Special baggage is all baggage that, because of its nature, size, or weight, may be accepted only under certain conditions.
For acceptance of special baggage the conditions of carriage applies.
For some types of special baggage advance reservations should be made or Kenya Airways may refuse acceptance if deemed necessary.
If accepted, baggage shall be packed by the passenger in such a way that the item and/or its contents are sufficiently protected to endure ordinary handling.
Odd size baggage cannot always be accepted. Acceptance depends on the capacity of the aircraft operating on the passenger’s routing. If the baggage cannot be accommodated on one of the aircraft, it cannot be accepted for the whole route. The reply to the SSR shall then be UN, in which case the sale agents shall inform the passenger immediately.
When a passenger presents special baggage for check-in, the Customer Service Agent shall check the PNR of the passenger to verify whether transportation has been granted.
If the special clearance is missing in the customer records, the station shall decide to accept it for transport, provided KQ procedures are strictly adhered to.
More Information
For any baggage whose dimensions are larger than 300cm (Length +Width height) or heavier than 32kgs authorization shall be given prior travel by the commercial team. Lower limitation may apply for sports equipment.
Authorization will appear in the PNR with “XBAG comment”. If the baggage exceeds 32kgs or 300cms a “bulky XBAG transportation” message specifying the type and the dimensions is sent to the station.
There is no weight limitation for wheelchair and mobility device however a comment has to be given on the PNR to enable plan for the right aircraft and ground handling process.
Kenya Airways accepts no liability for fragile baggage, baggage with fragile contents, perishable items e-g food, meat, flowers etc. and Valuable. This information should be given to the passenger before accepting of such items.
For fragile baggage the item shall be packed properly (original sealed box or suitable case) in order to endure normal handling. Mark “fragile” on the limited release part of the bag and a fragile sticker is affix on to the bag.
Where perishable items require controlled temperature or specialized handling, passengers should be advised to transport as cargo.
The passenger is responsible for ensuring the conformity of the health documents required for the trip and for hermetically packing in order to prevent any leaks, drips or odor.
Baggage shall be packed in such a way that it should endure normal handling.
Items that, because of their nature, could cause damage to other passenger’s baggage (e.g. Spillable liquid) shall not be accepted for check-in.
Kenya Airways has no restrictions on the carriage of medicines except when the medicine is classified as Dangerous Goods such as:
An inflammable liquid
Toxic, infectious or radioactive material
A gas
Although Helium is not considered as Dangerous Goods, the transportation of balloons filled up with Helium is forbidden because they can explode onboard.
Lithium batteries can generate a great amount of heat if short circuited, or may catch fire if damaged, improperly designed or improperly assembled. Spare batteries must be individually protected to prevent short circuits by placement in the original retail packaging or by otherwise insulating terminals, e.g. by taping over exposed terminals or placing each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch and carried in carry-on baggage only.
Articles containing lithium cells or batteries, the primary purpose of which is to provide power to another device, e.g. power banks, are considered as spare batteries and are restricted to carry-on baggage only.
NOTE: Baggage equipped with a lithium battery, other than lithium button cells:
If the baggage is to be checked in, the lithium battery must be removed from the baggage and the lithium battery must be carried in the cabin; or
The baggage must be carried in the cabin.
Baggage where the lithium battery is designed to charge other devices and cannot be removed is forbidden for carriage.
Human Remains
Human Remains shall be handled as Cargo.
Upon request, the escort may need assistance in being smoothly re-united with the deceased relative.
Reservations
When reservation for the escort is made, it is essential to use SSR code: MAAS followed by “ESCORT HUMAN REMAINS”
The above ensures mentioning on the PSM to provide assistance on the ground, as well as information on the PIL/OBL enabling the crew to give the escort extra attention.
Ashes of a deceased person
Guests may carry ashes of a deceased person to the cabin.
The ashes shall be carried in a sealed urn.
The urn shall fit under the seat or the overhead bin. It is not permitted to place the urn on a seat or in the direct view of other passengers.
