HovsWorld

Anyone have any problems with CARRY-ON luggage size limits?

Here's my thing. I just purchased a really nice travel bag from REI! The sales person told me that is was RATED FOR CARRY-ON, but as it turns outm he sold me the next model up (lager). The limit is 24"x14"9" while the bag I have is 26"x14"x10 for a total of 3" over the limit.

You think going to LONDON on DELTA AIR there may be a problem? Are they really picky, or you think the let such a thing slide?

Or maybe its up to each airport and airline?
I would have to have to exchange the bag, get the smaller one but I may have to.

I have read many conflicting sotries and I have tried to find updated answers. Even the Delta Website and what they tel you when you call a different!

Any thought?

HovsWorld

gail

The reason you get conflicting reports is that the official rule and what is enforced varies. For example, British Airways is very strict. Other airlines may choose to enforce the rule at one time and not at others.

My husband chooses to travel with a way over-sized carry-on (I know it is rude - don't shoot the messanger, take it up with him) and is rarely denied carry-on except on small commuter or regional jets. In that case, they let him gate check it. This has applied on domestic and international flights.

My guess is that most of the time you will be allowed to carry it on - it is the "most of the time" part that is critical. The safest thing to do is exchange it, but if you want this bag and can deal with being asked to gate check it, then keep it.

sharona

I don't know of any airline where the carry on allowed is a 24" bag. The limit on most is 22 x 14 x 9. There is almost no chance you will be allowed to carry on a 26" bag. If you are interested in carrying on I'm afraid you'll have to exchange your 26" bag for a 22" bag and not a 24" bag.

suze

It is enforced by the individual airline. On European carriers &/or flights to Europe they are more strict than U.S.

BTW Are you sure about your numbers? I never heard of a 24" carry-on allowable though. And definitley not 26". Normally it is a 21-22" max.

also, sometimes they judge by weight (not just size) and have a strict limit. I've had a 22" that usually carried-on, forced to check by British Air, for example.

I would take the 26" back to REI and exchange it. That's too big a suitcase IMO anyways.

GoTravel

Agree, the 26x14x10 is too big to be considered a carry on.

Take it back and go for the 22 inch. Even the 24 inch is iffy to me.

GoTravel

From Delta's Website

http://www.delta.com/traveling_check...ance/index.jsp

Carry-on Baggage
Advisory: New security measures have been implemented which necessitate an earlier arrival. See Security Checkpoints for details.

You can carry on one bag plus one personal item per passenger as long as it:

Weighs less than 40 pounds (18 kg).
Does not exceed 45 inches when you total length plus width plus height.
Fits easily into our SizeWise® unit (approximately 22"x14"x9").
Fits in an overhead bin or underneath the seat in front of you.

JackOneill

I've always gone by 45 inches as being the max. I think United and British Air may even have stricter guidelines.
If your piece is hardsided, I think you're much more likely to run into problems. (Soft sided pieces, like duffel bags, can be squished to fit.)
I'd seriously think about taking back your bag. I've never had a problem with a return to REI.

bassharborbaby

Hi, I would exchange the bag for peace of mind and to hopefully limit the drama. The airlines are very abitrary in my experience and I continue to see those little metal 'your bag must fit in this space' racks next to the check-in counter. My bag didn't fit so I had to hand over stuff to DH who doesn't pack as much - not fun. I also inadvertently used a zip lock gallon bag (different trip), not the quart. Just a verbal 'warning' and go ahead. An 80 year old friend was searched when she did the same thing. Go figure.

suze

It's not being "picky" in my opinion for them to enforce the rules & not let a 26" suitcase on the plane -lol!

If you want to use your new suitcase, you'll need to check it. No big deal.

