Garuda Indonesia explains new baggage rules effective early September
National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia has explained changes to its baggage rules that will take effect on 1 September 2026, using a piece-based scheme, or Piece Concept, for tickets purchased or issued at the beginning of next month.
Garuda Indonesia Transformation Director Neil Raymond Mills said the implementation of the Piece Concept is expected to help customers understand 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 planning stage about how many pieces of baggage they can bring and the weight limit for each piece. That way, preparations can be made earlier and the airport journey process is expected to become more seamless,” Neil said in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday.
According to him, the system change aims to provide more transparent information to customers so that the travel process can be better prepared before departure.
Under the Piece Concept, if a ticket states 1 piece with a maximum of 23 kilograms, the passenger may only bring one suitcase weighing up to 23 kilograms. Bringing two suitcases with the same total weight will still be counted as two pieces.
Likewise, if a ticket states 2 pieces x 23 kilograms, the passenger may bring two suitcases with a maximum weight of 23 kilograms each and cannot combine the entire allowance into a single 46-kilogram suitcase.
For domestic economy class, the baggage allowance can reach one piece with a maximum of 23 kilograms. Meanwhile, international economy class travel can receive an allowance of up to two pieces, each with a maximum of 23 kilograms.
Business and First class can receive up to two pieces with a weight limit of up to 32 kilograms each, depending on the route and ticket conditions.
Garuda Indonesia reminded passengers that baggage rules still depend on the route, class of travel, and ticket type. Therefore, the information stated on the e-ticket is the main reference for passengers.
In addition to paying attention to the number of suitcases, passengers are also advised to weigh each suitcase separately before departure to ensure that no suitcase exceeds the specified weight limit.
Passengers are also advised to leave space in their suitcase if they plan to bring additional items on the return journey. However, an additional bag that is checked in as recorded baggage can still be counted as one piece.
If baggage exceeds the rules, passengers can check again whether the excess comes from the number of suitcases, the weight of each suitcase, or both. If possible, items can be moved between suitcases as long as each piece still meets the weight limit.
However, if the number of suitcases exceeds the ticket allowance, passengers need to use the excess baggage option according to the travel rules.
Garuda also reminded passengers not to move all excess baggage to the cabin because cabin baggage still has weight and size limits.
The permitted cabin baggage is one bag or suitcase with maximum dimensions of 56 cm in length, 36 cm in width, or 23 cm in thickness, with a total of three dimensions not exceeding 115 cm and a maximum weight of 7 kilograms.
According to Neil, for tickets purchased or issued before 1 September 2026, the baggage rules still follow the total weight-based system, or Weight Concept.
On flights involving more than one airline, such as codeshare, interline, or connecting flights with different operators, baggage rules may differ.
Therefore, passengers still need to check the information before travelling.