Baggage Information

Safe and Sound procedures for maximum travel comfort

Hand Baggage Information

For your own safety and comfort, appended below are the carry-on baggage limitations on Malaysia Airlines services:

Piece

First Class and Business Class passengers are allowed an additional piece of hand baggage of the same dimension.

Dimension

Each piece must not exceed the following dimensions:

Weight

Each hand baggage must not weigh more than 5 kg.

Hand baggage exceeding the above prescribed dimension and weight or the number allowed, must be checked as check-in baggage

We recommend you take anything you may need on the flight with you, including medication and keys. All medication should have a professional pharmaceutical label on the container if you are transporting medication in your carry-on luggage. If you require a medical syringe, you must have the needle guard intact.

In addition to your carry-on baggage, the following personal items are also allowed as hand baggage:

• A handbag, pocket book or purse.

• A briefcase.

• An overcoat, wrap or blanket.

• Electronic equipment such as laptop, ipad & camera.

• A small camera or a pair of binoculars.

• A reasonable amount of reading material for the flight.

• An infant carry cot.

• Infant & children food for consumption in-flight.

• Fully collapsible baby stroller (on wide body aircraft only).

• Walking stick/canes or crutches and/or braces/prosthetic devices, which the passenger is dependent on.

Malaysia Airlines subscribes to baggage security guidelines recommended by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and its member airlines. It is the responsibility of all airlines to inform passengers of the importance of these guidelines.

This is why Malaysia Airlines has placed great importance on the control of carry-on baggage. Keeping an eye on the number and size of bags allowed on board means that our passengers will enjoy the comfort of a well-kept cabin, free of any inconvenience and hazards, because:

• There is ample storage space for all passengers' hand baggage.

• Movement into and out of seats is easier.

• Departure and arrival will be on time as there is improved passenger boarding and disembarkation.

• Cabin crew service along the aisle is smoother.

• Transfers between flights are faster.

• Emergency evacuation becomes easier.

Carry-on baggage must be stowed underneath the seat in front of the passenger or in the overhead compartment. Please note that security items such as knives, nail clippers, blades, or any sharp and/or pointed objects must be removed from carry-on baggage and packed in checked baggage. You must be able to activate any electronic devices (e.g. CD players, laptops, video cameras) at the security checkpoint. If you are unable to do so, you must pack these items in your checked baggage.

Electrical devices

Prior departure, you will be allowed to use your Portable Electronic Device (PED) including cellular telephones up to the time when all the aircraft doors are closed.  After landing, you are permitted to use your Portable Electronic Device (PED) after any one of the aircraft doors is opened.  However, to prevent fire hazards, all electronic devices are to be switched off during refueling operations.

Please note that if you are travelling with electronic items as part of your carry-on baggage, you will be expected to demonstrate that the device is operational at security checkpoint. If you do not have a power source for your electronic item, please ensure you pack your electronic item as checked baggage.

Examples of items not permitted beyond the screening checkpoints

• All knives, cutting and puncturing instruments including box cutters, ice picks, straight razors, metal scissors, metal nail files and corkscrews;

• Any sharp and/or pointed objects;

• Weapons including handguns, rifles, ammunition, gun powder, pepper spray, bear spray, mace, tear

gas, replica or toy weapons;

• Aerosol spray cans including hair spray, deodorant, insect repellent, or butane fuel;

• Balloons filled with helium gas;

• Flammable liquids or solids including fuel, paint, paint thinner, lighter fluid;

• Sporting equipment such as: golf clubs, lacrosse sticks, hockey sticks, ski poles, squash/tennis racquets, ice skates, baseball / softball bats, pool cues;

• Any other hazardous item as defined and regulated by law including explosives, fireworks, radioactive materials, poisons, infectious substances;

• Umbrella is not allowed to carry on board as its looks like a weapon in some cases.

For Your Convenience

Before proceeding to the departure area, please check and ensure that your hand baggage quantity, weight and dimensions meet the recommended guidelines.  The airport authorities have placed hand baggage test kits at check-in counters and at the entrance to departure halls. Please use these kits to ensure that your hand baggage size conforms to the stated measurements.  If your hand baggage does not conform to the size specified, the airport authorities or airline personnel will disallow entry into the departure area. You will then have to return to the check-in counter.  Should you need further assistance, please consult our airline passenger handling staff or your travel agent.

Baggage Check-In

When you check-in, you may be asked some questions about your baggage:

• Has your luggage been in your possession at all times?

• Are you aware of the contents in your bag?

• Are you aware, these dangerous goods are not permitted in your bag?

(See below)

Dangerous Goods

International Air Transport Association (IATA) defines Dangerous Goods as articles or substances that are capable of posing a risk to health, safety, property, or the environment when they are transported. As a general rule, passengers are not permitted to transport dangerous goods on board an aircraft in their carry-on baggage or checked baggage.

Your check-in baggage must not contain hazardous materials, including explosives, compressed gasses, flammable liquids and solids, oxidizers, poisons, corrosive and radioactive materials.

All checked baggage must have your name, address and telephone number or email on the outside of the bag. You are strongly encouraged to put your name and address on the inside of the bag as well should the outside tag be separated from the bag. Malaysia Airlines may refuse baggage at check-in unless it is labeled.

Excess Value Declarations and Charges

You may declare a value for your checked baggage in excess of the applicable liability limit. If you make such a declaration, you must pay additional charges in accordance with our regulations.

