How strict are the airlines about baggage dimensions?

[champ.49er]

It appears the standard baggage limit is the same on most of the US airlines. We're flying Continental and the luggage we currently have is about 1-2 inches wider than their limit. The middle of the luggage is within their limits, but the bottom (we have 4 wheel spinners) adds some bulk because the wheels protrude about 1-2 inches.

Are they pretty strict where they will let that 1-2 inches on the bottom of the luggage go?

 

[aubriee]

I would go ahead and buy new luggage. If your luggage appears close, there is a good chance they will meaure it, (they're pretty good at eyeballing oversize luggage), and you will have to pay the fee. They measure height+length+width counting all handles, wheels, and any buldges or protrustions. If your bag does not stand up straight on it's own, they will lean it against the wall and may include that empty space between the wall and the bottom of the bag in their width measurement. Also remember that everyone measures just a little different and I guarantee you the bigger measurement will be theirs. People have reported that they measured their bags at home (filled) and that they were right at the limit or even slightly under, but when the airport employees measured them, they were over.

I don't use it much anymore (because I prefer my duffels) but I have a hard sided spinner bag (four wheels on the bottom). It is well below the maximum, but was measured several times I think because of the wheels. They too stick out just a tad (not even 1"). When it was measured they measured from the outside of one wheel to the outside of the other and then remeasured at the middle of the bag. I just looked it up online and according to the manufacturer's specs it is 25"x16"x10", but of course the manufacturers never include the wheels or handles in their specs, even though the airlines count them.

 

[Mrs Grumpy]

We bought new luggage last year. They were 29inch (dimensions on tags were all within the limits) and spinners. Well after packing them and now counting the wheels and the handle on top they are actually over by 2 inches. I put luggage straps on them to suck everything in including the handle on top. This put me right at the limit and possible over. If we would get caught I figured it would cost us $700.00 in fees. Plus, empty they each weighed 15 pounds. I stressed over this and finally went out and bought two more but these are only 25inch and not spinners. I am so happy I did now I don't have to worry at all.

 

[amitrat]

Airlines are strict - buy new luggage! Not worth the fees.

 

[mrsstats]

I am one who believes that if there are rules, why not just follow them and try not to beat the system. JMHO

 

[NancyIL]

Even if you get by with larger luggage, chances are good that a full suitcase will weigh more than 50 pounds.

 

[francie57]

Why run the risk of getting caught and having to pay the fee. We got new luggage that we love. The handles basically lay flat on the two sides that have them and the wheels are basically recessed in the bottom so we are well within the measurements. I even bought a small hand held luggage scale and take it with us on all trips so I don't have to worry about being overweight. Since the airlines have the rules, get new luggage that is within the measurements - less stress at the beginning of your trip.

 

[champ.49er]

Maybe I should have worded my question differently. The base body of our luggage is well within the limits. It is just the extra protection around that wheels that added the extra 1-2 inches. Does the measurement go by the middle of luggage's body or by the largest part? Our luggage is not like a flat box, but bigger at the bottom because of the wheels.

We definitely don't won't to risk breaking the rules. Thanks in advance.

 

[wintershawl]

It's been a 3 years since I last flew. However, last I knew, wheels were not part of the equation for measuring luggage. I just checked Airtran which is what we fly, and in the description it didn't appear they measure wheels. You can always call the airline to check on that.

 

[ladypage]

It's been a 3 years since I last flew. However, last I knew, wheels were not part of the equation for measuring luggage. I just checked Airtran which is what we fly, and in the description it didn't appear they measure wheels. You can always call the airline to check on that.

A lot has changed. They do measure wheels now

 

[seashoreCM]

Yes, practically all airlines include baggage handles and wheels in the measurements.

But I dispute the right of the airline to choose the measurement techniques.

The measurement may be made at or around the largest part such as the base.

But I question a measurement around a bulge that is no longer there if you turned the bag upside down or sideways.

 

[wintershawl]

A lot has changed. They do measure wheels now

Thanks for that info. Guess My Dh and I will need new luggage this year. I am glad I found out now! So, thanks to the OP for posting as well. I never cease to be amazed by all tips I get from these boards.

