Here is some information to help you begin and end your journey with a smooth flight experience.
Confirming your flights
Flights can be reserved up to 320 days prior to departure, and flight schedules will be released 75 days prior to departure. Viking River Cruises utilizes contracted block space as outlined by each specific carrier; therefore, not all flights and routings may be available. Flight schedules/seat assignments may be changed or cancelled without prior notice at any time. Viking River Cruises attempts to accommodate guests traveling together; however, this can only be guaranteed by our Viking Air Plus service.
Our Air Department often secures auto-generated seats; should you want to make a change, please contact the airline directly. Flight schedules, seat assignments, and luggage restrictions (fees may apply) are subject to change by the airlines at any time. Viking River Cruises will make every effort to notify guests of these changes to flight schedules or luggage restrictions. However, we recommend that you contact your airline directly via website or phone at least 72 hours prior to your departure to confirm current policies for how much time to allow prior to check-in, carry-on or checked luggage restrictions, whether you can lock your bags, prohibited items, and luggage count and weight allowances for flights to and from your destination.
Paid Business or Premium Economy class travel is guaranteed on trans-oceanic flights only; travel in economy class may be required within the United States, Europe or Asia. The option to pay for an upgrade on these flights is available through Viking’s Air Plus department. Call for details.
Departure date & time
When you receive your tickets, please check the departure date and time carefully to make sure you understand when you are flying and when you must check in. Some flights are overnight or “red-eye” flights leaving very early in the morning; for these flights you may need to check in late the previous evening (e.g., an 11:00 p.m. check-in for a 1:00 a.m. flight).
Please note that your flight may be a code-share among partner airlines. Make sure you check your flight information carefully to determine your air carrier. This will assist you in finding correct departure gate information and help you understand which airline’s luggage restrictions and other rules will apply to you.
Special requests
Airline arrangements such as seat assignments, special meal requests, and frequent flyer credit may be determined by the airline. It is recommended that you or your travel agent contact your airline to make these requests. Find additional tips and links here.
Forced overnight stays
Due to airline schedules beyond our control, international flights may require a hotel overnight at a U.S./international gateway. Viking River Cruises can assist with hotel reservations, but all associated costs for the overnight, including hotel and food costs, are at the guest’s expense.
Luggage restrictions
Until recently, most international airline baggage restrictions allowed each passenger two free checked bags of up to 50 or 70 pounds each and one carry-on. Several air carriers have recently adopted policies of charging passengers an amount, in addition to the fare already paid, for any checked baggage or for more than one checked bag. While airline reservations are made when deposits and Passenger Information Forms (PIFs) are received, Viking River Cruises air department generally issues airline tickets 45 days prior to departure and many of the new baggage restrictions apply based on when your air ticket is issued.
Each airline has its own rules and restrictions for domestic and international travel; we suggest you contact your airline(s) directly to verify checked luggage and carry-on restrictions for your flights to and from your home airport, as there may be fees for additional or overweight luggage. It is possible a domestic airline ticket may be issued in conjunction with your international ticket. Domestic travel is within or between the U.S., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada. Domestic luggage restrictions often differ from international ones.
Click on the link below to see the most up-to-date restrictions we have received from each of our partner airlines. The link also has information on pre- and post-extension flights.
Click for Luggage Restrictions
China travelers
You will travel on domestic China flights during your trip. Viking River Cruises monitors luggage restrictions for these intra-China flights and luggage allowance is very limited and strictly enforced. On intra-China flights, a guest may carry on one piece only; with dimensions not to exceed 7” x 15” x 21” (17 x 38 x 53 cm) and the total weight not to exceed 11 pounds (5 kg). You are also permitted one checked bag, dimensions not exceeding 15” x 24” x 40” (40 x 60 x 100 cm). Total baggage weight cannot exceed 44.2 lbs (20 kg). Items in excess of restrictions must be checked and will incur charges of up to $4 US per kg, based on weight and distance traveled. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in carry-on luggage.
On intra-China flights, it is currently recommended to lock checked luggage. Therefore, we suggest you bring a luggage lock for each bag you will be checking.
Mekong travelers
You will travel on an international flight between Hanoi, Vietnam and Siem Reap, Cambodia. Viking River Cruises monitors luggage restrictions for this intra-Asia flight on Vietnam Air, and luggage allowance is limited and strictly enforced. A guest may carry on one piece only, with dimensions not to exceed 9” x 14” x 22” (23 x 36 x 56 cm) and the total weight not to exceed 15 pounds (7 kg). If the carry-on luggage exceeds the quantity, weight or dimensions, the airline may require the luggage to be checked.
You are permitted one checked bag; L + W + H dimensions cannot exceed 62 in. (158 cm). Total baggage weight cannot exceed 44 lbs (20 kg). Items in excess of restrictions must be checked and will incur charges of up to $5 US per kg based on weight and distance traveled.
It is recommended to lock checked luggage. Therefore, we suggest bringing a luggage lock for each checked bag.
Myanmar (Burma) travelers
You will travel on international flights from Bangkok, Thailand to Myanmar and back to Bangkok, Thailand. Viking River Cruises monitors luggage restrictions for these intra-Asia flights. Luggage allowance is limited and strictly enforced. A guest may carry on one piece only, with dimensions not exceeding 15” x 10” x 5” (37.5 x 25 x 12.5 cm), these dimensions include wheels, handles, and side pockets. The total weight may not to exceed 15 pounds (7 kg). If the carry-on luggage exceeds the quantity, weight or dimensions, the airline may require the luggage to be checked.
You are also permitted to check bags. Total checked baggage weight cannot exceed 44 lbs (20 kg). Checked baggage weight in excess of this restriction will incur charges of up to $7 US per kg based on weight and distance traveled.
It is recommended to lock checked luggage. Therefore, we suggest bringing a luggage lock for each checked bag.
Egypt travelers
You will travel on a domestic Egypt flight. Viking River Cruises closely monitors luggage restrictions. You are permitted one carry-on, dimensions not exceeding 22” x 14” x 9” (56 x 36 x 23 cm) and weight not exceeding 15 lbs (7 kg). We reserve the right to require you to check any luggage in excess of carry-on restrictions.
You are also permitted one checked bag, dimensions not exceeding 16” x 23” x 39” (40 x 60 x 100 cm) and weight not exceeding 44 lbs (20 kg). Items in excess of restrictions must be checked and will incur charges of up to $30 US, based on weight and distance traveled.
We also recommend you lock each checked bag with a luggage lock.
Links to Viking preferred airlines
Here are links to our preferred airline partners’ websites, so you can confirm your flights online, request a seating change or check for the latest restriction information. Click on the airline logo to go to the site.
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Must create account and log in. |
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No online system;
call 1-877-824-4846 for assistance. |
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| Must create account and log in. |
Must create account and log in. |
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No online system;
call 1-800-221-2350 for assistance. |
The Department of Transportation requires all U.S. and international airlines to provide an email or mailing address for any customer relation matters, including baggage handling. For your convenience, Viking has put a list together of this contact information for selected airlines; please click Airline Customer Service for the detailed information.