A light ticket is available for passengers who want to carry on both a carry-on bag and an under-seat bag, which are available on long-haul flights and for business-class customers on flights within Europe.
The dimensions of an under-seat bag are 40 centimetres by 30 centimetres by 15 centimetres. Similarly, a regular carry-on bag must not exceed the dimensions of 55 centimeters 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 take effect on June 1st.
Finnair on Tuesday said the changes were made because of the impact of carry-on baggage on the punctuality and comfort of passengers on flights.
The goal is to ensure smoother boarding, on-time operations, and comfortable travel on all our flights. The amount of excess baggage is a visible challenge on all flights, affected both flight punctuality and travel comfort, said Valtteri Helve, Finnair's head of products.
The feedback we receive from our clients and employees is frequently reflected in our overall customer satisfaction. Helve said the airline will step up its maintenance of carry-on baggage at airports to ensure boarding is smooth and flights depart on time during the busy summer season.
The additional charge for excess carry-on baggage will be calculated at the airline's website. To adhere to baggage allowance requirements, it is advisable to check the baggage allowance associated with your ticket. At the airport, fees for additional baggage are higher than in advance. Finnair has announced that passengers travelling with superlight, light, or classic tickets will be subject to an additional charge for choosing their seat. Passengers who choose 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. The changes are intended to enhance customer service, rather than squeeze more money out of passengers.
Passengers have at times really had a lot of baggage, which has slow down boarding as people try to make their baggage fit. Flights have 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 ripple across what is an operation of small margins.
There is a butterfly effect. At worst, a delay in one stage is repeated for other airline 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. Due to the increased use of more fuel, flying faster raises both flight expenses and carbon-dioxide emissions.