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Nope, this is an American urban legend that is perpetuated on these pages often. Well over 1m+ miles here, 90% of it "international", all around the world. Never once have I had my checked luggage measured / rejected, and I travel with the largest pieces possible.
What is true is that many international airlines will enforce carry-on size restrictions. US airlines usually don't. They usually allow you to bring the kitchen sink on the plane. (Except when they decide not to and want to gate check even your compliant piece while allowing others to bring on even much larger pieces.)
The airlines who are sticklers about bag dimensions (and weight) are the cheap European airlines like Vueling, EasyJet, Ryanair – those guys can be downright vicious. They charge next to nothing for the base fare ticket and a fortune for everything else, so you've got to beat them at their own game. I've got luggage specifically marked "Ryanair approved" to avoid any hassles.
Correct. I had Condor pull that one on me many years ago. The check-in person was genetically and perpetually offended... You know the type.
Pulled out the measure and my piece was exactly at 62 or whatever the limit was. That offended her more. Then she weight the carry on and struck out there....
I'm assuming the larger luggage isn't international compliant...
The larger, checked luggage is well within international airline dimensions (generally 62 inches - the 29" is ok but 30" can be pushing it). Unless one stuffs so much and expands the dimensions, there should be no issue of size but weight.
Carry-on luggage 21" meet size limits though 22" can be riskier. For international (even domestic), expanding the carry-on to max size makes it checked baggage more often that not. It is mighty limited though as most allow only 7-10kgs (there isn't much to pack when your box itself takes away 2-4 kgs). In US, American can be a stickler so that they can make some extra money - off-late are easing though.
The larger, checked luggage is well within international airline dimensions (generally 62 inches - the 29" is ok but 30" can be pushing it). Unless one stuffs so much and expands the dimensions, there should be no issue of size but weight.
Carry-on luggage 21" meet size limits though 22" can be riskier. For international (even domestic), expanding the carry-on to max size makes it checked baggage more often that not. It is mighty limited though as most allow only 7-10kgs (there isn't much to pack when your box itself takes away 2-4 kgs). In US, American can be a stickler so that they can make some extra money - off-late are easing though.
Thanks for the links. I'm not sure I'd risk it honestly... I usually go with United and ANA. United hasn't given me too much trouble, but ANA was more difficult. I guess I'll keep looking. I mainly just need a solid fabric based carry-on.
The airlines who are sticklers about bag dimensions (and weight) are the cheap European airlines like Vueling, EasyJet, Ryanair – those guys can be downright vicious. They charge next to nothing for the base fare ticket and a fortune for everything else, so you've got to beat them at their own game. I've got luggage specifically marked "Ryanair approved" to avoid any hassles.
I flew Swiss and they were super stickler about bag dimensions. We got charged $80 per bag, per one-way. $480 total.
Not to mention— you go to any European airport and look at all the non-tourists: they all have small suitcases with just the very minimum needed for travel. You're going for a 14 day excursion? Americans bring like 14 days worth of clothes. Europeans bring like 5 days worth of clothes and wash them 3 times.
They may not ENFORCE the bag sizes but your bigger bag may not fit inside their smaller baggage compartments, forcing you to check your baggage. The carry on compartments in Europe are simply not the same size as those in the US.
Which, as I said, is $80/bag/one-way. Insanity expensive. I thought that wasn't a big deal of checking baggage since fees in the US are like $30 max, but boy was I in for a surprise.
These comments are just a bunch of people who have no experiences in what they're talking about and/or have no negative experiences with international travel— bit of survivorship bias.
Last edited by KorgGamer69 December 8, 2022 at 02:34 PM.
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They may not ENFORCE the bag sizes but your bigger bag may not fit inside their smaller baggage compartments, forcing you to check your baggage. The carry on compartments in Europe are simply not the same size as those in the US.
These comments are just a bunch of people who have no negative experiences with international travel— bit of survivorship bias.
Airlines are concerned about weight, YES, but YOU should be concerned about size. Cuz YOU are being charged fees. Just cause they aren't concerned about something doesn't mean you SHOULDN'T be.
Some people here must be flying first-class, cuz the European bag compartments in Economy are significantly smaller than those in the US.
I was at Incheon Airport in South Korea when I noticed that their scales also automatically measured the dimensions of your luggage (I'm assuming with some sort of laser). So I suppose it's technically possible for airlines to ding you on it.
