Traveling with low-cost carriers opens up new horizons—affordable fares and a straightforward planning approach are making them increasingly popular. However, to avoid surprises, it's essential to understand the rules for carrying hand luggage and checked baggage. FlyArystan, Kazakhstan's first low-cost airline, shares helpful tips for a smooth and stress-free travel experience.
What is hand luggage and how should it be carried?
Hand luggage refers to a passenger’s carry-on item that is not checked in and is brought into the aircraft cabin, typically stored in the overhead bins above the passenger seats. FlyArystan passengers may carry one item of hand luggage free of charge, provided it meets the following conditions:
These dimensions are selected to ensure that bags fit easily into the overhead bins on FlyArystan aircraft, which accommodate 180 to 188 passengers. This contributes to flight safety, avoids overcrowding in storage bins, and helps prevent conflicts between passengers over space. At every departure airport, there is a luggage sizer available for passengers to check whether their hand luggage meets the airline’s size requirements.
Low-cost carriers also recheck passengers’ carry-on bags at the boarding gate. This is due to the specific features of their operational model and service processes. The additional check ensures that passengers comply with the size and weight limits, and that there is adequate cabin space for all carry-on items.
What if hand luggage isn’t enough?
For travelers bringing more items, FlyArystan recommends choosing the “Standard Plus” or “Comfort Plus” fare packages when booking. These include an increased hand luggage allowance. Passengers may also purchase additional hand luggage allowance after booking or directly at the airport—but it’s more cost-effective to do so in advance, as airport rates are higher.
Passengers can also purchase the “10 kg Hand Luggage” option via the FlyArystan website or mobile app, saving up to 60%. This is especially useful for those bringing electronics, documents, or other items that should remain close during the flight.
It’s important to note that duty-free purchases are also considered part of the hand luggage allowance. These items must fit within the single permitted carry-on piece and adhere to the required dimensions.
If your hand luggage exceeds the allowed limits, it must be checked in as baggage or an additional baggage allowance should be purchased in advance via the website or app, which helps save money.
How and where to purchase baggage?
To make your trip more cost-effective, FlyArystan recommends booking your flight in advance and selecting the “Comfort” or “Comfort Plus” fare packages, which include 20 kg of checked baggage. Additional baggage can also be purchased via the airline’s website or mobile app—this helps avoid higher costs at the airport check-in desk.
The maximum weight for one piece of checked baggage is 32 kg, and the dimensions must not exceed 158 cm x 158 cm x 158 cm.
Strict baggage rules help low-cost carriers maintain low base fares, manage resources efficiently, and offer travelers more flexible choices. Services such as checked baggage, onboard meals, or seat selection are offered for an additional fee. This approach allows passengers to pay only for the services they need, avoiding the cost of bundled packages included by traditional airlines.
If you're traveling with a musical instrument, it can be carried in the cabin as hand luggage (as long as it meets the allowed dimensions), or on an extra seat purchased in advance. Such service must be booked ahead of time via the airline’s contact center.
FlyArystan also caters to sports and outdoor enthusiasts. Special conditions are available for transporting sports equipment such as bicycles, skis, snowboards, and other gear. Passengers should notify the airline in advance and pay for the transport of sports equipment through the website or app.
Currently, FlyArystan is running a special promotion: transportation of skis and snowboards is available for only 500 KZT on flights from Almaty, Astana, Aktau, and Atyrau to Kutaisi. For more details, please visit the airline’s official website.
What is hand luggage and how should it be carried?
Hand luggage refers to a passenger’s carry-on item that is not checked in and is brought into the aircraft cabin, typically stored in the overhead bins above the passenger seats. FlyArystan passengers may carry one item of hand luggage free of charge, provided it meets the following conditions:
- 1 (one) item (bag/suitcase) that contains all necessary personal belongings;
- Maximum weight: 5 kg;
- Maximum dimensions: 56 x 23 x 36 cm.
These dimensions are selected to ensure that bags fit easily into the overhead bins on FlyArystan aircraft, which accommodate 180 to 188 passengers. This contributes to flight safety, avoids overcrowding in storage bins, and helps prevent conflicts between passengers over space. At every departure airport, there is a luggage sizer available for passengers to check whether their hand luggage meets the airline’s size requirements.
Low-cost carriers also recheck passengers’ carry-on bags at the boarding gate. This is due to the specific features of their operational model and service processes. The additional check ensures that passengers comply with the size and weight limits, and that there is adequate cabin space for all carry-on items.
What if hand luggage isn’t enough?
For travelers bringing more items, FlyArystan recommends choosing the “Standard Plus” or “Comfort Plus” fare packages when booking. These include an increased hand luggage allowance. Passengers may also purchase additional hand luggage allowance after booking or directly at the airport—but it’s more cost-effective to do so in advance, as airport rates are higher.
Passengers can also purchase the “10 kg Hand Luggage” option via the FlyArystan website or mobile app, saving up to 60%. This is especially useful for those bringing electronics, documents, or other items that should remain close during the flight.
It’s important to note that duty-free purchases are also considered part of the hand luggage allowance. These items must fit within the single permitted carry-on piece and adhere to the required dimensions.
If your hand luggage exceeds the allowed limits, it must be checked in as baggage or an additional baggage allowance should be purchased in advance via the website or app, which helps save money.
How and where to purchase baggage?
To make your trip more cost-effective, FlyArystan recommends booking your flight in advance and selecting the “Comfort” or “Comfort Plus” fare packages, which include 20 kg of checked baggage. Additional baggage can also be purchased via the airline’s website or mobile app—this helps avoid higher costs at the airport check-in desk.
The maximum weight for one piece of checked baggage is 32 kg, and the dimensions must not exceed 158 cm x 158 cm x 158 cm.
Strict baggage rules help low-cost carriers maintain low base fares, manage resources efficiently, and offer travelers more flexible choices. Services such as checked baggage, onboard meals, or seat selection are offered for an additional fee. This approach allows passengers to pay only for the services they need, avoiding the cost of bundled packages included by traditional airlines.
If you're traveling with a musical instrument, it can be carried in the cabin as hand luggage (as long as it meets the allowed dimensions), or on an extra seat purchased in advance. Such service must be booked ahead of time via the airline’s contact center.
FlyArystan also caters to sports and outdoor enthusiasts. Special conditions are available for transporting sports equipment such as bicycles, skis, snowboards, and other gear. Passengers should notify the airline in advance and pay for the transport of sports equipment through the website or app.
Currently, FlyArystan is running a special promotion: transportation of skis and snowboards is available for only 500 KZT on flights from Almaty, Astana, Aktau, and Atyrau to Kutaisi. For more details, please visit the airline’s official website.