Non-refundable air tickets law luggage. What you need to know about refundable and non-refundable tickets. The most common baggage and carry-on baggage rules in Russian airlines

Airlines will now be able to sell tickets that do not include baggage at all - previously 10 kg was guaranteed free of charge (new baggage rules on the plane).

On July 20, the State Duma adopted amendments to the Air Code (Rules for carrying luggage on an airplane), which will affect millions of air passengers. Now into plane tickets airlines may not include free baggage allowance at all. Is it true, this only applies to non-refundable fares- and they are the cheapest, and most travelers buy them.

The news of many tourists led, if in a stupor, then into slight confusion: how come, without luggage tariffs were introduced a long time ago, did I pay for a suitcase on the S7 flight last summer? And “Victory” only lets you in with a handbag, it requires money for a backpack!

In fact, the baggage-free fares of Russian airlines have so far been conditionally baggage-free - any of them allowed you to take 10 kg for free. Even Pobeda, with all its strictness, was allowed to carry 10 kg of hand luggage in the luggage compartment. Precisely because this norm was spelled out in the Air Code. Now it's been cancelled. And carriers have every right not to include luggage in the ticket price at all. Need a suitcase - pay, ready to fly light - save.

And what now, tomorrow at all airports in the country they will start taking money for each suitcase? "Komsomolskaya Pravda" figured out the details of the new rules.

AS IT WAS

Baggage and hand luggage: The air code allowed each passenger to carry at least 10 kg free of charge. At the same time, it was not specified where exactly - in the luggage compartment or hand luggage. And the airlines interpreted it as it was more convenient for them. For example, S7 at a baggage-free rate allows you to take 10 kg of hand luggage into the cabin, there is no free baggage at all. “Victory” is the opposite: a suitcase weighing up to 10 kg can be checked in for free, but they are not allowed to take anything other than the list prescribed in the Federal Aviation Rules (See "Important"). For other carriers, even at the cheapest fares, free allowances are more generous than the minimum required by law: Ural Airlines has 5 kg of hand luggage and 10 kg of luggage, Aeroflot has 10 kg of hand luggage and 23 kg of luggage.

Eventually: 10 kg is quite possible to keep within if you fly for the weekend or on a short business trip. And it really doesn't matter where these 10 kg are flying, in the luggage compartment or in the cabin. Passengers could really save money by buying conditionally baggage-free tickets - after all, 10 kg are still included in them.

HOW TO BE*

Baggage: the airline may not include free baggage in the ticket price at all. And maybe include - as she decides.

Cabin Baggage: A passenger is entitled to free hand baggage allowance "within the limits set by the carrier in accordance with federal aviation regulations." That is - and here almost everything is at the mercy of the airline. A brother can allow 5 kg into the salon, maybe 10 kg. Or it can be limited to items from those same federal aviation rules (See "Important"), their amendments were not affected.

That is: an airline can legitimately charge for anything but a handbag or briefcase. And for luggage, and for hand luggage - be it a backpack, a sports bag, a duty-free bag. Have you seen a lot of ascetics who fly to another city with only a handbag over their shoulder, without, sorry, change of underwear and socks? In this situation, the passenger will have to pay on top in any case - either for a suitcase or for hand luggage. But. There is hope that airlines will do without extremes and leave some reasonable allowances for free hand luggage. This is what happens in the world, in any case (see “How are they doing”).

*After the entry into force of the amendments. All this applies only to non-refundable tickets. For passengers with refundable fares, the new law does not change anything.

6 NAIVE QUESTIONS

When will the new rules take effect?

Quietly - only 60 days after the official publication of the amendments. Approximately end of September - beginning of October. That is, we will have time to fly off during the summer holidays, as usual, 10 kg are guaranteed free of charge even at no-luggage fares.

Will they take money for a suitcase on any flight?

No. It all depends on the airline and the fare at which you buy a ticket. The amendments make it possible to make only non-refundable tickets completely baggage-free. If the ticket can be returned, then at least 10 kg of baggage is automatically included in its cost (or more, this is already the right of the airline).

