Please note that all information applies only to First Choice Airways flights, unless stated otherwise.
The baggage allowance is no more than 20kgs (44lbs) for each person. If you are a First Choice Premier or Eclipse Premier customer, or if you have upgraded to the Star Class Premier cabin on First Choice Airways, baggage allowance is 23kgs per person. Please note that for any flights not with First Choice Airways, you will only be entitled to 20kgs of baggage. On selected holidays, baggage allowance is reduced to 15kgs with an additional 5kgs top-up available for purchase at the time of booking. If the 5kgs top-up is declined at the time of booking, additional baggage over 15kgs will be charged at the airport. Please note: These baggage allowance reductions were implemented for bookings made on or after Thu 14 Dec 2006. Passengers who booked their holiday before this date will receive the baggage allowance stipulated at the time of booking. The appropriate baggage allowance will be printed on your tickets.
Your baggage will be weighed when you check-in and you may have to pay excess charges if you exceed your allowance. If you are flying with First Choice Airways, any bag weighing more than 23kg will not be accepted and you will be required to re-pack. Families sharing suitcases should ensure no one piece of luggage exceeds 23kg. Please make sure your baggage is strong and fit for purpose. It may be handled as many as 15 times between check-in and Baggage Reclaim at your destination airport. To deliver an on-time performance the turnaround for all flights needs to be fast and so baggage must be strong in order to both protect your belongings and avoid your bag being damaged. The baggage allowance may vary depending on the airline or flight. Please check your tickets for correct details.
Infants under the age of two on the date of their return flight have no allowance. However on First Choice Airways flights collapsible pushchairs and buggies will be allowed in addition to the parents' allowance.
Only one small piece of hand luggage per person weighing under 5kgs (11lbs - maximum size 45cm by 35cm by 20cm) may be taken onboard the aircraft.
Some items are prohibited from hand luggage because of security reasons. More information about security measures on hand luggage.
As a result of September 11th and in accordance with instructions from the DfT (Department for Transport), airlines in conjunction with the Airport Authorities will be carrying out additional security checks throughout the Airport.
The following items are STRICTLY PROHIBITED from being carried in the cabin as hand luggage.
All of the above items should be removed from your hand-baggage and re-packed in your suitcase.
Due to these additional security measures some disruption may be caused to your flight, but please be assured that our Staff and Handling Agents are on hand to keep you informed of any changes which may affect you.
The above information is subject to regular review.
To ensure the safety of everyone who flies with us, the following items are not permitted onboard any First Choice Airways aircraft.
Dangerous goods are articles or substances which are capable of posing a risk to health, safety, property or the environment. The carriage by air transport of these materials is strictly regulated.
We do not allow the following dangerous goods on board our aircraft on your person, as part of carry-on or checked baggage:
Note: strike anywhere matches, disabling devices (mace, pepper spray etc) and security attaché cases containing dangerous goods (e.g. pyrotechnic devices etc.) are FORBIDDEN.
Cooking Oils are also prohibited from carriage in checked or carry-on baggage.
Please speak to Customer Support on 0871 664 0144 for details.
If you're taking a wedding dress, limitations on cabin space mean that it must be carried in the hold. So long as it's packed in an appropriate suitcase, we're happy to carry your dress and other important accessories free of charge (up to 10kgs per couple). However, we strongly recommend you take out separate insurance for these items.
Please tell us when you book if you want to carry other items such as wheelchairs, pushchairs, windsurfers, bicycles or golf clubs so that First Choice can ask the airline. Carriage of these items (except wheelchairs and pushchairs) cannot be guaranteed and may be subject to a charge at check in.
To ensure that you have a comfortable and relaxing flight, pack all valuables, medication and essentials in your hand baggage.
Passengers with First Choice Airways should contact Customer Support on 0871 664 0144 for costs of the items we carry most often. We recommend that all your sports equipment is insured separately, since more valuable or fragile items may not be covered by our insurance. We regret that carriage of items cannot always be guaranteed.
To book any of the following items you will need to contact Customer Support on 0871 664 0144 at least 4 days prior to departure:
We are under no obligation to transfer windsurfers, bicycles, surfboards or other unconventional luggage to your accommodation. Please make your own arrangements for this or call our Reservations Department at least two weeks before departure to establish whether the particular item can be accepted on the transfer coach.
If you exceed your baggage allowance you may have to pay excess charges.
