Baggage Tips
 
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General

Most airlines impose a checked-in baggage allowance of 20kg-30kg for economy, 30kg-40kg for Business class and 40kg-60kg for First. Premium seat holders, Frequent flyers, migrant workers, package holiday-makers and long-term students obtain extra allowances in all classes on some airlines (hence the range given).

Checked-in Luggage
There are limitations of weight of a single piece of unaccompanied baggage (luggage in the hold) of 23kg and size to 158cm (68 inches) in total dimensions (length+width+height), according to IATA regulations. Oversize baggage may be sent as unaccompanied cargo separately paying a (usually high) premium. To the United States and Canada, the allowance states "two pieces" (each not exceeding 32kg for most North American carriers, and 23kg for British/Asian/Middle Eastern carriers). For practical considerations, it is recommended that the aggregate weight per person be less than 50kg. The First Class allowance is "three pieces" (as above).  

Hand Luggage
The dimension limitations for accompanied / cabin baggage is a total of 7kg, with dimensions totalling 115cm (45 inches) including protrusions. This is subject to fitting to it fitting into, and the passenger being able to lift it into, the overhead locker.

All airline members of the International Air Transportation Association (IATA) have agreed that the following may also be carried over and above your entitlement of cabin baggage.

  • A lady’s handbag
  • An overcoat
  • An umbrella or walking stick
  • A laptop or notebook computer
  • A small camera
  • A reasonable amount of reading material for the flight
  • Infant’s food for consumption in flight and infant’s carrying basket
  • A fully collapsible wheelchair and/or a pair of crutches and/or other prosthetic devices for the passenger’s use, provided the passenger is dependent upon them
  • Infant’s stroller provided the infant is on board the aircraft
    see also Emirates Cabin Baggage | Singapore Airlines Cabin Baggage
  • International Cabin Baggage Restrictions
    1 June 2007 update. Subsequent to the events of August 10 2006. At the recommendation of the ICAO, cabin baggage restrictions have been extended to almost all global airports. The link above gives more details.

    See Also
    Duty Free Allowances
    Exchange Control Regulations

    Emirates Baggage Allowance Calculator

    General Recommendations

    • Please do travel light!
    • Do not carry your wallet in your rear hip pocket at your destination
      (there are some tourist-secure countries, but better to be safe than sorry).
    • You will not require your NID, NDL and other identification which is only in Sri Lankan languages. Don't carry them with you
    • Do use a good quality bag with wheels and a combination lock which is not damaged easily, so that your belongings do not fall out
    • Do not place money, jewellery and valuables in your check-in baggage
    • Do remove old baggage tags and stickers, so as to not cause confusion
    • Do retain your baggage tag (usually pasted on the rear of your ticket) and boarding pass on hand, as you may be checked when retrieving bags
    • Do avoid overpacking, and pack fragile items securely and mark your baggage clearly with your name, address and contact details
    • Do adhere to the restrictions of the airline regarding liquor, inflammable, sharp, dangerous, poisonous, corrosive and oxidising materials in the cabin and in your checkin baggage. These should appear on your ticket
    • Do buy at your destination(s) if you can't fit everything in
    • Don't carry more than 2 suitcases with carriages per person

      Checklist

      Ever forgot something that you really should have packed? Click the link above to download this list. 

      For Gents - leisure
    • Trousers, shirts, underwear, socks, one pair each formal & informal ("trainers"/"sneakers"/"sports shoes").  One colour scheme advisable (i.e. matching colours: Blue/Black, Brown/Green). No more than two changes per day
    • Slippers. For pool, beach or desert
    • A Comb or hairbrush
    • Passport, Air ticket, embarkation/disembarkation card and a pen all in travel agent docket in shirt pocket or in a dedicated cabin baggage sidepocket
    • Train tickets and timetable, Hotel Vouchers and / or booking references, if applicable
    • Handkerchiefs same colour scheme
    • Wallet (see above)
    • Traveller's Cheques (TC) in cabin baggage. If you have the bank receipts with you, keep them separately in your checkin baggage
    • Cash (local currency) if TC cashing is expensive at the destination (ask us) However, most currencies (except: USD, GBP, JPY, CHF, EUR) cannot be easily purchased directly in Sri Lanka. There are 6 authorised Money Changers who can sell exchange (ask us). Cash taken out from the country cannot exceed USD1,000 or equivalent
    • Leather/Heavy Jacket and sweaters (if applicable)
    • Toothbrush(es) & Toothpaste, razor with spare blades
    • Hardcopy of essential addresses, tourist advice and telephone numbers
    • Watch with Alarm
    • Booking Nos. and/or reservation printouts for attractions/events and other Traveller's Passes, if purchased in advance
    • Mobile phone and charger with plugin adapter for Roaming (AIR) + PUK2 code
    • Camera - Digital or Analog. For digital cameras, extra memory and battery
    • Medication if required with its prescription if available, and a moisturiser for cold and dry climates. Note that the requirement for a prescription may change from country to country
    • Sunscreen SPF 15 or better (protects against harmful UVA and UVB rays too)
    • Travel Insurance, with the card for numbers to call
    • Neckties for formal occasions
    • A large compressed laundry bag for your used clothes on longer trips

      For Ladies - leisure
      (in addition to the above)
       
    • Your purse
    • Essential toiletries and a small makeup kit
    • Browse the web for the dress codes of your destination. In most places it's better to be more formally dressed (say, in a suit or jacket) than to be too casual. Conservativeness is also safer in the Middle East, where skirt lengths to the knee rather than bare legs are advisable
    • A formal pair of shoes with a small heel would do for an evening out as well as a hotel with a dress code. A second, flat and comfortable slip-on pair is ideal for casual/exercise or travelling

    For Ladies and Gents - Business

    Notebook computer/Laptop/Tablet PC with digital camera software and connectors
    Neckties or bows and lounge suit or other formal wear as appropriate for the destination
    Visiting cards and your business documents

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