Finnair is making a number of changes to its baggage allowance policies as of June 1, which includes the introduction of a new Superlight ticket for journeys within Europe and a reduction to business class baggage allowance. The carrier has also made adjustments to baggage-related tier benefits and flight redemption charts.
Superlight ticket
A new Superlight ticket type will replace Economy Light tickets on journeys within Europe. This will entitle passengers to just one small bag (40cm x 30cm x 15cm) that can fit under the seat in front, but no other carry-on or checked baggage. Any purchases made at the airport will also need to be included in this allowance. Passengers who opt for this ticket will be able to pay for a bigger carry-on bag (55cm x 40cm x 23cm) as a travel extra.
Finnair Plus Silver, Gold, Platinum and Platinum Lumo members travelling on a Superlight ticket will also be able to take a larger carry-on bag at no extra charge.
Finnair states the new policy is intended to address the issue of excess amounts of carry-on baggage, which causes delays in boarding and impacts both punctuality of flights and travel comfort.
Economy Light tickets, which include a regular carry-on bag as well as a small bag under the seat, will continue to be available for long-haul journeys and for business class on European flights. This also applies to European flights that are one leg of a long-haul flight. Classic and Flex tickets will continue to be available for both long-haul and short-haul journeys in all travel classes.
Business class baggage allowance decreasing
Finnair will also be decreasing the baggage allowance for business class passengers on both European and long-haul journeys as of June 1. Currently, business class passengers are entitled to two pieces of carry-on luggage (55cm x 40cm x 23cm) as well as one smaller bag (40cm x 30cm x 15cm) with a maximum combined weight of 10kg, as well as two pieces of checked baggage (or three on flights to Japan).
As of June 1, the Business Light ticket will include just one carry-on bag and one small bag but no checked luggage, while Business Classic and Flex tickets will have the same carry-on allowance and just one checked bag.
In addition, all special baggage allowances, such as golf bags and ski equipment, will be excluded from the new ticket classifications for all passengers, and will only be available at an additional charge.
“The target of the changes we are now making is smoother boarding, on-time departures, and travel comfort onboard our flights for everyone. Excess carry-on baggage on board is a known issue, impacting both punctuality as well as travel comfort, and we are also getting regular feedback on this from our customers and personnel,” says Valtteri Helve, head of product offering at Finnair.
“To support smooth boarding and on-time departures, we are also enhancing the monitoring of carry-on baggage at airports. Excess carry-on baggage, including excessively large carry-on bags, will be moved to the cargo hold at a cost,” he adds. “I encourage everyone to check what the baggage allowance of your ticket is – it is less expensive to buy extra baggage as a travel extra beforehand than at the airport.”
Seat selection
Advance seat-selection policies will also be changing. Passengers travelling on a Superlight, Light, or Classic ticket will no longer benefit from complimentary seat selection during check-in and will need to pay in advance to be able to choose their seat. Finnair Plus members however will continue to have advance seat reservation benefits.
Tier benefit changes
There will also be changes made to baggage-related Finnair Plus tier benefits. As of June 1, Finnair Plus Silver members will no longer be entitled to an extra checked bag (23kg) as a tier benefit, though this can be purchased in advance with a 50 per cent discount.
Finnair Plus Gold members will also lose their entitlement to carry complimentary sports equipment, such as skis or a golf bag, when flying on or after 1 June 2023 and will have to purchase these as a travel extra.
Finnair Plus Platinum and Platinum Lumo members will also lose the ability to take heavy or oversized bags free of charge. Bags that weigh 23–32kg, or exceed the standard size of 90cm x 75cm x 45cm, will come with an extra charge.
Upgrades and reward flights
Point prices for travel class upgrades have also been revised, and it will require more Finnair Plus points to upgrade your travel class as of June 15. For example, on a one-way long-haul flight, upgrading from economy to premium economy will cost 25,000 points, premium to business will cost 35,000 points, and economy to business will cost 60,000 as of June 15.
Purchasing reward flights will also be increased from June 15. New fees for a long-haul one-way economy ticket will be 45,000 points for an economy ticket, 65,000 for premium economy and 95,000 for business. On top of this, passengers will also be required to pay a surcharge which ranges from €10 for economy class trips within Finland to €120 for business class flights to Asia.