To avoid any request by the airport security agent to open the urn, the guest must hold the death certificate and/ or crematorium certificate.
The guest shall have checked prior to travel if transit and or final destinations require "authorization for transportation certificate".
A comment ‘SR OTHS KQ- Accompanied by Ashes of deceased person” shall be appended on the PNR of accompanying guest.
Reservation
It is recommended that passenger/s make advance reservations when travelling with battery powered wheelchairs. There are three types of wheelchair batteries namely:
Non Spill-able wet batteries - SSR code WCBD
Spill-able batteries (wet cell battery) - SSR code WCBW
Wheelchair/Mobility Aids with Lithium Battery (dry cell battery)- SSR code WCLB
Wheelchair (Manual Power) to be transported by a passenger-SSR code WCMP NOTE: For interline carriage; approval for acceptance is required from all carriers concerned.
Guests may carry ashes of a deceased person to the cabin.
The ashes shall be carried in a sealed urn.
The urn shall fit under the seat or the overhead bin. It is not permitted to place the urn on a seat or in the direct view of other passengers.
To avoid any request by the airport security agent to open the urn, the guest must hold the death certificate and/ or crematorium certificate.
The guest shall have checked prior to travel if transit and or final destinations require "authorization for transportation certificate".
A comment ‘SR OTHS KQ- Accompanied by Ashes of deceased person” shall be appended on the PNR of accompanying guest.
Special acceptance conditions may apply for transportation of sports equipment. In general sports equipment is considered as a standard piece of baggage, but with a maximum sum of dimensions of 300cm. the maximum weight according to the class of travel will be applicable.
Below are the Sports Equipment Rates:
AFRICA TO EUROPE /AMERICA
AFRICA TO MIDDLE EAST/ASIA
INTRA AFRICA
INTRA DOMESTIC
Golf Equipment
110
90
50
40
Bicycle
110
90
50
40
Diving Equipment
110
90
50
40
Surf Equipment
110
90
50
40
Fishing Equipment
110
90
50
40
Big Fishing Equipment
120
100
60
50
Ski Equipment
110
90
50
40
Snowboard Equipment
110
90
50
40
Water Ski Equipment
120
100
60
50
General Sports
120
100
60
50
Bicycles and Tandems: Bicycles and Tandems should be considered as part of the normal baggage allowance unless guest is in excess and extra weight charges will apply. To pack a bike the following shall be done:
Handlebar turned lengthwise.
Pedals shall be removed or folded back.
Lowering the air pressure of the tyre is recommended to reduce the risk of a flat tyre caused by the pressure difference in the air.
Advance reservation is required for KQ.
Bicycles and tandems must be suitably packed in a carton bike box or a hard cover provided by the passenger.
If the bicycle or tandem is packed in other material than a box or a hard cover (e.g. plastic cover) it must be tagged with a limited release tag. Mark on the limited release tag "unsuitably packed".
At the passengers own risk, KQ will accept a bike/Tandem that is not suitably packed in a box or hard cover. As verification the passenger shall be advised about this at check-in and the customer service staff must mark on the limited release portion of the baggage tag “UNSUITABLY PACKED”.
NOTE: On E170/190 a maximum of 03 bicycles or tandems are accepted. Electric Bicycles are not accepted.
Diving Equipment:
The diving equipment may consist of: Wet suit, vest, socks, mask, shoes, webs, knives and regulator. It is considered as a standard piece of baggage. Where allowance is exceeded, apply the special excess baggage charge for one (01) dive equipment up to 20kgs for one way travel.
NOTE: Scuba tank (an empty air cylinder) is not considered part of diving equipment. However it can be accepted as baggage at a charge.
Conditions:
Accept diving equipment on operating flights under following conditions: Diving equipment and air cylinders shall be identified with the “SPEQ DIVING” remark. Batteries must be carried in the cabin baggage or hold baggage and need clearance from the passenger handling teams based on PHM 4.0 or DGR 2.3.A.
