70 Comments »

1. I don’t see Continental

   Comment by Andy — June 30, 2008 @ 4:17 pm

2. Contiental is 2nd from the top

   Comment by Rick Seaney — July 1, 2008 @ 10:21 am

3. That is very helpful to have your chart. Thanks for doing all the research for us and sharing!

   Comment by Colleen — July 2, 2008 @ 5:49 pm

4. does anyone have any experience carrying on a metal dector?

   Comment by paul — July 2, 2008 @ 6:18 pm

5. Thanks for sharing this information. With things changing almost daily with the airlines, could this data be obsolete at any moment?

   Comment by Tish — July 2, 2008 @ 7:06 pm

6. Rick, this is so helpful i can not thank you enough.

   Comment by jerrod kowalski — July 2, 2008 @ 7:57 pm

7. I read that the templates at United are actually 22×15x10 but they give the 22×14x9 size

   Comment by claire — July 2, 2008 @ 7:58 pm

8. I appreciate the chart, but can you define what “personal item” might mean?

   Big purse? Small bag?

   Thanks–

   Comment by Carol — July 2, 2008 @ 8:52 pm

9. What about some of the international airlines like Aer Lingus, Alitalia, British Airways, BMI, Lufthansa, etc. I’m printing out this list so I’ll be prepared the next time I fly.

   Comment by Lisa — July 2, 2008 @ 10:03 pm

10. Can’t the airlines and the public just stop all of this silliness and agree to raise the price of the tickets. There is no point to paying $200 for a ticket if our luggage costs another $100 when we get to the airport. Who wants to start dragging out their VISA cards when they finally reach the check-in. I doubt anyone is going to look for a flight based on how much the luggage costs.

    Comment by Anne — July 2, 2008 @ 10:05 pm

11. Will a breathing maching (cpap) count as a carry on or can you have an additional bag.

    Comment by Laurie — July 2, 2008 @ 10:28 pm

12. I totally agree with Anne, just raise the price and stop all this nickle and dimeing!

    Comment by Michelle — July 2, 2008 @ 10:34 pm

13. thanks for the chart…..its very helpful….any chance you will inlude the two Canadian airlines into future charts?……that would be great if you did

    Comment by William Duff — July 2, 2008 @ 11:01 pm

14. The airlines are doing this to keep a tight grip on their most valubale customers, the frequent fliers. I am elite status with Continental and now would never think of flying another airline. I get 2 bags up to 70 pounds each for no charge.
    Basically, the vacation traveller or the person who flies 2 or 3 times a year have no loyalty to an airline so the carriers are digging deep into the wallets of these folks while keeping the frequent fliers happy and loyal.

    Comment by Wes — July 2, 2008 @ 11:20 pm

15. Hi Rick - as usual, the information you provide is up to date and helpful. We are leaving Sunday for a photo safari in Tanzania. Needless to say, we are a little apprehensive about bag size and weight limits on the various airlines we are travelling. We are flying non-stop DFW to Heathrow. Then Heathrow-Nairobi on BA. Nairobi-Kilimanjaro on Precision air. After that, bush plane. Do you have any advice or information to make it easier for us? Thanks!

    Comment by Susan — July 2, 2008 @ 11:37 pm

16. Re Laurie and CPAP - It can be your third bag - see TSA web site for answers to many of the questions I see.

    I have carried 22×14x9 all over the world and only had a brief problem with Air France.

    Comment by Chuck — July 2, 2008 @ 11:45 pm

17. Rick,
    Thanks soooo much for listening!!!
    This will will be so very useful for many people.
    May all your baggage dreams come true…

    Cheers!

    Comment by Jean — July 3, 2008 @ 12:04 am

18. Warning regarding 21 inch carryons which are accepted by some US airlines - Air New Zealand domestic will NOT let you take them as carryons and will gatecheck them. In doing so, they will issue you with a limited liability tag i.e. no responsibility for damage etc. They do not offer any sort of bag if you have to remove anything i.e. I had to remove several bags of medications including injections which were clearly visible in their containers inside a plastic bag. Would recommend now to carry a plastic shopping bag or something!

