Your Ultimate Travel Guide On Air Seychelles Baggage Policy

Traveling to the breathtaking Seychelles islands? Knowing Air Seychelles’ baggage policy is essential for a hassle-free travel experience. Whether you’re taking a domestic flight between Mahé and Praslin or on a regional trip, this ultimate guide will assist you in understanding the airline’s baggage policies, steer clear of surprise charges, and pack smart.

Getting to Know Air Seychelles’ Baggage Philosophy

Air Seychelles has upgraded its method of handling bags to a weight-based system instead of counting bags per piece. This concept of total weight provides passengers with more freedom in what they bring on board, but still ensures them adherence to size and weight limits.

The baggage policy of the airline differs greatly between regional and domestic flights and has varying allowances for business and economy class fares. Knowledge of these differences is important in planning your travel and budgeting accordingly.

Domestic Flights: Mahé to Praslin Routes

Air Seychelles implemented major updates to its local baggage policy from June 1, 2020. The new policy covers all travel between Mahé and Praslin, Seychelles’ two primary islands that are well-liked by tourists as well as locals.

With the existing domestic policy, an airline passenger is entitled to 15 kilograms of baggage and 5 kilograms of hand luggage. This is fair space for short inter-island flights but light enough not to make the weight of the aircraft too heavy for the short flights.

For infants under 2 years traveling with their families, the allowance is not altered at 10 kilograms of checked allowance and 5 kilograms of hand allowance. This exception recognizes that infant travel entails extra equipment while understanding that young children do not require the same baggage allowance as mature passengers.

Air Seychelles Size Limitations and Packaging Requirements

Every domestic flight’s checked baggage should not exceed the dimension of 75cm x 43cm x 90cm. This dimension limit ensures there is ample space for the luggage in the cargo hold of the aircraft and adherence to safety standards for such smaller planes.

Mandatory labeling and packing are required. The passenger should pack their baggage securely to ensure it is not damaged during handling and properly mark it with contact details in the event of mishandling.

Air Seychelles Hand Baggage Policies

Hand baggage on domestic flights is restricted to particular sizes: handbags, laptop bags, slim-line backpacks, or briefcases. The airline has a strict ban on reusable shopping bags, printed plastic bags, and oversized open tote bags as checked or hand-carried luggage. This rule helps to provide uniformity in cabin storage and preserves a professional travel environment.

Air Seychelles Excess Baggage Fees for Domestic Travel

When your luggage weighs over 15 kilograms, Air Seychelles has a tiered excess baggage fee regime. The charges are dependent on whether you are resident or not and where you buy the excess baggage allowance.

For Seychelles residents, the excess baggage fee is SCR 85 per kilogram when booked online or in sales offices (minimum of 5 kilograms). The fee is higher at the airport, at SCR 110 per kilogram. For non-residents, the fees are higher: SCR 110 per kilogram when booked online or in sales offices and SCR 250 per kilogram at the airport.

The large price gap between airport and advance purchase rates highlights the value of planning. Buying additional baggage online or in sales offices can yield considerable savings, particularly for non-residents.

Air Seychelles Regional Network Baggage Policy

Regional network business class passengers on Air Seychelles have spacious baggage allowances that are commensurate with the premium level of service. 

Flight Type	Class	Passenger Type	Checked Baggage	Hand Baggage	Size Limits (Checked)
Domestic (Mahé-Praslin)	All Classes	Adult	15kg	5kg	75cm x 43cm x 90cm
Domestic (Mahé-Praslin)	All Classes	Infant (0-2 years)	10kg	5kg	75cm x 43cm x 90cm
Regional Network	Business	Adult/Child	40kg	12kg	90cm x 75cm x 43cm
Regional Network	Business	Infant (0-23 months)	10kg	12kg	90cm x 75cm x 43cm
Regional Network	Economy	Adult/Child	30kg	7kg	90cm x 75cm x 43cm
Regional Network	Economy	Infant (0-23 months)	10kg	7kg	90cm x 75cm x 43cm

Economy Class Provisions

Regional flight economy class passengers enjoy 30 kilograms of checked baggage allowance and 7 kilograms of hand baggage. Although not as generous as business class, the allowance is adequate for most leisure traffic and represents good value for money.

Just like economy class, children in economy get the same amount as adults of the same class, and infants are restricted to 10 kilograms of checked luggage. Economy class families also get the pram allowance.

Regional Network Size Restrictions

All checked bags on regional airlines should not exceed 90cm (height) x 75cm (width) x 43cm (depth). Hand bag sizes are restricted to 55cm (height) x 40cm (width) x 20cm (depth). These sizes follow global standards to maintain compatibility with storage capacities in planes.

