Rules effective from 29 October 2017

luggage

Baggage means items, things and other personal belongings of a passenger that are necessary or intended for wearing (clothing), use, comfort or convenience related to the travel of the passenger.

This meaning includes both checked baggage and unchecked baggage.

In order to ensure the safety of flights, all the things of the passenger (baggage) that are planned to be transported by aircraft should be presented for weighing and recording at check-in.

Checked baggage means passenger baggage, accepted by a Carrier under its custody for which such Carrier has issued a baggage tag.

The checked baggage of passengers, one piece of which in a packed form does not exceed in size 158 cm in three dimensions and in weight 32 kg, is accepted for transportation by BELAVIA flights.

Each piece of checked baggage should be in a good condition, ensuring its preservation during transportation and handling under normal conditions and excluding the possibility of access to the contents. The baggage that does not comply with the present requirements is not allowed for transportation.

Baggage that has external damages that do not affect its safety during transportation and handling under normal conditions can be accepted for transportation as checked baggage subject to the consent of the Carrier. The presence and type of damage shall be confirmed by the passenger's signature.

The check-in baggage is transported in a cargo compartment of the aircraft.

In case the weight of one piece of baggage in a packed form exceeds 32 kg, it is accepted for carriage only as cargo.

Free check-in baggage allowance for 1 person:

Passenger category Maximum number of pieces and dimensions for 1 piece (packed) Maximum weight of 1 piece (packed)
Business class 2 pieces each not exceeding 158 cm in three dimensions in size 32 kg each
Economy class 1 piece not exceeding 158 cm in three dimensions in size 23 kg
Children from 2 to 12 years the same free baggage allowance as for adult passengers in accordance with the paid travel class the same free baggage allowance as for adult passengers in accordance with the paid travel class
Infants up to 2 years with 10% ticket of an adult passenger fare in the corresponding travel class 1 piece not exceeding 115 cm in three dimensions in size 10 kg + 1 pushchair or 1 portable cradle or 1 child safety seat
Participants of “Belavia Leader” Frequent Flyer program: Silver level + 1 piece to free checked baggage allowance not exceeding 23 kg
Participants of “Belavia Leader” Frequent Flyer program: Gold level + 1 piece to free checked baggage allowance not exceeding 32 kg

In case of granting the privilege “Upgrade on board” to “Belavia Leader” FFP members of the Gold level, the free checked baggage allowance specified in the ticket is maintained according to the initial booking.

In addition to the established free baggage allowance, each passenger is also allowed to carry free of charge the following items:

  • baby travel cradle / safety seat for newborns / pushchair / umbrella stroller / baby universal folding stroller-transformer (when travelling with a baby from 0 to 2 years)
  • wheelchair or other means of transportation for passengers with limited mobility.

Baby travel cradle, safety seat for newborns, pushchair, umbrella stroller, baby universal folding stroller-transformer, wheelchair are transported only in the aircraft baggage compartment as checked baggage. If necessary, at the request of the passenger these items can remain at one’s disposal until boarding.

At the request of passengers travelling together with the same travel purpose to the same airport (point) of destination or airport (point) of stopover by the same flight (family members, people travelling together or being on a business trip), BELAVIA will provide a joint (by number of pieces) free baggage allowance. Baggage is registered for each passenger individually.

On code sharing flights with other carriers the baggage allowance rules of the Carrier performing a flight may apply. In the event when transportation is carried out on flights of two and more carriers, including code sharing flights with other carriers, the free baggage allowance is determined by the rules of the most significant Carrier (MSC) on route.

Free baggage allowance does not apply to:

  • oversized baggage (one piece in three dimensions exceeds the established size of: 158 cm for passenger baggage or 115 cm for baggage of infants from 0 to 2 years or 210 cm for sports equipment);
  • TV sets, tape recorders and audio, video, home appliances weighing more than 10 kg;
  • pets and birds, with the exception of guide dogs accompanying blind / deaf passengers (guide dogs are transported in the passenger cabin of the aircraft in excess of the established free baggage allowance, free of additional charge);
  • flowers, plant seedlings, food greens weighing more than 5 kg;
  • courier mail and parcels weighing more than 5 kg.

The transportation of the above-mentioned items is paid according to their actual number of pieces regardless of the amount of passenger's baggage.

Unchecked baggage (cabin baggage) is any passenger baggage except checked baggage, carried in the passenger cabin of the aircraft during the flight under the care of passenger oneself.

Cabin baggage transported by the passenger in the passenger cabin on board of the aircraft is not included in free checked baggage allowance.

It is recommended to transport the following items as cabin baggage in the passenger cabin on board the aircraft:

  • money, jewelry, precious metal;
  • securities and other values;
  • official and personal documents (passports, ID cards and others),
  • medical certificates and medicines in limited quantities;
  • video cameras, laptops, mobile telephones, cameras;
  • keys and other valuable items.

