Air Austral Baggage Policy

When organizing your travel with Air Austral, it is helpful to know the baggage policy for a hassle-free travel experience. Air Austral, a Réunion Island-based French airline, provides different baggage allowances based on your fare type, destination, and loyalty level. This in-depth guide has all you need to know about Air Austral’s checked baggage rules, special equipment handling, and useful advice on how to prepare your bags. Whether you’re a regular flyer or a first-time flyer with the airline, knowing these rules will prevent you from being hit with surprise fees and give you a stress-free travel experience from check-in to baggage claim.

Air Austral Checked Baggage Policy 

Since November 24, 2021, Air Austral has introduced the “Piece Concept” for checked bags allowances. It implies that the number of hold bags permitted is clearly stated on your ticket. The airline has designed its allowance system for luggage to cater to varying travel demands across different classes of cabins.

Economy Class (Loisirs)

Passengers flying Economy with Air Austral are entitled to a standard baggage allowance of one bag weighing up to 23 kg. 

This liberal allowance suffices for most travelers on short to medium-duration flights. There are, however, certain exceptions. On flights to and from Rodrigues, the allowance is halved to 15 kg, which takes into account the special operational needs of these routes. 

Moreover, it is important to realise that if you’ve bought a Light fare ticket, you won’t have any checked baggage included within your fare. This is the budget-conscious option that suits those who can cope with only cabin baggage or those who can pay for checked baggage separately.

Economy Premium (Comfort)

For tourists who desire more comfort and amenities, Air Austral’s Economy Premium, also called Confort class, has a higher baggage allowance. Guests of this cabin class are also entitled to two bags, with each bag being up to 23 kg in weight. 

The extra allowance comes in handy on longer flights or for those who like to bring along more baggage. The double-bag system also offers greater flexibility in packing your things, so you can distinguish items according to your needs upon arrival.

Business Class (Club Austral)

Business Class passengers traveling with Air Austral get the most luxurious baggage allowance that the airline has to offer. Passengers traveling in Club Austral can bring two bags with a weight limit of 32 kg each. This high allowance is in recognition of the premium quality of the service and benefits business travelers who might have to bring along additional items like business clothes, presentation materials, or gifts. The high weight allowance per bag also negates the need to pre-load weights into several pieces, which contributes to the ease of the premium travel experience.

It should be noted that for tickets booked before November 23, 2021, the weight policy is still applicable instead of the piece idea. That is, your allowance could be stated in terms of total weight instead of pieces. Always refer to your ticket for the actual information about your baggage allowance to prevent any confusion or surprise charges at the airport.

Special Categories and Loyalty Benefits At Air Austral

Air Austral has created considerate policies for special passenger categories and frequent customers in mind, being aware that passengers have differing needs regarding bags.

Children and Babies

Air Austral has kindly taken into account the requirements of children’s passengers:

• Non-seat infants aged less than 2 years are entitled to one piece of checked baggage weighing up to 10 kg
• Children aged between 2 and 11 years enjoy the same allowance as adult passengers

Young Person and Student Discount

Young travelers and students are entitled to additional baggage allowances:

• Travellers with “Youth(s) 12-25 years old” or “Student” fares are entitled to two bags of 23 kg each, but only on intercontinental flights from Reunion/Mayotte to France
• A student card must be shown at the airport to avail of this privilege

MyCapricorne Loyalty Program Privileges

Air Austral’s loyalty program, MyCapricorne, members have special privileges:

• Essentiel members get a further 9 kg allowance, raising their baggage weight limit from 23 kg to 32 kg in Loisirs and Confort classes
• This advantage is for flights operated by Air Austral (except Light fare without baggage, EWA flights, and domestic Tsaradia flights)
• Premium, Exclusive, and Abonné members get one extra piece of luggage: 32 kg in Club Austral and 23 kg in Confort and Loisirs classes

From April 1, 2025, MyCapricorne loyalty points earned for excess baggage rewards can be redeemed against tickets bought at the LIGHT fare (which do not include hold baggage to begin with). These excess baggage rewards are valid for 3 months.

