Baggage in Optional Services
Solution Summary
Confidential
Copyright © 2009 by Airline Tariff Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Baggage in Optional Services Solution Summary
ITEM 8
Contents
Background................................................................................................................................................... 3
Overview of the Solution ............................................................................................................................... 4
Assumptions ........................................................................................................................................... 5
Baggage Allowance and Charges Identifiers ......................................................................................... 5
Public/Private Data ................................................................................................................................. 5
Subscriptions .......................................................................................................................................... 6
Redemption of Pre-Paid Excess Baggage ............................................................................................. 6
Explanation of the Solution ........................................................................................................................... 7
1.0 Free Baggage Allowance ................................................................................................................. 7
2.0 Baggage Charges .......................................................................................................................... 10
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The information contained in this document is the property of ATPCO. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or
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Baggage in Optional Services Solution Summary
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Background
In response to carrier requests, ATPCO introduced our Baggage Allowance and Charges Working group
with the goal of gathering carrier and system requirements for automating baggage allowance and
charges. In June 2008, the Working Group completed requirements gathering and defined an agreedupon industry solution. However, since then, no systems have committed to process the data based on
this solution. In addition, ATPCO, not having received a commitment from systems to process the data,
has not built the collection tool.
Parallel to this development, IATA has been in the process of rewriting the standards for managing the
application of Baggage Allowance and Charges on interline travel. IATA is moving away from set
allowance and charges as specified in IATA Composite Resolutions 300 & 301 and toward a baggage
selection criteria where a “most significant” carrier’s rules will apply. These criteria are defined in new
IATA Composite Resolution 302. Carriers and IATA believe that implementing Resolution 302 will require
a comprehensive source of data because the check-in carrier may not know the rules of another
operating/marketing carrier on the itinerary (such as a down-line carrier).
In order to minimize development time and cost, ATPCO is proposing a roadmap to automate baggage
allowance and charges in stages utilizing the Optional Services system. The purpose of this proposal is
to create a solution that will offer automation for a significant amount of allowance and charges while
recognizing that not all situations can be accommodated by this solution.
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Baggage in Optional Services Solution Summary
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Overview of the Solution
ATPCO proposes the following four steps for implementing baggage rules in Optional Services:
Step 1: Reuse existing Optional Services Records (S5 and S7) to provide excess baggage
charges.
This allows an agent/system at passenger pre-check-in or check-in to pull up excess baggage charges
for a given carrier.
Step 2: Reuse existing Optional Services Records (S5 and S7) to provide free baggage allowance.
This allows an agent/system at passenger ticketing or check-in to identify the free baggage allowance
rules for a given carrier.
Step 3: Reuse existing Optional Services Record (S6) to determine carrier selection.
This allows for more options determining whose baggage allowance and charges rules to apply.
Step 4: Reuse existing Optional Services Records (S5 and S7) to specify embargoes.
This allows an agent/system at time of passenger ticketing or check-in to identify the embargo rules for a
given carrier.
ATPCO proposes an initial release consisting of Steps 1 and 2. This proposal includes adding the
following data elements and values to the Optional Services product:
•
New Flight/Ticket/Merchandise value A for allowance to specify that systems should process the
data with the intent of determining the free baggage allowance
•
New Flight Ticket/Merchandise value C for charges to specify that systems should process the data
with the intent of retrieving excess baggage charges
•
New generic sub codes to specify that the record is being processed to determine free baggage
allowance rules
•
New indicator value J to permit carriers to specify a journey application
•
Two new data elements to indicate Free Allowance Weight/Unit (for example,. 20 kg free baggage
allowance)
•
One new data element to indicate Free Allowance Pieces (for example, up to 2 pieces free baggage
allowance)
•
•
Four new Fee Application indicators to allow for the following:
•
Charge based on a percent of a fare application (such as 1 percent or 1.5 percent) and
•
Charge per kilo (such as per 1 kg per 5 kg) over the free baggage allowance application
Two new data elements to indicate excess baggage occurrence ranges to which a charge applies
(for example, for. occurrence 1-3 = $50, occurrence 4-6 = $75, and 7+= $100)
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Assumptions
The following assumptions will apply for this proposal:
• Systems will program the logic for carrier selection of baggage rules as specified within
IATA Resolution 302 including any exceptions required by government comments to
determine carrier selection on interline itineraries (online itineraries will be handled by that
carrier).
•
Current baggage ticketing and settlement processes will still apply. Implementation of baggage rules
within the Optional Services records will not change any of the ticketing and settlement processes in
place today.
More details of this proposal are provided in the accompanying “Baggage Implementation Roadmap”
document.