To check the compliance of passenger baggage size with permitted cabin baggage allowance there are special calibrators at the airports.

Free cabin baggage allowance for 1 person:

Passenger category Number of pieces Maximum dimensions for 1 piece (packed) Maximum weight of 1 piece (packed)
Business class 1 in three dimensions not exceeding 115cm 12 kg
Economy class 1 in three dimensions not exceeding 115cm 8 kg

In addition to the established allowance each passenger is permitted to carry free of charge the following items, that may be needed during the flight, when they are not put into the baggage:

  • handbag or briefcase;
  • paper folder;
  • outerwear;
  • suit in a suit bag;
  • umbrella or cane;
  • bouquet of flowers;
  • mobile telephone, camera, video camera, laptop;
  • publications for reading during the flight;
  • parcel with purchase from Duty Free shop;
  • baby meals or baby items necessary for care of a small child during the flight;
  • a pair of crutches or cane for passengers with limited mobility.

Excess baggage (payable) is a part of baggage that exceeds the established free baggage allowance or which is required to be obligatory paid regardless the established free baggage allowance.

The excess baggage, oversized baggage, as well as the baggage that is not included in the free baggage allowance in accordance with Airline rules (including the privileges for elite participants of “Belavia Leader” program), is carried only if there is free capacity on the aircraft.

In case when the number of pieces or the weight or the dimensions of baggage exceeds free baggage allowance the excess baggage is to be paid as follows:

Excess baggage rates:

Excess baggage category Rates for each excess, one way
Excess of the number of free baggage pieces 50 EUR / 60 USD / 50 GBP*
Weight excess of one piece of free baggage in the Economy class 50 EUR / 60 USD / 50 GBP*
Dimensions excess in 3 dimensions of one piece of free baggage 50 EUR / 60 USD / 50 GBP*

* Rate in USD is applicable only for Israel, rate in GBP – only for Great Britain. For all other territories the rate in EUR is applicable. In case of exceeding of free baggage allowance in several categories, the total amount for payment will be calculated as the sum of the rates for the corresponding excess baggage categories.

The above rates apply to both point-to-point and transit routes, if BELAVIA is the Operating Carrier over the whole route (for example, MSQ-B2-DME - 50 EUR *, DME-B2-MSQ-B2- IEV - 50 EUR *), as well as for complex routes involving two or more Carriers, if BELAVIA is the MSC (Most Significant Carrier) on route (for example, MSQ-B2-AMS-KL-ABZ - 50 EUR *).

* The rate in USD applies only to the sale of traffic in Israel, the rate in GBP - to the sale of traffic in the UK. For all other territories, the rate is applied in EUR.

In the event when not only Belavia performs a flight but also other carriers, including code sharing flights, the rates for excess baggage are determined in compliance with the MSC rules.

Special categories baggage transportation

Sports Equipment

1 (one) set of sports equipment in a packed form not exceeding the weight of 23 kg and the size of 210 cm in three dimensions is transported free of charge in addition to the established free baggage allowance in the corresponding travel class.

For each subsequent set of sports equipment a charge of 50 EUR / 60 USD / 50 GBP * is collected for 1 (one) set of sports equipment.

If the weight of 1 (one) set of sports equipment is more than 23 kg, an additional charge in the amount of 50 EUR / 60 USD / 50 GBP * is collected for 1 (one) set of sports equipment.

* The rate in USD applies only to the sale of traffic in Israel, the rate in GBP - to the sale of traffic in the UK. For all other territories, the rate is applied in EUR.

Sports equipment transportation requires prior approval of the Airline.

Transportation of animals

Animals (the weight with container) are not included in the free baggage allowance.

During transportation in the passenger cabin of the aircraft the maximum size of container shall not exceed 115 cm in three dimensions, the maximum weight of the animal together with container shall not exceed 8 кg.

The charge to be paid for the transportation of animal in the passenger cabin of the aircraft is 50 EUR / 60 USD / 50 GBP*.

Animals with weight exceeding 8 kg are transported in cargo compartment of the aircraft.

The charge to be paid for transportation of animals in cargo compartment is:

  • from 8 kg up to 32 kg – 100 EUR / 120 USD/ 100 GBP*
  • from 32 kg up to 70 kg – 150 EUR / 180 USD / 150 GBP*.

* Rate in USD is applicable only for Israel, rate in GBP – only for Great Britain. For all other territories the rate in EUR is applicable.

Animals with weight exceeding 70 kg are accepted for carriage only as cargo.

The passenger should have all documents that are necessary for transportation of animals (birds), required by the Belarusian law or by the international agreements or by the rules and regulations of the country to the territory or through the territory or from the territory of which the transportation is to be performed.

The transportation of animals requires prior approval of the Airline.

