Hello,

I'll be taking flights from London Heathrow to Paris CDG and from Milan Linate to London Heathrow later this year. I've been reading about their baggage restrictions and know that I am limited to 6kg (13lbs.) for my carry-on bag. I was wondering -- do they actually weigh each carry-on bag? And if they do, when do they do it? When you check-in or at the gate? Seems to me that just purchasing a snack and reading material for the flight could potentially put you over the limit if you are within a kilo of it.

When I travelled to Spain last fall on BA, our carryon was only weighed when we left LAX. It wasn't weighed when we left Heathrow (connecting), and it wasn't weighed when we left Madrid (on Iberia). But, then again only my carryon was weighed, and not my personal item.

We came in under the limit, so there was no worries. However, when I looked around, it seemed that others were stretching the limits a bit. I wasn't willing to chance going over the limit, so I'm not sure what happens if some one goes over the limit by a just a bit.

I think the rules are different if you fly from the U.S. and connect in London. The allowances are much greater for BA transatlantic flights that have connections in Londong than they are for European flights (e.g., I am limited to 23kg (51lbs.) of checked bags vs. 2 bags of up to 70lbs. each if flying transatlantic.

Have not seen weighing at the gate at Heathrow - have however seen the boarding agents check the weight by picking up the bag - ie "hand weighing" - which will only pick up bags that are seriously overwieght - so as long as you go easy on the books and snacks you should be fine - if my experience is representative

I plan on carrying a daypack in which I will have a laptop computer (ultraportable - 2.5 lbs, thank goodness), digital camera, cell phone, ipod, italian-english dictionary, travel documents, and a small guidebook. I weighed all of this and I come in right at 13lbs. The bag is only about 1/2 full. And that is on the way out. I suppose I would also probably try to pack a toothbrush, hairbrush, a bit of makeup, a water bottle, a snack, and a book to read. Would I be found out? These would put me over the 13lb limit. I wonder how people who have heavier computers do it? I have another laptop (desktop replacement) that comes in at 12 pounds without a carrying case.

The carryon rules are not different if you've got a transatlantic segment--only the checked baggage rules. They do differ by class, and 6 kg is the coach limit.

Big pockets! They haven't started weighing passengers yet!

You do get a "personal item" like a purse in addition. That should help.

Wombat -- I've definitely considered that! Seriously, I've considered sewing a new pocket inside my coat. Sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? I think the airlines would love to weigh us all and have us pay by the kilo if they could.

I flew out of Heathrow yesterday to the US. They did not weigh my carry on. I put it on the scale just to see what it weighed and it was 6.3 kg. I did not see anyone get their carry-on weighed during the entire time we stood in the (long) line.

KT -- are you sure about that?

You know, I feel like I should be sure but I'm not, if that makes sense. That is, I think I planned it that way the last time I flew BA, but now I don't see it on their website. That's pretty much the standard rule, but... Sorry to possibly mislead.

Yes, regarding the "personal item". I had my carry on tote (with rollers) plus a leather bag that probably weighed 5+ pounds.

Hey! I found it:
"A mans or womans purse may be carried in addition to the allowance listed."


www.britishairways.com/travel/askbainter/
public/en_us?p_search_text=baggage

It would definitely be nice to be able to carry a purse in addition to my daypack. One thing I have to say about the low weight limit of carry-ons is that it will be nice not to have to fight for overhead space with other passengers like you have to when you fly on flights in the U.S.

KT -- in which answer did you find this? Thanks!

And a tip...don't dawdle!! My TC was picking out trinkets before we went through security (before duty free). From no one in the line there were hundreds..within the space of 5 minutes..really! I asked an attendant about it and she said it happens "like they just drop from the sky". Just get through and go on to the duty free. We had to rush to our gate and we were at the airport with lots of time to spare!

Nevermind. I found it under "Cabin baggage allowances and forbidden items"

I don't know what prompts the weighing of carryons but if they do and you are overweight, they will ask you to jettison the overweight. If you can fit it in your pockets, fine. If you can't, into the hold it will go. This can be a serious problem if you are carrying medications or a change of clothes and your bag is misplaced.

And, yes, I have had the carryon weighed and it was overweight. Fortunately, my pockets held the excess.

jsmith -- and then do they keep an eye on you to make sure you don't try to transfer that weight back into the bag once you are on the plane? ;-)

Seems a bit bogus to me.