Baggage Allowance and Charges Identifiers
Baggage Allowance and Charges will be identified by new Flight/Ticket/Merchandise indicators A and C,
structured as follows:
•
Two-letter Service Code OC, followed by
•
Three-character Sub-Code, and
•
New Flight/Ticket/Merchandise indicators A (Allowance) and C (Charges).
For Baggage Allowance, the definition of the Service Code will always be OC. The Sub-Code will always
be a generic, industry-defined sub code.
Example:
Carrier filing an OC service code, a generic, industry-defined sub code,
Flt/Tkt/Mch value A and a Combined Free Pieces value 2 would specify a
free baggage allowance of two pieces (subject to any other restrictions
specified).
For Baggage Charges, the definition of the Service Code will always be OC. The Sub-Code will always
be a specific industry or carrier-defined sub code.
Example:
Carrier filing an OC service code, an industry-defined sub code of BG1
(bag between 23 kg and 32 kg), a Flt/Tkt/Mch value C and a charge in
the Currency Table of “30 €” would specify a baggage charge of EUR 30
for an overweight bag between 23 kg and 32 kg (subject to any other
criteria specified).
Public/Private Data
Carriers may specify data as being for public or private consumption; reusing functionality provided
within the Optional Services product.
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Subscriptions
There will be no new subscription product for the Baggage records. Subscribers to ATPCO’s Optional
Services product will receive baggage data in addition to Optional Services data.
Redemption of Pre-Paid Excess Baggage
For the initial implementation, Baggage Allowance and Charges will operate as a different process
(Flight/Ticket/Merchandise values A or C) from pre-paid excess (Flight/Ticket/Merchandise values F or
M) and systems will reconcile the two at time of passenger check-in.
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Explanation of the Solution
Following is a summary of the business requirements for free baggage allowance and excess baggage
charges and an explanation how they will work within the ATPCO Baggage in Optional Services solution.
1.0 Free Baggage Allowance
Overview
ATPCO proposes using Optional Services Record S5 to handle the identification of baggage types as
sub codes and define the individual weight and size attributes for these sub codes. Additionally, the S5
will include new Flight/Ticket/Merchandise indicator A to specify whether the bag is free. Carriers will
identify the piece system free baggage allowance (e.g., two pieces) in a new data element in the S7 and
the weight system free baggage allowance (e.g., 20 kg) with a new data element in the S7. Within the
piece system and weight system free baggage allowance, carriers can specify individual allowance
requirements for sporting equipment or other items within the Text Table 196. For example, carriers may
specify that in lieu of one of the two free bags, “01/GLF” (i.e., one golf club) is permitted free.
Free Baggage Allowance Functionality
This proposal provides the following capabilities for carriers to specify their free baggage
allowance rules. Please note that this is not a complete list of functionality capable within this
proposal but is intended to highlight how carriers can specify their most common Free
Baggage Allowance business rules.
Business Requirement
Explanation (proposed functionality to
meet requirement)
Example
Ticket Date Restrictions
Carriers will specify Ticket Date
Restrictions within the Sales Dates date
elements in the S7 with a Flt/Tkt/Mch
Indicator value A.
For tickets sold on/after 1 March
2010 for flights between Europe
and the United States/Canada,
the free baggage allowance is
one piece.
Travel Date Restrictions
Carriers will indicate Travel Date
Restrictions within the First and/or Last
Travel Date data element of the S7.
Passengers travelling on/after
13 February 2010 shall receive a
free baggage allowance of zero
pieces.
Passenger Type
Exceptions
Carriers will indicate passenger type
exceptions within the Passenger Type
data element of the S7.
Military (MIL) passengers get a
free baggage allowance of two
pieces.
Frequent Flyer
Exceptions
Carriers will use the S7 FFY data element
to specify free baggage allowance
exceptions based on FFY status.
For elite status passengers, the
free baggage allowance is 40
kg.
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Business Requirement
Explanation (proposed functionality to
meet requirement)
Example
Journey Geography
rules (e.g., geography
for Resolution 301)
Carriers will use the geography
specification data elements of the S7 with
a *New* Indicator value J to vary the free
baggage allowance based on the journey.
For journeys to/from US/CA, the
free baggage allowance is one
piece.
Portion of travel specific
rules (based on a
portion of travel)
Carriers will use the geography
specification data elements of the S7 with
a portion application to vary the free
baggage allowance based on the portions
of travel over which the bags are checked.
For portions of travel between
FRA and RIO, the free baggage
allowance is two pieces.
Cabin exceptions
Carriers will use the cabin data element
within the S7 to vary the baggage
allowance based on the cabin. Carriers
may specify the fare in the Fare data
elements in order to get the most
significant international cabin.
Passengers sitting in first class
for all sectors will receive 40 kg
free baggage allowance.