    Comment by Cate — July 3, 2008 @ 1:19 am

19. Note that the British Airways 22″ length limit on carry-ons INCLUDES handles and wheels. If it doesn’t fit into the test bin it’s back to the check in counter to check the bag below. For a additional bag fee, of course. I’m sure they’ll soon have a credit card terminal at the gate for your traveling conveninece.

    Comment by Karl — July 3, 2008 @ 1:27 am

20. Does Virgin America’s linear size vs. weight not make much sense? They have almost the largest size and the lowest weight, could this be a typo?

    I flew on Air France in May and they limited carry on bags to 25 pounds. They really didn’t check the size, just the weight…

    Comment by Steve — July 3, 2008 @ 2:32 am

21. what I do is that I don’t show them my carryon at the gate. I leave it with the person that brought me to the airport. When I get on the airplane no one has ever said anything to me.

    Comment by Gianni — July 3, 2008 @ 3:17 am

22. More great info. Some international info also would be helpful. Interesting that AA has no standards!
    I agree with Wes, I think the luggage charges are a good way for the airlines to try to get through this. Luggage charges can be used as needed and they can wave the surcharges keep the underlying fare in place.

    Comment by Howard Smith — July 3, 2008 @ 6:14 am

23. Rick:
    Will you be making a PDF version of this chart available like you did for the US Domestic Airlines Extra Fees?

    Once again “Thanks” for this helpful infromation.

    BTW - Having just travelled through Heathrow twice in the past 3 months, I have to say that they are REAL “sticklers” when it come to imposing their 20″ carry on rules (I had to be re-routed through Security the first time and - after purchasing a “soft” 20″ bag for my second trip - they insisted that it also fit through their narrow, metal “width” frame and, when it didn’t do that effortlessly, that had me go back to the check in counter and check that bag!) SO, please let your Readers know that this whole Issue of Carry On Baggage Sizes should also be clarified before they depart by anybody going Overseas as well.

    Comment by Jim — July 3, 2008 @ 8:00 am

24. I would be cautious about expecting them to accept CPAP’s as an allowable 3rd carry on. Homeland Security Admin. has also a letter of exemption for certain musical instruments, honored by airlines until about a month ago. Airlines are ignoring the letter and forcing them to be checked. A friend just had an airlines lose a $6000 tenor sax after they forced him to check it. I carry on a BiPap and am not going to chance it.

    Comment by John B — July 3, 2008 @ 8:38 am

25. Laurie, Also regarding CPAP machines, They will now be asking you to take them out as you go through screening, just like the good old lap top inspection. Just so you are prepared and don’t freak when asked!

    Comment by Mike — July 3, 2008 @ 8:48 am

26. How about a downloadable pdf file on this chart?

    Comment by Maz — July 3, 2008 @ 8:54 am

27. if going overseas and traveling business or first class can you take 2 bags for checking and not be charges for the second bag. what is the weight allowed for these bags

    Comment by sandy — July 3, 2008 @ 9:34 am

28. Virgin America “weight” (comment 20) is noted on their FAQ (click the Virgin America link where we found the info), but 16 pounds doesn’t make sense — I assumed it was a typo on their site but left it until we can get a proper response.

    We are working on international versions of both the carry-on and airline fee charts, should be out shortly. The amount of research is painful …

    Comment by Rick Seaney — July 3, 2008 @ 9:54 am

29. How about Singapore Airlines? Do they have any restrictions or extra charges for bags?

    Comment by J. Smith — July 3, 2008 @ 9:55 am

30. Hi Rick,
    I was wondering if you happen to know what the policy is for wedding dresses? I know this may sound like a silly question, but in the past I’ve heard that people were able to walk on with their dress in a bag and usually, if politely asked, the flight attendants would hang those in the first class closet. I’m getting married in a different state next year and am now worried about what options I’d have to get my dress there (not too keen on shipping it).

