Comparing the Aeromexico and Volaris Baggage Policies

AeroMexico Airlines

Volaris Airlines

Aeromexico and Volaris are two airlines of Mexico, and the difference ends rights there. While the former is a full service legacy carrier, the latter is an ultra low cost carrier which does not offer any frills for free. The success story of low cost carriers worldwide has been repeated with Volaris as well. Let us examine one of the most fundamental policies of these airlines- The Baggage Policy.

Aeromexico provides 3 cabin fare types- Main Cabin and Clase Premier on all its routes and, an additional basic fare ticket fare is available for its domestic routes, and on routes between Mexico and Europe. Volaris offers three fares as well and their names go as Vuela Basic, Vuela Classic and Vuela Plus.

Volaris baggage allowance for check in luggage does not exist for Economy class tickets and for the Regular fare tickets under Vuela Classic and Plus fares, the allowance is limited to 1 check in bag of 25 kg and 62 inches linear dimensions. What is interesting to note is that the airline offers 2 kgs more in one check in bag than what the other vast majority of airlines offer. So, this is a boon for travelers using Volaris flights.

On the other side, the Aeromexico baggage allowance for check-in baggage is not free for Base Fare tickets. However, for domestic route of Mexico and to Europe, the allowance is of 1 check in bag of 25 kg for the Main Cabin level. For Asia and Brazil routes, the airline is even more generous as it offers 2 bags of 23 kg each free for each passenger. However, for the US and Canada markets, there is no free allowance and even the first check in bags have to be paid for. The AeroMexico baggage allowance details depend on route and class of service.

What is interesting to note is that Volaris has the baggage structure based on, among other parameters, the time of buying the baggage. This is to mean that the fares will differ if baggage is bought at the airport, at the time of booking the tickets or anytime before the flight but after the tickets have been booked. AeroMexico does not have this in its fee structure.

These are essentially the key differences in the basic structure of their fees policies with respect to luggage.

How Many Ways to Do Spicejet Check In?

Spicejet is the second important carrier of India, after the big brother Indigo Airlines. While the big brother is really big and the younger one will have to do a lot to catch it up, there is no denying the fact that the younger brother has come out of its life threatening ailment to stay afloat and compete with the elder one. The exist of Marans and taking over of the reins of a carrier which was fast going the Kingfisher way by Ajay Singh heralded an era of change. This has helped the carrier, a low cost carrier, to not only survive but also grow over a period of time.

From the beginning the airline has been built upon improving the customer experience. This also includes the check-in methods and procedures. As is the case with many other airlines world over, Spicejet also offers check-in using different methods. These multiple ways enable the passenger to check-in with ease. So, what are these means of Spicejet check in?

At first, the traditional method of airport check in is still in place. You just have to go to the airport check in desk of the airline, get the baggage tagged and get the boarding pass. You might have to stand in queue for some time as there would be others waiting for the same as well. Even the security checks at the airport are quite stringent. These factors mean that there will be more time taken for check in process completion than is done is some other countries of the world. So, it is suggested to be at the airport at least 3 to 4 hours ahead of flight departure time.

If you are not willing to enter the queues, another option available is of online check in or mobile check in. This can be done by using desktop, laptop or mobile with an internet connection and visiting the website of the airline or downloading the mobile application of the carrier. Please note that is available only for domestic flights of the airline, not for international flights. 

This method is particularly useful if you are not flying with an infant or do not need special assistance of any kind, otherwise you are required to be at check-in desk for verification and completing documentation formalities. Well, this method can be used from home or office. It opens after ticket is booked and remain open for up to 2 hours before flight. This facility is available for all flights originating from any airport in India except the Jammu, Kashmir and Leh airports. You can select the seat of choice during the process. However, only up to 9 passengers can check in online.

Do remember these terms and conditions for online check inon Spicejet for hassles free experience.

Know the Charges For Carrying Extra Baggage on Indigo Airlines Domestic And International Routes

Indigo Airlines is a low cost carrier which holds about 50percent of Indian passenger traffic. Considering that the airline came at a later stage than some other carriers and much later than Air India, the government owned flag carrier of the country, this is a huge achievement. Many contributing factors have led to Indigo becoming the top aviation brand of India. One of these factors is the reasonable amount of excess baggage charge which it used to levy initially, during the earlier period of its operations. These charges are to be paid when the passenger carried more baggage than what was allowed free. Free allowance of check-in baggage is mandated by DGCA and therefore, all airline companies operating from India have to comply with this directive. But, beyond this free allowance, the airlines are free to levy the excess charges.

These extra baggage charges could be based on a flat per kg rate when paid at airport. These are given in different currencies of the countries where Indigo flies. However, if passengers know in advance how much of extra is being carried, then they also have option of paying online, well in advance of their travel, at a discounted rate. These pre-paid charges are generally planned out in the form of slabs of different excess weights being taken. These charges are lower than the airport rates. Earlier, the difference between the flat rates and slab rates was quite significant but now this difference has shrunk, though the pre-paid slab rates are still less than airport rates.

Another point to be noted is that the pre-paid slabs have to be booked using online medium within a fixed time frame. If this is not done, then higher charges at airport have to be paid.

So, what are the Indigo extra baggage charges and when shall these be bought?

For domestic routes within India, the airline levies Rs 400 per excess kg flat rate at airport. However, the pre-paid slabs of 3kg, 5kg, 10kg, 15kg and 30kg can be booked for Rs 1000, Rs 1900, Rs 3800, Rs 5700 and Rs 11400 respectively.

For international flights from India and to India, charges as per following table apply:

Baggage (International)	Currency	3kg Pre-paid	5kg Pre-paid	10kg Pre-paid	15kg Pre-paid	30kg Pre-paid
Ex - India	INR	1485	2475	4950	7425	14850
India to Colombo, Dhaka, Kathmandu	INR	1000	1900	3800	5700	11400
Ex-Singapore	SGD	21	36	72	107	215
Ex-Dubai/Sharjah/Abu Dhabi	AED	100	125	250	375	750
Ex-Doha	QAR	100	125	250	375	750
Ex-Kuwait	KWD	9	12	20	30	55
Ex-Muscat	OMR	10	15	25	35	65
Ex-Colombo	LKR	3000	5000	9000	15000	30000
Ex-Male	USD	26	43	85	130	260
Ex-Kuala Lumpur	MYR	100	160	300	450	900
Ex-Dhaka	BDT	1200	2000	4000	6000	12500
Ex-Kathmandu	NPR	1700	2700	5500	7800	15500
Ex-Istanbul	USD	26	43	85	130	260
Ex-Hong Kong	HKD	180	300	600	850	1700
Ex-Bangkok/Phuket	THB	780	1300	2600	3500	6528
Ex-Chengdu	CNY	140	250	450	600	1100
Ex-Hanoi	USD	25	35	80	100	170
Ex-Yangon	USD	25	35	80	100	170
Ex- Ho Chi Minh	USD	25	35	80	100	170
Ex- Jeddah	SAR	195	280	485	680	1240

Besides these normal international connections, the airline also has excess baggage charges for codeshare flights and connecting international flights with other airlines.