[QUOTE=treadsoftlyI know it is still over double the allowance for flights via Asia, but it is still a large adjustment .[/QUOTE]

I think you just answered your own question - it is still over double the allowance for flights via Asia - so people who are unable to travel light will still need to go via North America even though it has been reduced to a more sensible allowance . There really is no point cutting off your nose to spite your face by taking a routing that gives you an even smaller allowance. The vast majority of people do not take anywhere near 64kgs of checked luggage so it is only really going to make a difference to a relatively small number of pax anyway .