Anna_Issa

In November my husband and I will be flying from Philadelphia to Rome, staying in Rome for 3 nights prior to taking a 10 day Mediterranean cruise. Since we need enough clothing for the trip, I would like to know what's the largest suitcase size we can carry on board a US Airways International flight. We've read about so many luggages getting lost in transit, that we prefer carryons. Does anyone know how many bags per person are permissable, not counting my handbag and a garment bag?

LoriNY

Dh and I are doing a 12 day cruise with 3 days on the front end in Rome in June. It is not the size of the suitcase but the weight. I believe you are allowed 50 pounds per bag, 2 bags and a carryon per person. 50 pounds is not alot when you consider the weight of an empty bag. Regardless, husband and I are planning on 2 27 inch suitcases, 2 21 inch rollons, and two duffel bag type carry ons (Longchamp for me and Coach for him - essentials going over - to carry purchases coming back). We plan on utilizing the clothes in the 21 inch for Rome so we don't have to open the larger ones until we get on board the ship.(Of course our carryons will have essentials in case of lost luggage). We are also planning on doing laundry on the ship, so I am not bringing enough for an outfit a day, I will be wearing things multiple times.

jody

Carry-on baggage is limited to one piece per customer, plus a personal item such as a purse, briefcase, laptop, small backpack, camera bags, small daypacks, infant bags, diaper bag or camera case. The personal item, which is to be placed under the seat in front of you, cannot exceed total overall dimensions of 36 inches. The other item of baggage may be placed in the overhead compartment and cannot exceed the following maximum dimensions:

Valet Closet--45L x 23 1/2W x 4H

Overhead Stowage--24L x 16W x 10H

Underseat Stowage--21L x 16W x 8H

Carry-on baggage dimensions: US Airways’ maximum linear dimensions are 51"

Both items cannot exceed a total combined weight of 40 pounds. Carry-on baggage allowance may be restricted due to lack of space

kayd

The Airbus that USAir flies from Phila to Rome will accommodate a 22" rollaboard in the overhead compartment and a small-medium tote under the seat in front of you (the control box for the seatback entertainment system is under the seat and this eats up space that used to be available for passengers' stuff).

If you need more than that, you'll have to check a bag. But the odds are with you as only a very small percentage of bags go astray. And since you are on a nonstop, there's no intermediate airport where the bags could go missing. Just be sure to have your essentials/valuables in the carryon in case you are the unlucky one on that flight. Everything will be fine.

Carlux

Probably the easisest thing is to check the USairways site http://www.usairways.com/travel/airp...agePackingTips

SAnParis

Lori - you have to help me out...3 bags each for a 12 day cruise. What do you need besides a swimsuit & some flip-flops ? & you're doing laundry ?!? Are you taking a porter along as well ?? LOL.

pat

You don`t need all that stuff. Take one 24 inch apiece, and a carry on. Color coordinate your clothing. I usually take a lot of black. Otherwise you will come home, and won`t have used clothes you have taken. And you won`t over pack twice! Just came back from a cruise around Hawaii, and even with a 24 inch suitcase, I brought clothes I never wore. Cut down!

SAnParis

I'm w/Pat. We just returned from 9 days in the Caribbean w/two small children & took two 22" suitcases, a diaper bag (full of formula & diapers) & a small back-pack. My kids & wife still had clothes they didn't wear. Take out everything you think you want to take, then put half of it back & go from there.

RufusTFirefly

Suitcases just shout out "ignorant tourist" as opposed to "sophisticated traveller."

Don't take anything with you that you can't stuff into your pockets. No checking bags; no struggling to get bags into overhead bins.

Travel light and free!

JackOneill

Let me add; airlines vary in their allowances for carry-on luggage. Jody is right that U S Airways allows 51" as the total for your one carry-on piece. But other airlines, such as Delta, have smaller dimensions. (Delta's carry-on dimension is 45".) I mention this because I don't want you to go out and spend money on something that willl work on U S Airways, but won't work on other airlines. Of course, you MAY fly U S Airways all the time, so just ignore everything I've said.

SAnParis

Unfortunately some of us are forced to fly US Airways a majority of the time. Depending on where you are traveling they can be pretty strict on the luggage restrictions. Just returning through St. Maarten security let a guy go purchase another piece of luggage to meet weight requirements. Apparently common sense is not always applicable in these cases, since in effect, they were adding a piece of luggage + the weight of that luggage. As mentioned prior, if you have a direct flight, the probability of lost luggage decreases greatly.

suze

Ask the airline or check their website and remember it is not only size but weight that is a restriction. For a cruise I'm guessing you would want a suitcase large enough that it needs to be checked in. No big deal. Have your essentials in your carry-on bag, and the rest of your wardrobe checked thru.

Anna_Issa

Lori, I like your idea about having separate suitcases (1 for Rome, 1 for cruise). This way the clothing we'll need for the cruise won't get messed up. Since the trip is in November and clothing can't be as light as one would use in the summer, this sounds practical. But, I do agree with Pat, about checking in (kayd, you convinced me) one 24 inch bag a piece, one 22 inch carryone (for both hubby and me), and a garment bag for suit/evening dress. Jody, thanks for bag dimensions, which I also checked out in the US Airways site Carlux offered.

All this information you have given me is extremely helpful, as this is my first trip to Europe and I want to avoid mishaps. Again, thanks.

LoriNY

SanParis - trust me if we can cut down on the luggage, we will. We intend to do a prelim packing run the week before we leave - and leave it that way so I don't have to repack. And I won't be traipsing around Venice, Barcelona, Nice, Naples, and Florence in swimsuits and flipflops. Geez..............

Anna_Issa

I had never understood why airlines preferred 2 suitcases weighing 45-50 lbs. each over one weighing 60 lbs. I was informed the reason was there is a limit to the lbs. of a suitcase or box an employee can pickup and carry - so they won't strain their backs or physically hurt themselves. And all along I was thinking it was just so the plane would not weigh so much and fly faster!!!!!! This is my first time flying with US Airways and I expect if all goes, well it won't be my last.

tracys2cents

Doesn't the garment bag count as the one-only carry-on bag? Or do they consider that the "additional handbag or purse?"

In a pinch last year my husband wore 2 shirts, a sweater, a sweatshirt and a coat onboard, then took most of it off and stuffed it into the overhead bin.

Anna_Issa

Tracy2Cents - I almost died laughing with your comment about your husband's "pinch". I know my husband wouldn't even think about doing that, although I would. The only set back is that between all the layers of clothing and my "private summers", my face would be so wet from perspiration that they might think I'm sweating from nervousness because I'm carrying drugs or something illegal!!!!! But, I will definitely keep that idea in mind. And yes, the garment bag counts as 1 carryon. Thanks.

Underhill

Believe me, you don't want to take very heavy luggage on board--wrecking your back while trying to heft it into the overhead bin woudl NOT be a good way to start your trip. Check the suitcases; chances are good that they'll arrive when you do. If you want to try another option, sent the luggage ahead of you to your Rome hotel by UPS.

suze

I have heard of people shipping ahead to cruise ships as well.

jody

I pack two check ins..but I divide our stuff...half of mine and half of his in each bag..so hopefully if one is lost we will have one bag arrive and we have at leqadt 2 days "stuff" in our small carryons.