Yamal Airlines Baggage Policy: Allowances, Size & Fees Explained

Yamal Airlines baggage policy allows economy passengers one free carry-on bag measuring up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm, weighing between 5 kg and 10 kg depending on the fare class. Travelers may also bring one personal item under Russian federal aviation rules. Checked baggage is not included on basic Light or Promo fares, while standard economy fares include one checked bag weighing up to 20 kg or 23 kg.

At a glance

Baggage Allowance Snapshot

Yamal Airlines includes free carry-on baggage and a personal item on all fares, while checked baggage is only included on standard economy and business tickets. Allowances depend strictly on whether your ticket is booked as a baggage-free or baggage-inclusive fare.

Carry-on allowance 1 piece (5 kg to 10 kg) Weight limit depends on route and fare category

Carry-on dimensions 55 × 40 × 20 cm Maximum 115 linear cm; must fit in airport sizer

Personal item 1 item free Handbag, backpack, or briefcase under FAP-82 rules

Economy Light checked bag 0 kg (Not included) Checked bags must be purchased separately

Economy Standard checked bag 1 piece up to 20 kg or 23 kg Exact weight cap is printed on the electronic ticket

Checked bag size Up to 203 cm Sum of length, width, and height

Business Class checked bags 2 pieces (30 kg to 32 kg total) Subject to aircraft configuration and route

Maximum bag weight ceiling 50 kg maximum Pieces between 32 kg and 50 kg require advance approval

What can change: Exact checked weight limits, sports gear allowances, and carry-on weights vary by route, seasonal promotions, ticket fare family, and regional aircraft type.

Measurement guide

Baggage Size Visual

Yamal Airlines measures cabin baggage by external dimensions including wheels, side handles, and outside pockets. Use these figures to verify your bags before heading to the terminal.

55 cm 40 cm 20 cm

Length Width Height

Visual guide - not to scale. Use the published numerical limit as the controlling rule.

Source check

Official Source Verification

Baggage rules can vary by fare, cabin, route, operating carrier, traveler status, and purchase channel. BaggageBase separates published rules from practical guidance.

Official source Yamal Airlines Conditions of Carriage & FAP-82 Rules

Source type Airline conditions of carriage and civil aviation regulations

Policy scope Scheduled domestic and regional flights operated by JSC Yamal Airlines

Last checked Official verification required

Confidence Medium

Important caveat Dynamic excess baggage fees in Russian Rubles (RUB) and seasonal ski allowances vary by route and departure airport.

How BaggageBase Checks This Information

BaggageBase monitors civil aviation regulatory filings, operating carrier updates, and airport ground-handling terms across Russian regional networks. Rather than applying generic airline assumptions, our researchers review the interaction between domestic transport rules and individual carrier tariffs.

For Yamal Airlines (JSC "Yamal Airlines" / ОАО «АТК «Ямал»), we monitor guidelines governed by Russian Federal Aviation Rules (FAP No. 82). We review ticket rules across budget "Light" fares, standard tickets, and northern routes departing bases in Salekhard (SLY), Tyumen (TJM), and Moscow Domodedovo (DME). When pricing, regional luggage caps, or seasonal winter sport waivers change dynamically, we label unconfirmed values so travelers can verify specific booking files before flying.

At-a-Glance Allowance Comparison Matrix

Yamal Airlines applies a piece-concept system paired with specific weight caps. Your ticket receipt indicates whether your flight is booked under a baggage-free (Безбагажный) or baggage-inclusive (С багажом) tariff.

Official verification required: Hand luggage limits (5 kg versus 10 kg) and standard checked weight limits (20 kg versus 23 kg) depend on the exact route, ticket family, and whether the flight is a scheduled regional service or a seasonal charter.

Yamal Airlines Hand Luggage Guidelines

Dimensions and Airport Sizer Policy

Yamal Airlines sets a standard cabin baggage size across all scheduled routes: 55 × 40 × 20 cm (total linear dimensions up to 115 cm).