Air Austral’s Dimensions and Weight Allowances for Checked Baggage

For safe and effective aircraft loading, Air Austral has set unambiguous rules regarding checked baggage weight and size.

Maximum Size

All checked luggage is required to comply with definite size restrictions to guarantee that it fit perfectly in the cargo hold of the plane. Normal checked luggage is not allowed to be more than 158 cm in length, width, and height combined. This measurement considers all the exterior components of the luggage, like pockets, wheels, and handles. If your luggage is within these dimensions, then go ahead to the normal check-in counters.

For products that are larger than the standard size requirement but less than 300 cm in total dimensions, Air Austral categorises them as oversized luggage. They need special treatment and have to be checked in at the specified “Oversize Baggage” counter. Maximum dimensions for oversized luggage have been set by the airline at 180 x 80 x 40 cm. These restrictions allow for even larger bags to be shipped safely without detracting from the cargo hold capability of the aeroplane.

Weight Restrictions

Weight restrictions are strictly enforced due to safety concerns:

• Maximum weight per piece of baggage: 32 kg (any baggage weighing more than this will be systematically denied)
• Exception: For flights to/from Thailand, it is 30 kg per bag
• There will be an extra charge of €100 at the airport for oversized luggage on medium or long-distance flights

Air Austral Sports Equipment and Special Items

Air Austral understands that the majority of travelers want to carry specialized gear for sports, hobbies, or professional activities. The airline has created detailed policies to assist these travelers while maintaining safe transport.

Size and Weight Restrictions for Sports Equipment

Sports equipment is usually larger than the typical baggage size, thus, Air Austral has certain rules for sports equipment. In general, sports equipment should not be larger than 300 cm in overall dimensions (width + length + height). 

In the case of passengers transferring to flights on smaller planes like the ATR 72 or Boeing 737, there are extra limitations; that is, the length of any item of equipment should not be more than 180 cm to allow it to fit into the cargo compartment of these planes.

Some sporting gear, like surfboards and windsurfing boards, is subject to certain limitations depending on the type of aircraft. Surfboards and windsurfing boards cannot be longer than 180 cm when traveling on Boeing 777 and Boeing 737 flights, with a combined total dimension under 300 cm. Surfboards on the smaller ATR 72 aircraft are subject to the same limitations, but windsurfing boards are prohibited because of limited space. These precise regulations assist tourists in planning when carrying specialised gear on their travels.

Transportation Fees and Allowances

Air Austral has made policies clear on transporting different sports equipment, with certain items being included in the free baggage allowance and others being charged extra.

Golfers are allowed to carry one golf bag per passenger at no charge, as long as the weight does not exceed 20 kg. This allowance is an acknowledgment of the popularity of golf tourism and facilitates the carrying of personal clubs by travelers. For security and safety purposes, the contents of golf bags will be checked at check-in. If the weight is more than 20 kg, normal excess baggage charges will be applied to the excess weight.

Diving gear is also carried at no cost if the weight is below 20 kg. This policy makes it easier to travel to the lovely diving spots in the Indian Ocean area covered by Air Austral. Travelers with diving gear should be ready to produce a valid scuba certification at check-in, which ensures that the gear is being carried by qualified individuals who know how to handle the gear properly.

Surfboards and windsurfers, being large and requiring special care, are excluded from the standard baggage allowance. Shipping these items is charged at a flat rate of €50 on long-haul as well as regional flights. This flat rate fee is convenient for the passengers and represents the extra handling involved in transporting such bulky objects.

Free flight gear, such as kitesurfing equipment, flysurfing gear, kiteboards, and traction kites, is entitled to free carriage if it does not weigh more than 20 kg. This accommodation recognizes the increasing popularity of these sport activities across most destinations serviced by Air Austral. Excess baggage charges are levied on a per-kilogram basis for equipment that weighs over 20 kg instead of a fixed rate.

Bicycles, both adult and children, are also out of the regular baggage allowance and carry a fixed charge of €50 on long-haul and regional flights. To facilitate safe carriage, cyclists should ensure that they adequately prepare their bicycles by encasing them in a protective carton or bag. Preparation involves removing pedals, fastening handlebars sideways, and deflating tires. The above preparations prevent damage while handling and transportation, saving the bicycle and other baggage from damage.