    Comment by Janet — July 3, 2008 @ 10:30 am

31. Good timing! Exactly what I am looking for.

    Thanks a lot!

    Comment by DW — July 3, 2008 @ 11:34 am

32. I’m seeing that these new restrictions are bringing accountability to the handful of travelers who have been regularly abusing the carry-on privileges and guidelines, and somehow have not been getting called on it.

    Comment by David Viland — July 3, 2008 @ 11:35 am

33. I’m with David Viland on this one. I am appalled at what people think they can get away with as a carry on and the reshuffling and rejiggering of the overhead bins that is required because some dweeb thinks their supersize bag is an acceptable carry on. When I see these monster pouches lugged or wheeled down the aisle my eyes roll in the same direction as those of the flight attendants-up and around.

    That said it is annoying how the airlines foist all these nickel and dime fees on people. They should just up the ticket price, but they won’t because they know that is as far as most people look. Once they are in the airport ready to fly the customers aren’t going to cancel due to an extra $20 here, $40 there.

    Thanks for all the hard work on the baggage info chart.

    Comment by Jim MacTavish — July 3, 2008 @ 12:12 pm

34. Now I know what the new TSA machine at DFW is for… it’s not really for bomb sniffing. When you go into it, the xrays show if there is any more money in your pockets. I think that is why they ask you to hold your hands up high. Once you get to the gate you can be certain that it was a stick up.

    Comment by Jack — July 3, 2008 @ 12:25 pm

35. Actually I’d rather them keep the ticket prices low and charge for other things. I always try and travel light but some people look like they’re moving their whole house via the airlines. I saw a guy actually hitting/punching his bag into the overhead bin, i thought the bin was going to crack.

    Comment by claire — July 3, 2008 @ 1:20 pm

36. My son is taking his two kids to Hawaii, after having to buy 4 R/T tickets for himself LAX/EWR/LAX just to pick up his kids, fly them to LA then return them home to his Ex and return home. (She refuses to fly.) ATA went belly up and he lost his LAX/OGG R/T for 4 and had to rebook on AA at a much higher cost. Now he learns it will cost an extra $100 for luggage to and another $100 back from OGG. This will be his LAST flight on AA. I boycotted AA when they canceled all AA flights out of CLE leaving me with only American Eagle commuter planes to DFW.

    Comment by JohnD — July 3, 2008 @ 1:55 pm

37. For flights between Australia and the US, Qantas have a limit of 1 15lb carry on for economy - and they have been known to enforce this, with even a bag slightly over having to be checked in. On Australian and domestic services the same limit applies, but there is much less enforcement.

    Comment by Ron West — July 3, 2008 @ 5:23 pm

38. nice work Rick.

    Comment by dan turner — July 4, 2008 @ 3:29 am

39. I have a newborn that I’ll be flying with and I like to take the stroller in the airport. I have checked it at the gate before. Will they charge me for that?

    Comment by Frank — July 4, 2008 @ 2:24 pm

40. Wow,
    Am I glad that I read this. We’re going to Europe on British Air and I didn’t know that the template would overrule the linear inches. The Delsey roll-ons that I have been using forever (nomimaly 22″) go to 25″ when measuring the wheels and handle. I have now re-sized for the trip. What a great service you are providing.

    Comment by DickP — July 5, 2008 @ 2:44 pm

41. my son is traveling to Japan with a group of High School kids. He wants to take his saxophone as a carryone. Dimensions are 29 x 9 x 7…overall dimensions meet linear length, however, the length of the case doesn’t meet the template measurments. Will it still work or does he have to check it with other luggage?

