tricky question about baggage
 

Hi, veteran flyers. Hope you will be able to help me out. I'm a newbie who doesn't travel much - I tried to find an answer to this question in other posts and forums but couldn't. I aplogize sincerely if this has already been covered.

I'm travelling from Chicago (ORD) to Mumbai, India (BOM) on Dec23 by Air India, Economy class. As per the Air India site, I'm allowed :

Free Baggage Allowance: 2 pieces

The sum of the 3 dimensions (length + breadth + height) of both must not exceed 107 inches. Moreover the linear dimension of each piece should not exced 62 inches.

The weight of each bag must not exceed 50 pounds or 23 Kilos

My problem is, I'm expecting to have some excess baggage. To my mind, there are three possible scenarios:

1) I check in an additional bag - The standard fee seems to be $130

2) Just two bags, one bag exceeds 50 lbs - the standard fee seems to be $50 for up to 70 lbs

3) I check in just two bags, under 50 lbs each, but both of 60 inches linear dimensions ( that is, I comply to the allowed number of bags and the prescribed weight limit, but slightly exceed the l+b+h limit of 107 inches.).

I see most airlines sites addressing the first two situations above, but not the third scenario. Can anyone tell me if I will be penalized, and how much?

I do understand that "oversized baggage" is usually charged $175. But "oversized" seems to be defined as a bag greater that 80 inches in linear dimensions, which is not my case (my bags will be around 60 inches l+b+h).

Thanks a lot. Hope you will be able to help!

Welcome to Flyertalk, agcec1. As there is a Forum dedicated to Airlines of India, I am moving your thread to that Forum for discussion.
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

I did a bit of searching and it seems like YMMV. Couldn't find specifics on Air India, but some experiences with other airlines here:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/conti...let-slide.html

Also, same question posted here for a different airline, some other people's experiences.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-c...-leniency.html

I once checked a suitcase that was clearly over the lxwxh requirement, but only weighed 25 pounds, and they let me through (JFK-MRS on LH). Hopefully you get someone that will let it slide.

Thanks a lot, frogface63. I hadn't seen those threads. They were helpful, but mostly about bags which were larger than 62 inches. My issue is the second bag being 60 inches rather that the specified 45. Sounds like I might be able to go through if I'm lucky!

Tricky question about baggage
 

Go with your option 3. It is so slightly larger than their maximum size, the check-in agent wont even notice. I have worked in the airline industry for 40 years and I have never seen a check-in agent measure a bag.

Its definitely unusual to find a smaller size requirement on the second piece. My advice too is ignore this - only once in my 20 years of regular flying have I seen an agent with a measuring tape...

[QUOTE=agcec1;12901823]Hi, veteran flyers. Hope you will be able to help me out. I'm a newbie who doesn't travel much - I tried to find an answer to this question in other posts and forums but couldn't. I aplogize sincerely if this has already been covered.

I'm travelling from Chicago (ORD) to Mumbai, India (BOM) on Dec23 by Air India, Economy class. As per the Air India site, I'm allowed :

Free Baggage Allowance: 2 pieces

The sum of the 3 dimensions (length + breadth + height) of both must not exceed 107 inches. Moreover the linear dimension of each piece should not exced 62 inches.

The weight of each bag must not exceed 50 pounds or 23 Kilos

My problem is, I'm expecting to have some excess baggage. To my mind, there are three possible scenarios:

1) I check in an additional bag - The standard fee seems to be $130

2) Just two bags, one bag exceeds 50 lbs - the standard fee seems to be $50 for up to 70 lbs

I checked one legal bag on CO 48 to BOM travelling last night: Update, Star livety, no flat seats. Flight was delayed in EWR for some time because too much checked luggage and some had to be brought on board for storing.