Equipment restrictions
Carriers will indicate equipment
restrictions within the Equipment data
element of the S7.
Passengers flying at least one
sector on BE1 aircraft will
receive a free baggage
allowance of one piece.
Carrier/Flight
exceptions
Carriers will specify free baggage
allowance exceptions (e.g. for alliance
partners) within the Carrier Flight Table of
the S7. Data may be expressed as:
Flight Number
Range of Flight Numbers
Operating Carrier
Marketing Carrier
When all travel is on operating
carrier XX and/or ZZ, the
passenger is permitted two
pieces free baggage.
Reservation Booking
Designator (RBD)
Exceptions
Carriers will use the RBD(s) Table within
the S7 to vary the baggage allowance
based on RBD.
The free baggage allowance is
30 kg when the passenger is
sitting in A for all sectors of the
travel.
Baggage Allowance
based on the Fare
Carriers will use the Carrier/Fare Class
Table of the S7 to specify the free
baggage allowance that applies based on
the fare. Fare information can be further
elaborated upon based on fare-owning
carrier, fare class code, fare family, and
fare type.
Example 1
The free baggage allowance is
30 kg when the fare governing
the travel contains fare class
code Q-APNR.
Example 2 (with PTC)
For a child on a child fare
(carrier indicates fare family for
child fares), the free baggage
allowance is 10 kg.
Example 3 (with PTC)
A free, non-fare paying child
(carrier indicates fare family for
child fares) gets 0 kg free.
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Baggage in Optional Services Solution Summary
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Business Requirement
Explanation (proposed functionality to
meet requirement)
Example
Tariff and Rule
specifications
Carriers will use the tariff and rule data
elements in the S7 to define the baggage
allowance based on the Tariff and Rule.
For fares with tariff IPRA and
rule 1000, the free baggage
allowance is two pieces.
Security restrictions
Carriers will restrict the locations that may
display or book/ticket the free baggage
allowance using the Security Table in the
S7.
The location booking/ticketing
the baggage allowance must be
one of the following:
Agency ABC in GDS 1P
Agency DEF in GDS 1S
Duty Function Code SU for
carrier XX
Account Code
exceptions
Carriers will provide a free baggage
allowance based on account code using
the Account Code Table in the S7.
The free baggage allowance is
30 kg for passengers with
account code COKE.
Free Baggage
Allowance for the piece
system (total free
pieces)
Carriers will use a new data element –
Combined Free Pieces – within the S7 to
identify the total number of pieces that are
allowed free.
2 pieces free baggage
allowance
Free Baggage
Allowance for the weight
system (total free
weight)
Carriers will use new data elements –
Weight/Unit - to identify the total weight
that is allowed free.
20 kg free baggage allowance
Number, Weight and
Size free baggage
allowance rules per
piece
Carriers can define the weights and sizes
for a given bag within the S5 with a sub
code and attributes. Then, they can
identify any number restrictions along with
the bag types permitted within the Text
table in the S7.
Example
S5:
BAG (suitcase) = < 50 lbs and
62 li
GLF (golf clubs) = < 50 lbs and
62 li
S7 Free form text:
01/GLF
01/BAG
Result: One suitcase less than
50 pounds and 62 linear inches
is permitted free. One set of golf
clubs less than 50 pounds and
62 linear inches is permitted
free.
Systems will be required to parse the text
to gather this information.
Require availability
check for a bag
Carriers can use a Booking field in the S5
and/or an Availability data element within
the S7 to specify booking requirements
and/or that availability must be checked
on a given bag type.
Bags greater than 32 kg are
permitted provided the
availability is confirmed.
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2.0 Baggage Charges
Overview
ATPCO proposes using Optional Services Record S5 to handle the identification of baggage types as
sub- odes and defining the individual weight and size attributes for these sub codes. Additionally, the S5
will include new Flight/Ticket/Merchandise indicator C to be used to indicate whether the bag is charged.
Carriers will indicate specified charges (for example, the first checked bag fee = $15) within a Fee Table
(that is, Currency Table 170). Carriers will specify weight systems charges (such as EUR 12 per kg) with
a combination of the Fee Table (EUR 12) and a Fee Application (per 1 kg over the free allowance).
Carriers may also specify a charge based on a percent of a fare as indicated in IATA Resolution 300
using similar logic.
Baggage Charges Functionality
This proposal provides the following capabilities for carriers to specify their excess baggage
charges rules. Please note that this is not a complete list of functionality capable within this
proposal but is intended to highlight how carriers can specify their most common excess
baggage charges rules.
Business Requirement
Explanation (proposed
functionality to meet requirement)
Example
Charges specific to a given
baggage type
Carriers can define their baggage
codes within the S5 and then
indicate the charge within the S7.
