Passengers who want to carry on both a regular carry-on bag and an under-seat bag will have to purchase a light ticket, which are available on long-haul flights and for business-class customers on flights within Europe.
The maximum dimensions of an under seat bag are 40 centimetres by 30 centimetres by 15 centimetres. A regular carry-on bag, meanwhile, must not surpass the dimensions of 55 centimetres by 40 centimetres by 23 centimetres.
At a cost lower than those for business class customers on continental flights, the airline will also make additional fees for all special baggage, including golf bags and ski equipment.
The changes to ticket types and baggage restrictions will come into effect on June 1st.
Finnair said the changes were made due to the impact of extra carry-on baggage on the punctuality and passenger comfort of flights.
The objective is to ensure smoother boarding, on-time operations, and comfortable travel on all our flights. The amount of excess baggage on all flights is a visible challenge on all flights, affecting both flight punctuality and travel comfort, said Valtteri Helve, Finnair's director of products.
We are frequently receiving feedback from our customers and staff. Helve said the airline will step up the management of carry-on baggage at airports to ensure boarding is smooth and flights depart on time during the busy summer season.
The cost of excess carry-on baggage will be calculated for an additional charge, he said. To ensure that you follow the baggage allowance associated with your ticket, it's a good idea to check the baggage allowance associated with your ticket. The cost of additional baggage is higher at the airport than in advance. Finnair also announced that passengers traveling with superlight, light, or classic tickets will have to cough up an additional charge in order to choose their seat. Passengers opting not to do so will be assigned a seat by the airport staff.
Finnair's director of communication, Heidi Lemmetyinen, said on Tuesday that the airline has received both positive and negative feedback for the changes. She added that the changes are designed to enhance customer service rather than squeeze more money out of passengers.
Passengers have, at times, actually had a lot of baggage, which has led to a slowdown in boarding as people try to make their baggage fit. The flight has been delayed because we have had to move baggage to the cargo hold at last minute, she said.
Delays at any stage of the process can have ripple effects across what is an operation of small margins.
There is a butterfly effect. At worst, a delay in one stage is repeated for other airlines flights and passengers, she said.
Although pilots can sometimes make up for delays by flying faster, Lemmetyinen says, that is neither easy nor particularly responsible. Flying faster requires more fuel, which raises both flight expenses and carbon-dioxide emissions.