Ethiopian Airlines Baggage Allowance and Policy

Ethiopian Airlines baggage allowance depends on your travel class, route (piece and weight concept), and ShebaMiles membership status. Piece concept routes include flights to/from the United States/Canada and several long-haul flights. The good thing is that both piece and weight concept routes include free baggage allowance. 

Snapshot of Ethiopian Airlines Baggage Policy
What is the baggage allowance on Ethiopian Airlines?

Below are the main highlights of Ethiopian Airlines baggage policy:

1. The hand baggage allowance (carry-on baggage) is as follows:
   • Business Class (Cloud Nine) 2 bags of up to 15.4lb/7kg each.
   • Economy Class 1 bag of up to 15.4lb/7kg. 

The size of your hand baggage must not exceed 23cm x 40cm x 55cm (L x W x H). 

2. Checked baggage allowance
   • For piece concept flights, the free checked baggage allowance is as follows:
     • Economy Class 2 bags of up to 50lb/23kg each 
     • Business Class (Cloud Nine) 2 bags of up to 70lb/32kg each, or
       3 bags of up to 50lb/23kg each 
     • Infant baggage 1 bag of up to 50lb/23kg plus
       1 baby stroller and 1 baby car seat
       (if 10% of the fare is paid but no seat provided)

Exceptions. Sheba Miles Platinum members are entitled to an additional baggage allowance of 2 bags weighing up to 50lb/23kg each. Sheba Miles Gold and Star Alliance Gold members can carry one additional bag of up to 70lb/32kg, and Sheba Miles Silver members are entitled to an additional baggage allowance of one 50lb/23kg bag. 

• For weight concept flights, the free checked baggage allowance is as follows:
  • Economy Class
    • To/from China, from Kuwait to Khartoum 101.2lb/46kg 
    • To/from Doha/Muscat/Kuwait/Bahrain 88lb/40kg
      (excluding the Americas)
    • Within Ethiopia 44lb/20kg
  • Business Class
    • To/from China, from from Kuwait to Khartoum 3 bags x 50lb/23kg each 
    • To/from Doha/Muscat/Kuwait/Bahrain 3 bags x 50lb/23kg each
      (excluding the Americas)
    • Within Ethiopia 66lb/30kg
  • Infant baggage 1 bag of up to 22lb/10kg plus
    1 baby stroller and 1 baby car seat 
  • For Star Alliance member airlines, the baggage allowance is as follows:
    • Economy Class 44lb/20kgs 
    • Business Class (Cloud Nine) 66lb/30kg
    • First Class 88lb/40kg

Exceptions. ShebaMiles Platinum members are entitled to an additional baggage allowance of 70lb/32kg. ShebaMiles Gold and Star Alliance Gold members can carry additional baggage of up to 44lb/20kg per passenger, and ShebaMiles Silver members can carry 33lb/15kg extra.

3. The maximum combined dimensions (L + W + H) of a checked bag must not exceed 158cm/62in.
4. Bags exceeding 300cm/118in in combined linear dimensions (L + W + H) will not be accepted as checked baggage. 
5. Medical equipment and assistive devices can be carried free of charge (if using)—such as a fully collapsible wheelchair, and/or a pair of crutches, and /or braces, or other prosthetic devices.
6. Two or more passengers travelling together on the same booking to the same destination who check in together are allowed to pool their baggage allowance. 

Hand Baggage Allowance (Carry-on Baggage Allowance)
What is Ethiopian Airlines hand baggage/carry-on baggage allowance?

The free hand baggage allowance on Ethiopian Airlines is: 

• 2 carry-on bags for Business Class passengers 
• 1 carry-on bag for Economy Class passengers

In addition to the above, you can carry a personal item/items* (not exceeding 11lb/5kg) and medical equipment and/or assistive devices (if used) free of charge.

• The carry-on bag must not exceed 15.4lb/7kg in weight and 23cm x 40cm x 55cm in size—plus it must fit in the overhead rack or under your front seat.
• Medical equipment and assistive devices such as a wheelchair (fully collapsible), crutches, braces, and other prosthetic devices can be carried free of charge (if using) in addition to your hand baggage. 
• Examples of the personal items* you can carry free of charge appear in the footnote of the table below.

Checked Baggage Allowance

What is the checked baggage allowance on Ethiopian Airlines?

The checked baggage allowance on Ethiopian Airlines will depend on your route, travel class, and membership status. 

Wheelchairs and Assistive Devices 

In addition to the regular baggage allowance, Ethiopian Airlines will accept the following items free of charge (to be stowed in the baggage compartment):

• Manually-operated walkers and wheelchairs 
• If you’re travelling in a wheelchair with non-spillable batteries, you will need to disconnect the terminals and tape them together. 
• If you’re travelling with a wheelchair with spillable wet cell batteries:
  • On containerized aircraft like B747/B767/A320 with the wheelchair in an upright position, be sure to disconnect the batteries from both terminals, cap them to prevent short-circuiting, and secure them with a non-conductive material to the wheelchair. 
  • On a narrow-body aircraft like DC9/B727 with the wheelchair in a non-upright position, you must remove the battery and store it in a Kimpack battery kit which you obtain from Ethiopian Airlines at no extra charge. 
• You can retain your cane/crutches as long as you stow them safely per airline regulations. 

