SCAT Airlines baggage allowance depends on fare type. Light fares include no checked baggage, Optimum includes 1 bag up to 23 kg, and Flex includes 2 bags up to 23 kg each. All fares include 1 cabin bag up to 10 kg (55x40x25 cm). Extra baggage costs 30–130 depending on weight, size, and route.

Booking a flight with SCAT Airlines? Before you pack, it pays to know exactly what’s included in your fare  and what isn’t. SCAT Airlines, Kazakhstan’s largest privately-owned carrier, structures its baggage allowances around three main fare brands: Light, Optimum, and Flex. Get the fare wrong for your luggage needs, and you could end up paying more at the airport than you would have by booking a higher fare upfront.

What Is SCAT Airlines’ Baggage Allowance by Fare Type?

SCAT Airlines’ baggage allowance varies by fare brand: Light fares include no free checked baggage, Optimum includes 1 checked bag up to 23 kg, and Flex includes 2 checked bags up to 23 kg each. All three fares include 1 free cabin bag up to 10 kg with dimensions of 55x40x25 cm.

There’s also a subsidized fare category (used on certain domestic routes) that includes 20 kg of checked baggage plus 5 kg of carry-on  a distinct allowance worth checking if you’re booking a subsidized ticket.

Maximum piece limits: Regardless of fare, no single checked bag can exceed 32 kg or 215 cm (combined height + width + depth). Anything heavier than 32 kg (up to a 50 kg cap) requires prior confirmation from SCAT Airlines.

What Are SCAT Airlines’ Checked Bag Rules and Fees?

SCAT Airlines charges for checked baggage beyond your fare’s free allowance, with fees ranging from 7,000 ₸ ($30 international pricing scales up depending on route and bag size). Passengers can add baggage online before departure at a lower rate than paying at the check-in counter.

Here’s the standard extra baggage fee structure for most routes:

Route-specific pricing: Flights to and from Istanbul, Prague, Xi’an, Munich, Shanghai, Budapest, Bangkok, and Belgrade carry higher extra baggage fees  ranging from $70 to $110 per bag. Seoul routes are priced even higher, from $90 to $130 per bag. This is a detail many comparison sites overlook, and it can meaningfully change your total trip cost if you’re flying one of these routes and need extra bags.

Example scenario: A passenger flying Almaty to Istanbul on a Light fare who needs one 23 kg bag would pay $70 for that bag  more than double the $30 standard international rate. Booking an Optimum fare instead (which includes 1 free 23 kg bag) would be the cheaper option if checked luggage is a certainty.

Prohibited and restricted checked items: Lithium and Li-ion electronic devices and spare batteries are banned from checked baggage entirely (Order No. 548, Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development of Kazakhstan, 2023). Dairy products are also prohibited except for baby food or medically required diets, and raw meat or fish must be triple-packaged and frozen  never carried as hand luggage.

What Are the Cabin Baggage Rules for SCAT Airlines?

SCAT Airlines cabin baggage rules allow 1 bag per passenger weighing up to 10 kg with maximum dimensions of 55x40x25 cm, regardless of fare type. Passengers can pay to increase this to a maximum of 12 kg, and Business Optimum fares include 2 cabin bags per passenger instead of 1.

Power banks with lithium batteries are permitted in carry-on baggage only (never checked), limited to two per passenger, each individually protected against short circuits. Lithium-ion power banks must not exceed a 100 Wh rating, and using or charging them mid-flight is prohibited.

How Does SCAT Airlines Check-In Work?

SCAT Airlines check-in can be completed online through checkin.scat.kz, though timing requirements differ for domestic and international flights. Passengers without checked baggage should arrive at least 30 minutes before domestic departure (60 minutes for international), while those with baggage need to reach the check-in desk at least 40 minutes before domestic departure or 60 minutes for international flights.

Online check-in is not available for every passenger type. It’s blocked for:

• Passengers traveling with pets
• Passengers with disabilities requiring special assistance
• Unaccompanied minors
• Passengers on charter or seasonal tourist flights (these use sundayairlines.kz instead)

If you check in online but decide not to fly, you must formally cancel your check-in through the airport desk or an online cancellation request  otherwise you risk a no-show penalty and forfeit refund eligibility.

What Is SCAT Airlines’ Pet Policy?

