Ethiopian Airlines Baggage Allowance: A Complete Guide for Travellers

Packing for a flight can be tricky. No one wants to bring too much or too little, so knowing the baggage rules before flying is essential. Ethiopian Airlines has clear rules on how many bags passengers can get and how heavy they can be. Knowing these rules helps passengers avoid last-minute surprises at the airport.

This guide explains Ethiopian Airlines' baggage policy, including the maximum amount allowed, what happens if a bag is too big, and how to handle lost or damaged baggage. Let's get started!

Ethiopian Airlines Carry-On Baggage Allowance

Ethiopian Airlines allows passengers to bring small bags inside the plane. Below is a table to help you understand how much baggage you can carry on the plane:

Apart from your main carry-on bag, Ethiopian Airlines allows passengers to bring extra small items free of charge. These are personal belongings that you may need during the flight. Below is a list of items you can bring in addition to your carry-on bag:

• A small handbag, purse, or pocketbook
• Laptop
• A coat, wrap, or blanket
• A small camera or binoculars
• Reading materials
• Baby food
• Baby carrying basket
• Duty-free shopping bags
• A foldable wheelchair
• Crutches, braces, or prosthetic devices

Important documents, cash, jewellery, and medicine should always be with you.

Ethiopian Airlines Checked Baggage Allowance

Your bag cannot be too big. Measuring its length, width, and height together must be no more than 62 inches (158 cm), including the handles and wheels.

If you are flying in Economy Class, it can weigh up to 50 lbs (23 kg). But if you are flying in Business Class, you can take a bag that is 70 lbs (32 kg).

Sports Equipment

Some sports equipment is big and heavy. It will be treated as cargo if it weighs more than 46 kg. Here are some everyday sports items you can bring:

If your sports equipment meets these three rules, you can bring it for free:

• The total size is 203 cm (80 inches) or less.
• The total weight is 23 kg or less.

Musical Instruments/Block Seat Baggage

If you have a musical instrument, you can take it with you on the plane. But it should not be bigger than 23 cm by 40 cm by 55 cm. Sometimes, instruments are too delicate to be carried in the baggage area. To keep them safe, you can book a seat just for them. This is called block seat baggage service. It helps protect items that could break easily.

Here are some things that can be carried like this:

• Big musical instruments like cellos and double basses
• Old-fashioned typewriters
• TVs and radios
• Cameras and painting frames

Travelling with Pets

Your pet must be inside a container (a small travel box) and should not weigh more than 8 kg, including the container. The box size should be no bigger than 55 cm long, 40 cm wide, and 20 cm high. If your pet and its box are bigger than this, it must travel in the cargo area.

Special rules apply for service dogs that help blind or deaf passengers. These dogs can sit in the cabin for free. They must be wearing their harness and a muzzle. If you are bringing a guide dog, inform the airline beforehand. You must also show a certificate proving that it is a trained service animal.

How to Book a Pet Ticket

When you book your flight, you must also book for your pet. You will need to tell the airline these 3 things:

1. What type of pet do you have?
2. The size of the container.
3. Emotional support animal paperwork.

Carrying Human Ashes

If a loved one has passed away and you need to carry their cremated ashes, you can take them on an Ethiopian Airlines flight. You can bring them in your hand luggage or checked-in baggage.

• Check with the embassy of your destination to ensure you can bring ashes into the country.
• The ashes must be in a sealed plastic bag inside a travel container.
• Use a plastic or cardboard urn. Metal or ceramic urns are not allowed.
• The deceased person's passport
• A cremation certificate
• A death certificate

If any documents are in another language, get them translated into the destination country's language.

Damaged Baggage

The first thing to do is report the damage right away. This must be done before leaving the arrival area at the airport. If a bag can be fixed, Ethiopian Airlines might offer a repair service. If the repair service is unavailable, the passenger may need to fix it themselves. After fixing the bag, the repair bill and the Property Irregularity Report (PIR) must be sent to Ethiopian Airlines for a refund.

Ethiopian Airlines cannot take responsibility for every kind of damage. Some things are not covered, like:

• If the material of a bag gets weak on its own.
• Minor scratches.
• Tiny dents.
• Little marks like scuffs, dirt, and stains.
• Bag parts that stick out, like straps, hooks, belts, locks, or covers.
• If a bag was too full or not packed properly, and it broke during handling

Lost Baggage

The first step is to talk to an Ethiopian Airlines worker at the airport where the flight landed. This must be done immediately. The worker will help start a lost baggage report. After that, passengers can check the status of their lost bag online by clicking a special link. Ethiopian Airlines will try its best to find the bag within 25 days.

For the first five days, updates will be sent daily. After that, updates will be sent every three days until the 25-day period ends. Ethiopian Airlines will explain what happens next if the bag is not found.

Delayed Baggage

Sometimes, bags do not arrive on time. Passengers must report their delayed bags immediately. After that, a delayed baggage claim must be filed. A link is provided to check the claim and track the status of the missing bag. Ethiopian Airlines will contact the passenger and arrange delivery when the bag is found.

Restricted Items

We urge the readers to take a screenshot of this table for ease of use.

Conclusion

Ethiopian Airlines has simple baggage rules. If you plan ahead, you won't face surprises at check-in. A little preparation makes travel smooth and easy.

FAQs

Can I put food in my suitcase?

Yes! You can pack snacks, dried foods, and sealed items. But fresh food, like meat and dairy, might not be allowed in some countries.

Can I bring a smart bag with a battery?

Yes, but the battery must be removed quickly. If it is stuck inside and cannot be removed, the bag is prohibited on the flight.

Do Ethiopian Airlines flights inside Ethiopia have different baggage rules?

Yes. Domestic flights (flights within the country) usually allow less baggage than international flights.

Can I share my baggage allowance with my friend or family member?

No, each passenger gets their limit. You cannot combine your baggage weight with someone else's.