The Later You Check Your Baggage, the Faster You Find It? ... Sweet Tips for Boarding an Airplane

Introduction to Handling Methods for Consignment, Weight, Loss, and Damage Cases

As winter passes, demand for overseas travel is increasing as we enter spring. The excitement of travel begins with boarding the airplane. The process of checking in and retrieving luggage, which contains clothes and food items to be used at the travel destination, is important at the airport. The travel industry provides useful information related to checked baggage.

① Does checking in luggage later mean receiving it faster?

The departure hall of Terminal 1 at Incheon International Airport is bustling with travelers ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday. [Image source=Yonhap News]

According to Triple, a hyper-personalized platform operated by Interpark Triple on the 17th, the order in which checked luggage appears on the carousel is unrelated to the passenger's boarding check-in order. Instead, there are differences based on seat class. Luggage is delivered in the order of First Class, Business, airline membership status, and Economy. If you want to retrieve your checked luggage faster, you can use the baggage priority handling services provided by each airline. For example, Air Busan offers priority baggage retrieval services to customers who purchase front seats or emergency exit seats, and Jin Air provides or sells priority baggage retrieval services as part of separate bundle products.

② Is it possible to combine luggage weight with travel companions?

Jeju Air, Jin Air, T'way Air, and foreign airline AirAsia, which mainly operates Southeast Asian routes, allow combining luggage weight with travel companions. On the other hand, Asiana Airlines, Korean Air, and foreign airlines such as Lufthansa and Peach Aviation do not allow weight combination. Even when using airlines that allow combining luggage weight with travel companions, there are precautions. For example, if the free checked baggage allowance is 15 kg and there are three people in the group, it might seem that one suitcase weighing up to 45 kg is allowed, but the maximum weight per individual luggage of 32 kg cannot be exceeded. If you need to add luggage weight due to long-term travel or shopping, it is recommended to make a reservation in advance through the airline's website, as it is cheaper than purchasing at the airport.

③ Can children also bring checked luggage?

It varies by airline and route, but generally, checked baggage is allocated for children as well. Infants are classified as those from 7 days old to under 2 years old, and children as those from 2 years old to under 12 years old. However, the weight allowance may be less than that for adults and varies by age, so caution is needed. Some airlines only allow strollers as free baggage for infant passengers. Infants are classified as those from 7 days old to under 2 years old, and children as those from 2 years old to under 12 years old.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

④ What if checked luggage is damaged?

If you discover damage to your luggage after checking it at the airport, it is best to report it before leaving the arrival hall. You must report it no later than 7 days from the date of luggage receipt. You will need your boarding pass number, baggage tag, passport number, and if available, proof such as the purchase receipt or purchase date of the suitcase. Compensation methods usually include reimbursement for repair costs, provision of replacement items, or repair and maintenance. Since you never know when an accident might occur, it is advisable to take photos and videos of the luggage before checking it in, during the check-in process, and immediately after receiving it. If you have travel insurance, you may receive additional compensation separately from the airline under the personal effects damage coverage.

⑤ What if luggage is lost or delayed?

Do not leave the arrival hall; immediately report to nearby staff and fill out a report form. Delayed luggage will be sent to the address provided in the report form. If you contact the airline and provide proof of expenses incurred due to loss or delay, you may receive compensation. Compensation items and rates vary by airline. If you have travel insurance, you may also receive additional compensation from the insurance.