Note. If you’re carrying a wheelchair, medical or assistive devices, check in a little ahead of your scheduled departure time. 

Infant Baggage Allowance

What is the infant baggage allowance on Ethiopian Airlines?

The baggage allowance for lap infants is:

• On piece concept flights 1 bag of up to 50lb/23kg plus 1 baby stroller and 1 baby car seat
  (if 10% of the fare is paid but no seat provided)
• On weight concept flights 1 bag of up to 22lb/10kg plus 1 baby stroller and 1 baby car seat 

Additional Baggage Allowance for Sheba Miles and Star Alliance Members

What is the extra baggage allowance on Ethiopian Airlines?

ShebaMiles and Star Alliance members are entitled to additional baggage allowance, depending on their membership status.

• Piece ConceptFlights
  • ShebaMiles Platinum members can carry 2 additional bags of 50lb/23kg each. 
  • ShebaMiles Gold and Star Alliance Gold members can carry 1 additional bag of 70lb/32kg. 
  • ShebaMiles Silver members can carry 1 additional bag of 50lb/23kg.
  • ShebaMiles Blue members can carry 11lb/5kg in addition to their normal baggage.
• Weight Concept Flights
  • ShebaMiles Platinum members can carry additional baggage of up to 70lb/32kg. 
  • ShebaMiles Gold and Star Alliance Gold members can carry additional baggage of up to 44lb/20kg. 
  • ShebaMiles Silver members can carry additional baggage of up to 33lb/15kg.
  • ShebaMiles Blue members can carry additional baggage of up to 11lb/5kg.

Excess Baggage 

An excess baggage fee will apply if the baggage you’re carrying is more than your free baggage allowance. The excess baggage fee will vary by sector except if you’re travelling to/from the U.S./Canada where the piece concept applies. 

If your flight is operated by another airline, check the fees and rules with the operating carrier.

Ethiopian Airlines Sports Baggage Policy

What are the excess baggage rules for sporting equipment?

Ethiopian Airlines accepts sporting equipment as part of your normal checked baggage allowance as long as it is within the weight and size limits of your free baggage allowance. If it exceeds the weight or size limits for the free baggage allowance, you will be charged an excess baggage fee per the following rates:

Musical Instruments Policy

Ethiopian Airlines allows you to carry your musical instruments as carry-on baggage, checked baggage, or a reserved seat baggage item.

Musical instrument as carry-on baggage. Ethiopian Airlines allows you to carry small musical instruments such as violins, flutes, etc., as part of your free carry-on baggage allowance as long as the total dimensions of the instrument (when packed) do not exceed 23cm x 40cm x 55cm and the total weight does not exceed 15.4lb/7in.

Musical instrument as checked baggage. Larger musical instruments—such as cellos, harps, drums, guitars, speakers/amplifiers used with electronic equipment, etc.—can be carried as checked baggage. If it’s within your checked baggage allowance and limits, you won’t be charged for it. Otherwise, you’ll have to pay the applicable excess baggage charges depending on your flight route, travel class, and Sheba Miles/Star Alliance membership status. 

A couple of points to remember: 

• Be sure to pack your musical instrument appropriately in a factory-sealed box, cardboard tube, or container specifically designed for shipping musical instruments. 
• Musical instruments not exceeding 100cm/39in in length will be considered as one piece of baggage. 

Musical instrument as reserved seat baggage. If your musical instrument is fragile or bulky, you can bring it on board by purchasing a seat for it, as long as: 

• Its total weight (incl. packaging) does not exceed 165lb/75kg. 
• The packed instrument is in the front row ahead of all passengers. 
• It is secured with a seatbelt and seatbelt extensions. 
• It is held with a tied-down system to prevent the baggage from shifting during travel. 
• The baggage is securely packed to avoid the possibility of injury or discomfort to other passengers.
• The baggage does not block access to emergency exits or aisles or block the view of aircraft signage (no smoking, seat belt, exit, etc.).

Delayed, Lost, or Damaged Baggage

What should I do if my baggage is delayed, lost, or damaged?

If you don’t receive your baggage after landing, you must report it immediately: 

• To the Baggage Services desk in the airport’s arrival hall, or 
• Online
  • Fill out the Lost Baggage Inventory Form (BIF) 
  • Submit it with the Ethiopian Airlines office at your destination city 

After you file a report, you will be issued a Property Irregularity Report (PIR), along with a unique reference number. The PIR is a combination of 10 numbers and letters that you will need to track your baggage and claim status. 

Baggage Tracking

You can track the status of your delayed or missing baggage online via this link or by calling the Ethiopian Airlines office in your city. 

If you don’t receive your baggage after 24 hours, you claim reimbursement of up to £25 per day (or equivalent) for up to 3 days for essential toiletry items and basic clothing. Remember, you must keep all your receipts and submit them online within 21 days for claiming reimbursement. To qualify for reimbursement: 

• You must be away from home.
• You must submit valid proof of the expenses incurred.

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Frequently Asked Questions on Ethiopian Airlines Baggage Allowance and Policy