Emirates has quietly cut the checked luggage allowance for customers travelling on its cheapest economy fare types.

From February 4, those customers purchasing Special fares will see their allowance fall from 20kg to 15kg, while the allowance for Saver fares will drop from 30kg to 25kg.

Economy Flex and Flex Plus allowances will remain unchanged at 30kg and 35kg respectively, while business class passengers will continue to get an allowance of 40kg, and first class customers will continue to enjoy an allowance of 50kg.

Note that elite tier members of the Emirates Skywards loyalty programme enjoy extra checked luggage allowances as detailed here.

The new allowances cover all routes except those to and from the Americas, and those originating from Africa.

These routes use the piece concept – changes here will see the allowance for economy Special and Saver customer reduced from two pieces each weighing up to 23kg, to just one piece. Economy Flex and Flex Plus passengers will continue to get two pieces up to 23kg, while business and first class customers get two pieces up to 32kg.

Earlier this month Emirates announced it would end complimentary chauffeur services for passengers who upgrade to business and first class using miles.

emirates.com