Passengers that want to carry on both a regular carry-on bag and an under-seat bag will have to purchase a light ticket, which is available on long-haul flights and on European flights for business-class customers.
The maximum dimensions of an under-seat bag are 40 centimetres by 30 centimetres by 15 centimetres. In contrast, a regular carry-on bag must not surpass the dimensions of 55 centimetres by 40 centimetres by 23 centimetres.
The airline will also reduce baggage allowances for business-class passengers on Continental flights, and adopt additional fees for all special baggage, such as golf bags and ski equipment.
The changes to ticket types and baggage restrictions will be effective June 1st.
Finnair on Tuesday said the changes were made due to the impact on passengers' punctuality and comfort of flights due to a rise in carry-on baggage.
The objective is to ensure seamless boarding, on-time operations, and comfortable travel on all of our flights. The amount of extra 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.
Our customers and staff are frequently satisfied with our response to this feedback. Helve said the airline will step up the tracking of carry-on baggage at airports to ensure boarding is smooth and flights depart on time during the busy summer season.
The charge for excess carry-on baggage will be added to the value of the ticket, he said. Examine the baggage allowance associated with your ticket and adhere to it. The fees for additional baggage are higher at the airport than in advance. Finnair also announced that passengers traveling with a superlight, light, or classic ticket will have to cough up an additional charge in order to choose their seat. Passengers who choose not to do so will be assigned a seat by the airport staff.
Finlandair's director of communication, Heidi Lemmetyinen, told Helsingin Sanomat on Tuesday that the airline has received both positive and negative feedback for the changes. The changes are designed to enhance customer service, rather than squeeze more money out of passengers, she said.
Passengers have at times really had a lot of baggage, which has slowed down boarding as people try to make their baggage fit. Flights have been delayed as we have had to transfer baggage to the cargo hold at last minute, she said.
Delays at any stage of the process can 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. The increase in fuel used for flying faster raises both flight costs and carbon-dioxide emissions.