    Comment by Joanne — July 7, 2008 @ 9:26 am

42. I travel overseas 4-8 times a year using many carriers. I ALWAYS check the airline’s website the day before I pack. I ALWAYS weight my luggage at home and go 2 pounds under the weight limit. If my luggage has been a pound or 2 overweight, they usually let it through BUT they always weigh a carryon if it looks heavy AND they often insist on measuring it (my carryon looks bigger than it really is) I have taken to using a luggage strap on my carry on to “cinch it in”. Things are better now. I also always carry one of the superlightweight foldable bags in my carryon in case I have made an error. I carry the hugest pocketbook I own and put a ton of stuff in it. That never gets weighed and in the winter I wear a coat with large patch pockets and that is where my books go. If you read on the long flights and need at least 4 books, your weight gets up quickly.Also, always carry a change of clothes in your carryon in case your luggage gets delayed. (If you have a connecting flight) this happens too often.

    Comment by ronnie berger — July 9, 2008 @ 11:46 pm

43. What about Jamaica Airlines??? They are not on the list.

    Comment by Robert Kelly — July 10, 2008 @ 3:44 am

44. It is Ridiculous!!! How these airlines are charging for luggage. I wont be flying any time soon…

    Nice job Rick..

    Comment by Nancy — July 10, 2008 @ 7:59 am

45. what about united airlines canadier jets? are the carry on different?

    Comment by rochelle — July 10, 2008 @ 10:15 am

46. Do you have any information about luggage carts (a/k/a wheelies) as carry-ons? Prior to the new rules I have always brought mine on board with me in addition to my carry-on and a backpack or briefcase. Will I now be forced to check it and pay an additional charge?

    Comment by Barbara Mortensen — July 10, 2008 @ 3:40 pm

47. Jet Blue carry-on DIFFERS depending on the type of aircraft you are flying.

    AirbusA320: 26 x 18 x 2
    Embraer190: 24 x 16 x 10

    Comment by Karen Erdrich — July 12, 2008 @ 6:27 am

48. I’m going to Beijing for the Olympics. I will try and travel lite. I will try and measure my luggage before hand to avoid all this additional stress. Any one have any additional things I should know? Flying Air China

    Comment by Bud Swartz — July 13, 2008 @ 7:32 pm

49. Could you post a PDF of this chart as you did for the Airline Fee Chart

    Comment by David — July 23, 2008 @ 3:56 pm

50. Rick, It might be a good idea to link this page on Travel Tips/Top 10 Lists under “Luggage”: http://traveltips.farecompare.com/category/luggage/

    Comment by Carol — July 31, 2008 @ 11:24 am

51. Are CPAP machines considered as personal items (such as a laptop or purse?) We will be traveling on Asiana and All Nippon airways in about a month and their websites don’t give any information and phone calls have not generated any replys. We start on American and their website is very specific that the machines are considered a personal item and can be carried on in addition to a regular carry on. Many thanks for your help.

    Comment by Joe — August 26, 2008 @ 5:13 pm

52. Jack is right. Those hand scanners can tell how much money you have in your pockets. Each $20 bill has a metal strip in it. I went through a scanner at a jail once, no beeps, forgot something in the car, second time through a man had a hand held scanner that he passed over me and it went off. I had no medal on me - had on me several twenties in my pocket.

    Comment by Kathy — August 30, 2008 @ 6:19 pm

53. Does Jet Blues measurements include the wheels?

    Comment by Kimberly — October 17, 2008 @ 8:25 pm

54. HI RICK. I WAS WONDERING IS THERE A CHARGE FOR A CARRY-ON FOR US AIRWAYS AND MY HUSBAND AND I WILL BE TRAVELING NEXT MONTH. DOES THIS MEAN THAT WE HAVE TO PAY $30.00 EACH WAY FOR THE TWO OF US FOR OUR CHECKED BAGGAGE AND NOTHING FOR CARRY ON RIGHT? ALSO WHO DO WE PAY WHEN WE DO GET TO THE AIRPORT.

    bLESSINGS, PAT

    Comment by PATRICIA HIGHTOWER — October 30, 2008 @ 12:45 pm

55. We going to Paris soon and using Air France. We were hoping to use carryon only, but our garment bags measure
    23×20x6. Does it look like we have to check them? We will be under the weight limit.