Malaysia Airlines will not accept liability for valuables, fragile or perishable articles including money, jewellery, cameras, video and electronics equipment, silverware, negotiable instruments, business documents, samples, antiques, paintings, furs, manuscripts or similar items, computers and medication.

Checked Baggage Allowance

The amount of checked baggage that you can take with you free of charge is determined according to either the number of pieces or the weight. The ‘allow’ box on your paper ticket indicates which of these concepts apply to your baggage allowance. On your e-ticket, this is indicated in the ‘baggage’ box.

Weight System

(All destinations except to and from Americas)

The table below states the maximum weight of the checked baggage that you can take with you free of charge. 20kg.

A charge at the appropriate journey rate per kilogram will apply for any baggage carried in excess of the free baggage allowance as above.

Piece System

(To and from Americas)

For passenger travel to and from North Americas and South Americas, the baggage allowance will be based on Piece system. Each passenger is allowed to check-in 2 pieces of baggage regardless of class of travel.

The table below states the maximum weight for each piece of checked baggage and maximum outside linear dimension for the checked baggage according to the class of travel.  Baggage in excess of the checked baggage allowance is charged per piece. Contact your local Malaysia Airlines Office for details on charges.

Restrictions to Weight of Single Piece of Checked Baggage on all Malaysia Airlines Services

To comply with Global Health and Safety regulations for baggage handlers, Malaysia Airlines has imposed a strict ruling to ensure that each single piece of item or baggage that is checked-in DOES not exceed 32 kg (70 lbs). This is effective 1st March 2008.  Irrespective of class of travel, any single piece of baggage weighing more than 32 kg (70 lbs) will not be accepted at check-in counters at any station. Customers will be required to reduce the weight by repacking the baggage into smaller units before they are allowed to check-in. This regulation equally applies to transit baggage.  We recommend that items exceeding 32 kg (70 lbs) such as bulky musical instruments, sports equipment, photo & film camera equipment etc. should be sent through MASkargo, our cargo service.

Bicycles

Non-motorised touring or racing bicycles with single seats for carriage are accepted as checked baggage with certain limitations.

Any bicycle presented for carriage must be packaged in one of the following ways:

• Handlebars are fixed sideways and pedals removed and enclosed in a cardboard container;

• Pedals and handlebars encased in plastic, styrofoam, or other similar material.

Any bicycle presented in a box with overall dimensions not exceeding 62 inches and checked in lieu of one bag is accepted. In addition, 2 baggage systems with 2 conditions each, will apply accordingly:

Note: Some connection carriers and aircraft may not accept bicycles as checked baggage, and may have different limitations.

Info: IATA Areas

The International Air Transport Association, for administrative purposes, divides the world into three IATA Traffic Conference Areas.  These are referred to as Areas No. 1, 2 & 3.

• IATA area 1 comprises of the North and South American Continent and adjacent islands.

• IATA area 2 comprises of all Europe, Iceland and Africa.

• IATA area 3 comprises of all Asia and Australia and New Zealand.

What is an LRT baggage tag?

A Limited Release Tag or LRT is a special type of baggage tag that is attached to non-standard pieces of luggage such as strollers and sporting equipment. This includes baggage, which is oversized, fragile, perishable, or unsuitably packed, bags presented damaged at check-in, security removed items and bags checked in late, which might not be loaded on the flight. LRTs releases the airline from liability should this item become damaged.

Packing Tips

• Always remove the previous trip airline tags and mark your baggage with your name, address, email and contact number where you can be reached at your destination. You should also put a copy of this information inside your baggage. Should your baggage be misplaced, these labels will hasten identification and help us to return it to you. Labels can be obtained at the Malaysia Airlines check-in counter.

• Mark your bags with a brightly coloured string or ribbon to assist you in identifying your bag quickly on the baggage carousel.

• Keep all loose handles, hooks, and straps closed securely inside if you can, or remove them. These can catch on conveyers and belt loaders and cause damage to your luggage or other passengers' luggage.

• Always lock your baggage.

• For security reasons, ensure you pack your bags yourself and do not at any time leave them unattended. Never carry a package or baggage for someone else unless you have completely checked the contents.

• Due to safety requirements, there are a number of items that cannot be packed in your carry-on or checked baggage. Please visit dangerous goods information above.

• Never wrap or package gifts; security personnel may need to inspect them.

• Keep medication and fragile items in your carry-on baggage. Keep all medication in its original, labelled container and carry the physician's prescription with you.

• You must be able to activate any electronic devices at the security checkpoint. If you are unable to do so, you must pack these items in your checked baggage.

• When you check your bags, make sure you get the correct number of luggage claim stubs and that each one is marked with the correct city name of your destination on your luggage tags.

• Make a list of items you have packed and their estimated value. Keep your list in a safe place until you return. Report any missing, delayed or damaged items before you leave the airport. This will help us to start tracing right away.

• Malaysia Airlines advises you that following items may not be included in your baggage and it accepts no liability for your damage or loss:

- Cash, negotiable bonds, deed, etc;

- Jewellery, antiques or similar valuable items;

- Any item of a fragile or brittle nature (e.g. glassware);

- Electrical or electronic components (e.g. computer, camera, mobile phone, audio equipment);

- Food or any perishable item;

- Any item that has insufficient packaging (e.g. surfboard, bicycle, musical instrument).