Special baggage | Finnair Russia

Special baggage

As of 1 September 2024, only up to 100ml liquid containers will be allowed in carry-on baggage at all European airports, including Helsinki Airport.

We want to make travelling easy for you – also when you have special baggage with you. There are a bunch of things that are good to know before starting your journey. We hope that you get started with the quick checklist below.

Good to know before you go

  • Special baggage is usually anything larger or heavier than standard baggage. A standard bag weighs a maximum of 23kg (50lb) and its external dimensions (length x width x height) are no more than 90cm x 75cm x 45cm (35in x 30in x 18in).

    The following sports items are also considered special baggage: 
    • Skiing equipment
    • Golf equipment
    • Ski jumping equipment
    • Bicycles 
    • Sports guns and firearms
    • Surfboards
    • Windsurfing boards, canoes and kayaks  
    • Vaulting poles.
  • If you want to take your bicycle, skiing equipment, golf equipment or surfboard on your trip and all flights in your booking are operated and marketed by Finnair, you can select transportation for it and pay the extra baggage fee online when making your booking or later via Manage booking
  • For other types of special baggage, or if your journey includes flights operated or marketed by other airlines, please contact us via our chat service to notify us and to book transportation for the baggage. We ask you to let us know about special baggage in advance to make sure that there is room for it in the aircraft hold and that everything goes smoothly for you at the airport.

Please note that your special service request handling might take up to one week.  

  • Please note that a group of ten or more people travelling with skis also need to contact us regarding special baggage transportation. 
  • Please note that currently, you do not need to inform us about sports equipment that is packed to fit into the weight and size limits of a standard bag that fits into your checked baggage allowance.
  • Also, most musical instruments can be carried as part of the normal baggage allowance. You’ll find detailed information on carrying these items further below. 
  • Please see this page for information about baggage fees. 
  • Your baggage allowance is printed on your ticket, e.g. 1 PC means one checked bag. You can also check it through Manage booking or the Finnair app. 
  • Please note that instructions for carrying special baggage vary between airlines. If your trip includes flights operated by other airlines, it is good to check their baggage regulations. 
Pay for extra baggage in Manage booking

Sports equipment

Travelling for sports? We are happy to carry your equipment on our flights. Please check below for more details on carrying your equipment.

Sports equipment is considered a standard bag, if it weighs no more than 23kg (50lb) and its external dimensions (length x width x height) are no more than 90cm x 75cm x 45cm (35in x 30in x 18in). 

If your equipment exceeds the standard bag measurements, you can take it with you for an extra charge. The heavy bag charge for bags up to 32kg does not apply if you travel in Business Class on Finnair long-haul flights (excluding infants, and tickets bought between 1 June 2023 and 10 December 2023). You can always check your baggage allowance from your ticket and Manage booking.

Please note that in case the sports equipment being carried as special baggage is delayed or damaged, we only compensate the sports equipment and sport-related items in the bag.

Bicycle, skiing equipment, golf equipment or surfboard: you can select transportation and pay the fee online when booking your flights or later via Manage booking if all flights in your booking are operated and marketed by Finnair.

  • You can select to take your bicycle as checked baggage with you and pay the fee while booking your flights, or later in Manage booking.
  • A bicycle must be packed in a protective case meant for transportation of bicycles, handle bars turned parallel to the front wheel, pedals removed and air pressure on the tires reduced to a minimum. Please note that if your bike is not packed appropriately, the airline may not accept it for transport and the liability in case of damage is limited. 
  • Electric bikes cannot be transported as checked baggage, even if the battery is disconnected or removed.
  • Please arrive at the check-in well in advance of your flight’s departure time as bicycles require special handling.
  • The maximum weight for a bicycle is 23kg (50lb). If your bike is heavier (up to 32kg (70lb)), heavy baggage fees apply in addition to the bike fee.
  • The maximum acceptable size for a bicycle case varies depending on the type of aircraft you are flying on. You can find the maximum dimensions in the table below. Please note that when travelling to/from Bologna, the bicycle case cannot exceed the following dimensions to fit into the airport’s X-ray scanner: 100cm (width) x 80cm (height) x 400cm (length).
Aircraft typeMaximum dimensions for a bicycle case
ATR150cm (length) x 65cm (width) x 125cm (height)
E90170cm (length) x 25cm (width) x 100 cm (height)
AirbusNo restrictions
  • You can find the transportation fees below. Fees are for flights in one direction. Please note that you need to pay the fee in advance. For your bicycle, you can do it via Manage booking. For tandem bikes, you can check the availability and pay the fee in advance by contacting our customer service via chatbot Sisu from the Chat button at the bottom right corner of our website.
Until departureJourneys within Finland and Northern Europe Journeys within Europe Intercontinental journeys, except for North America and Japan Journeys to/from North America Intercontinental journeys to/from Japan 
7 days or more €70 or 9,100 Avios€70 or 9,100 Avios €100 or 13,100 Avios €100/$110 or 13,100 Avios€100 or 13,100 Avios 
6 days or less €75 or 9,800 Avios €75 or 9,800 Avios €110 or 14,500 Avios €110/$120 or 14,500 Avios €110 or 14,500 Avios 