SCAT Airlines allows pets to travel as checked baggage in the cargo hold, with fees ranging from 5,000 ₸ (40)forpetsupto8kgto25,000₸(250) for pets up to 50 kg. Pet weight is never included in your standard baggage allowance, and bookings must be confirmed with the airline in advance.

Key restrictions to note:

• Pets are not permitted on flights to the UAE under any circumstances.
• Seeing-eye dogs traveling with visually or hearing-impaired passengers can ride in the cabin at the owner’s feet  no cage required  provided the dog is muzzled, leashed, and certified.
• Cats and dogs cannot be booked in the same cargo hold on one flight.
• Wild animals, test animals, cattle, bees, and fish seed are not accepted as checked baggage under any fare.
• Pet carriers must allow the animal to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably, with ventilation on at least three sides.

What Are the Rules for Sports Equipment and Special Items?

SCAT Airlines requires prior approval for sports equipment like bikes, skis, golf clubs, scuba gear, and fishing equipment, none of which count toward your free baggage allowance. These items are billed at the airline’s standard excess baggage rates listed above, based on weight and dimensions.

Bikes need specific preparation before check-in: handlebars fixed parallel to the frame, tires deflated, pedals removed, and sharp edges wrapped and boxed. Scuba equipment must travel in a specialized case with air tanks emptied and valves open or removed.

Wheelchair assistance is free on all routes except flights to and from Istanbul, which carry a $29 fee. Passengers must request this service in advance through the Customer Support Center, and personal wheelchairs can be checked into the cargo hold at no charge.

How Can You Save Money on SCAT Airlines Baggage Fees?

The most effective way to reduce SCAT Airlines baggage costs is to purchase extra baggage online before arriving at the airport, since pre-purchased bags are consistently cheaper than fees paid at the check-in counter. Choosing the right fare upfront also avoids paying for a checked bag twice.

Practical strategies:

• Match your fare to your luggage needs. If you know you’ll check a bag, an Optimum fare’s included allowance is likely cheaper than a Light fare plus an add-on fee.
• Weigh your cabin bag at home. The 10 kg cabin limit is strictly enforced, and overweight fees ($5/kg internationally) add up fast on a bag that’s just a kilogram or two over.
• Check route-specific pricing before booking connections. If your itinerary touches Istanbul, Seoul, or another premium-fee destination, budget for higher excess baggage costs.
• Notify the airline early for pets or sports equipment. Both require advance approval, and last-minute requests risk denied boarding for the item.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an extra checked bag cost on SCAT Airlines?
A standard extra 23 kg bag costs 7,000 ₸ on domestic flights or $30 on international flights. Routes to Istanbul, Seoul, and select other cities carry higher fees, up to $130 per bag depending on weight and size.

Does SCAT Airlines charge for cabin baggage?
No, all fares include 1 free cabin bag up to 10 kg. A second cabin bag costs $40 internationally, and exceeding 10 kg (up to a 12 kg max) incurs a $5 per kg overweight fee.

Can I bring my pet on SCAT Airlines?
Yes, pets travel in the cargo hold for a fee starting at 5,000 ₸ (40)forpetsupto8kg,risingto25,000₸(250) for pets up to 50 kg. Advance booking confirmation is required.

Does SCAT Airlines fly pets to the UAE?
No, SCAT Airlines does not permit pet transportation on any flights to the United Arab Emirates, regardless of fare type or advance confirmation.

What is the maximum weight for a checked bag on SCAT Airlines?
The standard maximum is 32 kg per bag. Bags between 32 kg and 50 kg may be accepted only with prior confirmation from the airline before travel.

How early should I check in for a SCAT Airlines flight?
Arrive 30 minutes before domestic departure without baggage (60 minutes international), or 40 minutes before domestic departure with baggage (60 minutes international) if checking in at the counter.

Can I check in online if I’m traveling with a pet?
No, online check-in is unavailable for passengers with pets, unaccompanied minors, or special assistance needs. These passengers must check in at the airport counter.

Does the Light fare include any checked baggage?
No, the Light fare includes only 1 cabin bag (10 kg). Any checked baggage must be purchased separately, either online in advance or at the airport at a higher rate.

How much does it cost to bring a bike on SCAT Airlines?
Bikes aren’t included in the free baggage allowance and are charged at standard excess baggage rates, from $30 to $130 depending on weight, size, and route.

Is wheelchair assistance free on SCAT Airlines?
Yes, on all routes except flights to and from Istanbul, which carry a $29 fee. Requests must be submitted in advance through the Customer Support Center.