Getting ready for your next trip can be overwhelming, since you have to remember to take care of a lot of things. With this Q&A post, learn a few tricks that can help make packing your cabin baggage a little easier.
- The most important factor to consider for your trip
- The perfect size and weight of your cabin baggage
- It’s time to pack
- Travel with your family
- Travel with your pet
Your cabin baggage is the most important factor to consider for your trip
Your cabin baggage is one of the most important things to prepare before your trip. It should be practical, easy to recognise, and made from durable material. It also needs to meet the required size and weight limits.
Make sure your bag stays safe throughout your journey. Keep it closed and with you at all times. Important items such as your phone, passport, wallet, travel documents, and medication should be kept on you or in a secure pocket inside your bag.
When traveling by plane, remember the perfect size and weight of your cabin baggage
Before your flight, always check the size and weight rules for your cabin baggage.
On airBaltic flights Economy MINI includes only 1 personal item measuring up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm, while Economy BASIC, Economy CLASSIC, and Economy FLEX passengers may bring 1 cabin bag measuring up to 55 x 40 x 23 cm and 1 personal item measuring up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm. The total combined weight must not exceed 8 kg, unless you have purchased the heavy cabin baggage service, which increases the allowance to 12 kg.
Your cabin baggage may be checked before boarding. This includes both size and weight. If you buy items at the airport before your flight and realise your cabin baggage may exceed the allowed weight, you can still purchase the heavy cabin baggage service before departure.
1. I have packed my cabin baggage, but it weighs 10 kg. Can I take it on board?
If you are an Economy BASIC, Economy CLASSIC plus or Economy FLEX ticket holder, you can upgrade your cabin baggage allowance from 8 kg to 12 kg for an additional fee. Passengers who upgrade their cabin baggage allowance to 12 kg are entitled to priority boarding immediately after business class passengers. Cabin baggage dimensions and number of pieces will remain the same.
Business Class passengers already have a 12 kg cabin baggage allowance included in the ticket.
2. What happens if my cabin baggage is bigger or heavier than allowed?
If your cabin baggage exceeds the allowed size or weight, it may need to be checked in at the gate for an extra fee.
If you are not sure whether your bag meets the requirements, check it at the Bag Drop desk before going through security. To avoid extra costs at the airport, consider adding heavy cabin baggage in advance or booking checked baggage online.
Once you have chosen the right bag, pack according to your ticket type.
airBaltic ticket types and included baggage are designed to give you a balance between price, flexibility, and comfort:
- Economy MINI is best for ultra-light travel. It includes 1 personal item measuring up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm.
- Economy BASIC is a good-value option that includes 1 cabin bag and 1 personal item with a combined weight of 8 kg.
- Economy CLASSIC includes 1 cabin bag and 1 personal item with a combined weight of 8 kg, 1 checked bag up to 23 kg.
- Economy FLEX is designed for more convenient and flexible travel. It includes 1 cabin bag and 1 personal item with a combined weight of 8 kg, 2 checked bags with a combined weight of 46 kg, online check-in 5 days before departure, check-in and baggage drop-off at the business class counter, priority boarding, seat selection except extra legroom seats, free rebooking before departure plus any fare difference, fast and free Starlink Wi-Fi on board, and a fully refundable fare.
Business Class is designed for maximum comfort and convenience. It includes a higher cabin baggage allowance of 12 kg, priority check-in and baggage drop-off at the Business Class counter, priority boarding, premium seating, onboard meal service, fast and free Starlink Wi-Fi on board, and enhanced flexibility depending on the fare conditions.
Once you’ve found the perfect bag, it’s time to pack
Before you start packing, ask yourself what kind of trip you’re taking. Will you have checked baggage, or only a cabin bag? Remember that money, keys, medicine, important papers, valuable, passports, jewelry, precious metals, and electronic devices should be in your cabin baggage. Let’s take a look at both options.
Trip with checked baggage and cabin baggage – congratulations, you’ve got more space to bring things back from your trip! As with cabin baggage, remember to also check the size and weight restrictions for checked baggage. In this scenario, you only need to put your essentials in cabin baggage – your travel documents, wallet and a book. All your other needs can be kept safely in your checked baggage, but remember to carefully check what can and cannot be put in it.
Trip only with cabin baggage – great choice! This will save time and simplify your trip. Avoid queuing at the airports check-in desk and reach your destination even faster – don’t waste your time at bag carousel. In this scenario, you only need to consider what you are fitting in your hand baggage. Try different folding or rolling techniques, and remember, you always need less than you think.
3. Can I pack a bottle of water and toiletries inside my cabin baggage?
European Union aviation security rules state that you are only permitted to take small quantities of liquids in your cabin baggage. These liquids (for example, perfume, toothpaste, face cream, eye drops, etc.) must be placed in a see-through plastic bag; you can pick a bag up at the airport if you don’t have one.
Make sure that each individual piece does not exceed 100 ml, otherwise you will have to leave it at the airport. The easiest solution is to put all of your liquids in a suitcase and check it in, allowing you to take as much as you’d like.
4. I have a small laptop bag that I would like to take with me on board together with my cabin baggage. Is that allowed?
It depends on your ticket type. If you are travelling with Economy MINI, your ticket includes only 1 personal item measuring up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm. A small laptop bag can be used as this personal item, but you cannot bring an additional cabin bag unless you add cabin baggage to your booking.
If your ticket includes cabin baggage, you may bring 1 cabin bag measuring up to 55 x 40 x 23 cm and 1 personal item measuring up to 40 x 30 x 15 cm.
A small laptop bag is considered a personal item. Other personal items include a handbag, tax-free shopping bag, camera bag, and umbrella.
Travel with your entire family and create memories for your children
Travelling with other people or with children will take more time, so remember to take it slow and give yourself plenty of time.
Don’t overpack, take only the essentials, and you can always purchase anything you or the other travelers need. Book everything in advance and explain the details of the trip carefully, especially to the children.
Don’t be afraid to travel with a baby – it can easily be a pleasant experience, and we’ve taken all the necessary steps to make your flight with airBaltic as smooth as possible.
5. Can I take cabin baggage for my infant as well?
No. If your reservation includes an infant, one fully collapsible pram or stroller, carrycot, or infant car seat can be transported free of charge. You can also take 10 kg of checked baggage. This amount can be combined with your standard baggage allowance.
Your bags are packed and you’re ready to travel, but your pet is looking at you with big, sad eyes
Check the necessary information about travelling with pets, give him a hug and take him with you!
Passengers travelling with an animal must read the import and export regulations for animal transportation to your desired destination, and they must comply with all animal welfare provisions before booking the flight. This information can be obtained from the relevant country’s consulate. The passenger must obtain all the documents required for the pet’s transportation, including import, export, transit documents, and health and vaccination certificates.
Please note that airBaltic will only transport cats and dogs, either in the passenger cabin (as hand luggage) or in the aircraft’s cargo hold (as checked baggage) depending on the size and weight of the animal. Other animal species must be transported in manifested cargo only.
Whether it’s your first trip, third or even twentieth – enjoy it!