Baggage on Flights to Pakistan: What the Allowance Really Covers
The baggage allowance is the part of a Pakistan ticket that changes the price most often and is explained least clearly. A fare that looks cheap can cost more than a standard fare once a checked bag is added, and the excess charge at the airport is usually far higher than the pre-paid price. The allowance depends on the airline, the fare brand and the route.
Baggage on Flights to Pakistan: What the Allowance Really Covers: questions people actually ask
How much baggage is included on flights to Pakistan?
It depends on the airline, the fare brand and the route. A basic fare may include hand baggage only, while a standard fare includes a checked bag. Compare the total price with the baggage you need.
Is it cheaper to pay for excess baggage online?
Yes, usually. The pre-paid price is much lower than the airport charge, and the allowance can be added after booking on most airlines.
Can I take a pram to Pakistan?
Most airlines carry a pram free, but the rules vary. Check the policy before booking, particularly on a connecting ticket.
Weight or piece
Some airlines sell baggage by weight, with a total allowance in kilograms across one or more bags. Others sell by piece, with a maximum weight per bag. The two systems are not comparable, and a traveller with two heavy bags can be better off under a piece system while a traveller with one light bag can be better off under a weight system.
The fare brand matters as much as the airline. A basic fare may include hand baggage only, while a standard fare includes a checked bag. The difference in price is often less than the cost of adding a bag later.
The Gulf carriers
The Gulf carriers usually sell a weight allowance on economy fares, with a higher allowance in premium cabins. The allowance is often generous by European standards, and the excess charge is high.
The connection adds a second set of rules if the ticket is not a single through ticket. A bag checked to the final destination is usually transferred automatically, and a bag checked only to the hub has to be collected and re-checked.
The UK and US carriers
The UK and US carriers often sell by piece on long-haul routes, with a maximum weight per bag. The allowance is usually one or two pieces in economy, depending on the fare.
The excess charge is per bag and per direction, and it can be several times the pre-paid price. If you know you will travel with extra bags, buy the allowance in advance.
Special items
Prams, car seats and infant baggage have their own rules, and they vary by airline. A pram is usually carried free, and a car seat may be carried free or charged as an extra piece. Check the policy before booking.
Medical equipment and mobility aids are usually carried free, with advance notice. The airline needs to know the dimensions and the battery type, particularly for a wheelchair with a lithium battery.
Gifts and the return journey
The outward journey is often lighter than the return, because gifts are bought in the UK or the US and carried to Pakistan. The return may include family gifts and food, which can exceed the allowance.
The customs rules on arrival in the UK or the US apply to food, plants and animal products. A bag that is within the airline allowance can still be seized at customs if it contains a prohibited item.