Oxygen cylinders must be empty. Lamp and batteries must be disconnected from the torch.
Golf Equipment:
Golf equipment can consist of one golf bag containing clubs, balls and a pair of shoes. A golf bag is considered as a standard piece of baggage but with maximum sum dimensions of 300cm. The maximum piece and weight according to class of travel/route will apply. A charge applies when the free baggage allowance is exceeded per route. For round trip the charges will be doubled
Conditions:
Golf Equipment must be identified with the “SPEQ GOLF” remark.
Ski Equipment: Ski equipment is considered as regular checked baggage which can be part of the free baggage allowance. It consists of the following:
1 pair of skis + ski poles packed in a dedicated ski bag.
Or 1 snowboard packed in a dedicated snowboarding bag.
+1pair of boots packed in another dedicated bag.
Conditions:
The combined weight of the 02bags “SKI Equipment” cannot exceed 23kg or 32kgs, depending on the guest/s free baggage allowance.
If it exceeds the weight limit or the free checked baggage allowance, the applicable special XBAG fee must be charged.
The Max length of the SKI bag is 300cm/118inches.
Booking in advance is required due the type of aircraft operating.
“SPEQ SKI” remark must be entered in the PNR.
NOTE: All other ski items (e.g. helmet, avalanche airbag/avalanche rescue backpack) shall be packed into checked baggage or cabin baggage, within the limits of the baggage allowance.
CAUTION:
Since the avalanche airbag contains a gas bottle for inflating the airbag and includes a pyrotechnic trigger mechanism this is considered as a dangerous good. Prior approval from the Passenger handling team must be given based on PHM 4.0 or DGR 2.3.4.3. The packaging shall be such that an explosion shall not be experienced due to compression of the trigger mechanism. Special reservations for transportation of this equipment and is identified under “SPEQ” remark in the PNR
Surf Equipment:
Surf Equipment can consist of one board and one mast, one sail or kite.
Conditions:
Surf Equipment (including wind, wave, kite, boogie and body board) up to 107cm length shall be accepted without advance clearance and is considered as a standard piece of baggage.
Surf Equipment longer than 107cm is considered a special baggage; it requires advance clearance.
Surf Equipment heavier than 32kgs or longer than 300cms shall not be accepted as checked baggage and can only be shipped as cargo.
Surf Equipment must be packed in a suitable cover provided by the guest.
Surf Equipment is identified with the “SPEQ SURF” remark
Kayak/ Canoe: Currently we only accept kayaks and canoes as Cargo and not checked in baggage. Kindly contact our Kenya Airways Cargo Department for shipping info.
Athletic Equipment: Athletic equipment may consist of javelin poles
Conditions:
They are accepted for transportation for groups participating in sport events.
An advance clearance is needed. A message “Authorization for bulky XBAG transportation” shall be sent to the station and the “SPEQ JAVELIN” remark is presented in the PNR.
The poles shall be packed in a soft cover provided by the guest.
NOTE: Short Put is accepted as Cargo and not checked in Baggage due to area load limitation. Acceptance is via cargo since spreader boards must be build.
Hockey and Lacrosse:
One bag of hockey/lacrosse equipment plus two hockey or lacrosse sticks (packed or tapped together) are considered as a standard piece of baggage, but with maximum sum dimensions of 300cm. The maximum piece and weight according to class of travel will apply.
Conditions:
They must be identified with “SPEQ HOCKEY OR LACROSSE”
Sticks checked in separately shall be packed in a bag or else be tapped together. However, if taped together KQ does not accept liability for damage.
Other Sports Equipment:
The following equipment is accepted as a standard piece of baggage, but with maximum sum of dimensions of 300cms. The maximum piece and weight according to the class of travel will be applicable.
Fencing equipment consisting of sword(s), helmet and suit.
Fishing equipment consisting of rods in a cover or tube and a tackle box.
