SW is lowering luggage maximum to 50 lbs

[Lewisc]

This was posted in Flyertalk. SW will be lowering the checked luggage maximum from 70 to 50 pounds. They are still keeping the 3 bag limit.

The change is already shown in the contract of carriage which is posted in their website. They haven't updated the rest of the website yet and they haven't decided when the new rules will be enforced.

Time to retire your hard shell bags as well as the large suitcases.

 

[NotUrsula]

Nah, you don't have to ditch your existing luggage for weight. You just do what Europeans have been doing for years. You stick a cloth duffel in on the top, then offload some of the heavier stuff into it (shoes, etc.) and check that separately. Then you reconsolidate at the carousel at your destination. Using space bags makes this very easy to do. If I have to bring that much stuff, I prefer to only have to deal with one larger bag, rather than several smaller ones.

The only restriction that requires new luggage is the 62" size limit. Reducing the weight is easy, but size is another thing entirely.

BTW, for anyone who is concerned about the weight of a bag that you plan to check, but don't have a way to weigh at home, here's a tip. Take the bag to a veterinarian's office. Mine always lets me weigh luggage on the big floor scale that they use for dogs.

 

[safetymom]

Our local grocery store Publix has big scales as you walk out that you could weigh your suitcases on.

 

[CarolA]

Keep in mind that on airlines in addition to weight there are size restrictions. Make sure your "big" bag is not over the size or you will be charged.

 

[Lewisc]

The 62" size limit is unchanged the only change is with the weight. I'm not sure I'd use heavy bags (Samsonite) or bags that just make the size limit. You're likely to go over weight BUT I agree with Ursula's suggestion. Pack a cheap duffel bag in case you're over weight. Transfer your shoes and a couple of pairs of jeans and you should be good to go.

 

[AuroraluvsPhillip]

Will they charge you extra if your bag is over the limit, or will they refuse to check it?

 

[safetymom]

They will charge you extra. Usually it is per segment also if you aren't flying nonstop. It can get expensive.

 

[Princess Tink]

Another thought on weighing bags before leaving home.....for those that have a personal scale for weighing themselves.

I weight myself, then step on the scale with bag in hand. Subtract the difference! So far, this has been a lifesaver many times when leaving home. Sorry, I can't help for the trip back. The best thing I can say for the trip back, don't pack so neatly.....you can't fit as much stuff in those bags if you toss your dirties in (in laudry bags of course) rather than fold them. And don't cram them full. We always take extra bags JUST IN CASE we buy too much stuff so that we don't overstuff on the way back home.

 

[Okiemom]

Is it 50lbs. per person in family. So my family of 4 can not have over 200lbs of luggage? Is that correct?

 

[dcg0317]

Is it 50lbs. per person in family. So my family of 4 can not have over 200lbs of luggage? Is that correct?

No it would be 50Lbs. per bag. 3 bags per person limit.

 

[NotUrsula]

No, it's 50 lbs. per checked bag. You are allowed up to 3 checked bags per ticketed passenger, so each person is allowed up to 150 lbs. of checked baggage. A family of 4 (no lap babies) could theoretically check a total of 600 lbs. of baggage, but unless you were moving to Florida, why on earth would you want to?

However, you cannot present one 100 lb. bag and say that it should count the same as two 50-lb. bags. The reason for the limit on the weight of individual bags is to protect the baggage handlers from back injuries from lifting them. If an individual bag is over-limit, you will be required to pay between $25-50 per flight segment in overweight charges, to help deter you from doing it again, and also to help offset the price of possible injury claims.

BTW, the idea of holding your bag while on the scale and then subtracting your weight works well for small bags, but not so well for large pullmans that approach the 62" size limit. Too much of the weight will be off to the side to get an accurate measure. I wouldn't trust that method unless the weight is over 10 lbs. in the clear.

 

[CarolA]

It is 50 lbs per piece of luggage. So each piece can weigh up to 50 lbs. It is not cumulative! So you can't have one piece at 75 and one piece at 25 add up to 100.

 

[gw_lit]

Is it 50lbs. per person in family. So my family of 4 can not have over 200lbs of luggage? Is that correct?

No, it is 50 lbs per checked bag, each ticketed passenger is allowed 3 bags. So, your family of 4 can have 600 pounds of checked baggage (but as Carol indicated, its not cumulative, its per bag).

(Of course, I'd love to see all of that hauled around the airport!)

 

[CarolA]

LOL! We must have all posted at once!

 

[Okiemom]

There really isn't a problem for 3 of us in the family, but my teenage daughter has always been a pack rat, even as a little one. She NEEDS to take lots of stuff, but hay, she carries her own bags!!