wsparkman

Ahoy hoy!
Has anyone flown to Europe (Frankfurt, Germany) with US Airways with a carry on backpack? How strict is the sizing of the bag? I am considering an Osprey Farpoint 70 Travel Pack (dimensions of 18 x 26 x 14 inches, well over the 45 limit with 58). Is there any way I could slide by this and still carry on with finagling and packing well?

nytraveler

If it doesn't fit in the overhead it is likely you are going to have to gatecheck it. And 26" is a full size suitcase. US size for carry ons is usually 22" and european size is often 19".

greg

There are several gates. The first one is the check-in counter. Supposed you go past that. Then the gate checker who can prevent you from going further with your luggage. Suppose you go past that, then you have to actually find a space. It depends on who are traveling around you and your boarding priority. These days, even though I travel with a 20" carry-on, it is still difficult to find space to put it in even with a freq flyer with a status. Your odd looks low.
What is your motivation for doing this in the first place? For transatlantic flights, the first checked-in luggage is free. http://www.usairways.com/en-US/trave...epolicies.html. If your concern is delayed luggage, there are several strategies to lessen the impact such as cross packing between you and your travel companion and taking at least one complete change of clothes on the real carry-on compliant luggage.

janisj

If you want to carry on - you need to conform to the size requirements. That bag isn't just a 'little' larger - it is enormous.

adeben

You sound like a nice person, so I'm sure the airline won't mind if you carry on such an oversize piece of luggage. The booking and gate officials probably won't even notice! Ignore the naysayers!

Andrew

I just got back from Europe - flew USAir into Paris (Airbus wide body jet) and out of Brussels (Boeing 757). I had a bigger bag and a "personal item" (camera bag) that fits under the seat in front of me - barely.

The bigger bag is almost 25" long including the bottom brace support. It barely fit vertically in both overhead bins, on both jets, but it did fit. (and also on two other USAir domestic flights). Both international flights were pretty full, but I was never asked to check anything. I checked in prior to arrival at the airport and had no checked baggage, so I never saw a check-in counter. No one said a word to me about my bags. Others had slightly bigger bags than I did.

I was aided by being in Zone 2 for boarding - a little perk of a recent USAir credit card I guess. (not the first board coach but close to it.) The overhead bins were mostly empty when I got on any of my planes, so I never had to fight for bin space. Although I think space may have been tight for people boarding late, I don't recall a lot of hassle about people needing to gate check bags on either flight.

So I'd GUESS you would be OK carrying it on, unless you wind up boarding near last and then there's no room for it. Of course, there's nothing to say things will be exactly the same for you at your airports vs. mine.

Rastaguytoday

Is this what you're thinking of?

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blog...l#slide_ss_0=1

nytraveler

Do you have any other flights within europe? If so - the chances of getting this on the plane are essentially nil.

Sorry - I just don't understand why you refuse to follow the rules. At a minimum you will be hauling this monstrosity down the aisle, bumping into people and holding up those behind you. At worst - for others - you are taking their overhead space and people who board later will have to gate check.

Either get a normal size bag or check this one. Or buy a first class ticket - so there is room for this in your overhead.

Christina

I think you should just check it, obviously, that is a huge suitcase to expect to just roll past the gate agents with no one noticing. But of course, you could try and see what happens, I guess there is no harm as you will just have to check it then, anyway.

USAir doesn't even charge you to check your first bag, you know.

I wasn't aware first class had larger overheads, is that true?

yodababe

Check it and put it in a large duffel or something similar to protect your straps. You don't want to have to deal with damaged or missing buckles when you arrive.

nytraveler

First class does not have larger overheads. It has fewer passengers per overhead bin - so more room per person. If you have a first class ticket they are usually more flexible about what you bring on board.

aliced

18 mos. ago flew into Frankfurt via Lufthansa; proudly had my 21" carryon as we had to change for flight to Venice. Lufthansa has one of those metal rimmed boxes at check-in counters into which every piece must fit or else it gets checked. My bag wasnt close to fitting. I would suggest you check the limitations of your carrier, but agree, if it's a nonstop flight why not check it?? Lots of transatlantic flights are now going via 737-800/900s not wide bodies, we just flew United from CA, and the interior was brand new. My 21" carryon simply would not fit atop due to a new ridge in the compartment-- didnt even use my 'expand' feature either. So unless you know your aircraft (it constantly changes....), I'd check it. People take advantage of the overhead and try to put both items up there, astounding lack of courtesy. Remember they're to go up there front to back, not sideways.

ekc

"Although I think space may have been tight for people boarding late"
And this is exactly the problem. Anyone who boards later might have to gate check their regulation-sized carryon because other passengers refuse to follow the rules and take up an entire overhead bin with their huge bag.

Past an astounding lack of courtesy, just plain rude.

Holly_uncasdewar

Check the damned bag, or else downsize it to conform to the rules for carry-on.