Most likely, over the next two months, carriers will redraw their tariff scales to fit the new rules. There will be the cheapest tickets that cannot be returned and any luggage only for money, there will be medium ones, with 10 kg of free luggage and return restrictions (with a fine, for example) and expensive ones, where you can take a suitcase weighing 23 kg and change and return the ticket itself. This is a conjecture, of course.

How do I know if I'm eligible for free baggage?

The amendments oblige the airline to inform the passenger about the conditions of baggage and carry-on baggage when buying a ticket. To be fair, even now they do not hide this information on their websites. As a rule, you need to click on the name of the fare next to the price or the icon symbolizing luggage. You will see: only hand luggage, 10 kg, 23 kg... If you realized it already after the purchase, look for the "Baggage" column in the electronic ticket.

How much will it cost to drop off a suitcase?

The carrier sets the rates. On average, at current rates - 2,000 rubles or 50 euros (on international flights) for a suitcase weighing up to 23 kg.

Will tickets get cheaper?

The main argument of the supporters of the law is that plane tickets will become cheaper. Why? Baggage is a service for which the passenger pays. After all, the plane is heavier with suitcases, it needs more fuel, again, loading-unloading-loaders' salaries, luggage belt. Now everyone pays for this service. And if we divide it - the flight is separate, the luggage is separate - some passengers will be able to pay only for the flight itself and thereby save. The base tariffs of Pobeda are said to be reduced by 20%.

Those who are willing to fly bare fare and no baggage at all may pay less. But for most passengers, flights will eventually rise in price, he believes. Alexander SIZINTSEV, CEO of the Internet service for travelers Biletix. Because, in addition to the fare, they will fork out for luggage, even the minimum one.

HOW ARE THEM?

Let's see if we have tickets for 10 euros!

In the European Union and the United States, the laws do not regulate the issue of luggage at all, the airlines themselves decide what they will allow the passenger to carry for free, and what for the money, - comments PR director of Aviasales Janis Dzenis.

So in Russia now - as in the whole world. Anyone who has flown Western low-cost airlines knows that Ryanair, EasyJet and the like do not really include any luggage at all. But it’s generous with hand luggage - Ryanair even allows you to carry two bags, one on a shelf above the seat, the other under the chair. So passengers save on suitcases, and take the maximum to the cabin.

Russian aviators, who lobbied for the newly adopted amendments, just proved that our 10 kg free baggage allowance prevents domestic low-cost airlines from competing with foreign ones, which do not have such restrictions. Well, let's see if we now have tickets for 10 euros, as in Europe - the obstacles have been removed!

NUMBERS

50% of passengers do not know whether free baggage is included in the ticket they bought.

30% pay for suitcase already at the airport, being surprised to learn that the fare is baggage-free.

60% can be saved, if you pay for baggage not included in the ticket in advance, on the airline's website.

Who will benefit from this situation?

In the midst of the summer season, when Russians tend to fly to warmer climes, the debate continues around the fact that now you will have to pay for air baggage with non-refundable tickets. The day before corresponding . The conflict is also in the fact that the list of things allowed for free transportation did not include cameras, umbrellas, mobile phones, outerwear.

The government is confident that the new baggage rule will reduce the cost of tickets and support low-cost airlines. Aviation market experts say that carriers are the beneficiaries of the bill. Who will benefit from this situation - airlines or their customers?

Fares with non-refundable seats are most often offered by low-cost airlines, although this option is also available in classic airlines. According to the existing legislation of the Russian Federation and in accordance with the Federal Aviation Rules, baggage up to 10 kg and hand luggage is included in any fares, including non-refundable ones. In particular, the obligation to include luggage in the tariffs is also assigned to the only low-cost airline in the country - the Pobeda airline.

However, the new rule, proposed by the Ministry of Transport and approved by parliament, can help passengers save money if they are going to travel light. At least the low-cost airline Pobeda has announced its readiness to reduce the base prices for air tickets in the event of a change in legislation regarding baggage allowance. As representatives of the low-cost airline noted, the tariff reduction could reach 20%. The airline believes that carriers should be able to independently, but taking into account the interests of customers, set baggage allowances without additional fees or provide more favorable fares to those who want to save on flights.