The maximum number of animals accepted for transportation in cargo compartment on one and the same aircraft is limited.

Transportation of musical instruments

Small musical instruments, in dimensions and weight, not exceeding the free cabin baggage allowance in the corresponding travel class established by the Airline, are allowed to be transported in the passenger cabin of the aircraft when paying a charge of 50 EUR / 60 USD / 50 GBP * one way if such a musical instrument is not included into the cabin baggage and is transported as an additional piece.

In the event when passenger cabin baggage, including a musical instrument, does not exceed the free cabin baggage allowance in accordance with travel class, no charge is collected for such a musical instrument.

* Rate in USD is applicable only for Israel, rate in GBP – only for Great Britain. For all other territories the rate in EUR is applicable.

When transporting musical instruments in the passenger cabin of the aircraft occupying an additional seat, the baggage on additional seat rules are applied. The weight of the instrument should not exceed 84 kg, the dimensions should not exceed 135x50x30 cm. For each separate seat, a charge is collected corresponding to the tariff applied for the payment for a ticket of the passenger that carries a musical instrument.

The transportation of musical instruments in the baggage compartment of the aircraft is carried out in accordance with the rules for the excess baggage transportation, established for the corresponding travel class.

Weapons (sport / hunting / combat weapons + ammunition).

One set of weapons includes one container with a gun (or several rifles belonging to one passenger) and one container with ammunition. The weight of one set of weapons shall not exceed 23 kg.

The weight of ammunition together with the container shall not exceed 5 kg per passenger.

The weapons are not included into free baggage allowance.

The charge for the transportation of one set of weapons is 50 EUR / 60 USD / 50 GBP*.

* Rate in USD is applicable only for Israel, rate in GBP – only for Great Britain. For all other territories the rate in EUR is applicable.

The transportation of weapons requires prior approval of the Airline.

The passenger should have the permission of the relevant authorized state bodies, confirming the right of possession and use, as well as the permission of the relevant authorized state bodies, confirming the right to export, import or transit arms.

Transportation of baggage with the provision of additional pieces in the passenger cabin of the aircraft.

Baggage that requires special precautions (film, photo, television, video, radio equipment, electronic and optical devices, office equipment, musical instruments, fragile things) can be transported in the passenger cabin of the aircraft on a separate additional passenger seat(s).

The weight of the baggage transported in the passenger cabin of the aircraft shall not exceed 84 kg in weight and in dimensions not more than 135х50х30 cm.

Packing of baggage transported in the passenger cabin of the aircraft should have means for its attachment in the passenger seat.

An additional piece for baggage can be booked only at Airline ticket offices or at offices of agencies or representative offices of the Airline upon prior agreement with the Carrier. The passenger must inform the Airline or its agent about the transportation of baggage in the passenger cabin of the aircraft on additional passenger seat(s) when booking a ticket or purchasing a ticket and pay a separate passenger seat (s) for this baggage.

For transportation of baggage in the passenger cabin of the aircraft, a separate ticket is issued with 100% of the fare paid by the passenger accompanying such item for its own ticket, free of charge, for one additional passenger seat. When carrying baggage in several passenger seats, the cost of transportation is calculated on the basis of the number of passenger seats required for baggage.

The ticket issued and paid for an additional seat in the passenger cabin of the aircraft for the transportation of special baggage is not subject to free baggage and cabin baggage allowance as well as for provision of meals.

The delivery of baggage carried in the passenger cabin of the aircraft to the aircraft, its lifting, accommodation in the cabin of aircraft, removal from the aircraft and delivery from the aircraft to the terminal is made by the passenger oneself.

The passenger responsibility for documents required for the baggage transportation.

The passenger is obliged to comply with the Belarusian law, international treaties of the Republic of Belarus and the legislation of the country, to the territory, from or through the territory of which the baggage is to be carried, that are required for baggage transportation, the fulfillment of requirements for flight safety, aviation security, as well as with the requirements related to customs, quarantine and sanitary, veterinary, phytosanitary and other types of control.

Receiving of baggage at the airport. For each piece of baggage a baggage tag is attached with baggage receipt given to the holder of the baggage. A baggage tag receipt must be kept for baggage collection at the airport of destination.

The responsibility of the airline for the loss of baggage accepted for transportation without declared value is limited to an amount equivalent to USD 20 per 1 kg of baggage weight. Belavia-Belarusian Airlines is not responsible for fragile or perishable items, money, jewelry, precious metals, valuable and business papers, passports and other documents placed in checked baggage.

ATTENTION!