Air Austral Musical Instruments

Air Austral recognizes the worth and delicacy of musical instruments and has established special rules for their transportation. All musical instruments must be placed in rigid protective cases, whether they are carried in the cabin or in the hold. This is to ensure that these precious items are not damaged during handling and flight. The airline specifically mentions that instruments like guitars won’t be accepted for hold transport if they are put inside soft cases, since these are not protective enough.

For passengers who are not travelling on Light fare tickets (which do not carry baggage), musical instruments form part of the standard baggage allowance. This implies that if the instrument is the sole piece of baggage checked in for Loisirs class passengers, or one of the two pieces for Confort or Club Austral passengers, no supplement will be charged. Nevertheless, if the instrument is an additional piece over the standard allowance, transport charges will be incurred.

Get more Information: Fly Aeolus Baggage Policy

Air Austral’s Carry-on Baggage Policy 

Carry-ons shouldn’t exceed dimensions of 115cm, that’s a combination of height, width, and length. This includes handles, wheels, and pockets. If your bags don’t comply with the cabin baggage rules, then it has to be checked and transported in the aircraft’s cargo hold. The total weight of your cabin bag shouldn’t exceed 12 kg. 

You could carry a personal item alongside your cabin bag like a handbag, camera or laptop (whichever suits you). The dimension shouldn’t be more than 45 cm x 35 cm x 20 cm. If you are traveling with infants below two, the cabin baggage allowance shouldn’t exceed 12 kg irrespective of their class of booking. 

Important Reminders Regarding Air Austral’s Baggage Policy 

Upon check-in, Air Austral representatives will issue one baggage tag receipt per bag. These receipts are evidence of your checked luggage and are required in case of claiming compensation if your baggage is lost or damaged in the unfortunate event that it does not arrive at your destination. Store these receipts securely with your travel documents until you have reclaimed your baggage at your destination.

For passengers with generous baggage allowances exceeding 30 kg, we want to remind you that each piece must still be within the maximum weight of 32 kg (or 30 kg if traveling to/from Thailand). This is strictly enforced because of occupational health and safety standards for bag handling staff. In case your overall allowance is above these quantities, you would have to split your possessions among several bags so that each is within the maximum weight limit.

When handling oversized luggage, take note that payment for any applicable fees can only be made at the airport during check-in. Air Austral currently does not provide a facility to pre-pay these fees online or via other means. This approach means that passengers carrying oversized items must make allowance for extra time at check-in to accommodate the extra processing and payment needs.

Additional Baggage Options At Air Austral

Having noted that the usual baggage allowances do not cater to every traveler’s needs, Air Austral provides various options for additional capacity for travelers who need more space.

Buying Excess Baggage

For travelers who foresee going over their usual baggage allowance, Air Austral makes it easy to buy extra baggage capacity up to 24 hours prior to departure. This service is available through the airline’s online platform, allowing passengers to plan ahead and potentially benefit from lower rates compared to paying for excess baggage at the airport. 

By pre-purchasing excess baggage, travelers can budget more accurately for their journey and avoid the stress of unexpected fees at check-in. The web-based system gives detailed information regarding the charges for different excess baggage alternatives, enabling travelers to make a well-informed choice based on their requirements.

Conclusion

Knowing Air Austral’s baggage policy makes traveling hassle-free, preventing you from incurring unnecessary charges and hassles at the airport. The airline’s high allowances, particularly for premium classes and loyalty members, make it an easy option for passengers with high baggage requirements. Be sure to refer to the particular allowance printed on your e-ticket, as it could be different depending on your fare type, destination, and date of purchase.

Air Austral’s considerate handling of special equipment transport makes it a great option for musicians and sports fans. The explicit instructions and moderate charges for such items reflect the airline’s effort to cater to different traveler needs while ensuring operational efficiency. If you adhere to the preparation instructions and pack your items correctly, you can have your belongings safely delivered to your destination.

Frequently Asked Questions