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We understand that some items require special considerations when it comes to traveling.Whether you're planning to bring sports equipment, weapons, oversized luggage, musical instruments, or pets on your journey, we are here to assist you. From detailed instructions on handling sports equipment and oversized luggage to guidelines for traveling with weapons, musical instruments, and pets, this section provides the essential information you need for a seamless journey. Let's make your travel experience extraordinary!
As an exception, Sporting equipment such as Kayaks and canoes, which are indivisible in nature, may be accepted with “Heavy” label to a maximum of 46 Kgs by charging applicable excess charge. Sporting equipment, which are heavier than 46 kg, shall be transported as Cargo as per the applicable Cargo Tariff……. 4.8
The following procedure shall apply for special baggage charge (sporting equipment).
No. | Type of sporting equipment |
SSR | Rate in USD |
Description |
1 |
Scuba, Angling or Diving Equipment |
SPEQ |
80 | a diving mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit, BCD-jacket, regulator, an empty tank bottle, a lamp (switched off, energy source separately packed, removed battery protected against short circuit) |
2 |
Horse Riding equipment |
SPEQ |
80 | a saddle, a set of horse harness, a horse whip, a pair of riding boots, a bareback pad, 1 set of polo sticks |
3 |
Inline-skates |
SPEQ |
80 | a pair of inline skates, a set of body protection (knee, arms, etc.), a helmet |
4 |
Bowling Equipment |
SPEQ |
80 | a bowling bag, a bowling ball, a pair of shoes |
5 |
Hockey equipment |
SPEQ |
80 | a hockey bag, hockey sticks, a pair of ice skates, a set of body protection (knee, arms, etc.), a helmet |
6 | Tennis-/ Squash-/ Badminton-Equipment |
SPEQ |
80 | a set of rackets and balls packed in a bag |
7 | Snow skiing Equipment | SPEQ | 100 | a pair of ski, a pair of poles, a pair of boots, a helmet |
8 | Golfing Equipment |
SPEQ |
100 | a golf bag containing one set of golf clubs, golf balls and tees, a pair of golf shoes |
9 | Bicycle-Bike |
BIKE |
100 | a regular bike (no motor / no e-bike) or a special children's trolley to use with a bike or a one-wheel bike |
10 | Kite surfboard | SPEQ | 100 | a kite, a board |
11 | Archery equipment |
SPEQ |
100 | a set of bow and arrow packed in a durable protective container |
12 | Parachuting/Paragliding equipment |
SPEQ |
100 | a set of Parachute Equipment packed in a container |
13 | Sporting/Hunting Weapons plus Ammunitions |
SPEQ |
100 | Sporting/Hunting guns, pistols, rifles plus ammunition (according to IATA DGR Regulations and if packed in a separate bag) |
14 | Javelins |
SPEQ |
100 | a set of javelin equipment packed in a container |
15 | Fishing equipment |
SPEQ |
100 | a tackle box or a haversack or an angler's basket, a rod, a bag or a box |
16 | Skate board |
SPEQ |
100 | a board, a set of body protection (knee, arms, etc.), a helmet |
17 | Alpinist equipment/Hiking/walking |
SPEQ |
100 | a backpack, an ice pick, a pair of climbing iron, 1 pair of poles |
18 | Fencing Equipment |
SPEQ |
100 | 1 bag including helmet, fencing uniform and fencing sword |
19 | Wave board |
SPEQ |
100 | a board, a set of body protection (knee, arms, etc.), a helmet |
20 | Wake board |
SPEQ |
100 | a wake board |
21 | Waterski Equipment | SPEQ | 100 | a pair of water ski or a slalom water ski |
22 | Snow board | SPEQ | 100 | a snowboard, a pair of boots, a helmet |
23 | Surf boarding Equipment | SPEQ | 200 | a board (up to 3m) |
24 | Wind surfer, Ski BOB | SPEQ | 200 | a board, a sail, a boom, a mast, a gear bag |
25 |
Hang Gliding Equipment |
SPEQ |
200 | a set of hang gliding equipment packed in a container |
26 |
Canoe, Kayak |
SPEQ |
200 | a canoe or a kayak (no motor attached); 1 set of paddles |
27 |
Vaulting Poles |
SPEQ |
200 | a set of vaulting poles packed in a container |
28 | Boogie board/Body board | SPEQ | 200 | a board |
29 | Long board | SPEQ | 200 | a board (exceeding 2m) |
30 |
Rubber dinghy/boat |
SPEQ |
200 | a rubber dinghy (no motor attached); 1 set of paddles |
The excess baggage charge for sporting equipment can be collected in local currency of the departure station.
Provided that the below three criteria are all fulfilled, any sporting equipment shall be transported for free on Ethiopian flights.
