieces in all classes with a maximum weight per luggage of 23 kg for U.S. flights and 32kg for Brazil flights. PPS Club members are entitled to 100% extra while KrisFlyer Gold and Star Alliance Gold members are entitled to one extra piece. Total dimensions of each piece should not exceed 158cm. (Update: Singapore Airlines increased its allowance of more free checked-in baggage allowance from 15 November 2013 for all SIA and SilkAir flights. Checked-in baggage allowances was increased to 30kg in Economy, 40kg in Business Class and 50kg in Suites and First Class. For flights to and from the United States, Suites, First and Business Class get to check in two pieces of up to 32kg each instead of the previous 23kg)
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