Tandem bikes

  • A fixed rate of €300/$350 on long-haul flights and €150 on flights within Europe is collected when travelling with a tandem bike (max. weight 32kg).
  • Please check the availability and pay the fee in advance by contacting our customer service via chatbot Sisu from the Chat button at the bottom right corner of our website.
  • Diving equipment (without air tanks) is considered one piece of baggage, either standard, if they fit into the measurements, or special baggage, if they exceed the measurements of a standard bag.
  • If the diving equipment includes air tanks, you will need to pay a heavy bag charge at the airport.
  • Air tanks must be fully emptied prior to transportation.
  • Finnair Plus Platinum and Platinum Lumo members are allowed to carry one set of golf equipment (clubs and a bag), one ski or snowboard bag, or one set of diving equipment for free.
  • Fishing equipment is considered one piece of standard baggage, if it weighs no more than 23kg (50lb) and its external dimensions (length x width x height) are no more than 90cm x 75cm x 45cm (35in x 30in x 18in). If your equipment exceeds the standard bag measurements, you can take it with you for an extra charge.
  • A set of fishing equipment may consist of 1 or 2 rods, a reel, a landing net, a pair of fishing boots and a bait box, all packed together.

On flights from 1 June 2023 onwards, golf equipment is considered special baggage that needs to be purchased separately in addition to the standard baggage allowance. The pricing is the same as for normal extra checked bags.

  • Golf equipment is considered special baggage. You can select transportation for your golf equipment and pay the fee when booking or later via our self-service tool Manage booking.
  • Golf equipment may include a set of golf clubs, one golf bag and one pair of golf shoes – all these items count towards the total weight of your golf equipment. 
  • The maximum allowed length for a golf bag is 190cm.
  • Finnair Plus Platinum and Platinum Lumo members are allowed to carry one set of golf equipment (clubs and a bag), one ski or snowboard bag, or one set of diving equipment for free.
  • Heavy bag charge applies for skiing equipment and golf bags weighing over 23kg (50lb). The charge can be paid at the airport. Read more about extra baggage fees.
  • Hockey equipment is considered one piece of standard baggage if it weighs no more than 23kg (50lb) and its external dimensions (length x width x height) are no more than 90cm x 75cm x 45cm (35in x 30in x 18in). If your equipment exceeds the standard bag measurements, you can take it with you for an extra charge.
  • Please note that hockey sticks are counted as one separate piece of baggage when carried separately, in which case your hockey equipment would be checked in as two pieces of baggage (hockey bag + sticks). If you have multiple sticks, they can be taped together and counted as one piece of baggage. 
  • Please note that it is not allowed to tie hockey sticks with a strap or tape to the outside of the bag. If a hockey stick does not fit inside the baggage, it will be considered extra baggage, and an extra bag charge applies. 

On flights from 1 June 2023 onwards, skiing equipment is considered special baggage that needs to be purchased separately in addition to the standard baggage allowance. The pricing is the same as for normal extra checked bags. 

  • Skiing equipment is considered special baggage. You can select transportation for your skiing equipment and pay the fee when booking or later via our self-service tool Manage booking.
  • Skiing equipment may include one or more pairs of skis or a board, ski poles, ski or snowboard boots and a helmet. They are considered one piece of baggage when packed in a single bag.
  • Finnair Plus Platinum and Platinum Lumo members are allowed to carry one set of golf equipment (clubs and a bag), one ski or snowboard bag, or one set of diving equipment for free.
  • Skis longer than 220cm (86in) are counted as oversized items, and an oversized bag charge applies. Prior approval is needed from the airline.
  • On flights operated by ATR aircraft, the maximum length for skis is 200cm. Prior approval is needed from the airline
  • Heavy bag charge applies for skiing equipment and golf bags weighing over 23kg (50lb). The charge can be paid at the airport. Read more about extra baggage fees.
  • A fixed rate of €300/$350 on long-haul flights and €150 on flights within Europe is collected when travelling with ski jumping equipment (max. weight 32kg). 
  • Please check the availability and pay the fee in advance by contacting our customer service via chatbot Sisu from the Chat button at the bottom right corner of our website. 
  • Ensure that you arrive at the check-in well in advance of your flight’s departure time. 
  • Ski jumping equipment cannot be transported on flights operated with ATR aircraft.

