Cathay Pacific Airways and Dragonair are pleased to announce the introduction of an enhanced baggage policy, which will see passengers benefit from increased check-in allowances and generally lower excess baggage charges.

Under the revised weight system policy, all passengers, regardless of their class of travel, will enjoy an additional 10kg allowance for check-in baggage. Marco Polo Club Silver, Gold and Diamond members will benefit from an extra 10kg, 15kg and 20kg respectively.

In line with global industry standards, the zoning of excess baggage charges will also be adjusted. The new zone combinations will see an extensive reduction of charges of up to 40%.

To improve check-in efficiency and reduce queuing time at airports across the airlines' networks, the revised baggage policy will follow a weight system with piece count. Passengers in Business Class, Premium Economy Class and Economy Class will be entitled to check-in two baggage items free of charge. First Class passengers will be entitled to check-in three baggage items free of charge. Marco Polo Club Gold and Diamond members will be entitled to check-in one additional item on top of their travel class allowance.

In addition to the enhanced check-in baggage policy, Dragonair will increase its carry-on baggage allowance, which currently stands at 5kg in all classes, to match that of Cathay Pacific. The new allowance for passengers travelling in Economy and Premium Economy will be increased to 7kg; Business Class and First Class passengers will enjoy allowances of 10kg and 15kg respectively.

The enhanced check-in baggage allowance will be applicable to air tickets issued or exchanged on or after 15 September 2016, while the new carry-on baggage policy will be effective from 15 September 2016.

Passengers can find out more information regarding the new baggage policy by visiting the 'Baggage Information' section on the Cathay Pacific (www.cathaypacific.com) and Dragonair (www.dragonair.com) websites.

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About the revised baggage policy

1. New check-in baggage allowances

Under the revised baggage policy, passengers travel in all classes will enjoy an additional 10kg check-in baggage allowance:

Note: For flights to the Americas and New Zealand, where a piece system is adopted in accordance to local regulations, the current check-in baggage allowance remains unchanged.

2. Excess check-in baggage charges

Under the revised baggage policy and the revised zoning, excess baggage charges will be reduced for majority of the zones:

Passengers wishing to check-in additional pieces of baggage that exceed their permitted allowance will be charged US$30 per piece for Zones 1 to 3, and US$60 per piece for Zone 4.

For example:

A)  Excess weight

If an Economy Class passenger has 2 pieces of check-in baggage with a combined total weight of 33kg, he/she will be charged the relevant zone excess baggage fee for 3kg.

B)  Excess piece

If the passenger has 3 pieces of check-in baggage but within a total combined weight of 30kg, he/she will be charged for 1 piece of extra baggage.

C)  Excess weight and piece

If the passenger has 3 pieces of check-in baggage with total combined weight of 45kg, he/she will only be charged with the relevant zone excess baggage fee of 15kg.

3. Enhanced carry-on baggage allowance

Dragonair will align its carry-on baggage allowance with Cathay Pacific, with a higher weight allowance:

4. Revised Zone Table