Hand luggage etc

[pigby]

We last went to the US just before September 11th and I know that after that airlines put restrictions on the size of hand luggage you could take on board the aircraft. Are any of these restrictions still in force?

We have a small holdall which we carried as hand luggage with no problems two years ago - is this still OK - it isn't heavy.

Although there are 3 of us, we are only taking 2 cases - one small and the other pretty large (ie well over the limit on its own). In the past - they have just weighed the cases together. I wondered if this is still the case - or is there a restriction on each individual piece of luggage? - if you know what I mean. If there is, I'd better start digging a third case out - fast.

 

[GO2209]

I was caught out that way - one case had the bulky, but light item (essential girlfriends entire shoe collection! - how many pairs of flip-flops can someone need?) and one case with everything else, which was rather heavy!

At check in, the combined weight of both cases was within the limit, but the heavier was deemed too heavy. Apparently (and logically - think of the baggage handlers) there is a max weight for a single piece of luggage.

Transferring the photographs we had developed was enough to nudge the scales in our favour!

This is the only time it has ever happened to me. Although, airtours did charge me once for being over their limit - but only on the flight home. £30 for being around 3 kg over (combined weight).

I would expect you to be okay on the outbound flight and no doubt you will be going to walmart to buy an extra case for your return journey!

 

[allie5]

The weight limit on hand luggage is a fairly standard 5kg (tho BA I believe is 6kg). Ours WAS weighed on the return. You also have to be able to fit your onboard luggage into a certain size area (there are dummy racks at the check in desk where they make sure your hand luggage complies).

The maximum weight for one piece of baggage is 32kg. Anything over this, the scheduled carriers make you go to the "oversize baggage" check in. Not sure the charters would allow anything bigger than that.

Check the website of whatever airline you are travelling on for presice details. The larger the aircraft you are travelling on, the less harsh they will be about exact weights (in my experience).

Hope that helps a little.
Allie.

 

[pigby]

from what you say, we should be OK - my largest case weighs 3stone 12oz on my scales - why don't airlines work in stones and pounds??

Anyway, I make this 54 pounds - and from what I remember 20kg=44lbs - so it's 10lbs over. From what you say Allie, the absolute max for 1 piece is 70lbs. My Maths may be a bit rusty-someone please correct me if I'm wrong. BYW, checked Virgin Atlantic website - and it's down for 'essential maintenance' - can't find info on normal Virgin site - but I'm sure you are right.

Buying an extra case from Walmart or somewhere wouldn't really be an option, as we're on-site with no transport (by choice). To be honest, we usually weigh less on the way home after all the bubble baths and suncreams have been used!

Thanks again.

 

[Muppet]

Who are you flying with as Virgin take in to account the total weight of the cases per person. They allow you 2 pieces with a total weight of 64 kilos. Never had a problem in the past taking a small holdall as Hand luggage.

However Airtours got really huffy with us on the weight once as Nics was 5 kilos and mine was 2 kilos and even though Nics was at the max limit they made him put some stuff in mine. Just being petty.