If you’re planning to take a flight with your friends or family, you might be wondering if you can share your baggage allowance with them.
This practice, known as baggage pooling, can help you save money and space when packing your luggage.
But what exactly is baggage pooling, and how can you do it?
In this post, we’ll explain everything you need to know about baggage pooling, including its rules, benefits, drawbacks, and which airlines allow it.
Summary
- Confirm with your airline that your itinerary qualifies for baggage pooling.
- All your travel companions who are going to participate in the baggage pooling must be included in the same booking.
- You need to check in together at the same counter on the day of your flight’s departure.
- Each of your checked bags needs to adhere to your airline’s size and weight limits.
What is Baggage Pooling?
Baggage pooling is where passengers traveling on the same flight can combine their checked baggage allowances with each other.
Baggage pooling can be useful if one of you has more items to pack than the other, or if you want to avoid carrying too many suitcases. It can also help you avoid paying excess baggage fees if your luggage is slightly over the limit.
What are the Benefits of Baggage Pooling?
Save Money on Baggage Fees
By pooling your baggage allowance with your travel partners, you can avoid incurring additional fees for excess weight or extra bags.
This can be particularly beneficial when traveling with low-cost airlines, which often charge high fees for checked luggage.
Accommodate For Special Items or Needs
Some passengers may have special items that require more luggage space or weight, such as sports equipment or musical instruments.
Also, bags can be packed to accommodate passengers who are differently abled.
I recently took my mom on a holiday to Malaysia, and we flew with Singapore Airlines. As this airline allows baggage pooling, we were able to strategically pack our baggage so that I was responsible for most of the weight.
Travel More Efficiently
Strategic baggage pooling can significantly reduce the number of bags that you have to travel with.
Some passengers prefer to travel with less luggage and have more space and mobility. By sharing baggage, they can pack less and have fewer bags to carry and check in.
Save Time at the Airport
By checking in fewer bags, you can speed up the check-in process and avoid long queues at the baggage drop-off area. You can also save time at the baggage claim area by picking up fewer bags.
What are the Drawbacks of Baggage Pooling?
You May Have to Repack Your Bags at the Airport
If you don’t research your airline’s baggage policy beforehand and assume that baggage pooling is allowed, you may be in for quite a surprise at the airport.
If the airline does not allow baggage pooling, or if your pooled suitcase exceeds the weight limit, you may have to repack your luggage at the airport and redistribute the weight between two suitcases. This can be stressful and time-consuming, especially if you have a lot of items to pack.
You May Have Less Flexibility and Privacy with Your Luggage
If you pool your baggage allowance with someone else, you may have less control over what you pack and how you pack it. You may also have to share your personal belongings with someone else, which may compromise your privacy and security. You may also have trouble finding your items in a shared suitcase, especially if it is not well organized.
Risk Inconvenience or Discomfort
By packing fewer bags, you may have to sacrifice some of your personal items or preferences. Depending on how the luggage space is allocated, some travel companions may end up with less room to pack their belongings when compared to their baggage not being pooled.
This may cause friction or resentment within the travel group.
What are the Rules for Baggage Pooling?
The rules for baggage pooling vary depending on the airline and the destination. Some airlines allow baggage pooling while others prohibit it.
More often than not, it’s not mentioned in an airline’s baggage policy. Otherwise known as the Fight Club approach (Rule 1: You Do Not Talk About Baggage Pooling).
Having said that, I did reach out to several airlines to confirm their policy on baggage pooling. All the airlines were prompt and clear with their replies. Interestingly, every single airline that I contacted confirmed that they did allow baggage pooling.
So, assuming that you’ve confirmed that your airline allows baggage pooling for your specific itinerary, the rules that you need to follow are quite simple:
1. You Need to Be on the Same Booking
Airlines only allow combining or pooling baggage allowance between passengers who are under the same Passenger Name Record (PNR) or reservation.
This means that you need to book your tickets together and not separately. If you are not sure if you’re on the same booking, you can check your reservation email or contact your airline.
2. You Need to Check In Together
Airlines require that passengers who want to pool their baggage allowance must check in together at the airport counter at the same time. This is to verify that you’re on the same booking and that your total baggage weight doesn’t exceed the limit.
3. You Need to Follow the Size and Weight Limits
Even if your airline allows you to pool your baggage allowance, you still need to follow the size and weight limits for each bag imposed by the airline. For example, if the maximum weight per bag is 70 pounds (32 kilograms), you can’t pack a bag that weighs more than that, even if your total weight is within the limit.
