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How strict are airlines about weight?

It is rare for airlines to weigh your carry on or hand luggage. So long as your bag is not clearly overweight, and you're able to carry it with ease – you shouldn't have any issues with a slightly overweight bag.



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Most airlines will allow you to check one bag and have one carry-on bag. There is normally a maximum weight limit of 50 pounds per checked bag as well as a size restriction. The most common maximum size bag allowed is 62 linear (total) inches. A common size bag for checking through is: 27 x 21 x 14.

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That means that if your checked bag weighs more than 50 pounds, your airline will charge you a set fee on top of their standard baggage rate. Most airlines also have a weight limit, usually 70-80 pounds, after which they don't accept bags, even for an extra fee.

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Oversized Carry-Ons Need to Be Checked-in
If your carry-on is oversized (and doesn't physically fit inside the overhead compartments) or you encounter a strict airline employee, they will ask you to check it in at the gate.

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There are generally two things you can do if your suitcase is over the weight limit: you can either pay the fee for the extra weight or take some things out so that the weight is then within the allowed limit. You should always take out smaller and heavier stuff since you can put them in your carry-on instead.

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It is rare for airlines to weigh your carry on or hand luggage. So long as your bag is not clearly overweight, and you're able to carry it with ease – you shouldn't have any issues with a slightly overweight bag.

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Pay a Fee at the Airport Every airline company has its own rules for overweight suitcases, but generally speaking, if your suitcase is just over 50 lbs (23 kgs), which is the limit for most airlines, then you can still bring your suitcase with you. In that case, all you need to do is pay the fee, and you're good to go.

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Can I take a 22.5 inch carry-on bag? On domestic flights within the United States, a carry-on bag that's smaller than 22 x 14 x 9 inches (45 linear inches), including handles and wheels will meet the size restrictions of all major airlines, such as United Airlines and Alaska Airlines.

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Summing Up: Traveling With Oversized Carry-Ons
If your carry-on is 1-2 inches over the size limit, don't stress about it too much. Most likely, you'll be allowed to pass through without anyone saying anything.

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In general, standard domestic carry-on luggage size is 22 x 14 x 9 inches. If you're flying internationally, that may vary a little to 21.5 x 15.5 x 9 inches. Remember, those dimensions include the handle, wheels and anything else that may protrude from your suitcase so don't miss them from your measurements.

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Even though there are no weight limits for fat passengers, there are normally three basic requirements for flying while overweight: Passengers must be able to sit with both armrests down. Passengers must be able to buckle their seatbelts. The aisle must not be blocked by a passenger.

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On flights within the United States, Canada (including the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico), bags exceeding 100 lbs. (45.36 kg) are not allowed. On flights between North/South/Central America and Europe/North Africa, bags exceeding 70 lbs. (31.75 kg) are not allowed.

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In general, obese passengers on airlines who require a seatbelt extender and/or cannot lower the armrests between seats are asked to pay for a second seat on their flight, unless there are two empty seats together somewhere on the plane. Special size passengers have little to no choice when it comes to this rule.

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How does the airliner crew know if the plane is overweight before takeoff? To ensure that an airliner is within its weight and balance limits, the crew uses a system that consists of three elements: weighing, recording, and loading.

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Do airlines check hand luggage weight? Well it does happen, and some airlines are strict, but the vast majority of them only weigh checked luggage at the desk. That's the luggage you've either paid for or have included depending on your ticket.

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Just a marginal difference in size is usually passed. But if your baggage looks huge and oversized, they will not deny you. They will ask the contents and may be charge you (depends on baggage policy of each airline).

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Carry-on bags are limited to 22 inches long, 14 inches wide and 9 inches high including wheels and handles. All three measurements shouldn't add up to more than 45 inches.

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In general, your personal item should be smaller than your carry-on and under the specific airline's carry-on dimensions, allowing it to fit under the seat in front of you. In most cases, backpacks are considered personal items as long as they fit under the seat in front of you.

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The only time this might be worth the risk is if your personal item is only an inch or so bigger than that of the limits stated, and is soft-sided. At least if it's only slightly bigger, you should still be able to pad it down and demonstrate it fits in the sizer if required to.

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Yes, provided that the duffel bag will fit into the carryon bag sizer at your boarding gate. Check your airline website for carryon baggage size limitations. The most common is a maximum of 22? x 14? x 9?.

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Rolling your clothes won't make them weigh less, so they won't make your luggage lighter. However, it can save space, allowing you to pack much more in your suitcase, which means carrying fewer pieces of luggage and ultimately reducing your load.

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Lift Your Luggage with One Hand Another method to measure your luggage without a scale is to simply lift it with one hand. Assuming that your baggage allowance is 50 pounds (23 kilograms), most people typically struggle to lift items weighing more than this weight with one hand.

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