 

[aubriee]

It's been a 3 years since I last flew. However, last I knew, wheels were not part of the equation for measuring luggage. I just checked Airtran which is what we fly, and in the description it didn't appear they measure wheels. You can always call the airline to check on that.

As someone who flys Air Tran several times a year I can tell you Air Tran definitely counts wheels, handles, and any bulges in their measurements. A few months ago I posted about an experience I had with them. My bag (which I had flown with several times before) was well below their limit, but they were measuring just about all bags that day and doing everything they could to make them as big as possible. They were leaning duffels against the wall and measuring from the bottom of the wall out to the edge of the bag even counting the empty space between the wall and where the bag started. They were running their fingers underneath the soft cloth handles on the top of the bag to make it stand up as tall as possible. Most of my stuff was in my carry on. The only things in that bag was a soft rolled toiletry case, a 20" packing folder that was not even full, and a couple pairs of shoes. My duffel has straps to tighten it and make it flatter. I had those things pulled tight, but when you stood the bag on end the toiletry bag fell on top of the packing folder to the bottom, creating a bulge, but leaving the top half of the bag empty. They counted that bulge in their measurements, even though when the bag sat flat it didn't bulge. My bag was still small enough, but I swear they tried every way possible to make it as big as possible. There was a family that checked in in front of me that were told all three of their duffels were too big. Like mine their bags did not stand alone and were leaned against the wall. If they hadn't counted the empty space with the lean their bags would have been under.

Yes, practically all airlines include baggage handles and wheels in the measurements.

But I dispute the right of the airline to choose the measurement techniques.

The measurement may be made at or around the largest part such as the base.

But I question a measurement around a bulge that is no longer there if you turned the bag upside down or sideways.

See my above comment. I've used that same duffel twice since that trip and neither time did it even receive a second look. In fact, a couple of weeks ago (April 30th-May 8th), I had more in it then I did for the August/Sept trip. I always tighten those straps on it, so know it is well below the maximum size allowed, but that one day you could just tell the employees had been told to catch everyone they could and they were sure trying.

 

[seashoreCM]

Airtran may need a class action lawsuit claiming violation of weights and measures laws or even contract law*. But they are going away (becoming part of Southwest) which may be a good thing, unless Southwest adopts some of those procedures.

*The party that writes the rules cannot be judge, jury, and executioner when it comes to interpreting the rules.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

In December 2009 my family and I were flying home on New Years Eve from Tampa - Toronto and the ticket agent from WestJet said I might have to check my carryon bag because it was 6lbs overweight. Well I said to them flying down they didn't weigh it, plus it fit without any problems in the overhead bin and chances are at that time it was also overweight. I was told because of what happened a few days before on Christmas Day with the underwear bomber they were being more strict with the weight limits on carryon bags. Plus in the back of my mind I didn't want to check it because I had my Disney pin bags packed in there and I didn't want that bag to get lost. Anyway we were told the final decision was up to the TSA agent at entrance to the tram area and if it needed to be checked we would have to back down to the WestJet check-in area and check it. Well after looking at our boarding passes the TSA agent looks at my carryon bag for a few seconds and let's us go through, so I didn't need to check it.

Now I am not sure how different the rules are for Airlines in the United States compared to those in Canada when it comes to the sizes of bags, however that's my most recent experience I can speak of.

 

[bytheblood]

Most airlines are pretty strict. They used to be lax, but not anymore.

 

[azdizzymom]

In our recent trips Delta and Airtran measured bags....family has had USAir measure. I would not take a change cause fees are hefty for oversize bags. Once you are there with an oversize bag you have no other option when they catch it but to pay.

We paid $40 for some suitcases from Macy's 4 years ago...they have lasted a long time!

 

[Echo queen]

I flew Austin to Chicago (Ohare) 2 weeks ago. I bought a new regulation size four wheel bag, had no problem in Austin no one evan evan looked at my bag. Chicago different story, I did shop so on the return I had to use the expandable feature on the bag, it was not over weight but bigger. Well as I roller into the security line there was a very nice lady there with the BOX!!! She asked me put the bag into the BOX, well for grins I did try and it would not fit. So I was off to pay $25 to United for my fat bag.