Why it’s good to know carry-on luggage limits
Excess baggage that has to be loaded into the hold can cost time for everyone on a flight
A Star reader and frequent flyer describes stowing her carry-on luggage as a “constant source of irritation” as there doesn’t seem to be enough space in the overhead bins on packed flights.
It’s a common nuisance for the passengers who end up being the last to board their flight and have to struggle past co-flyers log-jamming the aisles while they settle themselves and all their gear.
With airlines offering fewer inflight freebies and passengers paying more luggage check-in fees, it’s only natural travellers are maximizing the amount of stuff they bring in their carry-on.
And that’s making things a bit tighter for everybody on airplanes these days.
“Most airlines report an increase in the size and quantities passengers attempt to carry on board,” says Mona Aubin, corporate communications manager with the International Air Transport Association, the global association representing 265 airlines, or 83 per cent of the world’s commercial air carriers. The agency sets industry policy on aviation issues and standards.
Aubin adds: “Most, if not all, problems can be seasonal and dependent on many different factors, including culture and custom, airport retail offerings and the airlines’ checked baggage policy or fees.”
Airlines are pretty strict about the rules, so don’t expect any wiggle room with an oversized, or overweight piece of carry-on.
“The airline always has the right to enforce its limitations as per its conditions of carriage,” Aubin says. “Expecting the airline to bend the rules for you could leave you open to addi- tional excess baggage charges.”
Having budgeted every nickel on that hard-earned European vacation, it’s easy to see why a lot of folks may shy away from paying an additional $50 or more to check in a second suitcase.
That could pay for a micro snack and a trickle of fizzy water at a swanky Parisian bistro, after all.
While passengers are expected to store carry-on packs, suitcases and clothing bags in the bins above, with smaller items, such as a purse, satchel, or laptop case tucked under the seat, there are times when all the overhead space is taken up because too many people just like to stow all their things aloft, rather than below.
“When the storage space is full, excessive carry-on baggage is loaded in the hold, often causing delays to departures,” Aubin says.
The majority of airlines allow one carry-on piece of luggage, which can be a small backpack, sport bag or suitcase, with wheels and handles fitting within dimensions combined in a height, width and depth of no more than 45 inches, or 114.3 centimetres, and usually no heavier than 22 pounds, or 10 kilograms.
If it won’t fit into the metal-framed baggage sizer at the check-in counter, it won’t be allowed on board as a carry-on and must either be checked, for that extra charge, or left behind.
Travellers are usually allowed to board with an additional purse, briefcase, small camera case, infant bag or baby food, laptop computer case, or small pack no heavier than three kilograms.
The website Travel Made Simple has compiled a list of more than 150 airlines’ size and weight limits for carry-on baggage.
While that carry-on luggage size and weight allowance chart may get updated on a monthly basis, a good step is to also check the carry-on baggage rules posted on the website of the airline you’re flying with to be certain.
For anyone who wonders why passengers who have seats at the back of the plane aren’t boarded and seated first so they don’t have to clamour through the aisle with their belongings as other passengers are trying to get their up-front stowing and seating arrangements settled, Aubin explains it this way:
“Aircraft are divided into zones for weight and balance reasons, so the type of aircraft will be the key factor in the boarding process.”
It may be comforting to know, but for some it’ll always be a source of irritation. Email Henry Stancu at hstancu@thestar.ca.