The fee for the first checked bag
(e.g., BAG) is USD 15 and the
fee for any excess golf clubs
(e.g., GLF) is USD 25.
Ticket Date Restrictions
Same as Section 1.0 Free Baggage Allowance Functionality – Ticket
Date Restrictions (with Flt/Tkt/Mch Indicator C).
Travel Date Restrictions
See Section 1.0 Free Baggage Allowance Functionality – Travel Date
Restrictions.
Passenger Type Exceptions
Same as Section 1.0 Free Baggage Allowance Functionality –
Passenger Type Exceptions.
Frequent Flyer Exceptions
Same as Section 1.0 Free Baggage Allowance Functionality –Frequent
Flyer Exceptions.
Journey Geography rules
Same as Section 1.0 Free Baggage Allowance Functionality – Journey
Geography rules.
Portion of Travel specific
rules (based on a sector or
portion of travel)
Same as Section 1.0 Free Baggage Allowance Functionality – Portion of
Travel Specific rules.
Cabin exceptions
Same as Section 1.0 Free Baggage Allowance Functionality – Cabin
exceptions.
Equipment restrictions
Same as Section 1.0 Free Baggage Allowance Functionality –
Equipment restrictions.
Carrier/Flight exceptions
Same as Section 1.0 Free Baggage Allowance Functionality –
Carrier/Flight exceptions.
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Business Requirement
Explanation (proposed
functionality to meet requirement)
Example
Reservation Booking
Designator (RBD) Exceptions
Same as Section 1.0 Free Baggage Allowance Functionality –
Reservation Booking Designator (RBD) exceptions.
Baggage Charges based on
the fare
Same as Section 1.0 Free Baggage Allowance Functionality – Baggage
Allowance based on the Fare.
Tariff and Rule specifications
Same as Section 1.0 Free Baggage Allowance Functionality – Tariff and
Rule specifications.
Security Restrictions
Same as Section 1.0 Free Baggage Allowance Functionality – Security
Restrictions.
Account Code exceptions
Same as Section 1.0 Free Baggage Allowance Functionality – Account
Code exceptions.
Charge for an
overweight/oversize bag
within a specific weight/size
range
Carriers will use the S5 to define the
dimensions of the bag and then
indicate in the S7 the charge which
applies.
S5 – BG1 is defined as a
suitcase between 23 and 32 kgs
S7 – The charge for a heavy bag
(e.g., BG1) is USD 50
Charge based on a weight
range in excess for the weight
system
Carriers will use the new Weight/Unit
fields in the S7 to vary a charge
based on a weight range.
Between 0-10 kg over the
combined free baggage
allowance, the charge is 12 EUR
per kg.
Charge based on an
occurrence of excess
baggage
Carriers will use the new first and last
occurrence data elements in the S7
to indicate a range of excess bags to
which a charge applies.
Excess bags 4-5 have a charge
of USD 350 and excess bags 610 have a charge of USD 600
Specify a charge based on
the date prior to departure the
excess baggage was
purchased
Carriers will use the Advance
Purchase – Before Departure data
element in the S7 to vary a charge
based on time/unit prior to departure
from the origin of the travel the
excess baggage is purchased.
Any excess bags purchased at
least 24 hours prior to departure
cost USD 25.
Indicate whether the fee is
refundable, reissuable,
commissionable and/or
interlineable
Carriers will use the Refund/Reissue/
Commission/Interline data elements
in the S7 to specify whether the fee
is refundable, reusable
commissionable, or interlineable.
The charge for a heavy bag (e.g.
BG1) is USD 50and the fee is
non-refundable.
Enforce Baggage Handling
Limits
Carriers will use the Not
Available/Charge data element in the
S7 to specify that a type of baggage
is free or not permitted
Any bags greater than 70 lbs are
not permitted.
Define a specified charge
Carriers will use the Currency Table
in the S7 to indicate a specified
charge.
The first checked bag fee is USD
15.
Weight system charge based
on a percent of a fare (i.e.
Resolution 300)
Carriers will use the Currency Table
and a new Fee Application Indicator
(specifying a charge based on a
percent of a fare) in the S7.
The charge for excess baggage
on the weight system within
Europe is 1 percent of the
highest, OW fare.
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Business Requirement
Explanation (proposed
functionality to meet requirement)
Example
Weight system charge per
kilo
Carriers will use the Currency Table
and a new Fee Application Indicator
(specifying a charge per kg) in the
S7.
The charge for excess baggage
on the weight system within
Germany is 12 EUR per kg over
the free baggage allowance.
Specify a number of frequent
flyer miles that will be
accepted in lieu of a payment
Carriers will use the Mileage field in
the S7.
The first checked bag fee is USD
15 or 5,000 frequent flyer miles.
If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].
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