Did you ever face the situation when you’ve taken too many bags for a flight? I guess, almost every traveler faces this problem once. There are various reasons why you cannot look in detail the baggage rules of your airline on the eve of a flight. And we don’t blame you.
However, we think that planning in advance will make your trip easier and more enjoyable, because we are always glad when plans go like clockwork, without unnecessary stress.
In this article, we will look at the basic rules for carrying baggage according to international norms. We will talk about the bags limitations and their sizes. If you’re interested in learning useful information, keep reading.
Table of Contents
Carry-on baggage sizes
The biggest problem that can arise at the airport with your luggage is overpayment. Nobody wants such surprises. Carry-on baggage in excess of the permitted dimensions must be moved to the hold. Many companies, especially low-cost airlines, are strict about the permissible baggage size, and therefore you need to be careful about what you take for the flight.
The fact is that the overhead baggage compartment of an aircraft often cannot accommodate all the bags that passengers take with them. In addition, if you are flying during the cold season, remember that many passengers will likely put their outerwear on the top shelves, and that will also take up a lot of space.
Usually, the allowed dimensions of carry-on baggage can be checked at the check-in counter at the airport. Many airlines use special metal boxes that match the size of the bag. If your carry-on luggage fits into this box well, there shouldn’t be any problems. However, the airport staff reserve the right to weigh your carry-on baggage, and if they do, even with the appropriate dimensions, you’ll have to pay for overweight.
How many bags can you take on the plane
By default, traditional airlines allow one piece of baggage for free. Moreover, this place (suitcase, bag, etc.) should not be more than a certain size (typical value is 158 cm in the sum of three dimensions, depending on the airline) and not heavier than a certain weight.
The weight of the airline depends on the norms of free carriage: for example, low coasters may have a limit up to 15, 20, and (one of the most common options) 23 kg.
Anything heavier is extra paid. For such weights, there is a special restriction: two pieces in one hand.
That is, if you want to carry a lot of heavy things, you can’t put them in one large suitcase, but divide them into several small ones, or arrange an additional service for the transportation of excess baggage.
What are considered personal items?
A personal item is something that you can carry with a plus to your carry-on baggage and is usually free. For example, a small bag, backpack, or similar item that fits under the front seat.
What is the difference between personal belongings and carry-on luggage?
Carry-on baggage can be quite large and is placed in the overhead baggage compartment. Personal belongings are small items and are placed under the front seat.
Is the backpack a personal item or hand luggage?
A small backpack can be considered a personal item if it fits well on the floor. Some airlines don’t mention this on their websites. Therefore, just in case, don’t stuff your backpack with things tightly and be sure to check its dimensions.
What can you take in your carry-on baggage?
According to the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) website, you can carry solid food, cosmetics (up to 100 ml), chargers and portable batteries, small office equipment, ect.
As for the liquid, these rules have been in place for a long time and, I guess, they’re worth it. Many passengers don’t even know how the liquid behaves at an altitude of 10,000 meters, and why, due to a change in pressure, the packages can burst. Therefore, any liquid can have a maximum volume of 100 ml and must be sealed. You can find more information on acceptable carry-on items on the TSA website.
The most important principle of any airline is safety. Therefore, employees take all necessary measures to ensure a smooth flight. To avoid unforeseen situations, passengers are prohibited from carrying items such as spray paints, tear gas, sharp objects, weapons, flammable items (matches, for example), etc.
Carry-on baggage weight
On average, depending on the fare and individual airline rules, the weight of hand luggage ranges from 5 to 12 kg per person. The backpack, thus, becomes the most suitable solution, it’s easy to carry and you can fold a lot of necessary things inside.
If you exceed the allowable weight for carry-on baggage, you need to make sure that you:
- Put on the heaviest pair of shoes you have with you. We recommend that you endure a couple of flight hours to avoid overpaying for excess baggage weight.
- Took only one bag. If you want to cheat and combine 2 bags into one, the airport workers won’t be friendly.
- You have what you really need. If you feel that you’ve taken too much and carry something unnecessary, get rid of them.
What about traveling abroad?
When traveling overseas, the standards are mostly based on weight. However, your checked baggage size is up to 62 linear inches or 157.5 centimeters.
The standard dimensions for checked baggage on an international flight are approximately 27 x 21 x 14 inches or 68.5 x 53.3 x 35.5 centimeters. The only thing to remember before going abroad is to weigh your luggage so that you don’t have any problems getting out.
Conclusion
For many of us, flying is a rather stressful situation. Not surprisingly, people often forget to study the rules of travel in detail. On average, baggage restrictions are roughly the same for all international flights. But we recommend bringing one carry-on luggage and one suitcase per person.
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