    Comment by Teresa — November 25, 2008 @ 11:29 am

56. Hi Teresa,

    Here is a link to Air France’s carry-on baggage policies:

    http://www.airfrance.us/US/en/common/guidevoyageur/pratique/bagage_en_cabine.htm

    Regulations vary depending on the cabin you are sitting in:

    - In the Tempo cabin:

    1 piece of baggage (measuring a maxi of 55 cm, 35 cm, 25 cm *) including a garment bag
    + 1 accessory (examples: handbag, laptop computer, camera, etc.)
    weighing a total of 12 kg.

    - In the l’Espace cabin:

    1 piece of baggage (measuring a maxi of 55 cm, 35 cm, 25 cm maxi*)
    + 1 smaller-sized item
    + 1 accessory (examples: handbag, laptop computer, camera, etc.)
    weighing a total of 18 kg.

    * Size of baggage, wheels and handles included, must not exceed:
    55 cm in length, 35 cm in width, 25 cm in depth.

    Visit the site for complete details.

    Comment by Rick Seaney — November 25, 2008 @ 4:24 pm

57. Hi Rick,i saw this site in the newspaper. i will fly with Continental from Fort Lauderdale to Paris via Houston in economic class. from Paris to Tel Aviv in first class. how much luggage i could take with me please? thanks a lot. i am printing the above chart and distribute to my friends.
    sarina eliyakim

    Comment by sarina eliyakim — December 22, 2008 @ 10:36 pm

58. On a journey from Manchester (England) to Santiago, (Chile), May my wife take her handbag in addition to her carry-on luggage? May I take a lap-top in addition to my carry-on luggage?

    Comment by Colin Bazley — January 9, 2009 @ 3:28 pm

59. Colin,

    Check with your specific airlines’ carry-on baggage policy for specifics. However, handbags and small laptop bags are generally allowed in addition to your carry-on. Here is an example from Lufthansa’s policy (again, though, check you specific carrier or carriers’ policies):

    Additional items which are allowed in the cabin

    In addition to your hand baggage and technical appliances you may take the following items into the cabin:

    * A handbag, wrist bag or small bag (or small laptop bag) and their content
    * A coat, shawl or blanket
    * A small camera or a pair of binoculars
    * An appropriate amount of reading material for the journey
    * A infant carrier and baby food for the flight
    * Crutches or other orthopedic aids you are depending on

    Comment by Rick Seaney — January 9, 2009 @ 7:11 pm

60. British airways baggage specification for economy class.
    Please tell me how many carry on bags & checked in bags i can carry.
    Regards,
    vivek

    Comment by vivek doshi — January 12, 2009 @ 1:43 pm

61. Hi Vivek,

    From British Airways site:

    2 piece hand baggage allowance for all British Airways flights

    The UK Department for Transport has given approval to most UK airports to remove the one-bag restriction on hand baggage. As a result, you can now carry 2 pieces of hand baggage when travelling on all British Airways flights. See hand baggage section for full details. (http://www.britishairways.com/travel/bagcabin/public/en_gb)

    Learn more about their checked baggage policies here:
    http://www.britishairways.com/travel/bagchk/public/en_gb

    Comment by Rick Seaney — January 12, 2009 @ 3:25 pm

62. how about musical instruments such as electric guitars in a soft case, are these allowed as carry on?

    Comment by Roberto Roque — January 18, 2009 @ 11:25 pm

63. I am travelling on United from Washington to Orlando in April for the first time (my travel originates in the UK). Can you clarify if I am able to check a bag and carry-on a bag provided they fit the United criteria. I am a bit confused because there does not appear to be a weight restriction for United carry-on, so I assume that if the bag fits the 22×14x9 limit then I can cram pretty much as I can get in. Is this correct?

