Tips for packing checked bags: 10 most common questions and answers

Got a trip coming up but haven’t packed yet? Let us help you! We answered the ten most common questions about packing checked baggage. 

By leaving your baggage in the hold, you have more freedom to pack what you need, as the restrictions on checked baggage are understandably more relaxed than those on carry-on baggage. In addition, when moving around the airport and boarding the plane, you no longer must worry about bigger baggage. 

"Checked baggage increases travel comfort for yourself and other passengers. Especially during the cooler seasons, passengers wear thicker overcoats and the amount of goods they take inside the aircraft increases. It is good to remember that excessive carry-on baggage is not only a nuisance, but also a safety risk and may cause the plane to be delayed," says Tuula Ihamäki, Airport Customer Process Owner at Finnair.

Ihamäki also shares quick tips for successful checked baggage packing and travel preparations:

• Check your ticket type’s baggage policies beforehand: Each airline has different restrictions on bag size, weight, and contents.
• Pack your baggage carefully: Protect sensitive items and make sure there are no prohibited items in your baggage.
• Arrive at the airport on time: Especially during busy travel times, there might be queues, so allow enough time to check in your baggage.
• Use self-service Bag Drop: Many airports offer self-service Bag Drop which speeds up the process.

To help you prepare for your trip, we've answered the ten most common questions about checked baggage.

1. I don’t know how much my baggage weighs, will I be in trouble at the airport? 

To avoid surprises and surcharges at the airport, remember to check the baggage restrictions of your ticket type and your destination country before you travel. 

When packing, it might be wise to weigh your baggage at home. Unpacking your baggage and distributing the weight into different bags at check-in can be tedious and uncomfortable. On Finnair flights, the maximum weight of checked baggage (economy and premium economy) is 23kg and in Business Class 23kg (European flights) or 32kg (long-haul flights). 

Remember to pack light and save some space in your baggage for souvenirs and other treasures you might find on your travels.

2. How many checked bags can I take with me?

The checked baggage allowance depends on both the route and ticket type. With most Finnair tickets, you’re entitled to at least one piece of baggage free of charge – either a carry-on bag or a checked bag. For example, our most popular ticket type, Classic, always includes at least one checked bag. 

If you'd like to take more bags than what is included in your checked baggage allowance, an extra baggage fee will be collected. The most cost-effective way is to pay additional fees online in advance, and Finnair Plus members can also use their Avios to pay. The maximum amount of baggage per passenger is 10 pieces.

3. Are skis or a golf bag included in my baggage allowance?

If special baggage, such as sports equipment or music instrument, is within the size and weight limits of a standard baggage, it can be carried as part of your normal baggage allowance. If special baggage exceeds the standard allowance, an extra bag charge and/or a heavy bag charge applies.

 "Special baggage must be booked in advance, either via Manage booking or through our customer service. This gives you time to ensure that there’s space for your special baggage on the plane," Tuula points out.

A heavy or oversized bag charge applies if you are travelling with a bag that weighs 23–32kg    (50–70lb) or exceeds the standard size of 90cm x 75cm x 45cm (35in x 30in x 18in). 

The maximum allowed dimensions are 190cm x 75cm x 65cm (75in x 29.5in x 25.5in). If you need to check in special baggage heavier than 32kg please contact our customer service beforehand.

4. Laptop and power banks - how do I pack them?

We recommend carrying electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, chargers, cameras and electric toothbrushes in your carry-on baggage for safety reasons. Please note that phone power banks and e-cigarettes must always be packed in carry-on baggage. 

"A lot of cigarette lighters, matches, flammable ski waxes and lithium batteries with too high energy content are removed from checked baggage. It is good to note that many types of equipment, such as children's toys, may have that kind of separate battery that cannot be packed in a checked bag,” Tuula says. 

When it comes to batteries, we recommend carrying items in carry-on baggage. The energy content of batteries and accumulators is a decisive factor in whether they can be packed at all on a flight. More detailed restrictions and packaging instructions for batteries can be found here.

5. What should I pack into my checked baggage instead of carry-on?

Certain everyday items cannot be carried in carry-on baggage and should be packed in a checked bag. 

Do you have a large bottle of hairspray with you? Aerosols  larger than 100 ml may only be placed in checked baggage. However, the amount may not exceed 2 kg/2 l (including perfumes, aftershaves, medicines containing alcohol, etc.) per passenger, while a single product may not exceed 0.5 kg/0.5 l. Please remember to seal the bottle well with a cap to prevent it from accidentally leaking during the flight. 