Similarly, if the maximum size per bag is 62 linear inches (158 centimeters), you can’t pack a bag that exceeds that, even if your total size is within the limit.
If you do exceed these limits, you may be charged extra fees for oversized and/or overweight baggage.
Airlines and Baggage Pooling
The most important factor that determines whether an airline may allow you to baggage pool is if the baggage allowance for your itinerary follows the piece concept or weight concept.
Piece Concept
Using the piece concept an airline applies a checked baggage allowance by the number of bags, with each bag having a specified weight limit. Under the piece concept, the number of bags is fixed.
Weight Concept
The weight concept is applied differently. When this concept is used, the baggage allowance is expressed as a total weight limit. Unlike the piece concept, under the weight concept, you’re free to distribute your belongings in any number of bags as long as their total weight doesn’t exceed your baggage allowance.
Also, each individual bag must not exceed its size and weight limits. These limits are usually 62 linear inches (158 centimeters) and 50 pounds (23 kilograms) respectively.
Important: Essentially, baggage pooling is the weight concept applied at the reservation level. Instead of the total baggage allowance applying to an individual passenger, it applies to the booking as a whole.
Some airlines use both baggage allowance concepts. Generally, the piece concept is reserved for itineraries that originate or end in North America and the weight concept is applied for all other flights.
Airlines That Allow Combining or Pooling Baggage Allowance
Airlines that allow you to share your baggage allowance with your travel companions include:
Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus allows passengers traveling in the same booking to combine their baggage allowance together. This applies to flights within Europe, as well as to North America and the Caribbean.
Flights within Europe
If your Aer Lingus flight within Europe included a free 10 kilogram checked bag, you aren’t allowed to pool this baggage allowance.
However, all other checked bag purchases (20 kg, 25 kg, and 40 kg) can be pooled.
Checked Baggage Size and Weight Limits
Each checked bag can be up to 62 linear inches (158 centimeters) in size. Your checked bag can weigh up to 70 pounds (32 kilograms).
Air Asia
AirAsia permits baggage allowance sharing for passengers who are traveling in the same booking and are checking in together.
Checked Baggage Size and Weight Limits
When pooling your baggage, each bag can be up to 126 linear inches (319 centimeters) in size. Its weight can be no more than 70 pounds (32 kilograms).
For flights to or from the United States, each bag can weigh up to 44 pounds (20 kilograms).
Air Astana
Air Astana is another airline that allows passengers to combine their baggage allowance.
Something that distinguishes its policy apart from other airlines on this list is that a family traveling together is allowed to baggage pool, even if they’re not in the same booking. However, they must be on the same flight and check-in together.
For travel companions (non-family members) wanting to share their baggage, they must be on the same reservation.
Checked Baggage Size and Weight Limits
Checked bags can be no larger than 62 linear inches (158 centimeters). Each bag can weigh up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms).
airBaltic
airBaltic permits the pooling of baggage on their flights. All travel partners must be in the same reservation and be present at check-in together.
Checked Baggage Size and Weight Limits
When pooling your baggage, each checked bag can be up to 90 linear inches (230 centimeters) in size.
Your checked bag can weigh up to 70 pounds (32 kilograms). If a passenger is checking in 2 bags, only one can weigh up to 70 pounds (32 kilograms). The other bag can weigh up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms) only.
Cathay Pacific
For the past couple of years, Cathay Pacific has been transitioning all its checked baggage allowances from weight concept to piece concept.
However, if you purchase excess baggage, this can be shared with your travel companions as long as they are in the same reservation.
Cebu Pacific
I have to admit, this one surprised me.
You’re allowed to pool your baggage allowance with your travel companions on Cebu Pacific flights.
The usual conditions apply. All travel partners wanting to participate in the baggage pooling must be in the same booking and check in together.
Checked Baggage Size and Weight Limits
Cebu Pacific’s checked baggage size limit is a little unconventional. Your checked bag can have no dimension greater than 39 inches (99 centimeters). In other words, your bag’s size limit is 39 x 39 x 39 inches (99 x 99 x 99 centimeters).
Each checked bag can weigh up to 70 pounds (32 kilograms).
easyJet
easyJet is another airline that allows baggage pooling.