Passengers must place their carry-on bags into metal sizing frames (калибраторы) located at airport check-in desks and boarding gates.

• The bag must slide inside the frame smoothly without requiring force.
• Wheels, handles, exterior pockets, and locks must fit completely inside the sizer boundaries.
• If a bag exceeds the frame, gate staff will require it to be checked into the cargo hold, which triggers gate baggage charges.

Free Personal Items Under FAP-82

In accordance with Russian Federal Aviation Rules (FAP No. 82, Clause 135), Yamal Airlines allows passengers to carry specific personal items onboard free of charge. These items do not count against your primary carry-on piece and do not need to fit inside your carry-on suitcase, provided they fit under the seat in front of you:

• Handbag, briefcase, or backpack: A personal backpack must fit within the carrier's designated personal item dimensions and weight limits (typically up to 5 kg).
• Outerwear: Coats, jackets, cloaks, and suits carried in a protective garment bag.
• Mobility devices: Crutches, walking canes, walking frames, or collapsible wheelchairs that fit safely in cabin storage spaces.
• Infant care items: Baby food needed for the duration of the flight, along with a travel cradle or compact folding stroller that fits within cabin lockers.
• Duty-free goods: Items purchased at airport duty-free shops, sealed in an approved, transparent plastic bag.

Checked Baggage Rules by Fare Class

Yamal Airlines categorizes tickets into distinct fare families. Travelers should always check their electronic ticket receipt (Маршрутная квитанция) before packing.

1. Economy Light / Promo

• Checked Allowance: None (0 kg).
• Cabin Allowance: 1 piece up to 5 kg or 10 kg (route dependent).
• Overview: Designed for business travelers or short personal trips without heavy gear.
• Adding Checked Bags: If you need to check a bag on a Light ticket, purchasing the allowance online through Yamal's website prior to departure is significantly cheaper than paying at the airport counter.

2. Economy Standard and Flexible

• Checked Allowance: 1 piece up to 20 kg or 23 kg.
• Cabin Allowance: 1 piece up to 10 kg.
• Size Limit: Total linear dimensions ($Length + Width + Height$) must not exceed 203 cm.
• Pooling Luggage: Baggage pooling is generally permitted only for passengers traveling together under the exact same reservation code who check in at the counter at the same time. Even when pooling, a single shared suitcase cannot exceed 30 kg to 32 kg to protect baggage handling staff.

3. Business Class

• Checked Allowance: 2 pieces up to 30 kg or 32 kg total weight.
• Cabin Allowance: Up to 10 kg to 15 kg total across 1 or 2 pieces.
• Size Limit: Up to 203 cm per checked piece.
• Priority Service: Business class luggage receives priority handling tags to ensure early return at baggage carousels upon arrival.

Excess, Heavy, and Oversized Baggage Fees

Baggage that exceeds standard piece, weight, or size allowances incurs additional fees. On all domestic Russian routes operated by Yamal Airlines, excess fees are charged in Russian Rubles (RUB).

Additional Baggage Pieces

Travelers checking more bags than their fare permits must pay for an extra piece (Дополнительное место багажа).

• Booking an extra bag online through Yamal's self-service portal provides a discount compared to airport rates.
• Purchasing extra luggage at the airport check-in desk or boarding gate incurs the highest fee tier.

Heavy Baggage (Тяжеловесный багаж)

• A bag weighing between 23 kg and 32 kg is categorized as heavy luggage and incurs an overweight charge at the airport.
• Any item weighing between 32 kg and 50 kg requires advance coordination with Yamal Airlines customer support before departure. Acceptance depends on aircraft cargo hold capacity and ground equipment at the departure and arrival airports.
• Absolute 50 kg Limit: Yamal Airlines will not accept any individual luggage item over 50 kg as checked passenger baggage. Items exceeding 50 kg must be booked and shipped through commercial cargo services.

Oversized Baggage (Негабаритный багаж)

• Any bag with linear dimensions ($L + W + H$) exceeding 203 cm is classified as oversized.
• Oversized gear requires advance confirmation from the airline and is subject to fixed oversized handling surcharges.

