Baggage
Free baggage allowance
Free baggage allowance
On short-haul and medium-haul flights the maximum free baggage allowance for checked baggage is 20 kg per passenger. On long-haul flights (distance between departure and destination at least 3,000 miles) the free baggage allowance is also 20 kg (business class 30 kg), unless special regulations
(e.g. piece concept ») apply. These free baggage allowances also apply to children and infants. We advise passengers not to check in any individual items of baggage weighing more than 32 kg.
The free baggage allowance increases to 30 kg (business class 40 kg) per person for stays of 29 days or more, provided that the outbound and inbound flights were booked together under the same transaction number (piece concept excepted). If you have a topbonus Card Silver/Gold or a topbonus Service Card, your free baggage allowance is 30 kg (piece concept excepted) and you can also take sports baggage weighing up to 30 kg with you without any additional charge. We will also carry one item of sports baggage up to 30 kg without any additional charge for airberlin business class passengers. Further information about the carriage of sports baggage »
piece concept:
The piece concept applies to flights to and from the USA and also to and from Canada. Essentially it means that one item of baggage weighing up to 23 kg is allowed per person travelling in Economy Class. Business Class passengers can check in two items of baggage, each weighing up to 32 kg. For children under two years old the airline will carry one item of baggage (23 kg max.) and one buggy.
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Cabin baggage
For reasons of safety as well as convenience, each passenger is only allowed to take one item of cabin baggage into the cabin. Cabin baggage must not weigh more than 6 kg (8 kg for laptops) and the dimensions must not exceed 55 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm.
We recommend that passengers carry valuables, medication, perishable or fragile items in their cabin baggage. The information concerning limitation of liability as detailed in the booking confirmation also applies. In addition please refer to our General terms and conditions of business »
Passengers in airberlin’s business class may take a second item of cabin baggage weighing up to 6 kg on board.
Please note the EU cabin baggage regulations » This also includes regulations for purchases from duty-free or onboard shops.
Prohibited articles
As a rule, the following articles are not permitted on board:
1. Articles that could put the aircraft, onboard equipment or persons at risk, in particular
- explosives,
- compressed gases,
- oxidising, radioactive, caustic and corrosive or magnetising substances,
- flammable substances,
- toxic or aggressive substances,
- any kinds of liquid, i.e. articles or substances that are classified as dangerous goods in accordance with the dangerous goods regulations.
2. Articles that are unsuitable for carriage on account of their weight, size or nature.
Passengers may not carry the following items in their cabin baggage or on their person:
- Weapons of any kind, in particular firearms, as well as blunt or pointed/edged weapons
- Ammunition and explosive substances of any kind
- Sharp objects, e.g. knives, scissors, ski poles and walking sticks
- Blunt instruments that can cause injury, e.g. golf clubs and snooker cues
- Lighters filled with lighter fluid (Zippos)
The following articles may only be carried in checked baggage:
- Cutlery
- Razor blades
- Toy guns and commercially available toys that could be used as a weapon
- Catapults
- Sports rackets and other sports and leisure equipment that could be used as a weapon
- Knitting needles
- Any other sharp objects, such as knives, scissors, tail combs and syringes (except for certified medical purposes)
The following items may only be carried in hand baggage:
- Individual (rechargeable) lithium batteries with a rating of over 100 Wh to 160 Wh as spare cells for electronic devices, e.g. laptops, mobile phones, watches and cameras; maximum quantity: 2
The list of prohibited articles is not final and can be added to at any time. Additional regulations may apply to certain flights. Furthermore national regulations, as well as the IATA dangerous goods regulations must be complied with. The airline can provide a copy of these regulations on request.
Excess baggage
The carriage of baggage that exceeds the applicable free baggage allowance in terms of weight is subject to a charge. Please refer to the summary below for details.
Please note that for reasons of health and safety at work, any item of baggage checked in for flights to and from Great Britain, as well as to and from South Africa must not exceed a weight of 32 kg, irrespective of the free baggage allowance.
