fakemark

I just got off the phone with BA asking about their carry-on limits because I thought they had a misprint on their website. But they confirmed that they only allow bags up to 13 pounds (not kilos)! The agent said you can bring a bag that is up to 45 linear inches, but it can't weigh more than 13 pounds. Here's the part of the website that says as much: http://www.britishairways.com/travel...n/public/en_us

What I don't understand is that so many seasoned travelers say that the only way to go is to avoid checking in luggage and bring everything in one carry-on bag. I was planning on my 22x14x9 bag to weigh just over 30 pounds. Do seasoned travelers avoid British Air? Or is this just something they say but never enforce?

Has anyone flown BA recently and tried to carry-on all their stuff?

Christina

I think seasoned travelers who want to fly BA check their main bag, that's all. Yes, they do enforce it fairly rigorously. You might get by with a small bag that is slightly overweight, but not a large one as they'll probably weigh it if they see it.

NOt everyone says that the only way to go is to avoid checking luggage -- it's just a particular minority of people who feel that's the only way to travel and do it that way. I prefer to check my bags, not lug them around airports, and be able to pack what I need.

elaine

I once had to deal with the BA carry on limit, they rejected my small but heavy carry on. I had to put a few necessities into a shopping bag (at the gate) and check what had been my carry on.

I'm with Christina, unless I'm going only for a weekend, I don't (choose not to) pack so lightly for a vacation that I could check my main bag, even if I wanted to which I don't.
After a 7-10 hour flight, waiting 15 minutes for my bag upon arrival doesn't bother me, and even if it does bother me, I prefer to be without my main bag in the airports. I also find that the availability of space on the plane for carry ons, even if they are small and light enough, is a chancy proposition.

sunny16

I faced your exact dilemma a week ago, and I was also very concerned. I decided to play it safe; I bought a carryon of the exact dimensions specified on the website and DH and I spent some time weighing our carryons on our bathroom scale and adjusting accordingly. We were planning on checking big bags anyway, but we were carrying camera gear on the plane, so the weight restriction was a concern. However, I guess our carryons were small enough to not arouse the attention of the BA staff.

FWIW, I am a seasoned traveler but I don't mind checking my luggage as long as I can have my valuables with me on the plane.

Marilyn

Many airlines have carry on weight limits, but BA is notorious for enforcing them. I will not fly them, as I cannot get the items I won't check into my carry on at that weight limit.

I don't see how anyone could pack everything they need into a carry on that weighs 13 lbs. The suitcase itself weighs a couple of lbs!

By the way, the weight limit is doubled if you are flying business class, and you get even more in first.

Chele60

I'll be flying British Air this fall and I had noticed that. (There is also a weight restriction for checked baggage as well) I had not thought to do strictly carry on, but I will be looking closely at my bag I carry onboard. Thankfully my boyfriend doesn't carry much with him, so I can use his carry on bag, if needed!

suze

I fly British Air (because I like their routing and service best for Seattle to London) and I check my 22" rolling bag, and only carry-on a true smaller carry-on (which piggy backs onto the 22" once I am off the plane).

To answer your question... they say it and they enforce it, in my experience!

I used to be of the die-hard carry-on-only school-of-thought, until the 1st time BA forced me to check my suitcase a few years ago. Now I realize I really like the freedom of not having to drag the darn thing around the airports with me.

So no I don't even try to carry-on all my stuff anymore when flying BA.

janis

I always use just a 19 inch (or sometimes a 21 inch) rollaboard -- BUT when flying on British and Virgin and some commuter planes I know I'll have to check it.

Both BA and VS (Virgin Atlantic) are usually very strict about their 6 kilo cabin limits. Just the way things are . . . .

BTilke

I'm curious...can't you just bring a lightly packed carryon bag with you for the BA weigh-in (at check-in) and then have someone waiting in the wings (out of sight of BA staff) hand you your REAL carryon (before you go through security)? The security staff at x-ray don't doublecheck that your carry-on meets the standards of a BA economy class passenger. They're usually handling pax flying different airlines in different classes.
Does BA re-weigh carryon bags at the gate? That hasn't been my experience, at least not with bags that weren't *obviously* too big and bulging. Seems unfair to penalize the people who bring carryon bags a few pounds over, but not those whose carryons are within the weigh limit, but who then go on to buy big and HEAVY bottles of booze in duty free.

I'm not encouraging anyone to practice a switching tactic, but I wonder if people are getting around those rules somehow.

Marilyn

BTilke, I've never had BA weigh my carry on at check in or at the gate. However, I had one experience that put the fear of God into me.

I sat at the gate lounge of my connecting flight from Heathrow to Rome, waiting to board. (Note: this is past security, so no one but passengers allowed.) I watched a BA employee walk around eyeballing the carry ons. When she spotted one that looked large or heavy, she hefted it, and in some cases she then made the passenger check the bag.