Special Baggage, Skis, and Winter Equipment

Yamal Airlines operates regular flights across the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, the Arctic Circle, and Siberian winter destinations. As a result, the airline maintains specific rules for winter sports and northern equipment.

Seasonal Ski and Snowboard Gear

During winter and early spring operational periods, Yamal Airlines frequently provides a complimentary sports equipment allowance on designated routes. When this policy is active, one passenger may typically bring:

• One pair of skis, one pair of poles, and one pair of ski boots; or
• One snowboard and one pair of snowboard boots; and
• One protective helmet.

Important Conditions:

1. The combined weight of the sports equipment set must not exceed 20 kg or 23 kg.
2. Equipment must be packed securely in special protective covers. Boots and helmets may be packed inside the primary ski bag or in a separate boot bag, provided both items are presented together at check-in as a single set.
3. On baggage-free ("Light") tickets, winter sports equipment may require a separate fee unless a specific winter promotion explicitly covers all fare types.

Fishing, Hunting, and Arctic Gear

Due to Yamal's extensive network across remote northern territories, the airline regularly handles outdoor equipment:

• Fishing rods: Must be transported in hard, crush-resistant travel tubes. Rod cases exceeding 203 cm total dimensions require advance approval as oversized luggage.
• Hunting firearms and ammunition: Transporting civilian firearms is strictly regulated by Russian law. Passengers must declare firearms during check-in, present valid state hunting permits and firearm licenses, and hand over the items to airport aviation security for storage in the aircraft's specialized weapons compartment. Ammunition must be in factory packaging, cannot exceed 5 kg gross weight per traveler, and loose ammunition is strictly prohibited.

Operational Nuances and Regional Fleet Constraints

Yamal Airlines operates a fleet that includes the Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ-100), Airbus A320 series, and regional aircraft. Passengers should keep these equipment factors in mind:

1. SSJ-100 Overhead Locker Space:
   The overhead bins on the Sukhoi Superjet 100 are more compact than those on large mainline aircraft. While standard 55 × 40 × 20 cm luggage fits, bags expanded beyond 20 cm will not fit. Soft-sided carry-ons fit more easily than rigid hard-shell suitcases.
2. Ramp Baggage Delivery (Delivery at Aircraft):
   On full regional flights, gate staff may gate-check standard carry-on bags at the boarding stairs (Delivery at Aircraft / DAA). In these cases, your bag is placed in the hold free of charge and returned at the aircraft stairs upon arrival. Always remove laptops, power banks, cash, and identification before handing your bag over.
3. Arctic Weather Payload Restrictions:
   During severe sub-zero weather or winter storms in northern Siberia, regional flights may face strict takeoff payload weight limits. Travelers who do not pre-book excess luggage risk having unconfirmed heavy bags delayed or transferred to a later flight.

Traveling with Infants and Children

Yamal Airlines provides specific baggage allowances for passengers flying with infants:

• Lap Infants (Under 2 Years Without a Seat):
  Infants traveling without a separate seat are typically entitled to 1 piece of cabin baggage up to 10 kg (dimensions up to 55 × 40 × 20 cm) or checked baggage depending on route filings.
• Strollers and Car Seats:
  A collapsible stroller, buggy, or infant carrier is carried free of charge in the aircraft hold, provided it is used for a traveling infant or child.
• Gate Delivery:
  Parents can use a folding stroller through security up to the boarding gate or aircraft stairs. Airport staff will load the stroller into the hold and return it either at the aircraft steps upon arrival or in the oversized baggage reclaim area.

