Garuda Indonesia to Change Free Baggage Rules Starting 1 September
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk will change its free baggage allowance from a weight-based system to a piece-based system. The new policy applies to all tickets purchased or issued from 1 September 2026.
Under the policy, passengers’ baggage entitlements will not be reduced. On the contrary, Garuda Indonesia is raising the maximum weight limit per bag for a number of flight classes.
In its official statement, Garuda Indonesia explained that the piece concept makes baggage information clearer, more definite and easier to understand. Each ticket will state the number of bags that may be checked in, along with the maximum weight limit for each bag.
“Through the Piece Concept, baggage information becomes clearer, more definite and easier to understand, and this update is designed to provide a more comfortable travel experience, help passengers prepare their belongings before departure, and support a faster and smoother check-in and baggage collection process,” Garuda Indonesia wrote in its official statement, quoted on Monday (13/7/2026).
Under the new scheme, Economy Class passengers will receive an allowance of one bag with a maximum weight of 23 kilograms (kg), up from the previous 20 kg. Meanwhile, Business Class and First Class passengers will receive a baggage allowance of up to 32 kg per bag, an increase from the previous 30 kg.
Garuda said the raised weight limits mean passengers can continue to bring items according to their travel needs, and in certain categories even gain greater baggage capacity.
If a bag exceeds the specified limit, passengers may transfer items to another bag that is still within the free baggage allocation, or make use of the cabin baggage allowance of up to 7 kg in accordance with the applicable rules.
If baggage capacity is still insufficient, passengers may purchase an Additional Piece before departure or Excess Baggage at the airport. For Economy Class passengers carrying a bag weighing more than 23 kg up to a maximum of 32 kg, a Heavy Bag service is available for purchase through the Excess Baggage service at the airport.
With the implementation of the piece concept, the purchase of additional baggage will no longer be calculated by the kilogram, but rather by the number of additional bags, adjusted to the free baggage allowance of the passenger’s class and ticket type.
Garuda Indonesia also stressed that the policy change is not intended to increase company revenue, but rather to simplify baggage rules while improving service quality for passengers.
The flag carrier said the new system offers a number of benefits, such as higher baggage weight limits in certain ticket categories, easier-to-understand rules, a more efficient check-in process, and safer and more consistent baggage handling.
In addition, the adoption of the piece concept also aims to align Garuda Indonesia’s baggage provisions with standards already applied by various international airlines. As a result, the travel experience, particularly for passengers continuing on international flights, is expected to become more consistent.
Garuda added that baggage provisions will be adjusted to the characteristics of each route, passenger needs, and the operational standards of both domestic and international flights. Information on baggage allowances will always be displayed during the booking process and on the issued ticket.