We're headed for Beijing, Shanghai, etc soon on air China and I noticed that the carry on baggage limit has the normal size dimension (about 9x14x21 inches) but a 5kg weight limit. Are they serious about the weight? I've never had my carry on weighed.

Thanks,
Penn

Are they serious about the weight?

no

I have not flown Air China, but I have had my carryon weighed before. Seems common among European carriers. I remember that Icelandair was particularly strict about making pax check overweight carryons even if they were within size limits.
As with many other airlines and application of rules, it may depend on the agent who checks you in.

Generally the carry ons are not an issue, but I will say that on my first intra-China flight in May on Air China from PVG-PEK, they did make me check my roll-a-board because it was too big. Quite inconvenient especially since I had just gotten off ORD-PVG with it overhead.

I am traveling to China by myself to adopt a baby girl.
Due to different reasons, my wife is unable to make the trip.
I am flying into Bejing on air Canada then from Bejing to Nanning on Air China.
I have a 3 hour lay over in Bejing before flying to Nanning.

I am fine with and under Air Canada's baggage limit of 3 pieces and 70lbs.
What I can't figure out, and what I keep getting different answers on, is what is the limit on Air China from Bejing to Nanning?
I have a first class ticket, so should be able to bring 40kg (88lbs).
But how many pieces can I check?
I talked to the Air China NYC office, who said only 20kg and 1 piece even with first class.
Spoke with the Los Angeles office who said 40kg but only 1 piece checked.
Spoke with San Francisco office who said because I am flying in on Air Canada then I can check what I was allowed to check from Air Canada. She confirmed because I was going basically straight through with no overnight in Bejing that I could bring the same amount or luggage on the Air China flight.

Anyone know for real?
Or know where I can turn for the right answer?

This will be a very exciting, emotional, and tense trip, I am trying to eliminate as many of the unknowns as possible.

Thank you

I have a first class ticket, so should be able to bring 40kg (88lbs).
But how many pieces can I check?
I talked to the Air China NYC office, who said only 20kg and 1 piece even with first class.
It is very common in China that the person who should logically be the fount of accurate information either hasn't got a clue or can't be bothered to find out the right answer.

The regulations are standard for all domestic flights and printed in detail on the ticket. I quote:

"A passenger holding an adult-fare or children-fare ticket is entitled to free baggage allowance of 40kg in for first class."

There is no mention of, nor is there any limit in my experience, on the number of pieces. I have very frequently checked two, and sometimes three, even in economy.

What is true is that tour companies sometimes impose their own limits for their own ease of handling, pass these on to customers as airline regulations, which leaves some who've travelled on tours misinformed.

Peter N-H

My experience has been that when making a connection from/to North America you are allowed the North America baggage allowance, if your connection is same day (or less than 24hrs). You just tell them at the check-in counter you are connecting and show them your tickets/boarding passes. I have done this several times through Beijing, and also through Shanghai and Guangzhou.

thank you AandT and Peter N-H for your replies.
I feel much better now about this detail of trip, and can now totaly focus on the purpose of the trip.

Thanks again