We have Delta FF tix with the outbound flight from JFK to MXP on Alitalia. We do only carry-ons and I didn't see any additional weight limit for Business. I know our bags will be over 5 kg. Do you think this will be a problem or do BC pax have a little more leeway?

That rule is so absurd that I doubt it's enforceable, and definitely not when you're flying Magnifica Class longhaul.

That's my opinion on it.

I have never had a problem taking more than 5kg on Alitalia, and I have only flown in Economy.

But... I think rkkwan may underestimate the extent to which some Euro carriers will enforce absurd carry-on rules. When traveling with a roll-aboard, I have been asked multiple times at check-in to weigh it for compliance. Again, not on Alitalia, but on BA, SAS, Swiss, and a couple of budget carriers. They aren't stupid, they know there is no way to pack a roll-aboard and make it less than 5kg.

Once you make it past check-in, though, you should be home free, as that is the only place I have ever seen anyone checked.

I have seen Air France checking carry-on weights. But the 5kg limit on AZ seems too absurd to be enforceable.

Most of the airlines have higher limits for carryons, and BA has no limits nowadays.

I agree that the rule is absurd. Moreover, I have never had it be an issue with Alitalia. BUT... 5kg is only absurdly low in the context of rollaboards, which is what I think they are trying to limit.

For context, I believe all of the European Star Alliance carriers have a weight limit of 8kg. I have had/seen this enforced on both SAS and Swiss (in business and coach, short-haul and long-haul), and have heard of it being enforced on Lufthansa. Interestingly, I have only been stopped with the rollaboard, never with an over-the-shoulder bag, even though it is always well over 8kg, and looks every kg of it.

But again, I don't think any employee of Alitalia really cares enough to enforce the rules - "disinterested" is the word that comes to mind. And, particularly as your Alitalia leg is ex-US, where I have never had a problem, I would imagine this is not a problem. I would definitely go ahead and try it and make them enforce it, but don't be overly shocked if they do.

Thank you both for your replies. I too find it absurd and I know I won't have any trouble on the Delta segments. We actually are flying from TPA to JFK and then on the MXP so it will not be our initial check in if that would make any difference.

It does make a difference. Some airlines that weigh carryons do so at check-in. Since you won't be checking in with AZ, unless you're carrying an incredibly huge and heavy bag when boarding, there simply can't be any problem.

I would agree with rkkwan. As long as you never have to go to an Alitalia check-in desk, I would think you should have no problems. I have never had anybody ask about my carry-on weight at the gate, only when I have gone to check-in. And, then, only in Europe. Since you should get your boarding pass when you check in in Atlanta, you might not see any Alitalia personnel until you get on the plane.

Depending with whom (and how) you check-in on the return, you may (though most likely won't) have a problem, so again worth trying. The worst they can do is make you check it. To this end, I do usually try to pack a smaller bag inside my larger carry on, so that, if I get dinged, I have something in which to tote my computer and other essentials. Even if it is a couple of regular plastic shopping bags, it is better than nothing.

Again thank you both for your thoughts. I will proceed with packing as we normally do which is light packing in carry on only. What are your thoughts on taking a laptop? I have never had one until now.

Well, I always take a laptop. Partly so that I can do work if necessary, partly because I am addicted, and partly because I find it useful to be able to download my pictures from my camera. But, I will admit that it can often be a hassle and that if you aren't like me and tethered to it all day, then you can probably skip it.

I traveled AZ Magnifica Class on Spet 19th from Newark, and I had no issues with carry on bags. I had a purse, a laptop bag and a medium sized tote (I was on the tail end of a 3 week business trip). No one questioned me about any carry ons or weight limits. DL staff actually handled the check-in for Alitalia. I don't know about the AZ check-in staff at JFK.

I fly ALITALIA all the time and around the world. They never say anything about my carry-on...and BTW, I fly economy.