I tucked my small but definitely overweight tote under my chair and kept my head down in my book. I was lucky, but ever since, I've avoided BA like the plague. We're actually flying London-Paris with them in Sept (but in biz class, so no worries) and I'll be interested to see what the enforcement is like then.

suze

I think having these limits and enforcing them is a fine idea. I can't imagine trying to switch luggage to get around the rules, as mentioned above! If you are not comfortable with the 13 pound carry-on limit, fly a different airline with more generous allowances.

BTW the trip I was forced to check when I planned to carry-on, suitcase was of proper dimensions, and they did not weigh my bag on a scale, just eyeballed it and lifted it slightly with their fingers, and said too heavy, must be checked.

Marilyn

Ah, suze, for once we disagree. I am all for enforcing size limits for carry ons, and even weight limits if the bag must go in the overhead. But if I have a bag that I can fit under the seat, why does it matter what it weighs?

I would really love to see each passenger assigned a specific space for their carry ons, just like a seat assignment. It seems to me that would really solve a lot of problems. (Although the weight issue remains.)

BTilke

Suze, let me emphasize I am NOT recommending such a tactic.

However, I see some hypocrisy in this. Which economy class pax has more carryon--Pax A with a bag that weighs 16 pounds or Pax B with a bag that weighs 12 pounds PLUS a big duty free bag filled with bottles of whiskey, vodka and gin (or wine)? The BA staff never seem to bat their eagle eyes over that. (leaving out completely the whole thin v. heavy passenger debate)

I've been lucky, my last few BA flights were in biz class and I can't stand dragging around heavy carry-on anyway. I'd rather check my bag. Learned my lesson when I tried to stuff a heavy carryon bag (filled with mags and press kits picked up at a conference) into the overhead compartment, lost my grip at the last moment, and it came crashing down onto the seats in front of me. Fortunately, nobody was in that row or they could have been seriously injured. Right then and there I made a vow never to carry anything heavy onto the plane.

Fodorite018

Marilyn--We had the same thing happen, where a BA person was wandering the gate area. When we checked in they told us we could carry on our bags, but when this lady saw us at the gate she made us check them. I was a bit surprised by that.

suze

my dear marilyn, oh just barely a teeny disagreement. i was actually picturing stuff going into the overhead bins. i think YOU should be able to put whatever you want under the seat in front of you

Marilyn

suze: whew!
Will you write me a note for BA?

isabel

Both BA and Virgin Atlantic (both with 6 kilo/13 pound limits) are much stricter about weighing the bags in Europe than in the US. I have NOT had my 20" bag weighed when leaving the US for Europe, but HAVE had it weighed for the return trip.

I believe in enforcing size limits for carryons but agree that if it's going under my seat it shouldn't matter what it weighs. Since you are also allowed one "personal" item, I bring a medium size tote bag and put the really heavy stuff in there (camera, books, etc). By doing that I can get fairly close to the 13 pound limit. I bought a suitcase that weighs only about 5 pounds (20" Eddie Bauer brand, with wheels, purchased at Target) and that helps. Some of the "better" suitcases weigh nine or ten pounds empty. I also wear the heaviest clothes/shoes. For the return trip, once I've usually bought a bucnh of stuff I do often have to check a bag. I bring a large but light weight fold up tote for the extra stuff and check that with my dirty laundry in it and carry on my purchases. If they loose my dirty laundry that's I've been wearing for three weeks I don't really care.

It can be done, you just have to plan. And actually, if another airline has the flights I want at a similar price I do choose that over BA/Virgin.

fakemark

Thanks for everyone's experiences. *sigh* Back to the drawing board . . .

leonberger

In my limited experience, Virgin Atlantic is definitely picky about the weight restriction. Weighed our fairly small carry-on bags (suitcases checked, this was just a little carry-on for each of us) going both directions (BOS-LON) last fall.

And, it is hard to pack in less than 13 pounds. My husband's case was a camera case and nothing else could go in it except the camera equipment - pocket-sized digital camera, full size digital SLR, 2 lenses for SLR, memory cards and their cases, batteries and their cases, manual, miscellaneous little camera gear (filters, etc.). We even packed the chargers in our checked suitcase, figuring they were cheap and fairly easy to replace in London if need be.

So, everything else had to fit into my carry-on (and somehow stay under 13 pounds. I had a pashmina; my glasses; my pocketbook and our passports, cash, etc.; all of our confirmation info (London hotel, rental car, house in Edinburgh); map of London; bottle of Pepsi (without which I cannot travel ); 2 books (I'm a voracious reader - 1 would never be enough for the flight); small jewelry pouch; my journal and two pens; tissues; small aspirin bottle; a few handi-wipes in individual foil packets; and a lightweight pair of slippers. Nothing too extravagant (OK, maybe the slippers...) - just things that I would never be comfortable checking in unlocked luggage and/or things we needed on the flight or immediately upon landing in London. I had to really work to get all of that in under the 13 pound weight limit.

It was even more fun on the way back, when we added a few souvenirs (but no longer needed the maps, confirmations, etc.).

So, yes, I recommend taking the restrictions seriously - either choose another airline or pack very carefully!

Gayle