All passengers wanting to share their checked baggage allowance must be in the same reservation and check in at the same time.
Checked Baggage Size and Weight Limits
Each checked bag can be up to 108 linear inches (275 centimeters) in size and weigh up to 70 pounds (32 kilograms).
Emirates
Emirates allows you to pool your checked baggage with your travel companions only for itineraries which use the weight concept for baggage allowance.
This applies to all of its flight routes except for travel to or from North America, South America, and Africa. For these particular flights, the piece concept applies.
You and your fellow baggage poolers (it’s a word!) must be in the same booking and check in together.
I couldn’t find a reference to the airline’s policy about baggage pooling on its website. However, I contacted the airline directly, and confirmed that it is allowed.
Checked Baggage Size and Weight Limits
When baggage pooling, make sure that your checked bag is no larger than 118 linear inches (300 centimeters). However, if you’re flying out of King Fahd International Airport (DMM), your checked baggage size limit is 84.64 inches (215 centimeters).
Also, each checked bag can weigh up to 70 pounds (32 kilograms).
You don’t want to run afoul of Emirates excess baggage fees – they are indeed excessive!
Etihad Airways
With Etihad, you’re allowed to combine your checked baggage with your fellow travel partners on flights that use the weight concept for baggage allowance. This was confirmed to me after contacting the airline directly.
You and your travel companions must be included in the same booking and check in together at the same time.
Checked Baggage Size and Weight Limits
When baggage pooling, each checked bag can be up to 35 x 28 x 18 inches (90 x 72 x 45 centimeters) in size. Your bags can weigh up to 70 pounds (32 kilograms) each.
Jet2
Jet2 allows you to share your baggage allowance with your travel companions. However, you must be traveling on the same reservation and checking in together.
Checked Baggage Size and Weight Limits
Jet2 doesn’t specify a size limit for checked baggage. However, your checked bag can weigh no more than 70 pounds (32 kilograms).
Malaysia Airlines
This is another airline that makes no reference to baggage pooling in its checked baggage policy.
However, upon contacting the airline directly, I can confirm that you are permitted to combine your checked baggage allowance with your travel partners. As always, they must be traveling in the same booking as you.
A footnote to the Malaysia Airlines’ baggage pooling policy. Buried within its Contract of Carriage is the following:
“We may refuse to carry…baggage which does not belong to you and which you have pooled with your own baggage.”
Malaysia Airlines Contract of Carriage 9.2.2
I suspect this is in reference to commercial baggage sharing services, which I expect would be in violation of most airlines’ terms and conditions.
Checked Baggage Size and Weight Limits
When flying with Malaysian Airlines, each checked bag can be up to 62 linear inches (158 centimeters) in size.
When pooling your baggage, each checked bag can weigh up to 70 pounds (32 kilograms).
Philippine Airlines (PAL)
Philippine Airlines (PAL) allows you to combine your baggage allowance with your travel companions if you all are on the same reservation and check in at the same time.
Checked Baggage Size and Weight Limits
Your checked bag can be up to 62 linear inches (158 centimeters) in size.
Each checked bag can weigh up to 70 pounds (32 kilograms).
Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways permits travel companions to share their checked baggage allowance as long as they are all on the same Passenger Name Record (PNR) and check in together at the same time.
I was unable to find confirmation of the airline’s baggage pooling policy online, but had it verified through their customer service.
Checked Baggage Size and Weight Limits
When baggage pooling, your checked baggage can be up to 118 linear inches (300 centimeters) in size. The weight of each bag can’t exceed 70 pounds (32 kilograms).
Ryanair
Ryanair is an airline quite well known for its baggage pooling policy. Participating travelers must be in the same booking and checking in together.
Checked Baggage Size and Weight Limits
Your checked bag can be up to 47 x 47 x 31 inches (120 x 120 x 80 centimeters) in size.
Each checked bag can weigh up to 70 pounds (32 kilograms).
Scoot
Scoot is another low-cost carrier that allows you to share your baggage allowance with your travel companions.
Checked Baggage Size and Weight Limits
Each checked bag can be no larger than 62 linear inches (158 centimeters). Your bag can weigh up to 70 pounds (32 kilograms).
Singapore Airlines
Unsurprisingly, Scoot’s parent company, Singapore Airlines also permits baggage pooling. This was confirmed by contacting the airline directly, as I couldn’t find any information about sharing baggage on the airline’s website.
