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I received a flight itinerary from a travel agent, and under the "Baggage" column for each segment is listed "1PieceConcept". How should I interpret this?

If it makes a difference, it's for international travel with United/Lufthansa as carriers.

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  • Related: What does “Baggage: 1PC” mean on my flight ticket?
    – choster
    Nov 7, 2017 at 17:56
  • It means that you are restricted both in the number of bags you can check in (for free), along with the weight of each bag.
    – Burhan Khalid
    Nov 7, 2017 at 21:09
  • @BurhanKhalid But isn't that the case for pretty much every flight? What is it that "1PieceConcept" is supposed to be telling me, to the extent it's worth taking up an extra column on my itinerary?
    – R.M.
    Nov 7, 2017 at 22:38
  • On some flights, they only care about the total weight checked in, irrespective of the number of bags checked in.
    – Burhan Khalid
    Nov 8, 2017 at 6:59

1 Answer 1

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Your baggage allowance is usually determined by either 'Piece Concept' or 'Weight Concept'.

A 'Weight Concept' means you will be allowed to check-in X kg of weight. It doesn't matter how many bags there are as long as the weight of all of the bags does not exceed X kg. Some airlines will have an upper limit; like not more than 10 bags.

The 'Piece Concept' on the other hand usually refers to the number of bags that are allowed for check-in. This rules usually defines how many bags you can check-in and the weight and dimension limits of each bag as well. Since you mentioned Lufthansa you can refer to the below description for both cases.

Checked baggage – Weight Concept

First Class | Business Class | Economy Class

40 kg (88 lbs) | 30 kg (66 lbs) | 20 kg (44 lbs)

These weight limits apply worldwide except on routes on which the Piece Concept detailed below applies. Maximum baggage item weight 32 kg (70 lbs).

Checked baggage – Piece Concept

Business Class 2 baggage items of 32 kg (70 lbs) each Economy Class 2 baggage items of 23 kg (50 lbs) each

Maximum baggage item weight 32 kg (70 lbs).

LINK

Some practical examples can be: Weight Concept:

  • First class traveler having just 1 32Kg bag.
  • Economy traveler having 2 5kg and 1 10Kg bags.

Piece Concept:

  • Economy traveler having 1 bag of 23Kg and 1 bag of 23Kg.
  • Economy traveler having just 1 bag of 32Kg.

Of course, it is in human nature to maximize the benefit of baggage allowance though. :p

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  • It might be good to touch on the difference between piece concept and weight concept and where they are used (although I am surprised to see many European and Middle Eastern airlines have switched to piece concept over the last few years).
    – choster
    Nov 7, 2017 at 17:57
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    Emirates has a good explanation and actually uses both: emirates.com/us/english/help/faq/490107/…. Yes, the term 'concept' is rather strange. A UK English speaker would probably use 'scheme' while a US English speaker would say 'model'.
    – DTRT
    Nov 7, 2017 at 18:15
  • Does the "1" in "1PieceConcept" mean anything?
    – R.M.
    Nov 7, 2017 at 22:41
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    Yes, it means that 1 piece of luggage (within) the weight and dimensions limits would be free for check-in. The second one won't be free.
    – Newton
    Nov 7, 2017 at 22:57

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