Every time I go to the airport ready for a new adventure, I hold my breath once I get to the front of the check in line. I actually start praying that my bags may have lost some weight during the drive to the airport. This is a problem that we all face, but airlines can be very lenient with these restrictions on luggage that goes on the hold. But the bigger problem now and where they are more strict than ever is on the carry on luggage restrictions.
So the purpose of this article is to try and give you a quick rundown of how to breath easy approaching an airport with carry on luggage. This cannot be an all-inclusive document as many airlines make up their own rules on the fly, so I will do my best to cover of as many rules as possible. The last thing we want is for you to lose a 0 bottle of aftershave/perfume because of the carry on luggage restrictions, or even worse still, have to put your valuables in the hold because your bag is too big to fit in the cabin.
So lets talk SIZE, because we all know that size does matter in such situations. The carry on luggage restrictions allow your carry on luggage to be between 105 cm (41 inches) with a hard case, and 185 cm (73 inches) with no hard case. The way they calculate this number is the add the Length + Height + Depth as shown in the image on the left.
Most airlines only allow one item per person, but depending on the class you travel, First, Business or Economy, it can change.
Now onto the Weight problem. With all the traveling that I have done recently, I think I have only been asked once to weigh my carry on luggage, but that was when I was acting smart with the customs guy (note to self, airports are really not the place to start being smart, I would advise waiting till you get to your destination.) The limits are for most airlines around 7 KG or 15 pounds, its really not that much, so please pack carefully, and leave the kitchen sink to go into the hold.
Now the newest member of the carry on luggage restrictions is the new Liquid and Aerosol restrictions. These are the restrictions that the airlines and customs are very strict about. The rules say, that each item of carry on luggage is allowed on one resealable clear bag no greater than 80cm in diameter. In this bag you are allowed to put all your required liquids and aerosols, but they are not allowed to be in containers larger than 100 ml or 3.4 ounces.
Now I hope this is helpful, I am sick of losing really expensive nice aftershaves, so if you, and even I follow these rules we should be able to keep smelling good our whole trip. As a side note, be careful when buying liquids on long flights where you have to change planes, as the rules apply to every airline, so if you change airplanes and you have a big bottle of very expensive alcohol, you won't be able to take it on board.
Safe travels, and I wish I was coming with you :)
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