The dimension of the sporting equipment is less than or equal to 158cms or 62 inches,
The weight of the sporting equipment is less than or equal to 23 kgs even if it is the 2nd PC
The passenger is carrying only 1 checked-in baggage, making the sporting equipment the 2nd PC
Ethiopian shall not carry Jet Ski
Musical instruments shall be permitted to be carried in cabin as a carry-on baggage so long as the dimension of the instrument (inside or outside of its package) do not exceed the carry-on dimension standard set by the airline. That is to say 23*40*55 (cm)...... 4.15.4
Block seat baggage service assures passengers safe transportation of fragile or bulky baggage which should not be checked or carried in the baggage compartment.
Such service is accomplished by allowing passengers to reserve a seat for such items subject to normal reservation procedures.
Generally, the following list of items are considered in this category;
Base viol and cello
Musical instruments other than normal sized stringed instruments
Typewriters
Tv sets
Radios
Electronics Instruments
Cosmetic Cases
Tape recorders
Cameras and related equipments
Pictures and paintings
courier / Diplomatic Bag
Block seat baggage service is provided to passengers traveling solely on Ethiopian and ET/LH codeshare flights. And also Ethiopian portion of interline trips, or in case a similar service is offered by other carriers, to the entire portion of the interline trip involving such carriers
Securing, loading and lashing of bulky, oversize, fragile or valuable baggage should be handled by approved staff.
Block seat baggage must be placed forward of all seated pax in the aircraft. It must be secured in a seatbelt and seat belt extensions. Articles too large and bulky will not be accepted. Any block seat bag shall not protrude to the aisle or over the height of the seat.
Weight of property carried as block seat baggage will not be considered when determining passenger’s free baggage allowance and excess charge. Weight of such block baggage will be shown in total weight of checked baggage when international travel is involved.
Travelling with Pets
A. Policy
1. Pets (cats and dogs) as defined in current passenger tariffs, when in a container and accompanied by a passenger or shipped as Cargo, may be carried in cabin or baggage compartment.
2. Ethiopian shall accept only Dog or Cat into the cabin with limited number per compartment as shown on below table.
Wide Body Aircraft | Narrow Body Aircraft | ||
---|---|---|---|
C9 | Economy | C9 | Economy |
2 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
Note: Passengers shall bring pets with a box measuring dimensions not more than 55x40x20cms and does not exceed 8kgs including transport container, otherwise it should be loaded in belly.
3. If the cage exceeds the specified dimension for the cabin and Pets that are more than 8kgs up to 45kgs including the weight of the cage shall be accepted to transport in the Aircraft hold.
4. PET that is more than 45 kg including the weight of the cage shall be transported as cargo per cargo procedure.
5. Dogs trained to lead the seeing impaired (seeing-eye dogs), if accompanying a passenger who is dependent on the dog and if the dog is properly harnessed, and muzzled may be carried in the cabin on all Ethiopian Airlines passenger aircraft without charge. Such carriage is dependent on any local or governmental restrictions.
6. Dogs trained to assist the hearing impaired (hearing–ear dogs), if accompanying a passenger who is dependent on the dog and if the dog is properly harnessed, and muzzled may be carried in the cabin on all Ethiopian Airlines passenger aircraft without charge. Such carriage is dependent on any local or governmental restrictions and advance arrangements must be made before accepting hearing ear dog as PETC.
7. Assistance or Service dogs for visually impaired and hearing impaired persons are transported free of charge on all Ethiopian flights and may also travel inside cabin. Please remember to notify us of your guide dog ahead of time
8. Ethiopian shall not accept Dogs and cats belonging to snub-nosed breeds due to difficulty in breathing. The stress caused by transportation and/or high temperatures at the departure, transfer and destination airports can cause circulatory issues that may result in breathing problems
B. Procedure on carriage of pets
Ethiopian shall accept pets in the cabin on all Ethiopian Q-400 aircrafts.
Q-400 Aircraft Pets in containers accompanied by passenger or shipped as cargo may be carried in the baggage compartment(s).
Advance arrangements are required for pets in containers accompanied by passenger or shipped as cargo.
C. Booking Procedure
Details of the type of pet and size of the container should be indicated during reservation.
Ethiopian does not accept emotional support or psychiatric service animal for transportation in the cabin unless the passenger provides a current documentation (i.e., no older than one year from the date of the passenger ‘s scheduled initial flight) on the letterhead of a licensed mental health professional (e.g., psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, medical doctor).
D. Condition of Carriage
Governmental restrictions regarding pet carriage and acceptance vary from country to country. Please contact your nearest Ethiopian Airlines office or your travel agent.
New Entry Requirement of Live Dogs to USA
USA CDC announced new entry requirement of dogs that will be applicable starting from 01 August 2024. Please refer the below link for further detail.