Lost, Delayed, or Damaged Baggage Procedures

If your checked baggage is delayed or arrives damaged, complete the following steps before leaving the airport:

1. Visit the Lost & Found Desk:
   Go directly to the Lost & Found / Baggage Tracing counter (Бюро розыска багажа) in the arrivals hall (such as at Moscow Domodedovo, Tyumen, or Salekhard).
2. File a Property Irregularity Report (PIR):
   Complete the official PIR form (Акт о неисправности при перевозке багажа). You will need your boarding pass, passport, baggage tag receipt, and a description of your bag.
3. Track Your Baggage:
   Yamal Airlines traces delayed baggage using the WorldTracer system. Your PIR document includes a file reference code used to check tracking status online.
4. Filing Compensation Claims:
   Under Russian aviation law:

• Damaged baggage claims must be submitted in writing within 6 months for domestic flights.
• Lost baggage claims may be submitted if your luggage is not located within 21 days of filing the PIR.

Regional Carrier Comparison

Luggage allowances vary across regional routes in Western Siberia, the Urals, and Northern Russia. Review these peer airline guides before booking connecting itineraries:

• For travelers flying through regional oil and gas transport hubs, review the Utair baggage policy, which enforces strict carry-on measurements.
• For trans-regional travel through central Russia and the Urals, compare rules with the Ural Airlines baggage policy.
• If your Arctic travel extends east into Norilsk and the Taymyr Peninsula, check the NordStar baggage policy.

Before you fly

Yamal Airlines Baggage Checklist

Use this pre-departure checklist to avoid excess baggage fees and airport sizer issues on Yamal Airlines flights.

• Check your ticket tariff code. Confirm whether your ticket says "Without Baggage" (*Без багажа*) or includes a checked bag (*С багажом*).
• Measure your carry-on luggage. Ensure your cabin bag does not exceed 55 × 40 × 20 cm, including wheels and handles.
• Keep lithium batteries in your cabin bag. Power banks, e-cigarettes, and spare batteries are forbidden in checked baggage and must remain with you in the cabin.
• Pre-purchase extra bags online. Adding checked baggage through Yamal's website at least 24 hours before departure costs substantially less than paying at the check-in desk.
• Verify winter sports rules. If flying with skis or a snowboard, check whether your route qualifies for seasonal free equipment carriage.
• Have a backup plan for heavy bags. If your bag weighs over 23 kg, be prepared to pay an overweight fee, and never exceed 32 kg without prior carrier confirmation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the carry-on baggage dimensions for Yamal Airlines?

Yamal Airlines limits carry-on baggage to 55 × 40 × 20 cm, with a maximum total linear measurement of 115 cm. Your bag must fit into the airport calibrator sizer box at the check-in counter and boarding gate.

Can I bring a backpack in addition to my carry-on bag?

Yes, under Russian Federal Aviation Rules (FAP-82), passengers can carry a personal backpack, handbag, or briefcase free of charge alongside their main carry-on bag. The backpack must fit under the seat in front of you.

Does an Economy Light ticket include checked baggage?

No, Economy Light and Promo fares do not include free checked baggage. Passengers holding these tickets may only bring cabin baggage, and any checked suitcase must be purchased as an optional add-on.

What is the maximum weight for a checked bag on Yamal Airlines?

Standard checked economy bags are limited to 20 kg or 23 kg, depending on the fare family indicated on your ticket. Business class passengers receive two checked bags with a total weight allowance of 30 kg to 32 kg.

How much does Yamal Airlines charge for overweight baggage?

Overweight bags weighing between 23 kg and 32 kg incur fixed surcharge rates paid at the airport in Russian Rubles (RUB). Items weighing between 32 kg and 50 kg require advance approval from the airline, while items over 50 kg cannot travel as passenger luggage.

Can I bring ski equipment for free on Yamal Airlines?

Yamal Airlines frequently runs seasonal promotions allowing one set of ski or snowboard equipment (up to 20 kg or 23 kg) free of charge on select winter routes. Check your specific ticket rules to confirm whether your route includes this seasonal waiver.

What should I do if my luggage does not arrive?

Report missing baggage immediately at the airport Lost & Found desk (Бюро розыска багажа) before leaving the terminal. File a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) using your baggage claim tag and boarding pass to start the tracing process.

Baggage rules can vary by route, aircraft type, and booking class. The operating transport company's official rules and conditions of carriage always prevail.