Air Seychelles Weight Restrictions and Freight Options

Air Seychelles has an unforgiving policy on individual pieces of baggage: no item of checked baggage can weigh more than 32 kilograms. This is for safety purposes to avoid endangering both passengers and handlers of luggage from getting hurt while loading and offloading the bags.

If your luggage is over this limit, you can either repack in several smaller pieces or book cargo transport. The airline will not accept overweight single pieces for regular baggage handling.

Cargo Services for Heavy Luggage

For travelers with luggage over 32 kilograms, Air Seychelles provides cargo services. You need to pre-book the cargo department via email at cargocommercial@airseychelles.com or by calling +248 4391046 or +248 4391311.

Something to keep in mind: the airline makes no guarantees that cargo items will come in on the same flight as passengers. You’ll be advised by guest service agents when your cargo reaches the destination airport for pickup.

Air Seychelles Sports Equipment Policies

Air Seychelles accepts a number of sporting equipment with particular guidelines for each type. Fishing gear, including rods, reels, tackle, landing nets, and fishing boots, should be packed in suitable cases.

Cycling gear needs to be specially prepared: handlebars need to be mounted sideways, pedals taken out and packed in plastic with handlebars, tires pumped down, and the entire bike wrapped in a cardboard cover.

Diving gear, such as scuba cylinders, regulators, harnesses, and pressure gauges, is accepted on condition of maximum weight limits. Golf gear cannot exceed 90cm x 75cm x 43cm and can comprise clubs, balls, umbrellas, and golf shoes.

International Flight Equipment

Some sports gear is only permitted on international flights. Surfboards cannot be longer than 292 cm or wider than 60 cm. Windsurfing gear, made up of one surfboard, wooden mast, pole, and sail, is the same size and is also only permitted on international flights.

Sports gear is included in your checked baggage allowance, and there is a fee for excess baggage if weight allocations are reached.

Security and Restricted Items

Air Seychelles adheres to global security regulations on liquids, aerosols, creams, gels, and pastes. They should be in containers of a capacity of 100ml or less, packed in a clear zip-top plastic bag not larger than 20cm x 20cm with a maximum capacity of one liter.

Medicines and special dietary needs are allowed provided they come with the relevant medical certification. Baby food and milk are allowed but will be checked by customs authorities.

Electronic Device Restrictions

Power banks are allowed in carry-on baggage but not used at any stage of flight, including charging from onboard USB ports. Major electronic devices such as laptops, cameras, and DVD players need to be taken out for individual screening during airport security checks.

US-Bound Flight Restrictions

Passengers coming to the United States are subject to further restrictions and requirements. Items that are larger than a smartphone must be placed in checked luggage, such as laptops, tablets, cameras, and e-readers. This policy complies with the US Transportation Security Administration regulations for increased security protocols.

Excess Baggage Cost Management

The best method of controlling baggage fees is with a reservation. Booking extra baggage online or at sales offices is by far cheaper than airport rates. On regional flights, the savings are huge: USD 8 per kilogram in advance compared to USD 15 at the airport.

Excess baggage pre-paid is non-transferable and non-refundable, so it is essential to accurately estimate your requirements. But the savings do make it worth buying a little extra allowance than you may require.

Also Read: Azores Airlines Baggage Policy

Strategic Packing Tips

Knowing the weight system permits strategic packing. Rather than be concerned with the quantity of bags, concern yourself with total weight distribution. You can pack a single big suitcase or several small suitcases, provided no single piece weighs more than 32 kilograms and your overall weight remains within allowances.

Significant Policy Considerations

For local flights, baggage policy varies based on when you bought your ticket. The new policy is for tickets bought from June 1, 2020, and beyond. Passengers who bought tickets before this date retain their initial baggage allowance as shown on their tickets.

Contact Information and Support

For inquiries regarding baggage policies, passengers can stop by www.airseychelles.com or reach the Air Seychelles Call Centre at +248 4391000. For inquiries about cargo, email cargocommercial@airseychelles.com.

Conclusion

Air Seychelles’ baggage policy demonstrates a contemporary attitude towards air travel, weighing passenger comfort against the needs of operational efficiency. The weight system provides elasticity while distinct size limitations guarantee safety and accurate handling.

Success with Air Seychelles baggage policies depends on planning. Knowing domestic flight vs. regional flight differences, estimating excess baggage fees, and buying extra allowances ahead of time can conserve dollars as well as travel anxiety.

Frequently Asked Questions