In the event passenger and pet are making interline connections, the applicable regulation of the interlining carrier should be checked.
The charge for pet in cabin/baggage compartment will be at excess baggage rates in accordance with current applicable tariffs, regardless of weight of other baggage.
Route | Revised Pet Charges Effective for Sales and Travel 01-NOV-20 U.F.N | |
between any ET international online points | For PET transported in Cabin with weight up to 8Kg including the cage | 120 EUR/110GBP/150 USD per direction( for one way) |
between any ET international online points | For PET transported in hold ( pets that are more than 8KG up to 32kg ) | 370 USD per direction( for one way) |
between any ET Domestic points | For PET transported in Cabin with weight up to 8Kg including the cage | 100 USD per direction( for one way) |
between any ET Domestic points | For PET transported in hold ( pets that are more than 8KG up to 32kg ) | 500% of the excess baggage rate provided (GSM Sec04.04 7.6) is fulfilled |
General rules and application | Exception: For ET codeshare flights the operating carrier rules shall apply. |
4. Owner assumes all risk for injury sickness or death of any pet accepted for transportation, and assumes responsibility for compliance with all governmental regulations and restrictions. Ethiopian will not be responsible in the event that any pet is refused carriage into or through, any state, country or territory.
E. Common Cage sizes
Cage Name |
Cage Type | External Dimensions (inches) | External Dimensions (centimeters) |
Cage Weight |
Small | 100* | 21 Lx 16 W x 15 H | 53 x 41 x 38 | 7 lbs (3 kg) |
Medium | 200 | 27 Lx 20 W x 19 H | 69 x 51 x 48 | 13 lbs (6 kg) |
Intermediate | 300 | 33 Lx 22 W x 23 H | 84 x 56 x 58 | 18 lbs (8 kg) |
Large | 400 | 36 Lx 24 W x 26 H | 91 x 61 x 66 | 24 lbs (11 kg) |
Extra Large | 500** | 40 Lx 27 W x 30 H | 102 x 69 x 76 | 32 lbs (15 kg) |
Giant | 700** | 48 Lx 32 W x 35 H | 122 x 81 x 89 | 51 lbs (23 kg) |
Between | And | Flat TV Size | Fee within Free Baggage allowance (FBA) | Fee ( Excess above FBA + TV Handling Fee) |
---|---|---|---|---|
USA/Canada | ALL ET online | Less than 42'' | Free | USD225 |
42'' - 55'' | USD200 | USD 425 | ||
56”-65” | USD300 | USD 525 | ||
Oslo | ALL ET online | 42”-55” | USD150 | USD 390 |
56”-65” | USD200 | USD 475 | ||
Bangkok | ALL ET online | 42'' - 55'' | USD150 | USD 400 |
56”-65” | USD200 | USD 550 | ||
Asia except Bangkok | ALL ET online | 42'' - 55'' | USD100 | USD 350 |
56”-65” | USD 160 | USD 510 | ||
London/Manchester | ALL ET online | 42'' - 55'' | GBP 100 | GBP 280 |
56”-65” | GBP 150 | GBP 400 | ||
Dubai | ALL ET online | 42'' - 55'' | USD 100 | USD 300 |
56”-65” | USD 250 | USD 550 | ||
Europe except London/Manchester/Oslo/Istanbul | ALL ET online | 42'' - 55'' | USD 100 | USD 340 |
56”-65” | USD 100 | USD 425 | ||
China | ALL ET online | 42'' - 55'' | USD 100 | USD 491 |
56”-65” | USD 100 | USD 644 | ||
Sao paulo/Buenos Aires | ALL ET online | 42'' - 55'' | USD 80 | USD 280 |
56”-65” | USD 80 | USD 340 | ||
Doha | ALL ET online | 42'' - 55'' | USD 80 | USD 494 |
56”-65” | USD 80 | USD 656 | ||
Kuwait/Muscat/Bahrain | ALL ET online | 42'' - 55'' | USD 80 | USD 471 |
56”-65” | USD 80 | USD 624 | ||
Jeddah/Riyadh | ALL ET online | 42'' - 55'' | USD 80 | USD 230 |
56”-65” | USD 80 | USD 300 | ||
Dammam/Madinah/Telaviv/Istanbul/Beirut | ALL ET online | 42”-55” | USD 80 | USD 260 |
56”-65” | USD 80 | USD 330 | ||
Within Africa | 42”-55” | USD 80 | USD 280 | |
56”-65” | USD 80 | USD 330 | ||
Domestic Flight | 42”-55” | ETB 500 | ETB 1650 | |
56”-65” | ETB 500 | ETB 2100 |
Note : Flat TV with 66" and above is not accepted as accompanied baggage and may be carried as Cargo per cargo procedure & Rate Valid on/after 6-MAY-21
Ethiopian shall permit transportation of cremated human ash as cabin and checked-in baggage.
