jldodge

I understand (from this forum) that Air New Zealand is very strict about their baggage limits. We are flying from LAX to Auckland in Economy Comfort. We are cruising from Auckland to Melbourne and will travel in Australia via Virgin Australia. We then return to LAX via Auckland on Air New Zealand.

According to Air New Zealand's documents, we are allowed two "checked" bags at 50 pounds each which is more than adequate for us. However, the carry-on is limited to 15 pounds AND we are only allowed one bag. Domestic travel in the U.S. allows for one carry-on bag and a personal item (e.g. PC bag). I guess I can put my computer in the checked luggage. But, I have some expensive camera gear that weighs more than the 15 pound limit even though the dimensions of my bag are within the guidelines. At this point, my camera gear weighs ~30 pounds.

Does anybody have suggestions on how best to maneuver through the carry on baggage limitation? If I get stopped, what is the penalty amount? Is it based on the amount of weight over the limit of simply a fixed fee? Will I encounter similar issues on Virgin Australia?

Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Our trip is not until March, 2015 so I will have time to plan once I get the benefit of others' experiences.

Thanks in advance for any help ...

dottyp

My camera, its extras and my laptop go in my carryon luggage. Although it is heavy it is certainly not as heavy as yours, but we usually only take one carryon bag between us. Is that a possibility?
Returning from 3 months overseas last year we paid extra for one of our two carryon bags to go in the hold specifically so that I could have my camera and laptop in the cabin.
Why not contact Air New Zealand about your dilemma? I have always found them very helpful.

jldodge

I called their toll free number in the U.S. and was told that they are pretty strict. However, I don't believe it was the airline itself. Need to research that a bit more.

In terms of splitting, since I am right at 30 pounds, splitting would still leave me with one bag over the limit AND my wife is not going to give me all of her 15 pound limit!

Thanks for the input ...

Bokhara2

Do not put your computer in your checked luggage. Or anything else that would matter if you lost it. That's just basic common sense.

Call their NZ number if you doubt your call connected with Air NZ before. +64(0)9 256 3929

If you can't limit your baggage to their allowed weight - you will have to pay excess baggage fees.

Their cabin baggage rules allow a laptop/ handbag or duty free goods in addition to the 7kg (15 lb) bag in economy, provided it can fit under the seat in front of you.

http://www.airnewzealand.com.au/cabin-baggage

Be aware that Jetstar has announced policing & enforcement of cabin bag rules on Australian domestic routes this week (September 12,2014). I would expect other carriers to follow suit.

You might find more information on the Air Travel forums.

jldodge

Very helpful ... Thanks

Melnq8

In my experience, Air NZ tends to weigh wheeled carry on bags more than others. A change of clothes, my camera and laptop put me over the 7 kg limit, as my carry on is heavy even when empty. I suggest you start with the lightest weight carry on bag you can find. I've also found it helpful to put a spare bag in my carry on, such as a canvas grocery type bag, just in case I'm asked to divide the weight of the load at check in (it's happened to me on Air NZ more than once).

Air NZ will usually ask if your carry on bag contains a laptop. If it does, they seem to give you a bit of slack on the 7 kg limit.

I highly recommend that you research Air NZ's seating and spring for a Preferred Seat - their coach cabins are the tightest I've ever experienced with 10 seats across. An extra $95 will get you an exit seat and it's well worth it, believe me.

Melnq8

This won't help the OP, but I flew from Auckland to Perth last night on Air NZ's 787-9 Dreamliner, which commenced service on this route Friday Sept 12, 2014.

Quite impressed! I lucked into a One Up upgrade to Premium Economy; lovely all around. No one gave so much as a second glance to my carry on and bag of duty free.

annhig

IME airlines [apart from Ryanair and even they have seen sense recently] are more worried about the weight of hold luggage and the size of carry on than vice versa. Can't you and your DW divide your carry on between you? you can have your laptop bag on top of the carry-on, and she can have her handbag. What does she need to carry-on that weighs 7kgs?

the alternative, of course, [and I'm hiding behind the sofa as I say this] is for you to leave some of your camera equipment at home!

nelsonian

Air NZ allows one carry on bag up to 7kg, and one personal item such as a hand-bag or a laptop bag. My DH carries a back-pack as his personal item, and it is full with a laptop computer, an I pad, lots of cables. a camera etc. It normally weighs more than the 7kg but doesn't seemed to get weighed when we fly internally but has been weighed when we have checked in at San Francisco, or when we left Auckland.

Bokhara2

OP - not sure what you think would have changed since you posted this, that would warrant another post today.