travelbug2000

We are traveling to Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora and Tahaa at the end of this month. We have a couple of interisland flights planned and the maximum baggage dimensions allowed (length + width + height) are 59 inches. Our bags are 63 inches. Does anyone have any experience with this airline and their application of baggage allowance limits? I am guessing that as long as I am within weight limits, I will be okay, but would appreciate any experiences you can share.

janisj

I would never arrive at an airport w/ luggage I <i>know</i> is too big for the airlines allowance.

Why do you need such large bags?.

Melnq8

<<I am guessing that as long as I am within weight limits, I will be okay, but would appreciate any experiences you can share.>>

I absolutely would not assume this. Air Tahiti is very clear about their luggage guidelines.

<<<We would remind you that any baggage exceeding the permitted dimensions or weighing more than 25 kg (55 lb) will not be accepted at check-in and must be checked in with our cargo service.>>>

Why take the chance? Maybe its time to invest in smaller luggage.

Air Tahiti flies smallish planes, so it stands to reason that they have to limit luggage size.

travelbug2000

The reason that I think that we'll be okay is the number of people on Trip Advisor who have said that no one on Air Tahiti has ever measured their luggage; just weighed it. Our luggage is a standard size four-wheeled, hard-sided case. It exceeds their limits by four inches in volumetric measurements which one could not spot without a measuring tape. We are traveling for three weeks which is why we are taking larger bags. I was just interested in any personal experience anyone on this board has had.

janisj

>>We are traveling for three weeks which is why we are taking larger bags <<

Three weeks does not demand large luggage. ESPECIALLY in tropical areas since nothing you are wearing will be bulky. What is your Plan B if they DO check the size of your bags. That all those people on TA said "Sure - go for it" won't help a bit at the baggage check in desk.

>>Our luggage is a standard size<<

'Standard sized' luggage could be anything from 18" to 21" to 24" to mammoth 30" . . . those are all 'standard sized'.

Melnq8

Well, I've not had any personal experience with Air Tahiti, so can't help there.

The problem with bigger luggage, even if allowed, is that the bigger the luggage the more one tends to put into it, thus increasing the weight.

I don't want to preach to you about how much to pack, as everyone is different, but in my 20+ years of travelling for 3-5 weeks at a time, I've learned one very important thing - less is more.

We pack for a week, regardless of how long our trip. We just wash our clothes as needed along the way.

Travelling is stressful enough, why intentionally try to shirk the rules?

Do as you see fit and let us know how it goes.

Diamantina

Why ask also here if you "think that we'll be okay is the number of people on Trip Advisor who have said that no one on Air Tahiti has ever measured their luggage; just weighed it"?

FYI: this official link says 62 inches:
https://www.airtahitinui.com/us-en/baggage-policies

I've flown Air Tahiti from Huahine to Papeete. The flight stopped in Bora Bora enroute. We packed a lot of stuff as we were flying from California, scuba diving in Huahine (thus packing wetsuits, fins, snorkel, mask, booties, dive gloves), and continuing on to New Zealand. All the same, we stayed within luggage restrictions.

travelbug2000

Your link is for a different airline Diamantina.

Diamantina

So it is. But it sounds like you'd already decided to take your slightly oversized luggage along, based on advice received from TA.

I've never I've never had airline check-in agents measure my luggage, only weigh it. Carry-ons, yes, but not check-in luggage.

I actually flew Air Tahiti from Huahine to Papeete.

travelbug2000

For anyone else who may have this question in the future: Air Tahiti weighed our checked and carry-on luggage (which were underweight) and did not comment on size. In fact, there were bags larger than ours that were checked without comment.

For those concerned about our luggage size and what we packed: Yes, we wore everything. Yes we laundered our clothes on the trip. We, too, have been traveling more than 40 years. As former airline employees, we thought it might be helpful to have the perspective of anyone who had traveled on this particular carrier.

Melnq8

Thanks for reporting back, glad it went well.