At the same time, this measure is necessary for the successful development of low-cost airlines, whose pricing policy is based on the rejection of many services. In European low-cost carriers, services such as baggage in the luggage compartment, check-in at the airport, a duplicate boarding pass are not included in the minimum fare, unlike the Russian low-cost airline. For example, in the British EasyJet, these options cost from £13 to £45, and in the Hungarian Wizz - from €10 to €50. Hand luggage on these airlines is usually included in the fare, but everything in excess of the norm is paid separately. In Pobeda, on the contrary, passengers pay extra for things carried into the cabin, but the low-cost airline does not take money for a handbag, laptop, umbrella, stroller and some other items in excess of the norm. It turns out that people flying light, with the same handbag or briefcase, are forced to pay for their non-existent baggage, since it is automatically included in the fare. According to the low-cost airline, the airline has about 40% of such passengers and they will only benefit from the removal of baggage encumbrances.

Do not plan to introduce baggage-free fares and the largest Russian carrier - "Aeroflot". The airline said that the prices for tickets in economy class in connection with the adoption of the new law will not change, and the new rule will enable passengers flying without luggage to buy tickets at a lower cost. “This bill will make it possible to harmonize Russian legislation with international practices and is essential for the overall development of low-cost transportation in Russia. It is necessary to give the passenger the right to choose the services that he prefers on this flight. It is important that baggage-free tickets will be an alternative, not a replacement for regular tickets," the airline told MK.

While adopting the bill of the Ministry of Transport at the final meeting of the spring session of the Federation Council, the senators noted the need to improve it. According to the members of the upper house, it is irresponsible to ban the free transport of zones and telephones. In any case, the document is approved, now the main thing is that it does not turn out “as always”, when “we wanted the best”.

If something went wrong and the vacation has to be canceled or rescheduled, the first question that arises is the return of money for air tickets. Some can be safely returned or exchanged, for others it is impossible, and if you refuse to fly, you will lose all their value. Together with colleagues from the OneTwoTrip travel service, we understand the intricacies of refundable and non-refundable fares.

As it was before

Until June 2014, all flights of Russian airlines were returnable: a passenger could return a ticket even immediately before departure, and in this case he received 75 percent of the cost back (if returned in less than a day, the airline withheld 25 percent in the form of a fine). If the refund was issued a few days before departure, then there were no financial losses at all.

True, there were service fees for the return, each airline has its own, but in general it was possible to get almost all the money spent on tickets. The risks of passengers refusing to fly were included in the fare, respectively, tickets were more expensive.

After the amendments to the Air Code came into force, so-called non-refundable tickets appeared. It was assumed that the amendments would create conditions in Russia for the development of low-cost airlines. But as a result, all airlines made their cheapest tickets non-refundable. Also, flexible tariffs have spread on the market - not only non-refundable and non-exchange, but also without luggage. As a result, the price of flights to domestic destinations fell by about a quarter.

How to find out what fare your ticket has

The amount you pay for a ticket is made up of two parts: fare plus fees and taxes. The fare is the cost of the flight. The tariff is set by the company depending on the length of the route, season and booking class (economy or business). But there are also airport fees for aircraft ground handling, fuel, insurance and service fees.

Before buying, study the information on the site where you purchase tickets and find the fare rules. Pay attention to the following phrases (they are always written in English in the rules):

TICKET IS NON-REFUNDABLE IN CASE OF CANCEL/NO-SHOW- the ticket is non-refundable if the passenger canceled the trip or did not show up for boarding. That is, it will not work to return such a ticket without a good reason. Only the first part of the wording can be specified - Ticket is non-refundable. The meaning is the same.

CHANGES NOT PERMITTED- The ticket is not exchangeable.

CHANGES ANY TIME CHARGE EUR 50.00- you can exchange such a ticket, but for 50 euros. The amount may vary for different airlines.

NAME CHANGE NOT PERMITTED- You cannot change the name on the ticket.

WHERE FARE IS NON-REFUNDABLE ANY TIME IN THIS CASE YQ/YR SURCHARGES ARE ALSO NON-REFUNDABLE- Here "YQ/YR" stands for dachshunds. It means that if the ticket fare is non-refundable, then the taxes are also non-refundable.

