How many suitcases and carryons can you have on a plane?

hollyb

DIS Veteran
Joined
Nov 8, 2005
Messages
767
We havent flown in 13 years. I have no idea about limits or anything.

thanks :)
 
It varies so check with your airline to be sure but this is what AA allows per the website, it should give you an idea.

This is an example ~From AA.com, I am sure the website for your carrier will have the guidelines as well:


""For flights wholly within the United States and between the United States and Canada
The maximum amount of baggage each ticketed passenger is allowed free of charge is:
2 pieces checked and one carry-on
Please note that one carry-on personal item (see "Carry-on Allowance") does not count toward the free bag allowance.

The size limitation of your luggage is calculated by adding the total outside dimensions of each bag, that is, length + width + height.
Two checked bags at 62 in/157 cm each

One carry-on bag at 45 in/114 cm
The maximum weight per checked bag is 50 lbs/23 kgs.
The maximum weight per carry-on bag is 40 lbs/18 kgs. ""

TJ
 
Checked luggage 2 bags
Carry on-1 bag and a personal item(like a laptop, purse, shoulder bag etc.)
But besure to check you airline's website for specific regulations
all amounts are per person(including children)
 
I believe that most airlines allow 3 checked bagsand 2 carryons per passenger.
There are size and weight limitaions so you should check your airline's web site to see what they allow.
 

Most airlines allow 2 suitcases. Be sure to check the size allowed. Also don't go over the weight limits. You will be charged quite a bit if you do go over. The charge is per segment.
 
I have not flown for over a decade, either.

We are hoping to use a backpack each for carry-ons. A standard backpack could fit the size limit OK, and the kids can wear theirs once we get to MCO.

In addition to the backpack carryons, is it OK to have water bottle holders (for drinks for take off and landing) AND to have a small bag each (me = small purse-like bag, and the kids = bag of things to do/snacks for on the plane)?

That would technically be 3 items each (backpack to be placed in overhead, small bag, water bottle holder with water). We are flying SW.
 
The limits on size, weight, and quantity vary by airline. So check your airline's website, and don't go by what the limits are for other airlines.
 
In addition to the backpack carryons, is it OK to have water bottle holders (for drinks for take off and landing) AND to have a small bag each (me = small purse-like bag, and the kids = bag of things to do/snacks for on the plane)?
The limit on carryons is 2 items (the second one no larger than a briefcase), so tuck your water bottle holder into one of the other bags until you get on board.

BTW, unless you are moving or on your way to a 3d world country where you need to bring along lots of goodies, using your entire baggage allowance is overkill. For a simple domestic vacation you should not have that much stuff, so if you find that you packed that much, stop and put at least half of it back. Our rule is that we do our best to have our entire family's baggage add up to no more than one person's baggage allowance.
 
NotUrsula said:
The limit on carryons is 2 items, so tuck your water bottle holder into one of the other bags until you get on board.

Thank you! That is exactly what I'll do.
 
And if you do check your bags, be careful about how much they weigh, airlines are now strictly enforcing their checked bag weight limits. Check with your airline, but it's usually 50 pounds per bag. If you aren't sure, use a bath room scale. Weigh yourself, then weigh yourself holding the bag, the differance is how much the bag weighs. Placeing the bag on the scale directly can result in a false reading.

If you are overweight, you'll be charged, usually around $25 per bag that's over weight.
 
Weigh yourself, then weigh yourself holding the bag, the differance is how much the bag weighs.

IME, unless the bag is carry-on size, or a long, skinny duffel that you are holding vertically against your body, this method can easily be off by over 5 lbs.

For a bathroom scale to work right, the weight has to be centered over it. A large rectangular pullman will usually register badly in your arms for the same reason it would if you put it directly on the scale -- too much of the weight is off to the side of the scale when you hold it, unless you hold it vertically over your head (and how many of us can do THAT with a 29" pullman that is fully packed?)

I recommend putting an empty cloth duffel into your largest checked bag, so that you have a way to take off some slack and lower the weight. Of course, in doing that you have created an add'l checked bag, so you don't want to start out with the maximum number of bags. (On most airlines, the penalty for an extra bag is less expensive than for an overweight bag, but don't take my word for it -- check your own airline. Either way it is money you don't want to spend.) Bags that exceed maximum size tend to be REALLY expensive, so measure your largest bag carefully, grab handle included, and if it is a softside, don't forget to make allowance for at least 3" of "bulge" factor on exterior pockets.

For situations where I really want to know the exact weight before heading to the airport (overseas flights where I'm taking things to family, etc.), I take luggage to my veterinarian's office, where they very kindly let me use the floor scale. BTW, be aware that most large wheeled suitcases weigh more than 10 lbs. when empty, some are nearly 20 lbs.
 
If you are flying out of a regional airport on a smaller plane even some carry-ons that would be no problem on bigger planes they will make you gate check.

I would seriously try to limit the kids to just their back-packs I can't imagine all the stuff they would need couldn't fit in it. I would do this for several reasons mainly less chance of loosing something, if carrying a loose bag easy to sit down and forget to pick up. The whine factor - kids are used to carrying backpacks but give them something else to carry and chances are they will complain, And on a full flight sometimes they get very picky about the amount you bring if the bag is too big.

I agree with the amt I always limit everyone to one suitcase each and then I usually pack a duffle to bring home extras that accumalate. I find a good rule is if it is getting too heavy for me to handle easily I start worrying and shift some things around. I have never gone over the limit yet in lots of trips.
 
Chicago526 I had to read your post tiwce before I got it. I was like they will charge ME because i'm over weight. How'd you know I was? :rotfl2: I'm such a moron, you ment the luggage!!! I was thinking great now I really need to lose weight before we go. :banana:
 
hollyb said:
Chicago526 I had to read your post tiwce before I got it. I was like they will charge ME because i'm over weight. How'd you know I was? :rotfl2: I'm such a moron, you ment the luggage!!! I was thinking great now I really need to lose weight before we go. :banana:

Must be that ESP I have! :teeth:

.
 
NotUrsula said:
For a bathroom scale to work right, the weight has to be centered over it. A large rectangular pullman will usually register badly in your arms for the same reason it would if you put it directly on the scale -- too much of the weight is off to the side of the scale when you hold it, unless you hold it vertically over your head (and how many of us can do THAT with a 29" pullman that is fully packed?)
LOL! How about, if one can't do that, just figure the bag IS over the weight limit and remove stuff until you can hold it over/on your head? :teeth:
 












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