Special Baggage

When You Have Non-Standard Baggage

Whether it is your favourite cello or prized golf club, we are committed to safely transferring your special baggage. While all cabin baggage is subject to security clearance, you can stow small musical instruments in the cabin if they meet dimension and weight requirements. Book an extra seat for possessions like diplomatic mail, expensive and fragile articles (antiques, artefacts, heirlooms, etc.), and non-bulky musical instruments.

Special-baggage

Points to consider while carrying special baggage

  • The weight of the baggage must not exceed 75 kg/165 lb.
  • Baggage must be packed well to avoid injury to other passengers.
  • Secure the baggage in a seat adjacent to you with the seat belt to avoid mishaps during the flight.
  • It must not restrict access to the emergency exits or aisle of the cabin.
  • It must not obscure passengers’ view of the seat belt, no smoking, and exit signage.
  • Baggage must not contain dangerous goods.
  • The seat for baggage must be prepaid and booked in advance.

Sports equipment

Here is what you need to keep in mind while carrying sports equipment.

Golfing equipment

  • One golf kit with a bag and a pair of shoes will be charged as equal to 6 kg/13 lb of excess baggage.
  • Only one such kit can be pooled in the free baggage allowance of a given travel class. Additional charges will apply in the absence of free baggage allowance.
  • Excess baggage fee will apply if the golf kit weighs more than 15 kg/33 lb.

Snow or water-skiing equipment

  • The kit can contain a pair of skis, a pair of boots, one snowboard, and a single pair of standard water skis.
  • Standard charges equivalent to 3 kg/7 lb of excess baggage will apply.
  • One skiing kit can also be carried under a free baggage allowance. Additional charges will apply in the absence of free baggage allowance.
  • Anything in addition to the ski kit will be charged the normal excess baggage rate.
  • Applicable excess baggage will be charged at 33%.

Angling Kit

  • The angling kit shall be treated as equivalent to 4 kg/9 lb of excess baggage.
  • The kit may be pooled with a free baggage allowance. The passenger will be charged if it weighs more than the baggage allowance.
  • Normal excess baggage rate will apply if the angling kit weighs more than 15 kg/ 33 lb.

Sporting equipment for the USA and Canada

For golfing kits and surfboarding equipment

  • The kit will be charged at 50% of the excess baggage charge.
  • Only one kit per passenger can be pooled with the free baggage.
  • The excess weight of an additional kit shall be charged as an extra piece.

Rules for carrying bulky, fragile items, and large musical instruments

Under normal circumstances, passengers will not be permitted to carry bulky musical instruments or other fragile items in the cabin. These items may cause inconvenience to other passengers and can be a safety risk or hazard in case of turbulent weather or emergencies.

  • Passengers are required to pack these items adequately when taking them as checked-in baggage.
  • When the packing of an item is not suitable for checked-in baggage, it will be marked with a Limited Release tag. Before dropping off the luggage at the Air India counter, the passenger must put in their signature to indicate that Air India is not liable for any damages.
  • We will attach a Fragile label to the item to identify and ensure that baggage containing fragile items is handled with care.

For items that meet requirements, you can book an extra seat to carry them in the cabin.

Rules for carrying arms and ammunition

Domestic flights

  • A passenger can carry one licensed revolver, pistol or shotgun and fifty cartridges in the registered baggage. The passenger should first declare the arms at check-in and meet all safety and security requirements.
  • A prescribed form must be filled in by the passenger and verified by the airport manager.
  • There is no provision to carry weapons and ammunition on ATR (Aerospatiale/Alenia) flights. A handling charge of INR 5000 (plus GST) per firearm and/or 50 cartridges will be levied per passenger.

The following categories of passengers are exempted from paying the handling charge:

  • The serving personnel from Indian Defence Forces, Para Military Forces, Police and customs officials travelling on duty and carrying an official Movement Order issued by their concerned department authorizing the carriage of weapon and/or ammunition for official purpose.
  • Sportspersons travelling either domestic or international for a competition or representing the country, provided they fulfil the following conditions: 
    • Identification document of the sportsperson. Evidence of identity can be established by a photo identity card issued by a government agency or the sponsoring club.
    • Valid licence/authorization of firearms and ammunition.
    • Bonafide for carriage of arms and ammunition based on a written document issued by the president or secretary of the sports club sponsoring them for the shooting event.

Contact us for further details before booking the ticket.

International flights

  • The above rules will also apply to our international sectors, subject to local laws and necessary permits.
  • Air India will levy a handling charge of USD 100 (or equivalent amount plus local taxes) per firearm and/or 50 cartridges.