Does the airline ever measure luggage?

[mckinley]

We have flown many times & they always weigh, but do they ever measure the size of the bags?

 

[Missytara]

We have flown many times & they always weigh, but do they ever measure the size of the bags?

Depending on the airline, yes. There are rules to flying. Follow them and you will be fine; other than that, expect a problem.

It is not that difficult to check each website and determine the sizes of the bags allowed.

 

[Princess on the Run]

I'm sure they eyeball it and if it seems too big, then they measure. Most of them have probably seen their share of luggage and can make a pretty solid guess at a glance.

 

[allforpooh]

We travel alot and was never measured until this past year. When we were getting on the airplane they made everyone with a carryon put it in that carryon size checker. Anyone that had a bag that did not fit had to check it at the normal cost....they did not let them gate check it.

Denise

 

[maxiesmom]

If you are asking because you have a bag that is too big to be a carry-on, it is best not to use it. Sometimes they check for size, sometimes they don't. In any case, overhead space is at a premium with people trying to avoid checking bags. Your bag has to share space with everyone else's bag. It wouldn't be nice to take up more than your allotted space. And you don't want to end up with a too big bag the one time they decide to measure.

If you are asking just to ask, then the answer is sometimes.

 

[LilyWDW]

They always reserve the right to measure it. As such, it is better to not risk it.

 

[Princess on the Run]

If you are asking because you have a bag that is too big to be a carry-on, it is best not to use it. Sometimes they check for size, sometimes they don't. In any case, overhead space is at a premium with people trying to avoid checking bags. Your bag has to share space with everyone else's bag. It wouldn't be nice to take up more than your allotted space. And you don't want to end up with a too big bag the one time they decide to measure.

I assumed the OP meant checked bags since that's what gets weighed. I've never seen anyone weigh carry-ons.

 

[mckinley]

I was talking about checked baggage only. We always do follow the rules when flying, its just that i am looking to purchase new luggage. All of the airline websites says 62" total (L+H+W). So i didn't want to waste the extra $ to purchase the larger suitcase if it was not going to be able to be used. It just happens to be a total of 64" so its 2" bigger than allowed.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I have seen checked baggage measured by ticket agents. Don't buy the 64" luggage!

 

[thumbalyna]

Airtran measured my suitcase and wrote the measurements on a tag they attached to the bag

 

[jdb in AZ]

I assumed the OP meant checked bags since that's what gets weighed. I've never seen anyone weigh carry-ons.

My carry-on was weighed on our flight home from Auckland, New Zealand. That was a total surprise, especially since it was not a large carry-on, and turned out to be overweight. Not familiar with metric conversions so I couldn't say how much over it was, but after I pulled out my leather jacket, the bag was within the limits. I carried on my jacket and had room left in the carry-on bag for last-minute souvenirs from the airport shops. Which could have put the bag over the limit again, but at that point they didn't care.

 

[Jestocost]

My carry-on was weighed on our flight home from Auckland, New Zealand. That was a total surprise, especially since it was not a large carry-on, and turned out to be overweight. Not familiar with metric conversions so I couldn't say how much over it was, but after I pulled out my leather jacket, the bag was within the limits. I carried on my jacket and had room left in the carry-on bag for last-minute souvenirs from the airport shops. Which could have put the bag over the limit again, but at that point they didn't care.

There are usually weight limits for carry-on bags on international flights. Not typically the case for domestic flights.

 

[jdb in AZ]

There are usually weight limits for carry-on bags on international flights. Not typically the case for domestic flights.

We flew into/out of London's Heathrow last summer and they didn't weigh our carry-on luggage. Not very consistent.

 

[keishashadow]

Airtran measured my suitcase and wrote the measurements on a tag they attached to the bag

AT is big on measuring any bags that look a tad too large out of PIT tends to slow down the checkin process.

I was hit with oversize bag fees once despite the bag's stated measurements, they said I was over 1/2 inch, but i did have credit in my account to pay for it at least. Same bag made it thru several times prior.

 

[Lewisc]

AT is big on measuring any bags that look a tad too large out of PIT tends to slow down the checkin process.

I was hit with oversize bag fees once despite the bag's stated measurements, they said I was over 1/2 inch, but i did have credit in my account to pay for it at least. Same bag made it thru several times prior.

Luggage mfg frequently exclude the wheels and handles from the stated measurements. The * on one box said the measurements were interior measurements, packable.

 

[aubriee]

AT is big on measuring any bags that look a tad too large out of PIT tends to slow down the checkin process.

I was hit with oversize bag fees once despite the bag's stated measurements, they said I was over 1/2 inch, but i did have credit in my account to pay for it at least. Same bag made it thru several times prior.

I've seen GA for Air Tran and Spirit both measuring checked bags. In fact, I've had my bag measured twice by Air Tran agents (not sure why, neither time was it deemed too big). Both times though, it seemed like they were measuring just about everyone's bags those particular mornings.

 

[dudspizza]

I've seen GA for Air Tran and Spirit both measuring checked bags. In fact, I've had my bag measured twice by Air Tran agents (not sure why, neither time was it deemed too big). Both times though, it seemed like they were measuring just about everyone's bags those particular mornings.

Yep, Airtran is really strict on making sure the bag falls into their measurment requirements... I have seen them measuring many times.

 

[keishashadow]

Luggage mfg frequently exclude the wheels and handles from the stated measurements. The * on one box said the measurements were interior measurements, packable.

i'm aware, had to take one back to store when i discovered theu didn't include the wheels. was miffed re this bag because I had measured it at home and it was fine. Only thing i can think of is the way it was packed might have pushed out the expansion part enough to technically be over.

whenever we fly AT I make sure to allow a bit of extra time at the counter, it is what it is. Sooner or later it'll standardize with SWA's policy.

jmho it's the carryon bag situation that is crazy, especially the stuff you see coming back from MCO (my mr calls it akin to fall of saigon) so many people lugging multiple disney store bags as what appears to be unlimited personal items, you have to wonder how they manage to stow it all.

 

[Lewisc]

I assumed the OP meant checked bags since that's what gets weighed. I've never seen anyone weigh carry-ons.

Allegiant limits carry on bags to 25 lbs. I'm pretty sure European airlines weight carry on bags.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Allegiant limits carry on bags to 25 lbs. I'm pretty sure European airlines weight carry on bags.

I have traveled to Europe many times and usually your carry-on is not weighed. However, I have found that Lufthansa is an exception; they often weigh carry-on bags and once I had to check mine as it was too heavy.