Carriage of cremated Human Remain
The following procedures shall be applied to accept cremated human ash on Ethiopian flights either as cabin or checked-in baggage;
Prior to travel, the pax shall be advised to contact the embassy of destination country in order to ascertain that carriage of cremated ash into the country permitted
The passenger shall be advised to choose a container or urn made of plastic or cardboard to carry the ashes.Urns made up of ceramic and metal are not permitted
PAx shall palace the ashes in a sealed plastic bag inside of the travel container or Urn to prevent the ashes from spilling
PAx should secure the deceased person’s passport, cremation certificate and death certificate
All relevant docs including cremation certificate and death certificate which are in foreign language need to be translated and authenticated into the local language to avoid misunderstanding with local authorities
PAx should arrive early to check-in and finalize formalities ahead of time , in case any eventualities may occur at the airport
Size and weight of any cabin bag /checked-in bag should be handled per Ethiopian baggage handling policy.
What are the safety concerns for cabin baggage?
Passengers are not allowed to carry the following items in their hand baggage for passengers’ safety and security reasons. To minimize inconvenience, you are advised to check in or put these items in your checked baggage instead:
Please note that these items will be retrieved at the boarding gate by the local authorities and depending on local rules and regulations, the items may not be returned to you.
What are the rules and charges for travelling with animals?
Ethiopian shall accept only Dog or Cat into the cabin with limited number per compartment (2 in economy class and 1 in business class) with a box measuring dimensions not more than 55x40x20cms and does not exceed 8kgs including transport container, otherwise it should be loaded in belly.
Is baggage transferred when I’m on connecting Ethiopian airlines flights?
Yes, Ethiopian receives connecting passenger’s baggage from other airlines. If luggage of connecting passenger is not submitted by the delivering carrier such connecting passenger should be informed using a slip prepared for this purpose that their luggage is not delivered to Ethiopian and hence not to expect at final destination.
Can I carry firearms, weapons, and ammunition in my baggage?
Ammunition, firearms, sharp knives and/or other security-restricted items belonging to passengers shall not be carried inside cabin and/or flight deck (cockpit), and passengers must declare such items at the time of check-in. All ammunition shall be carried in the aircraft hold as checked baggage only and with approval of concerned Security Authorities.
1. What is the free baggage allowance for my flight?
If you are traveling in Economy class piece system 2 pieces 23kg each and C-9 3pieces 23kg each or 2 pieces 32kg each.
Note that some weight system depends on the routes where you are traveling.
2. How much weight can I carry for my checked baggage?
It depends on the route and class if you are traveling in Economy class piece system 2 pieces 23kg each and C-9 3pieces 23kg each.
3. What are the dimensions allowed for my carry-on luggage?
(55cmx40cmx20cm)
4. Can I bring additional items like a laptop bag or a purse as hand luggage?
Its possible to have the below Items on addition to carry-on luggage: -
1 Laptop, books, purse, 1iPad/1 phone but the maximum weight should not exceed 3kg.
5.Are there any restrictions on the number of bags I can check-in for free?
Economy class 2bags and business class 2/3bags
What is Ethiopian Airlines' allowed size and weight for carry-on baggage in Economy class?
In Economy class with Ethiopian Airlines, passengers are allowed 1 piece of hand luggage with a maximum weight of 7 kg and a maximum dimensions equal to 23 x 40 x 55 (cm) .
What is the carry-on baggage allowance for Business class passengers with Ethiopian Airlines?
Business class passengers with Ethiopian Airlines are allowed 2 pieces of hand luggage, each weighing a maximum of 7 kg.
Can I bring personal items in addition to my carry-on baggage on Ethiopian Airlines?
Yes, Ethiopian Airlines allows personal accessories in addition to the specified carry-on baggage allowance in both Economy and Business class.
Are there restrictions on the types of items I can bring in my carry-on bag with Ethiopian Airlines?
Ethiopian Airlines, like other airlines, may have restrictions on carrying liquids, gels, and certain hazardous items in carry-on bags. Familiarize yourself with Ethiopian Airlines' specific policies.
Can I bring food on board in my carry-on bag with Ethiopian Airlines?
Generally, you can bring snacks and non-liquid food items in your carry-on bag with Ethiopian Airlines, adhering to their specified policies.
What happens if my carry-on bag exceeds the size or weight limit with Ethiopian Airlines?
If your carry-on bag exceeds the specified size or weight limit with Ethiopian Airlines, you may be subject to additional fees, or you may need to check the bag.
Is there a difference in carry-on allowances for different classes of service with Ethiopian Airlines?
Yes, there is a difference. Business class passengers with Ethiopian Airlines have a higher allowance, with 2 pieces of hand luggage weighing 7 kg each, compared to Economy class.
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