Belavia-Belarusian Airlines does not accept as carry-on luggage the following things:

  • objects, simulating actual weapon (toys, plastic and metal models);
  • all sharp, cutting and piercing objects (knives, daggers, scissors, knitting needles, razor blades, manicure sets);
  • cutlery (knives, forks, spoons, axes);
  • tools (knives, hammers, screwdrivers, chisels, darts, nail files, including nail polish);
  • sport equipment (bats, golf clubs, cricket, pool cue, ski harnesses and other);
  • syringes, including disposable (passengers who require injections during the flight, - diabetes, allergies, etc., must provide proof from the attending physician);
  • firearms and ammunition;
  • explosives, ammunition, missiles, and illuminates the substance;
  • compressed and liquefied gases, corrosive and oxidizing materials and substances;
  • poisonous, toxic or irritating substances;
  • magnetised and radioactive materials;
  • flammable solids and liquids;
  • briefcases and suitcases, equipped with security devices;
  • mercury and other substances and objects, causing suspicion in the safety of their transportation and which can be used for arson, explosion or threaten the security for live of passengers and crew members.

FOR SAFETY REASONS

The Airline does not accept or accept in a limited number the following things and items for transportation in the checked baggage:

  • firearms and cold steel of all kinds (including gas and traumatic) without permission of the competent authorities;
  • explosives, ammunition, missiles, and illuminate substances;
  • compressed and liquefied gases;
  • corrosive and oxidizing substances and liquids;
  • flammable solids and liquids;
  • poisonous, toxic or irritating substances;
  • magnetized material;
  • radioactive materials;
  • briefcases and suitcases, equipped with security devices;
  • mercury or other substances and items with similar characteristics, causing doubts about the safety of their transportation, which can be used for arson, explosion or threaten the safety of passengers and crew members.

Pay your special attention that hazardous materials carriage rules and allowances may differ between airlines. Be attentive if you have several flights performed by different carriers in one itinerary. Read the rules on their official sites or contact their call centers.

If you are still not sure about some materials, please, look through IATA list or their special website section.

Devices with lithium and lithium-ion carriage

The transportation on Belavia aircraft of self-balancing electronic devices powered by lithium-ion batteries IS BANNED neither as carry-on luggage nor checked baggage. These devices are classified by UN as dangerous goods

Such self-balanced electronic devices include: hoverboards, mini-segways, airwheels, solowheels, balance wheel, etc.

Belavia-Belarusian Airlines accepts for carriage on its flights only such electronic devices powered by lithium or lithium-ion batteries that are used due a medical or physical disability (wheelchairs or other similar devices for PRM).

luggage

Lithium batteries are used in mobiles, laptops, electronic cigarettes and other electronic devices. Do you know that they are dangerous? If a lithium battery is damaged or short circuited it can start a fire. Don’t put them in your checked baggage. Carry them with you.

Attention! For safety, electronic cigarettes are accepted for transportation ONLY in carry-on baggage. Transportation of electronic cigarettes in checked baggage is FORBIDDEN!

Batteries contained in equipment such as laptop computers, cameras, mobile phones, etc. must be switched off and measures taken to ensure that they cannot be accidentally activated when placed in checked baggage.

Spare batteries may not be placed in checked baggage.

The terminals of all spare batteries must be protected from short circuit by: enclosing them in their original retail packaging or taping over the terminals or separate plastic bags for each battery.

Whether a lithium battery can be carried by air or not depends on its configuration and either Watt-hour (Wh) rating (for rechargeable) or Lithium Content (LC) (for non-rechargeable).

Use the following table to determine if your battery is acceptable:

Watt-hour Rating (Wh) or Lithium Content Carry-on Baggage Checked Baggage Operator Approved
≤100 Wh (2 grams) In Equipment YES YES NO
≤100 Wh (2 grams) Spares YES (no limit) NO NO
>100≤160 Wh In Equipment YES YES YES
>100≤160 Wh Spares YES(max 2) NO YES
>160 Wh Must be presented and carried as Cargo in accordance with the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. Must be presented and carried as Cargo in accordance with the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. Must be presented and carried as Cargo in accordance with the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.

To convert Amp-hours (Ah) to Watt-hours (Wh) multiply Ah x Voltage

Examples of Lithium batteries

baggage_phone

Small Lithium Batteries and Cells include mobile phone batteries, watch batteries, MP3 player batteries and most original laptop batteries. The maximum rating for these batteries is 100 watt-hours (Wh).

baggage_camera

Medium Lithium batteries and cells include larger batteries and cells – examples include some extended life batteries for laptop computers, and batteries used by audiovisual professionals. A “medium” battery provides between 100 and 160 watt-hours of power.

baggage_scooter

Large lithium batteries and cells are primary those used in industry. A large rechargeable battery provides over 160 watt-hours of power. Large batteries may be found in some electric and hybrid vehicles, as well as mobility devices and scooters.

Note: Other commercially available types of batteries such as Ni-Cad (nickel-cadmium), and alkaline can be carried safely in either checked or carry-on baggage provided they are adequately protected against short circuit.