This is another airline that uses both piece and weight concepts to determine a flight’s baggage allowance. So, if you’re traveling from or to the U.S. or Canada, baggage pooling won’t be available to you.
Checked Baggage Size and Weight Limits
Your checked bags can be up to 62 linear inches (158 centimeters) in size. Each bag can weigh no more than 70 pounds (32 kilograms).
TUI
Tui is another airline renowned for allowing baggage allowances to be combined. As always, you and your participating travel partners must be included in the same booking and checking in together at the same time.
Checked Baggage Size and Weight Limits
Tui’s maximum weight allowance for each checked bag is significantly less than most airlines on this list. Your checked bag can’t exceed 55 pounds (25 kilograms).
Turkish Airlines
We round out our list of airlines that allow baggage pooling with Turkish Airlines.
“Passengers traveling with different reservation (PNR) numbers on international flights cannot combine their checked baggage allowances with the passenger they are traveling with.”
Turkish Airlines Baggage Conditions
This was the only reference to baggage pooling that I could find on the airline’s website. However, the above quote’s implication is that if passengers are traveling on the same reservation, you can combine your checked baggage allowances.
Checked Baggage Size and Weight Limits
Each checked bag can be up to 62 linear inches (158 centimeters) in size. Your checked bag can weigh up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms).
Airlines That Prohibit Combining or Pooling Baggage Allowance?
As mentioned earlier, airlines that use the piece concept only to determine checked baggage allowance don’t allow baggage pooling. This is because, under the piece concept, the number of bags and weight of each bag is fixed. You can add more checked baggage, but you will have to pay a fee.
Airlines that fall into this category include U.S. and Canadian airlines, KLM, and ANA.
There are some airlines that use the weight concept to determine baggage allowances but still prohibit baggage pooling. This includes airlines such as Finnair and Virgin Atlantic.
Airlines that don’t allow pooling of baggage include:
- All U.S.-based airlines including American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, and United
- All Canadian-based airlines including Air Canada and WestJet
- AirEuropa
- ANA (All Nippon Airways)
- British Airways
- Finnair
- KLM
- Korean Air
- Smartwings
- Vietnam Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
How to Do Baggage Pooling Properly
If you decide to do baggage pooling with your travel companions, here are some tips to make it easier and smoother:
Plan Ahead and Communicate with Your Travel Companions
Discuss and negotiate how much luggage you need to pack, what items you want to share, and how you want to organize your suitcase.
Make sure that all members of the travel group agree on the weight and size limits for the pooled suitcases to avoid any misunderstandings.
Pack Smartly and Efficiently
Use packing cubes, compression bags, or vacuum bags to organize your items and save space in your suitcase.
This is especially useful if the checked bags are going to include the belongings of more than one person.
You may want to attach name labels to each packing cube and compression bag for organization.
If your baggage is going to include another person’s belongings, make sure that you’re aware of what is going into your bag.
Weigh Your Suitcase before You Leave
Use a luggage scale or a bathroom scale to weigh your pooled suitcase before you leave for the airport. Make sure it is within the weight limit of your airline and avoid any surprises or fees at the check-in counter.
Check In Together at the Airport
When you arrive at the airport, check in together with your travel companions. Explain that you’re pooling your baggage allowance together.
The airline will then check-in your bags as per normal. Make sure that you retain all your checked bag receipts.
Hot Tip: Confirm that your checked bag receipts reflect your itinerary. Take photos of your bag receipts for safekeeping.
Final Thoughts
We hope that you’ve enjoyed our exploration of baggage pooling. If you’re traveling with one or more companions, combining your checked baggage in this way can be a useful strategy to travel more efficiently and possibly save some cash as well.
The idea of baggage pooling can be confusing at first, especially if you’ve never flown an itinerary that uses the weight concept. Fundamentally, baggage pooling is the weight concept applied to the booking itself. The baggage allowance can then be distributed to meet the specific needs of the travel group.
To recap, the steps to take to do baggage pooling the right way:
- Check with your airline that your itinerary is eligible for sharing baggage. The best way to do this is to contact your airline directly, as it’s rarely documented on an airline’s website.
- For passengers to be eligible to combine their baggage, they must all be included in the same booking.
- You must all check in together at the same check-in counter at the same time.
- You must adhere to the combined baggage weight limit for the group as well as the size and weight limits for each piece of baggage.