What are non-refundable fares for Russian airlines called?

We have two non-refundable tariffs: "Economy promo" and "Economy budget".

Does not accept back tickets that are sold at the "Basic" fare, including "Economy Basic" and "Business Basic".

Non-refundable tariffs - "Light Economy".

At "" non-refundable tickets are sold at promotional rates.

Pobeda offers non-refundable tickets at Standard and Package Plus fares.

Nordwind Airlines has a Promo fare.

And what about foreign air carriers?

Everything is different there. Foreign airlines do not have permanent non-refundable fares. Tickets purchased through promotions and sales cannot usually be returned. In other cases, you need to study the fare rules.

The exception is low-cost companies. Most of their tickets are non-refundable by default. Sometimes, however, the carrier allows you to change the name of the passenger on the ticket for an additional fee.

How much cheaper are non-refundable tickets?

Most airlines have refundable and non-refundable fares for both economy and business class. Refundable and non-refundable tickets in the same class differ only in the possibility of returning the ticket if you suddenly cancel the flight. Everything else - chairs, menu - the same.

Return tickets are always more expensive. For example, at Aeroflot in the direction Moscow - Rome with a departure on August 11, a non-refundable ticket of the Economy Budget fare costs 14,890 rubles. If you want to take a return ticket, there are two options: the Economy Optimum fare (18,155 rubles, 70 euros will be withheld for a refund) or Economy Premium (22,640 rubles, returns and exchanges are free).

How to return a ticket

If you can’t fly away, immediately inform the support service of the service where you bought the ticket about the need to return. The fact is that in some cases you still have to pay a fine for a return: this is usually spelled out in the fare rules. And the closer to departure, the greater the fine - sometimes up to half the cost of the ticket. The deadline for the return is considered to be the end of check-in for the flight (in some airlines - the time of departure).

When contacting the support service, formulate the request as clearly as possible: do you want to return the ticket (and not fly at all) or exchange it for other dates. The support specialist needs to know exactly what is required of him.

Some airlines return or exchange tickets only at the sales office, while others allow you to arrange everything remotely. With this, again, it is advisable to familiarize yourself in advance by reading the fare rules. If you buy a ticket from a ticketing service, the refund is usually made through the service.

When can a non-refundable ticket be returned?

In some cases, it is still possible to return money for a non-refundable ticket. This is called "forced return". There can be two reasons: the death or serious illness of one of the passengers, or a violation by the airline of the conditions of carriage.

If an accident occurs and you cannot fly due to the illness or death of another passenger, you must inform the airline as soon as possible. You will be removed from the flight and asked to send documents confirming the impossibility of the flight. It is important to contact the carrier before the end of check-in for the flight.

A long delay or cancellation of a flight is considered a violation of the terms of the contract of carriage. The duration of the delay in different airlines is different, everything is described in the rules.

Note that the decision on the involuntary return is made by the airline. For example, many overseas carriers do not consider canceling a flight for medical reasons as grounds for an involuntary refund. The matter is that in Europe and the USA the culture of insurance, including travel is well developed. And in case of unforeseen circumstances, the insurance company will have to cover the costs for the failed flight.

Can I get at least part of a non-refundable ticket back?

Yes. We remind you that the ticket price consists of two parts - the fare and airport taxes. According to the Air Code, only the fare part is non-refundable, so you can get a refund of fuel and airport taxes, unless otherwise specified in the fare rules. For example, with S7 Airlines for the Economy Basic fare, the YR (booking service fee) and YQ (fuel surcharge) taxes, as well as the ticket issuance fee, are non-refundable; only airport taxes and fees for unused flight segments will be refunded.

But even if you reimburse all taxes, the amount will be small.

When to buy a non-refundable ticket

Are you sure that you will fly, and are you not afraid of losing money if the trip still has to be cancelled? Choose a non-refundable ticket. In all other cases, it makes sense to spend a little more money, but buy a ticket at a return fare.

In Russia, they are going to cancel free baggage allowance when buying non-refundable air tickets. The corresponding bill was approved by members of the Federation Council and sent to the President for signature. According to carriers, the initiative should be accepted: it will reduce the cost of flights for passengers. Experts note that a sharp reduction in the cost of air tickets is hardly worth waiting for. No airline has yet officially published new fares for non-refundable tickets without baggage, Primorskaya Gazeta reports.

