Why do they charge for overweight bags?

It's because overweight bags are supposed to be handled by two or more people at a time, so you're paying for two people to take the time to lift your heavy bag, rather than each working independently moving bags much faster.



People Also Ask

Each bag should weigh less than 23KG/50LBS. This is an international regulation set for the health and safety of airport workers who have to lift hundreds of bags daily.

MORE DETAILS

For decades, it was free on major airlines to check at least one bag (some discount airlines got a head start on charging). But in 2008, amid rising fuel prices and economic turmoil, that started to charge. Airlines such as American and United began tacking on a $15 charge to get your bag checked to your destination.

MORE DETAILS

How to avoid paying checked baggage fees
  1. Know the fees. ...
  2. Use the right credit card. ...
  3. Book first or business class. ...
  4. Get elite status or fly with someone who has it. ...
  5. Use a military discount. ...
  6. Check your bag at the gate. ...
  7. Pack light.


MORE DETAILS

Cough up and pay the excess Depending on how many kilos over your suitcase is, you might have a few extra kilos spare where you can pay a fee to let your suitcase go through. Sometimes just being ready to hand over your credit card without protest will make ground crew waive the fee.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Your baggage will be considered oversized or overweight when it exceeds the permitted dimensions and weight for checked baggage (50 lb in Economy class, 70 lb in Business class, and 158 linear cm).

MORE DETAILS

If your flight ticket is marked with the code “2 PC”, you may take two pieces of baggage, each weighing a maximum of 23 kg. If your flight ticket is marked with the code “3 PC”, you may take three pieces of baggage, each weighing a maximum of 23 kg.

MORE DETAILS

Hand luggage must not exceed 56cm x 45cm x 25cm and the small item must be no bigger than 40cm x 30cm x 15cm. Both items can weight up to 23kg each. If your hand baggage exceeds the limit, it will be checked into the hold.

MORE DETAILS

John Thomas is a mild-mannered airline consultant, a cheerful native of Australia with a ready laugh who is known for throwing great parties at his Needham home. So why do his friends want to stick pins into a voodoo doll of his likeness? Thomas, 54, is the guy who brought baggage fees to airlines in North America.

MORE DETAILS