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 (subject to cabin baggage limitations).

Book an extra seat for possessions like diplomatic mail, expensive and fragile articles (antiques, artefacts, heirlooms, etc.), and non-bulky musical instruments.

Sports equipment

Air India considers golf equipment, bicycles, ski, and snowboard equipment, Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA), fishing equipment, and short boards as sports equipment.

Sports equipment will count towards your checked baggage allowance. A sporting equipment handling charge is applicable for all types of sports equipment listed below, regardless of whether it falls under Free Baggage Allowance (FBA).

Please note that maximum 2 sports equipment can be checked in per passenger.

Weight concept

Sporting equipment over and above 300 cm/118 in and 32 kg/71 lb will have to be sent separately as cargo.

Piece concept

The total dimensions (length + width + height) of the entire division of sporting equipment should not exceed 300 cm/118 in and 32 kg/71 lb. Any sporting equipment that exceeds the specified dimensions must be separately booked and shipped as cargo.

The standard extra baggage fees will be charged in addition to the sports equipment handling charges if the overall weight or number of bags including sports equipment exceeds your ticket baggage allowance.

Air India will levy a handling charge for domestic and international flights for any special baggage that is submitted as checked baggage. The fee details are listed below.

Type of travel	At airport handling charges
Domestic	INR 2000
International	USD 40

Note: Please reach out to our call centre for discounted rates up to 6 hours before departure.

A list of sporting equipment can be found below.

Golf equipment

One golf bag with a set of golf clubs, balls, and tees
One pair of golf shoes
Maximum number of baggage items: 1

Bicycles

One standard bicycle (non-motorised and no e-bikes) or one child bicycle trailer or one unicycle
Maximum number of baggage items: 1

Note: Bicycles can only be accepted if they are packed in a suitable bicycle travel case or a similar container. The customer is to ensure it is properly packed for transport.

Click here to know more about the carriage of a bicycle as checked baggage.

Ski and snowboard equipment

One item of baggage with one pair of skis or one snowboard
One item of baggage with one pair of ski poles and one pair of ski or snowboard boots
One helmet
Maximum number of baggage items: 2

Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA)**

One item of baggage with either a compressed air cylinder (please read the information below regarding this) or an empty oxygen cylinder
One item of baggage with diving goggles, snorkel, flippers, diving suit, buoyancy compensator/ Buoyancy Control Device (BCD) jacket, and regulator

** The following special conditions apply to customers wishing to carry scuba diving equipment. Please note the below-mentioned steps are as per the Dangerous Goods Regulations.

1. Oxygen Cylinder including empty oxygen cylinder for scuba is forbidden as per IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations Table 2.3.A .

2. a. Diving lamp and soldering iron (including all the heat producing devices) are allowed in checked and carry-on baggage, provided battery and heating element are isolated by removal of heating element, battery, or other component.

b. Remove batteries (if any) or carry them in your cabin baggage (Lithium ion up to 160 Wh and non-spillable up to 12 V and up to 100 Wh).

Know More about the number of batteries allowed.

3. a. Underwater camera is allowed in both checked and cabin baggage with battery power of up to 160 Wh. In checked baggage camera must be switched off and protected from damage by proper packing.

b. Remove batteries (if any) or carry them in your cabin baggage (lithium ion up to 160 Wh).

Know More about the number of batteries allowed.

Fishing equipment

One item of baggage with one fishing rod
One item of baggage with fishing gear
Maximum number of baggage items: 2

Short boards

One board that can be used for different sports
Maximum number of baggage items: 1

Special baggage

Dimensions and rules for carrying special baggage are mentioned below.

Rules for carrying LED/LCD

Maximum 2 LCD/LED TVs can be checked in per passenger
Standard excess baggage charges will apply in addition to the above if the total weight/number of bags exceeds the free baggage allowance
Maximum size of LED/LCD TVs accepted for carriage on flights is 139 cm/55 in
For LED/LCD TV up to 99 cm/39 in, no charge shall be levied provided the same is within the overall baggage limit; however, for each LCD/LED TV between 99 cm/39 in and 139 cm/55 in, oversize charges will apply.

Rules for carrying musical instruments

Musical instruments can be carried as checked baggage and/or as cabin seat baggage. Here's all you need to know about carrying musical instruments as checked baggage and/or as cabin seat baggage.

Checked baggage

Musical instruments like full-sized guitars that are too large for cabin baggage must be checked in. They will count towards your checked baggage allowance. If you go over the free baggage limit, standard extra baggage fees will apply.

Points to consider when checking-in your musical instruments

Passengers are required to pack these items adequately when taking them as checked-in baggage. The dimensions of the instrument should not exceed 158 cm/ 62 in. An oversize handling fee will be applicable if it exceeds the defined limit.
Should the items (and/or its packing) be unsuitable for checked-in baggage, the passenger must sign on a Limited Release tag, to indicate that Air India is not liable for any damages, before it is accepted at the counter.
We will attach a Fragile label to the item to identify and ensure that baggage containing fragile items is handled with care.
The weight of the baggage must not exceed 32 kg/71 lb.

Cabin seat baggage

If you do not want to check in your musical instrument, you can book an extra seat and we will secure it there.

Points to consider while carrying musical instruments into the cabin

The weight of the baggage must not exceed 75 kg/165 lb when carrying as cabin baggage.
Baggage must be packed well to avoid injury to other passengers.
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.
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, non-smoking, and exit signage.
Baggage must not contain dangerous goods.
The cabin-seat baggage must be prepaid and booked in advance.

Rules for carrying arms and ammunition

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.
For journeys involving other airlines, passengers are requested to check with the airlines concerned for their specific requirements and restrictions.

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

The serving personnel from Indian Defence Forces, Paramilitary 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.
The above rules will also apply to our international sectors, subject to local laws, restrictions, and necessary permits.

Handling charges for carrying arms and ammunition

Domestic Flights

A handling charge of INR 5000 (plus GST) per firearm and/or 50 cartridges will be levied per passenger.

International Flights

Air India will levy a handling charge of USD 100 (or equivalent amount plus local taxes) per firearm and/or 50 cartridges.