Patty

Returning from London, you're limited to 56 x 45 x 25 centimeters with a maximum of one carry on (this means you can't have a separate "personal item"). This is a UK airport security rule and not airline specific. You need to go back and get a 22" bag.

marilynl

I can't believe anyone would think you could carry on a 26" bag, and would call the airline that wouldn't let you "picky." Frankly, there isn't usually even room for 21-22" bags the way people stuff them.

vinolover

The airport security is serious at the London airports. They do not allow a bag to be carried on that doesn't fit into their bag sizer (the SizeWise that was mentioned in another post). And it is true that even 22" suitcases that don't fit because they are overstuffed will not be allowed through.

Plus, don't forget, if you are going through a London airport you may only have ONE carry on bag. If you have a suitcase you may NOT also have a purse, backpack, briefcase, etc.

HovsWorld

Thanks everyone! ;-)

I exchanged the bag and bought a small compression sack (yes I am aware to travel with wrinkle free/resistent clothes) to make up the difference and I will also wear an extra layer while on board...I'll show them!!! ;-)

SUZE it IS a big deal and I WILL NOT "check it" since I have only one bag for a reason and that bag will have $4000 worth of camera gear, so it will stay with me and on me at all times. It will have a take-off day pack for day trips which will carry camera gear and a wine/rain shell + etc etc! And I don't want to wait in them baggage lines if I can help it! Now I know where we came up with that phrase... "baggage"

MARILYNL I have been using a 26" bag all my life, and I am the guy with the smallest bag most of the time. never had a problem til F-ing 911 (god bless them all). Yes I'm American, we love our gear!

VINOLOVER Good point and thanks, but I called + Web'd DELTA and I am allowed a small secondary back which will be a 1/2 empty day pack they will come off my main pack.

VinoLover I am a wine distributor and fellow wine lover!

Cheers people! ;-)

Hov

vinolover

It doesn't matter what Delta allows. If you are leaving on a flight from a London airport the BAA (which is not British Airways, it is the British company that runs the airports and sets the travel rules, like the TSA in the U.S.)

They will only allow one bag through security and it must fit into the sizer. If your bag has a zip on daypack that makes it too fat to fit into the sizer they will not allow you to take it through security.

Here's their website:
www.baa.com

From my recent experience at Gatwick last month, I couldn't get my (very small) purse to fit into the side pocket of my 22" suitcase without it bulging out too much to fit into the sizer. I had to step out of line and remove the contents of my purse and some books from the suitcase and stuff them into our coat pockets (this was a life safer, we were both wearing coats with big pockets).

Of course flying into a London airport you are only subject to the rules of the airport where you departed from. Its going home when you will run into this problem.

suze

Well, if it IS a big deal to keep the suitcase with you - that's good you got a smaller suitcase! I'm not trying to critique your travel style, only saying it is highly doubtful they would let you carry-on a 26" in the cabin for a European flight.

kimison

I will be traveling to Milan via Heathrow shortly so I spent a good deal of time on British Airways site and on the phone to a U.S. carrier.
As it was explained to me it is possible to arrive in Heathrow with a bag and carry on. However, they will only allow ONE carry on on departing flights to the UK at Heathrow. In other words I cannot take both my case and laptop in the cabin unless they are packed together and meet the recommended size.
This information is all available on the British Airline web site and it states in big red letters "New Rules".
Regards,
Kimison

suze

It sounds like you need to be prepared to split your stuff up? Say you make it over with carry-on only, still for the return flight you might want to have a duffle bag along, to pack up & check thru your dirty clothes, etc. then carry-on the expensive stuff as your 1 allowed item.

kimison

Yes, that is exactly what I am doing.
Actually I am only wary about checking my bags on the way over as I go Seattle, Chicago, Heathrow, Milan, and I think that may be pushing my luck. I always squirrel away a good sized sport bag that stuffs into a little pouch for my overflow and purchases on the trip home. It is one thing to be without clothes etc. in another country and having the comfort of my closet at home.
Regards,
Kimison

GBC

To vinolover,
Thanks for that baa website. You've saved us a lot of angst. We're traveling thru Heathrow.