Bought this set last year and it didn't make it to Cancun. One leg of one trip. The large case ripped wide open and the carryon pullout handle broke in the airport. Absolute junk!
Not to mention— you go to any European airport and look at all the non-tourists: they all have small suitcases with just the very minimum needed for travel. You're going for a 14 day excursion? Americans bring like 14 days worth of clothes. Europeans bring like 5 days worth of clothes and wash them 3 times.
They may not ENFORCE the bag sizes but your bigger bag may not fit inside their smaller baggage compartments, forcing you to check your baggage. The carry on compartments in Europe are simply not the same size as those in the US.
Which, as I said, is $80/bag/one-way. Insanity expensive. I thought that wasn't a big deal of checking baggage since fees in the US are like $30 max, but boy was I in for a surprise.
These comments are just a bunch of people who have no experiences in what they're talking about and/or have no negative experiences with international travel— bit of survivorship bias.
Exactly right. I took my wife and middle school-aged daughters on a 15-day cruise from the US to Europe, followed by 40 days going to Italy, Switzerland, France, UK, Norway. We had one suitcase and one personal bag each, flew multiple airlines and never checked any bags, knew our luggage was the maximum acceptable size and weight (a travel luggage scale was essential). Watched other travelers (usually young solo women or families) melt down as they got hit with $80 per bag fees for being too large or heavy and forced to check them. My girls learned to pack only what was essential and to launder items along the way. It was a great lesson that if you can survive for weeks abroad that way, there's no excuse for overpacking ever again. It's actually very liberating to travel light. I still typically use my "Ryanair approved" suitcase when I travel for that reason.
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What is true is that many international airlines will enforce carry-on size restrictions. US airlines usually don't. They usually allow you to bring the kitchen sink on the plane. (Except when they decide not to and want to gate check even your compliant piece while allowing others to bring on even much larger pieces.)
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Pulled out the measure and my piece was exactly at 62 or whatever the limit was. That offended her more. Then she weight the carry on and struck out there....
https://upgradedpoints.
Carry-on luggage 21" meet size limits though 22" can be riskier. For international (even domestic), expanding the carry-on to max size makes it checked baggage more often that not. It is mighty limited though as most allow only 7-10kgs (there isn't much to pack when your box itself takes away 2-4 kgs). In US, American can be a stickler so that they can make some extra money - off-late are easing though.
https://upgradedpoints.
https://upgradedpoints.
Carry-on luggage 21" meet size limits though 22" can be riskier. For international (even domestic), expanding the carry-on to max size makes it checked baggage more often that not. It is mighty limited though as most allow only 7-10kgs (there isn't much to pack when your box itself takes away 2-4 kgs). In US, American can be a stickler so that they can make some extra money - off-late are easing though.
https://upgradedpoints.
Some of the comments are complete đź’©. I never fly the cheapest airlines but still get hit with fees.
Some of the comments are complete đź’©. I never fly the cheapest airlines but still get hit with fees.
They may not ENFORCE the bag sizes but your bigger bag may not fit inside their smaller baggage compartments, forcing you to check your baggage. The carry on compartments in Europe are simply not the same size as those in the US.
Which, as I said, is $80/bag/one-way. Insanity expensive. I thought that wasn't a big deal of checking baggage since fees in the US are like $30 max, but boy was I in for a surprise.
These comments are just a bunch of people who have no experiences in what they're talking about and/or have no negative experiences with international travel— bit of survivorship bias.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
These comments are just a bunch of people who have no negative experiences with international travel— bit of survivorship bias.
Some people here must be flying first-class, cuz the European bag compartments in Economy are significantly smaller than those in the US.
Great price but now that I own some with spinning wheels, gotta say it makes a difference.
They may not ENFORCE the bag sizes but your bigger bag may not fit inside their smaller baggage compartments, forcing you to check your baggage. The carry on compartments in Europe are simply not the same size as those in the US.
Which, as I said, is $80/bag/one-way. Insanity expensive. I thought that wasn't a big deal of checking baggage since fees in the US are like $30 max, but boy was I in for a surprise.
These comments are just a bunch of people who have no experiences in what they're talking about and/or have no negative experiences with international travel— bit of survivorship bias.
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Share your experience with the Slickdeals community
Share information with the community. Please follow our Community Guidelines and be kind!