For First Choice Airways shorthaul flights (Mainland Spain, Portugal, the Balearics, Italy, France, Slovenia, Switzerland, Andorra, Austria, Bulgaria and Lapland) you will be charged £6.00 (€9.00) per kilo. For First Choice Airways midhaul flights (the Canary Islands, Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, Turkey, Tunisia, Morocco and Malta) you will be charged £7.00 (€10.00) per kilo and for First Choice Airways longhaul flights (the Caribbean, Mexico, Brazil, Costa Rica, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Goa, Kerala, Gambia and Florida) you will be charged £8.50 (€12.00 or $16.00) per kilo.
The excess baggage charges will have to be paid at check-in. Most major credit and debit cards, cheques, cash and local currency will be accepted but this may vary depending on the airport. We recommend that you stay within your allowances to avoid an expensive start or finish to your holiday!
We would like to assure you that every effort is made to locate your luggage, using a World Tracing System. Please ensure that our handling agents have completed and handed you a copy of a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) before you leave the airport. It is important that this is kept safe with your flight tickets, baggage receipts and any other relevant travel documents. Once your bag has been located, you will be informed by our handling agents and the luggage will be delivered to the address you have indicated on the reports.
Our handling agents at your arrival airport trace baggage for 5 days. After 5 days, First Choice Airways Secondary tracing Department completes tracing. Their telephone number is 0871 288 7392.
In the unlikely event that your luggage is delayed or lost, you may wish to make a claim. First Choice Airways, as with all airlines, is governed by the Warsaw Convention/Montreal Convention, resulting in limited liability. It is therefore advisable to pursue your claim with your own travel insurance, because they will almost certainly offer a higher level of cover.
Alternatively should you wish to claim from First Choice Airways, or experience any difficulties, our claims handling agents will be pleased to offer assistance.
First Choice Airways Baggage Claims Department
5 The Enterprise Centre
Kelvin Lane
Crawley
West Sussex
RH10 9PT
Fax: 01293 440006
e-mail: fca@airlinecrm.com
If you choose to claim from your own travel insurance, please advise them that any correspondence should be directed to our claims handling agents detailed above. Please note that you cannot claim from both your own insurance company and the airline.
CLAIMS MUST BE MADE IN WRITING WITHIN 21 DAYS FOR DELAYED BAGGAGE
If this happens to you, you must report the incident to the airline's handling agent at your arrival airport, usually located at a desk in the baggage reclaim area.
You will be given a copy of a PIR (Property Irregularity Report). It is very important that you complete the form correctly as this information will be needed to search for your bag.
If you need to make a claim, you will need to send a copy of your PIR (Property Irregularity Report) to your travel insurance company, or First Choice Airways Baggage Claims Department within 7 days of the incident.
Wherever possible, Antler our replacement baggage supplier will supply you with a suitable replacement bag, in full and final settlement of your claim. The bag will be delivered to your home address within 48 hours. If you wish to have your baggage assessed for potential repair, please contact Antler quoting your PIR (Property Irregularity Report) number and they will endeavour to meet your wishes, although a satisfactory repair may not always be possible.
Please find Antler's details below:
Antler Airline Division
Baggage Replacement and Repair Service
Pilot Works
Lancs.
BL9 9EF
Tel: 0870 756 3900
Fax: 0161 762 5035
e-mail: firstchoiceairways@antler.co.uk
Please be advised that minor scuffs and denting are considered to be part of normal wear and tear, therefore claims of this nature are not accepted. First Choice Airways, as with all airlines, is governed by the Warsaw Convention/Montreal Convention, which may impose restricted liability and we cannot accept liability for fragile and valuable items contained in your baggage.
If your bag has been damaged or you have discovered items to be missing, please check the contents carefully, ensure that any missing or damaged articles are reported before you leave the airport. It is advisable to keep any damaged articles because they may be required for inspection at a later date. A PIR will be completed by our handling agents.
Should you wish to make a claim through the airline please contact the address below, ensuring you quote all your details in any correspondence.
If you have not reported damaged baggage or items discovered to be missing at the airport you must put your claim in writing within 7 days of the incident to:
First Choice Airways Baggage Claims Department
5 The Enterprise Centre
Kelvin Lane
Crawley
West Sussex
RH10 9PT
Fax: 01293 440006
e-mail: fca@airlinecrm.com
Liability for lost and damaged baggage is very limited under the Warsaw Convention/Montreal Convention which governs airlines around the world.
We would always recommend that you contact your own insurance company as your policy may be more comprehensive than our liability under the Warsaw Convention/Montreal Convention, so please make sure you are adequately insured before you travel.