In accordance with the piece concept on flights to and from the USA, as well as to and from Canada, the following additional carriage charges are applied if the free baggage allowance is exceeded:
Excess baggage rates
| Short/Medium-haul flight | EUR 10 /kg one way |
| Long-haul flight (3,000 miles or more; except for USA and Canada) | EUR 20/kg one way |
| piece concept (USA and Canada) | Economy Class more than 23 kg and up to 32 kg: EUR 25 (USD 25) one way Second item of baggage up to 23 kg: EUR 40 (USD 40) one way More than 23 kg and up to 32 kg: EUR 65 (USD 65) one way Third and each additional item of baggage, each weighing up to 32 kg: EUR 150 (USD 150) one way More than 32 kg: EUR 450 (USD 450) per item of baggage one way Business Class Third and each additional item of baggage, each weighing up to 32 kg: EUR 150 (USD 150) one way More than 32 kg: EUR 450 (USD 450) per item of baggage one way |
Important - please note: Excess baggage of more than 10 kg must be registered via
our Service-Centre »
New: Excess baggage units
Anyone wishing to take more baggage than that covered by the free baggage allowance included in the fare can transport additional baggage as low-cost excess baggage units and save money in comparison with the excess baggage rates applicable at the check-in desk. When booking your flight (or after your booking and up to 48 hours prior to departure by going to Additional services ») you can also book up to 10 excess baggage units of 5 kg each for up to 50 kg additional baggage at the following rates:
Price per 5-kg unit (up to 10 units may be booked onto the flight)
Short-haul and medium-haul: EUR 25
Long-haul: EUR 50
Exceptions: Carriage of excess baggage units cannot be booked on flights where the Piece concept » applies, or in association with an infant ticket, i.e. for child under 2 years of age.
Sports and special baggage
In addition to the free baggage allowance detailed in the booking confirmation, sports baggage up to 30 kg, as detailed below, may also be carried at the rates shown. Any weight exceeding this limit will be subject to an excess baggage charge.
We will also carry one item of sports baggage up to 30 kg without any additional charge for airberlin business class passengers, as well as for holders of a topbonus Card Silver/Gold or a topbonus Service Card.
You can register sports equipment and special baggage via our Service-Centre ». The Service Centre will also provide information about transporting musical instruments, bulky items of baggage, fragile baggage etc.
Charges for sports and special baggage
| Sports baggage up to 30 kg | Note | Charge, one-way Short-haul and medium-haul | Charge, one-way Long-haul | Registration |
| Sports for the disabled | Sports wheelchair plus relevant sports equipment | No charge | No charge | yes |
| SURF/KITE Surfboard (with sail and mast)/Bodyboard/Kiteboard/Waveboard Canoe/Kayak | packed in soft case or similar | EUR 25 | EUR 40 | yes |
| BIKE Bicycle | handlebar parallel to frame, pedals turned inwards; packed in soft case or similar | EUR 25 | EUR 40 | yes |
| GOLF Golf clubs | until 30.04.2010: no charge from 01.05.2010: EUR 25 | until 30.04.2010: no charge from 01.05.2010: EUR 40 | yes | |
SKI Skiing | 1 pair of skis and ski boots or 1 snowboard and ski boots or 1 skibob per person | Ski/Snowboard: free of charge until 30.04.2010 2) From 01.05.2010: EUR 25 | Ski/Snowboard: free of charge until 30.04.2010 2) From 01.05.2010: EUR 40 | yes |
DIVE Diving equipment | diving belt, empty compressed-air cylinders, diving lamps (bulb or battery must be removed) | EUR 25 | EUR 40 | yes |
Special baggage | ||||
| Pushchairs/Buggies | Packed in soft case or similar | No charge | No charge | no |
| Child car seats | No charge | No charge | no | |
| Sports weapons and associated ammunition | Ammunition (max. 5 kg) and weapon must be separated | No charge 1) | No charge 1) | yes |
1) This counts towards the free baggage allowance. Any weight beyond the free baggage allowance incurs the excess baggage charge.
2) Ski boots count as part of the free baggage allowance during the special offer period.