A pocketknife must always be packed in a checked baggage. So do scissors, if their blade is more than 6 cm. Razor blades and razors that can be opened, and the razor blade removed are permitted in checked baggage only. You can pack ski wax in your checked bag, if it does not have a "flammable" label.

6. I transferred my liquids from my carry-on baggage to my checked bag. Any limitations on liquids in checked baggage?

When travelling with carry-on baggage, you must be careful with the liquid rules of different airports. There is no need to worry about this so much with checked baggage, as you can pack liquids more freely. 

As a rule, you are allowed to pack liquids in your checked bags.  However, please make sure to check the regulations and policies of your destination country before you travel. 

The maximum allowance of alcohol (max. 70 %) is 5 litres in unopened, original bottles. 

Dangerous liquids, such as flammable fuel, must not be carried in checked baggage either. A practical example of this is the fuel tank of a camping stove, which must be empty of liquid fuel. 

To make packing easier, we have compiled a list of restricted articles and substances here.

7. Am I permitted to include food souvenirs in my checked baggage? For example, berries, homemade bread, salty liquorice, fruits?

We often get asked about how to pack different food products. Perhaps you also dream of shopping for some rye bread, Karelian pies and salty liquorice as souvenirs?

Generally, the transportation of solid food and snacks in checked baggage on our flights is allowed. However, always remember to check the possible restrictions on food products, like fruits, imposed by the customs of your destination country.

8. When does the Bag Drop open? Will someone be there to help me?

If you have baggage to check in, you can use a self-service Bag Drop or leave your baggage at the Bag Drop desk during your flight's check-in period. The Bag Drop opens 2 hours before departure at the latest and closes 45 minutes to 1 hour before departure. More detailed check-in times can be found here. 

"Self-service Bag Drop is easy to use. It allows you to move forward smoothly and quickly at the airport without having to spend time in check-in queues. At certain airports, baggage drop-off times are expanding thanks to self-service Bag Drop service,” Tuula encourages.

If you feel nervous about using the self-service Bag Drop, don’t worry, our ground crew are happy to assist you with it.

 "On Finnair's website, you can watch a video that shows you how to attach your baggage tag easier," Tuula hints. 

Wouldn't it be convenient to handle all the checked baggage the evening before an early morning departure? At Helsinki Airport that is possible! You can bring your baggage to the Bag Drop the evening prior to departure, between 6 p.m. and 9.30 p.m. 

If you're travelling with your family and have everyone's tickets and travel documents at hand, one of you can check in all your baggage. Please note that for flights to the USA, each passenger must be present at the check-in for travel documents check.

9. If I lock my checked baggage, will they break the lock during a possible inspection?

Finavia, which is responsible for the operation of Helsinki Airport, says on its website that you can lock your baggage if you so wish. However, security control employees may need to open your baggage if they suspect it contains prohibited items or substances. 

According to Finavia, thanks to advanced methods , a fair majority of baggage heading to cargo can be opened at security check without damaging the bag in the process. 

If the baggage can’t be opened, Finnish security personnel never break locks or bags themselves. If there’s a prohibited item in the bag, but the security supervisor has no access to it, the bag is transported to the traveller's airline company with a note that this luggage cannot be transferred to cargo. 

The most important thing is to pack the checked baggage so that it does not contain any prohibited items or substances.

10. What if my checked baggage is lost? How can I make sure my baggage is safe and makes its way to my final destination?

There are plenty of ways you can influence the safety of your baggage and ensure it gets to your destination effortlessly: book direct flights or, if possible, use the same airline for connecting flights. Leave ample time for connecting flights to make sure that both you and your baggage make it to your final destination. 

We at Finnair check your baggage to the destination marked on your ticket. If your connecting flight is on a different ticket, you need to collect your baggage at the transfer airport and check it in again. 

Remember not just to insure yourself but also your baggage with travel insurance. You can also influence the safety of your baggage by marking it well. Your name and contact information should be found both inside and outside the baggage. At the same time, it is good to check that the baggage does not still have old barcodes or other identification stickers from previous trips.

To make it easier to identify, mark your baggage with your favourite sticker. Please avoid hanging any excessively dangling decorations or strings on your baggage to prevent it from getting stuck on the baggage belt. Remember to save the checked baggage tag that you get from check-in. 

If, despite your own preparedness, your baggage does not arrive on the same flight with you, please contact the Arrival Service desk in the arrivals hall. A delayed baggage report will be created, and you will be provided with a reference number. Alternatively, you can create a report here. With the reference number you can track the process online through WorldTracer. 

Read more about delayed, damaged and lost baggage.