Frequently asked questions about baggage

As a general rule, the checked baggage allowance on Austrian flights is as follows:

Continental routes

• Economy: 1 x 23 kg (No free baggage allowance for Economy Basic and Economy Light fare)

• Business: 2 x 32 kg (Business Comfort fare: 1x 32 kg)

Intercontinental routes

• Economy: 1 x 23 kg (No free baggage allowance for Economy Light fare)

• Premium Economy: 2x 23 kg (Premium Economy Light fare: 1 x 23kg)

• Business: 2 x 32 kg (Business Light fare: 1x 32 kg)

• First: 3 x 32 kg

Baggage items must not exceed a total size of 158 cm (width + height + depth).

Baggage rules may differ on some routes. On flights operated by a partner airline, the rules of the operating airline apply.

You will find more information about this on our ​baggage allowances page.

No, the free baggage limit does not change.

1. As a general rule, baggage can be checked through when the following conditions are met:

• The connecting flight is departing from the same airport as the outbound flight (no change of airports).
• The connecting flight is scheduled on the same day or within 24 hours. Exception: with flights operated by United Airlines, the connection time must be within 12 hours, otherwise the flight is not counted as a connecting flight.
• The minimum transfer time is observed.
• Checking through is permitted under the regulations of the local authorities, e.g.: customs.

2. If you hold separate tickets, baggage may be checked in according to the above-mentioned general rules and if:

• the flight is operated by any airline within the Lufthansa Group;
  or
• the flight is operated by an airline of the Star Alliance. 

In all other cases, baggage may not be checked through for a connecting flight with separate tickets.

For flights where the destination and/or departure airports are not the same in both directions, or if you have a stopover of more than 24 hours, the baggage fee for the furthest distance will be charged on the entire route.

Yes, the excess baggage costs apply per bag and per leg.

Your free baggage allowance is printed on your  passenger receipt. If more baggage is accepted on a flight free of charge, there is no entitlement to more free baggage on other flights. Excess baggage is subject to a charge.

Yes, the first bag on the Economy Basic on short- and medium-haul flights and on Economy Light fare can be booked at your travel agency once your ticket has been issued for individuals booked as part of a group booking. Passengers booked as part of a group booking cannot purchase extra bags via austrian.com.

A valuables declaration must be made no later than 48 hours before departure. You can find more information on our liability provisions page.

If you have booked a journey with several airlines, the baggage rules that apply are those of the airline that flies the most significant leg of the journey (usually the geographically longest leg) and under whose flight number this leg was booked. It is irrelevant which airline actually operates the flight.

If your trip begins or ends in the USA or Canada, your baggage regulations are determined by the first airline stated on the ticket in accordance with the CTA (Canadian Transport Agency) and the US-DOT (United States Department of Transportation).

The Economy Basic fare on short- and medium-haul flights does not contain a carry-on baggage. In all other Economy fares you can take one item of hand luggage with you.

You may take two items of hand luggage in Business Class.

We recommend carrying your medication in a personal item in hand luggage in case your hand luggage has to be carried in the cargo hold.

You are generally responsible for your hand luggage and personal items. The liability of airlines is regulated by law. In any event, we recommend you take out a travel insurance policy for your bags.

You have the option of taking your musical instrument with you in the cabin. Depending on the weight and size, you can carry it with you as carry-on baggage or you must buy an extra ticket.

Small musical instruments may be taken into the cabin free of charge (except for Economy Basic fare on short- and medium-haul flights) if they are packed and do not exceed 125 cm (height + width + length) and 8 kg in weight.

Please note that your musical instrument replaces one piece of permitted carry-on baggage (55 x 40 x 23 cm) and that you may not be allowed to take any other carry-on baggage on board.

In addition, one personal item (maximum 40 x 30 x 15 cm) may be carried on board.

You can also bring and check in your musical instrument as additional baggage.

If your musical instrument exceeds dimensions of 125 cm (height + width + length) and/or a weight of 8 kg, please contact the service center to buy your ticket and an additional seat for your musical instrument. The additional seat must be booked at the same time as you book your own ticket. Prices for taking your musical instrument with you depend on the ticket prices available.

Please ensure that your musical instrument is packed in a hard protective case with as little room for movement as possible and with good padding. This is the only way we can ensure that it will not be damaged during carriage in the cargo hold. This also applies to musical instruments that cannot be accepted in the cabin as hand luggage and have to be loaded at short notice. Traditional transport cases are not suitable for carriage.

Musical instruments that you wish to book to take with you in the cabin must not exceed the following size and weight specifications:

• 155 x 42 x 25 cm (height x width x depth) for musical instruments that stand on the floor in front of the seat;
• 110 x 42 x 50 cm (height x width x depth) for musical instruments strapped to the seat; and
• maximum weight 75 kg.

Report the loss to the lost luggage office of the airport concerned.

You can add checked bag on the Basic fare on short- and medium-haul flights or on the Light fare via our website, the Austrian Airlines Guest Service Team, your travel agency or directly at the airport. The price for purchasing a bag at the airport will be greater than if you purchase an additional bag in advance. The fee is charged once for the outbound and once for the return trip.

In addition, the Economy Basic fare on short- and medium-haul flights does not include a carry-on baggage. You can book a carry-on baggage online via My Bookings or through the Service Center. It is not possible to purchase a carry-on baggage at the airport.

Note: In the event of interruptions to your journey (stopovers), the baggage fee must be paid again.

The first bag can only be purchased in connection with a Basic on short- and medium-haul flights or a Light fare. This bag costs less than an additional bag (excess baggage).