Carriage of pets
Pets can be carried either in the cabin or in the hold, depending on the animal's weight and size. Pets must be carried in an enclosed container that is leak-proof and escape-proof. They must have enough space to be able to stand in their normal position. They must also have space to lie down. The pet carrier must be provided by the passenger. For pet carriage charges please refer to the details below.
Please note that early registration is required. The carriage of pets can be registered by contacting our Service-Centre » any time up to 48 hours before departure. As space is limited, please contact our Service-Centre before booking to find out whether there is still enough room on your preferred flight for pets to be carried in the hold.
Blind passengers can of course take their guide dog into the cabin free of charge.
Special regulations apply to rodents. The airline does not carry reptiles of any kind. If you have any further queries please contact our Service-Centre »
Pets weighing up to 6 kg
You can take dogs and cats with you into the cabin if they are in a suitable pet carrier (max. measurements 55 x 40 x 20 cm, adequate ventilation) that weighs no more than 6 kg with contents. The animal’s head is not allowed to protrude from the pet carrier nor is the animal permitted to leave the carrier at any time during the flight. On no account are passengers allowed to place the pet carrier on a seat, not even if an additional seat has been purchased.
Pets weighing more than 6 kg
Pets weighing more than 6 kg including the pet carrier are transported in the hold. They must also be in a suitable pet carrier. Please note that all carriers used to transport animals in the hold must have a water/feed container that can be filled from outside. The water/feed container must not be filled during the flight.
Charges for the carriage of pets
| Note | Charge | Registration | |
| Pets in the cabin (up to 6 kg incl. carrier) | In suitable carrier (max. dimensions 55 x 40 x 20 cm) | EUR 25 for short-haul and medium-haul routes or EUR 40 for long-haul routes (one way) | yes |
| Pets in hold (over 6 kg incl. carrier) | In suitable carrier | EUR 40 for short-haul and medium-haul routes or EUR 120 for long-haul routes (one way) | yes |
Legal requirements
The customer bears sole responsibility for ensuring that all legal requirements and restrictions associated with the importation and exportation of animals are met. As a general rule the passenger is liable for all damage and consequential damage caused by the animal or carriage of that animal.
Carriage of animals is governed by the IATA Live Animals Regulations, which the airline will provide on request.
On 1st October 2004 EU regulations on the veterinary conditions for the movement of pets » came into force. These regulations are designed to avoid the spread of rabies. If you wish to take your pet with you when you travel, you will need to find out about the relevant entry regulations. Please read the regulations before booking. Alternatively you can obtain information from your vet, veterinary authority or border control post.
Please note that the carriage of pets is not permitted on flights to and from Great Britain!
Damaged and lost baggage
If your baggage has been damaged or lost (misdirected), please contact the Lost & Found desk on arrival, where you will be asked to complete a claim form.
If you are unable to do this, please send a written claim to the following address without delay if your baggage has been damaged:
Air Berlin PLC & Co. Luftverkehrs KG
Abt. Kundenservice / Customer Sercive Dept.
Saatwinkler Damm 42-43
D-13627 Berlin
Fax: 0049 (0)30-3434 1909
Or fill in our contact form »
If your lost baggage has not been located within five days or if you have any questions relating to misdirected baggage, please contact the Lost & Found Centre in Berlin immediately:
Air Berlin PLC & Co Luftverkehrs KG
Gepäckermittlungszentrale / Lost & Found Centre
Saatwinkler Damm 42-43
D-13627 Berlin
Tel.: 0049 (0)30-3434 4646 (Mon-Fri 9:00-18:00 h)
Fax: 0049 (0)30-3434 4649
E-mail: ll-hdq@airberlin.com
Click on the link below to find out more about your search process:
Passengers with an AB flight number (airberlin) »
Passengers with a HG flight number (NIKI) »
Did you leave personal items in the cabin?
If so, please contact the Lost & Found desk at the airport where you arrived. If they cannot help you there, please contact our Lost & Found Centre in Berlin (at the address above).
Freight service
Items such as cars and motor cycles can, in principle, be carried on flights operated by the airberlin group. For information about procedure and booking please contact LEISURE CARGO GmbH by telephoning
49 (0)211-941 8795 or by sending an e-mail to: sales@leisurecargo.com
24 hours a day