Firearms for sports or hunting may be carried in checked baggage, but prior approval from Finnair is needed. If you already have a booking, you can notify us about the firearm through our chat service. Please note:

  • Make sure you have all the required permits and licenses by consulting the embassy of the destination country.
  • It is not possible to travel with weapons to/via London Heathrow, to/from Hong Kong or to/via/from Doha.
  • A firearm case may contain maximum 2 rifles or shotguns (long arm) or 5 guns (short arm), and it is considered one piece of standard baggage.
  • The firearm must be unloaded and packed in a sturdy package. 
  • Cartridges may be carried in checked baggage when securely boxed and the quantity (including the packaging) does not exceed 5kg (11lb). The ammunition may not include explosive or incendiary bullets, and its classification must be 1.4S and the UN number either UN0012 or UN0014. Read more here. The ammunition must always be packed in a separate suitcase from the firearm. Please let our airport personnel at check-in know if your baggage includes ammunition.
  • For transporting firearms, a fee of €50 on short-haul flights (within Finland, Scandinavia, Baltics and Europe) and €100/$110 on intercontinental flights per firearm case is always collected. The firearm fee includes one (1) firearm case up to 23kg (50lb). Firearms and ammunition always need to be packed in separate suitcases. In case the baggage allowance (ticketed allowance plus the firearm case included in the firearm fee) is exceeded, an extra bag charge also applies.
  • These conditions also apply to the transportation of replicas, decommissioned guns and guns for game purposes, e.g. airsoft and paintball guns.
  • If you are carrying guns, it is not possible to check in your baggage the evening prior to departure.
  • A fixed rate of €300/$350 on long-haul flights and €150 on flights within Europe is collected when travelling with a vaulting pole (max. weight 32kg).
  • Vaulting poles cannot be transported on flights operated with ATR or Embraer aircraft. Restrictions also apply on some Airbus aircraft.
  • Please check the availability and pay the fee in advance by contacting our customer service via chatbot Sisu from the Chat button at the bottom right corner of our website.
  • Ensure that you arrive at the check-in well in advance of your flight’s departure time.
  • Walking poles are always carried as checked baggage.
  • If walking poles are carried separately, they count as one piece of baggage.
  • Surfboards with a maximum length of 210cm (83in) and a maximum weight of 23kg (50lb) are considered one piece of special baggage. For that, the price is the same as for extra checked baggage. Read more about extra baggage fees. You can select transportation for your surfboard and pay the fee when booking or later via our self-service tool Manage booking.
  • If a surfboard exceeds the maximum measurements (210cm x 60cm x 40cm or 83in x 24in x 16in), the following fee is collected at the airport. Please note that the fee is for flights in one direction:
    • €150 on flights within Finland and Europe.
    • €300 on flights to/from Asia, North America and the Middle East.
  • For carrying windsurfing boards, canoes and kayaks, the following fee is collected at the airport. Please note that the fee is for flights in one direction:
    • €150 on flights within Finland and Europe.
    • €300 on flights to/from Asia, North America and the Middle East.  
  • Please notify us when you make your flight reservation and ensure that you arrive at the check-in well in advance of your flight’s departure time.

Musical instruments

You can take your musical instrument with you on our flights. Depending on their size, musical instruments are carried either in the cabin or in the hold of the aircraft. Most musical instruments fit in your normal baggage allowance. Each item counts as one piece of baggage. You’ll find more information below.

Musical instruments in the cabin

  • You can bring your musical instrument in the cabin when it is packed in a hard case with dimensions no bigger than 125cm/49in (width + length + height, the typical size of a violin case) and the weight is the allowed carry-on baggage weight at maximum. Please place your instrument in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you. 
  • The musical instrument is counted as one piece of carry-on baggage, and in addition to that you can take with you one small bag such as a small handbag, a small laptop bag or a small backpack. If you’re travelling with a Superlight ticket, you need to purchase a carry-on bag separately while booking your flights or later in Manage booking.
  • If you want to take your instrument in the cabin but it exceeds the size limit (125cm/49in and 8kg/12kg), you can do so by purchasing an extra seat. Please contact our Customer Service by chat or phone to book the extra seat.

Musical instruments as checked baggage

  • You can carry your musical instrument as checked baggage in the hold of the aircraft when the instrument fits into the size limits: maximum 23kg (50lb) and external dimensions no more than 90cm x 75cm x 45cm (35in x 30in x 18in). Some exceptions to external dimensions apply: For example, guitars and medium-sized keyboards are considered a standard bag.
  • Larger musical instruments up to 32kg (70lb) and/or 190cm x 75cm x 65cm can be carried for an additional heavy bag charge. The heavy bag charge does not apply if you travel in Business Class on Finnair long-haul flights (excluding infants, and tickets bought between 1 June 2023 and 10 December 2023). You can always check your baggage allowance from your ticket and Manage booking
  • If you wish to carry even larger musical instruments exceeding all of the above measures, please contact our Customer Service via chat or phone before you travel. We will do our best to ensure you can carry your instrument with you easily.

This information applies to all flights operated by Finnair – if your trip includes flights operated by other airlines, please check their baggage regulations. 

Read more about baggage allowance when flying with several airlines

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