Hello,

A group of us will be traveling to Uganda on Delta (Tampa to JFK) then on Emirates Air to Entebbe. We will be setting up dental clinics and doing care instructions etc in remote areas so our checked luggage will be used for supplies and we will take most/all our personal items in our carry on luggage. The Emirates web page states that in economy our carry on can only weigh 15 lbs. My question is: how picky is Emirates about this weight limit? Do they weigh carry-ons? If mine is 15-20 lbs will I have to get rid of some stuff? The size limit is stated as 22x15x8 which isn't a bad size, but the weight limit is a tough one...

Thanks!
TracyLynn

Emirates is usually lenient. I have seen people carry large bags as hand lugguage in economy class. If they give you any problems, just explain what you are doing, and they should let it on.

I boarded an Emirates flight in Dubai in January. The agent I had to go through before security said my bag was too heavy and they wouldn't let me take it. He really tried to get me to check it but it was all cameras/lenses (probably 25 lbs or more) so I didn't dare check it. He finally ended up saying that after I passed thru security (one bag only) to distribute the weight between two bags. He said their concern is heavy bags falling out of the overhead. I did split it up in two bags. When I got to the gate there was absolutely no concern with the carry ons. So I'm betting you won't have a problem.

I dont have an answer to the question RE:Carry on luggage....but, just want to add that JFK-Dubai flight is awesome!!! fantastic service!!!

Though I have done it a thousand times already, I will jump on any opportunity to heap praise up Emirates.

The JFK-Dubai flight was simply my greatest experience ever in flying.

Thanks so much for the info...does anyone else have any other experiences?

TracyLynn

Hello TracyLynn,

Great to hear about your dental clinics -- I did a joint clinic with a dentist on one of my trips to SA and it was deeply, deeply appreciated! Dentists seem to be even scarcer than doctors in many parts of Africa.

I'd recommend either contacting your agent (if you have one) or contacting the airline direct and asking them to make a note in your record (which will be called up by the check-in agent when you check in). Given the reason for the slightly heavier carry-on they shouldn't have any problems with allowing an exception. Having a note from the 'head office' saying it's all right works miracles in terms of smoothing the way at check-in.

Cheers,
Julian

Thanks, Julian. I'll show this to the woman who is doing all our arrangemants.

TracyLynn

One more question...Sundowner, you stated that only one carry on was allowed through security. Would this mean that I couldn't take a carry on and a purse?
TracyLynn

TracyLynn, best wishes for your work.

And not to hijack your thread, but I'm glad to hear such good things about Emirates JFK-Dubai, since I'll be flying that route in June.

TracyLynn, the one bag carry-on limit was in London. It's not a Emirates Air rule.

Good luck with your work in Uganda!

I probably shouldn't even post this as everyone else seems to like them, but my flight on Emirates in coach/economy from JFK via DBX to NBO was worse than any flight on BA or NW/KLM ever was. I prefer SAA for most legroom. The seats on Emirates in "steerage" are just that, too close together and with all that fancy video equipment under the seat in front, there is no place for your legs and feet. My knees touched the seat in front before the guy ever leaned back. I will never fly them again, it was torture for me and I had an aisle seat -thank goodness. And the flights were full on all four segments, which didn't help either. I also talked to people, who were flying biz class last week and they also said how bad that was and they didn't like the service either, which surprised me. They said that United was much better - across the Pacific. These people came off a Silversea cruise, so that may have had someting to do with it - what a letdown for them! My 2 cents worth,

I think all airlines should have a few seats in each section of the plane "without" electronics... no in-seat screen, music, games... whatever. I for one, have never watched a movie, don't play games and don't listen to their music choices (or mine, for that matter).

Give me floor space for my feet, without that electronics box, my Aboloute, a nibble of food, drugs and wake me when we arrive. Just let them take off and land, and I'm a happy traveler.

Amen, Sandi; my thoughts exactly.

Give me some breathing space and leg room. Who needs all that video stuff and music anyway? I think what SAA did was brilliant. That extra 2 inches of legroom is a godsend. Of course before doing that the space was so tight between the rows that you couldn't even get into the window seat.

However, the Emirates IFE is the very very best that i have seen!!! I even saw an old episode of Made mike and mark one time.....right now, i believe a couple of episodes of the Planet earth bbc show is on their current playlist.

I usually prefer to listen to the music that I bring along on long flights and don't care about the IFE, but I'm very glad it's there. If children are anywhere nearby, the IFE is a babysitter and a godsend.

Hi Rizzuto- Emirates also has an extensive cd playlist along with world music, soothing stuff that helps you relax and go to sleep etc etc., very extensive indeed!!!

Lookout for Jet Airways (private Indian carrier) they begin service to NY in August. They are going to be one of the best in the sky ala singapore, Emirates etc etc.,

Hari

Thanks for the heads-up, Hari -- I'll keep an eye out.

I'm envious of your upcoming trip to Lebala -- best wishes for a great time.

Thanks a lot....i am eagerly awaiting the trip. Will think of you, when i walk past the bird hide to get to the lounge.

Rgds,
Hari

Thank you everyone for the advice!
We will be leaving tomorrow early afternoon. Molars of the world- here we come! Lame dental humor, I know.
TracyLynn