LAN LANPASS - LAN carry on restrictions - are they always vigilant?

So, I flew my first flight on LAN yesterday (LAX-LIM) and when boarding, one of the LA employees stopped me and made me weigh my carry on. Of course, it was over the published limit for economy (8 KG - my laptop bag weighs more than that!) and she made me check it. I'm not complaining that they enforced their rules (of course, the only other airline that made me check my 22" rollaboard was LH out of eastern Europe), but I'm wondering if they are always so vigilant checking weights of carry-on items. I have a return flight to the US on Thursday night and will probably pack differently if I must assume that I will be checking the bag again.

As a side note, I was very pleased with the seats/entertainment on LAN in Y. My only real complaints were that I kept bumping the AVOD controller in the arm rest thus exiting the movie and the fact that you can't use a laptop when the seat in front of you is reclined. Food was decent, but not extraordinary and the wine was good enough for Y.

They used to be more vigilant - I have never seen a scale when boarding, but I've never flown them to/from the US in the main cabin. When they used to fly 737-200 with tiny overheads, they were uber-strict. I have not flown them since March, so maybe this is a new thing. They used to weigh and look at carry on at check in and would tag them with permitted cabin baggage tags at that time. They ended that a few years back.

They used to be more vigilant - I have never seen a scale when boarding, but I've never flown them to/from the US in the main cabin. When they used to fly 737-200 with tiny overheads, they were uber-strict. I have not flown them since March, so maybe this is a new thing. They used to weigh and look at carry on at check in and would tag them with permitted cabin baggage tags at that time. They ended that a few years back.

They had the scale out in LAX on Monday during boarding. I actually made it about 20 feet down the jetway before the woman stopped me and chastised me for having a bag larger than their limits. Interesting that when I checked in, they didn't ask to see my carry on bags at all. I'm guessing if they did, they would have told me to check it then. That's more what the European airlines tend to do. I guess I'll see what they do in LIM on Thursday.

They are, but for coach passengers only !

When I fly economy I'm always required to check in my bags, despite that it will fit in the overhead. But when flying BC, no one mentions anything to me.

This doesn't seem to happen when you are flying within Latin America, though ! They don't seem to mind. It's the US to LA flights !

About the controller, I always take it out and leave it hanging/leaning outside of the seat. Never had a problem. Also, try to get an exit row seat (more space) and be able to use your laptop. For some reason with LAN anyone (even without status) can get a exit row seat during check in at the airport. You can't hold an exit row prior to that, sadly.

I agree about the controller too. I noticed on my last flight I kept turning on the TV in my sleep LOL. Still the J seat is the best IMHO. I also agree that they have never asked about my big (over-limit) carry-ons in J. I appreciate that!

Predictably, in LIM they made me weigh my rollaboard at check-in. They were looking for overweight bags at the gate, but didn't seem to find any.

Predictably, in LIM they made me weigh my rollaboard at check-in. They were looking for overweight bags at the gate, but didn't seem to find any.
I guess OW status makes a big difference here, since I have flown with my 22" bag about 15x out of LIM in the last two years (on both the B767 and A320/319) and not once have they questioned its proportions or weight. Same goes for LAN check in agents at LAX/JFK/GYE/EZE/SCL. Most travel in coach...

They are, but for coach passengers only !

When I fly economy I'm always required to check in my bags, despite that it will fit in the overhead. But when flying BC, no one mentions anything to me.


Agree...

I guess OW status makes a big difference here

And agree...

It seems that boarding first makes a difference, when they don't really know if you are heading to BC or Y.

They are, but for coach passengers only !

When I fly economy I'm always required to check in my bags, despite that it will fit in the overhead. But when flying BC, no one mentions anything to me.


It might be less of a problem in BC, as the limit is 16kg there and in Premium Economy, compared to only 8kg in Economy... And "normal' laptop bag wouldn't count in that. http://www.lan.com/info_viajes/equipajes/equipajes_mano-en-us.html

I am contemplating carry-on only for my next trip - boardings in LAX and SCL - with 22" roller (good on any US carrier, no issues) and a laptop bag. In the J cabin. Any anticipated issues?

I am contemplating carry-on only for my next trip - boardings in LAX and SCL - with 22" roller (good on any US carrier, no issues) and a laptop bag. In the J cabin. Any anticipated issues?

I have a 22" roller too and it's ok, because that's about 55 cms which is allowed in LAN. In J you're allowed up to 16kg in carry on, so you'll be ok, and plus a personal item (laptop).

Even if you were over 16kg, they won't check. They really don't bother J passengers regarding luggage weight. So you won't have any issues !

It might be less of a problem in BC, as the limit is 16kg there and in Premium Economy, compared to only 8kg in Economy... And "normal' laptop bag wouldn't count in that. http://www.lan.com/info_viajes/equipajes/equipajes_mano-en-us.html

You're right.. In most experiences when I travel BC I like to board among the first, so no problem with agents checking to see if my bags meet the weight.

But when I travel in coach, at the jet bridge there are agents looking at your bags and determining if they're oversized and that's when they make me check in my baggage. It's quite clear that my bag is more than 16 kg.. But when I travel coach and board with other elites, I never get hassled. And bag weighs more than 16kg.

I have a 22" roller too and it's ok, because that's about 55 cms which is allowed in LAN. In J you're allowed up to 16kg in carry on, so you'll be ok, and plus a personal item (laptop).

Even if you were over 16kg, they won't check. They really don't bother J passengers regarding luggage weight. So you won't have any issues !

Thanks. When I first started flying them, they were even somewhat tight with the front cabin and I'd had my bag weighed at check-in.

I usually just check bags these days, as @ SCL, they usually arrive shortly after I get to the carousel. LAX is a different annoying story. But the next trip is quite short, and I really don't need the bag.

Any recent experiences on this?

Flying LAN for the first time SCL-AEP, and read there is a 8kg carryon limit. What rollerboard is less than 8kg?!? Will I likely be able to bring it or will I have to gate check it? It's an A320 if that helps. I can't imagine nobody in economy travels LAN with a rollerboard.

Does OW sapphire status mean anything? Will I get priority boarding benefits?

just don't be at the gate prior to the start of boarding. the gate agents walk through the waiting area scanning for possible oversize bags. i have never seen checks after boarding has started ...

@PMC recently, all carry-ons weighed at check-in. I was ok after I took my laptop out.

Variable gate enforcement (in my observations over the years) - expect the worst. You'll see people with larger bags get on the plane after yours has been pulled.

Flying Lan for the first time. I've got the weight issues and dimensions etched in my brain but do they weigh the "personal item" too? We're in Y.
Flying out of MIA.
Thanks

Any recent experiences on this?

Flying LAN for the first time SCL-AEP, and read there is a 8kg carryon limit. What rollerboard is less than 8kg?!? Will I likely be able to bring it or will I have to gate check it? It's an A320 if that helps. I can't imagine nobody in economy travels LAN with a rollerboard.

Does OW sapphire status mean anything? Will I get priority boarding benefits?
Yes, Sapphire will get you Business Class check in (Be sure and use the separate entrance at SCL: last door down from the departures entrance). They have separate immigration and security too. You will also get a third piece of checked luggage and they are generous if you are a bit over the weight limit. Finally, you will indeed get priority boarding which IME is always offered at SCL for intl LAN flights. Oh --- and go to the NERUDA lounge not the Mistral or the Admiral's Club.