    Thanks, George

    Comment by George Sandow — January 28, 2009 @ 11:08 am

64. Hi George:

    The carry-on policies for UA do not specify weight. However, if you’re coming from the UK on United, the measurements are slightly different (you just have to account for handles and wheels.) Also, know that for your flight within the U.S. you’ll have to pay for your checked bags ($15 for 1st, $25 for 2nd).

    Here’s the carry-on info from UA’s website (UK specs are at the bottom):

    For worldwide travel on United (including travel within the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada), you may carry on one bag and one personal item such as a purse, briefcase or laptop computer. Your carry-on bag

    * must fit under your seat or in the overhead bin;
    * should not be more than 9 x 14 x 22 in. (23 x 35 x 56 cm) (length x width x height) or 45 linear inches* (114 linear cm); and
    * may be required to travel as checked baggage if the bag cannot be safely stowed on a particular flight.

    *linear measurement = length + width + height

    United exempts the following personal items from your one bag and one personal item limit:

    * Child safety seats for ticketed children
    * Assistive devices (canes, crutches, etc.)
    * Outer garments (coats, hats, etc.)

    Flights departing from or connecting through the United Kingdom:
    If you are departing from or connecting through London Heathrow (LHR), you are allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item as stated above; however, please note that the Department for Transport (DfT) regulations in the U.K. require that the 45 linear inches (114 linear cm) includes the handles and wheels of your carry-on bag.

    Comment by Rick Seaney — January 28, 2009 @ 3:29 pm

65. What if you had a computer bag, and a carry on bag?? what are the consequences?

    Comment by ryan — March 15, 2009 @ 9:53 pm

66. My husband and I just recently flew US Air and were charged $15 per bag per person per flight. So we spent $60 just for the right to check a bag. To avoid having to pay this unfair fee, many passengers are now boarding with carryon luggage, thus creating delays. The flights we were on didn’t have enough room for the carryon luggage and we were delayed while those passengers had to check their luggage. This is a problem that will not go away and was totally created by the airlines themselves!!!!!! However, on the upside, we didn’t have too much difficulty retrieving our luggage at baggage claim as we were in the minority.

    Comment by Denise — March 26, 2009 @ 6:55 pm

67. I agree with Denise. I recently flew from Pittsburgh to New Orleans & back. On the Pgh. to NO flight someone put a “carry-on” in the overhead compartment that was too large no matter which way it was positioned. When the flight attendant tried to closed the compartment door the hinge snapped. You guessed it. A mechanic was called to fix the door, thus delaying our flight.
    On the return flight more than one person had two carry-ons. They were permitted to bring them onboard while others (those boarding last) with only one carry-on had to check their theirs since there was no room left in the overheads.
    If the airlines would enforce their own rules much of this would not occur. At most gates of all the airlines there is the sign detailing the size requirements with an area you can put your carry-on into to see if it fits.
    Note to airlines-you need to initiate the C.O.P. (carry-on police)

    Comment by Carol — March 27, 2009 @ 5:46 pm

68. You don’t include Easy Jet or Ryanair. Both of these are often used by Americans while in the UK and Europe. It’s pretty frustrating to meet the international carriers’ requirement for carry on, only to discover these airlines have different - and more stringent - rules.

    Comment by Robin — April 22, 2009 @ 4:06 am

69. I have have a purse that fits very close to my body and is very small (crossover strap). I can actually leave it my body during my flight. Do you think they would consider that a carry on?

    Comment by Loy — June 25, 2009 @ 10:38 am

70. Loy,
    A purse is not considered a carryon on a U.S. airline, and not on a lot of other carriers, but to be safe, check your airlines website before you head to the airport.
    Hope this helps,
    Anne

    Comment by Rick Seaney — June 25, 2009 @ 1:42 pm

RSS feed for comments on this post. | TrackBack URI

Leave a comment