The government of the country has prepared two legal documents at once, which change the rules for carrying hand luggage and luggage on the plane.

BY THE WAY

The cost of non-refundable air tickets can be refunded in case of refusal of transportation at the initiative of the airline (if the passenger's health condition requires special conditions of transportation). Also, the money will be returned in case of cancellation of the flight due to deterioration in health (illness) or death of a family member. The fee is also returned if the passenger refuses to fly due to a flight delay or other actions of the carrier that entail non-fulfillment or improper fulfillment of the airline's obligations.

The first of these allows airlines not to provide free baggage allowance to buyers of non-refundable tickets. The relevant bill was approved by the Federation Council the day before and sent to the President for signature. The law will enter into force two months after its official publication. Now passengers can carry up to 10 kg without surcharges, regardless of the type of ticket.

The second document for the first time regulates the weight of hand luggage for air passengers. According to it, citizens can carry no more than 5 kg on board. The relevant draft amendments to the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) were published by the Ministry of Transport on the federal portal of draft regulatory legal acts - www.regulation.gov.ru. Now the FAR only says that things are accepted as hand luggage, the weight and dimensions of which allow them to be safely placed in the cabin of the aircraft.

In addition, the amendments significantly reduce the list of things that you can take with you for free. Outerwear, printed publications, cameras, camcorders, laptops, telephones, umbrellas, canes and bouquets of flowers were excluded from the list. If the listed items are not included in hand luggage weighing more than 5 kg, you will have to pay extra for them.

The list included a handbag or briefcase, baby food, a cradle when transporting a child, crutches and a folding wheelchair. In any case, you don't have to pay extra for them.

The list has been optimized on the basis of studies that have identified the least demanded items that passengers usually take on board the aircraft in addition to hand luggage, the press service of the Ministry of Transport specified.

The stage of public discussion of the bill on the portal www.regulation.gov.ru will last until August 7. At this time, everyone can write their wishes and comments to the document.

Air carriers say that innovations are beneficial primarily to passengers. The client will be able to choose the most suitable fare - more expensive, but with free baggage or without free baggage, but the cheapest.

People flying without baggage will have the opportunity not to overpay for a ticket and use lower fares, - Konstantin Sukhorebrik, Director General of Aurora Airlines, told Primorskaya Gazeta.

The adoption of amendments to the Air Code of the Russian Federation is also beneficial for air carriers, analysts insist. Therefore, many companies are already actively lobbying for the bill.

There are several factors due to which airlines can either save money or earn money, - Oleg Panteleev, head of the analytical service of the Aviaport agency, emphasized. - The first of them is fuel consumption, and the less cargo on board, the lower it is.

The second important factor is that free baggage takes up space that could be given for paid cargo, the expert said. This means that it is unprofitable for airlines to transport it. Third, the stricter the baggage restrictions, the more likely it is that most passengers will choose more expensive, refundable fares or still pay for baggage. In both cases, the carrier will win.

According to minimal estimates, the difference in the cost of tickets with and without luggage should be about three thousand rubles. with a flight duration of three hours, Oleg Panteleev calculates. However, it is impossible to say that the cost of air tickets will definitely decrease in the near future, the analyst emphasizes. No company has yet published new tariffs.

However, there are already statements, in particular, from the Pobeda airline, according to which the air carrier is ready to reduce the cost of the fare by 20% if no-baggage fares are legalized, Oleg Panteleev noted.

As for the requirements for hand luggage, the amendments to the FAP should be finalized, experts are sure. In the current version, both passengers and air carriers raise a lot of questions. For example, if a person has a phone in his hands or, say, a jacket that he took off, then it is not clear whether they need to be tagged and weighed. Taking money for transporting a cane or a bouquet of flowers is completely ridiculous.

Now the wording of the law is ambiguous, - said Boris Shakurov, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Association of Air Transport Operators. - In addition, it is necessary to return the opportunity for passengers to carry outerwear for free, at least during long flights, for example, from the regions of Siberia and the Far East.