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.
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.
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.
Click here 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 1 piece only; with dimensions not to exceed 8 x 16 x 22 inches (20 x 40 x 55 cm) and the total weight not to exceed 11 pounds (5 kg). There are no size or piece restrictions for checked luggage allowance for intra-China flights; however, guests are allowed a total of 44.2 pounds (20 kg) for all pieces. Any item in excess of the above restrictions must be checked and excess charges range from $100 to $200 per piece 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.
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.