Garuda Indonesia Baggage Rules Change from September, Passengers Must Know
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Garuda Indonesia is changing its checked baggage rules for passengers by implementing a Piece Concept system starting 1 September 2026. Under the new system, baggage allowance is no longer calculated solely by total weight, but by the number of suitcases or pieces along with the weight limit for each.
In the Piece Concept system introduced by Garuda, passenger tickets will state the number of suitcases included in the baggage allowance and the maximum weight permitted for each suitcase. For example, if the e-ticket states 1 piece with a maximum weight of 23 kg, the passenger is only allowed to bring one suitcase weighing no more than 23 kg. Under this new scheme, passengers may not bring 1 suitcase plus 1 cardboard box, even if the total weight is 23 kg.
Meanwhile, if the allowance given is 2 pieces with a maximum of 23 kg each, the passenger may bring two suitcases with a weight limit of 23 kg each. This means the total allowance of 46 kg cannot be combined into a single suitcase weighing 46 kg.
Citing Garuda Indonesia’s official website, the policy applies to all tickets purchased or issued from 1 September 2026, covering all flights operated by Garuda Indonesia.
Garuda explained that the change aims to make information about baggage allowance clearer and easier to understand before departure. The policy also aligns Garuda’s baggage rules with standards already applied by various international airlines, especially to make it easier for passengers continuing their journey on international flights.
Garuda Indonesia Transformation Director Neil Raymond Mills said the implementation of the Piece Concept is expected to help customers know their baggage capacity more clearly from the moment they plan their journey.
“What we want to encourage is for customers to have increasingly clear information from the time they plan their journey about how much baggage they can bring and what the weight limit is for each piece,” Neil said in an official statement cited by CNN Indonesia, Friday (28/8/2026).
For domestic economy class flights, the baggage allowance can reach one suitcase with a maximum weight of 23 kg. Meanwhile, on international economy class journeys, passengers can receive an allowance of up to two suitcases with a maximum weight of 23 kg each.
Business and First class passengers can receive an allowance of up to two suitcases with a maximum weight of 32 kg each. However, Garuda stressed that the number and weight of baggage still depend on the route, class of travel, and type of ticket purchased. Therefore, the provisions stated in the e-ticket are the main reference for passengers to know their baggage allowance.
Tickets Before 1 September Still Use Old Rules
The change does not automatically apply to all Garuda flight tickets. For tickets purchased or issued before 1 September 2026, baggage provisions still follow the previous system, namely the Weight Concept or based on total overall weight.
Passengers with tickets using the Piece Concept are also advised to weigh each suitcase separately before departure. The aim is to ensure that each suitcase does not exceed the weight limit stated on the ticket.
If baggage exceeds the provisions, passengers need to check whether the excess comes from the weight of one suitcase, the number of suitcases, or both. Items can be moved from one suitcase to another as long as the number and weight of each piece still meet the provisions.
However, if the number of suitcases exceeds the allowance stated on the ticket, passengers need to use the excess baggage service in accordance with applicable provisions. Garuda also reminds passengers not to move all excess items to cabin baggage. This is because cabin baggage also has its own size and weight limits.
Permitted cabin baggage is one bag or suitcase with maximum dimensions of 56 cm in length, 36 cm in width, and 23 cm in thickness. The total of the three dimensions must not exceed 115 cm, while the maximum weight is 7 kg.
Different provisions may also apply if the journey involves more than one airline, including codeshare, interline, or connecting flights operated by other airlines. Passengers are advised to re-check the applicable baggage rules before departure.