I'm ticketed through on United from ATH to SFO, with the first leg ATH to FRA on Lufthansa. As I checked in on Lufthansa tonight, I got a warning about hand baggage. I packed with the assumption I got to fly on United's hand baggage rules, which are different than Lufthansa's. Basically, I expect to have two pieces of hand baggage, and the bigger one definitely isn't going to meet the weight limit. Which rules apply? I really don't want to check my second piece (the non-laptop piece), as I halfway expect to end up in Frankfurt for the night due to a very short connection.

All I can tell you is my experience which was that the domestic connection honored the transatlantic weight and luggage limits. But, it wasn't with your airlines. To be safe, put overnight essentials in the smaller bag.

I believe if you check the United website you'll see that the hand baggage rules of whatever airline is actually transporting you will apply.

Here's a blurb from the United website:

"When a customer travels on a codeshare flight or on an aircraft operated by a Star Alliance member airline, then the policy regarding checked bags follows the rules determined by the originating marketing carrier."

I would assume that the rules for carry-ons would be determined by the originating marketing carrier as well.

The baggage rules of the airline you are actually FLYING hold. So it's Lufthansa's rules not UA.

My experience at CDG yesterday. Several Americans' hand luggage was bulging on the outside pocket and did not fit into the measuring crate before entering security. I saw an agent taking down numbers and doing " I don´t know what" but I do not believe they were being allowed through with those cases.Several were there "waiting" for someone to deal with their luggage or give them something.

What did you do when you flew to Greece? Or was that a direct flight?

I've always understood that the connecting flight has the same rules as the main flight, so tow bags would be allowed. If you have a problem just explain you are flying on to the US and they should let you have both bags. Chances are they won't even check, but you always run the risk of it being gate checked, in which case you can collect it at the gate again in Frankfurt.

A connecting flight is one thing but the originating flight in this case is on Lufthansa so I, too, would prepare to meet the Lufthansa regulations. I think the OP packed on the wrong assumption and is now wondering what to do.

I flew United to FRA and Lufthansa FRA to ATH, and I flew with United's carry-on rules. It kills me, because I would have no problem meeting United's carry-on rules now. Anyway, I'm repacking and think I may have it managed. My checked bag is some kind of full! And I'm leaving a few things behind. The carry-on I'm now planning on taking is too thick, but I'm only going to fill it partway so that it can be squashed down to meet the requirements. I <i>think</i> I have it covered.

Have a nice trip! Vacation or work?

And I really can't have gate-checked luggage, because I have a very tight connection and don't have time to wait to retrieve it.

It's been vacation - now I am headed back to work. I've been in Greece since May 5.

Nice!

If you are going on a Lufthansa plane be ready to meet their smaller luggage size- not just weight but also size (often 19" INCLUDING wheels and handle). When I started traveling to Basel regularly I got a mini - european size - carry-on - and learned how to pack for 3 days in that - with my computer bag/purse as the second item. (And it's not a body bag - it's a regular computer size bag.)

They say one carry-on only, no personal item. I think I have it handled.

Update: I had it down to a single carry-on, although oversized by their requirements and probably overweight as well. No one even took a glance! Probably could have gone as first packed. Still, better safe than sorry.