Dealing with the 20kg baggage limit
Aug 18, 2005 | 9:55 am
#1
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Dealing with the 20kg baggage limit
Most of the LCCs in Europe have pretty strict baggage weight limits -- usually 20kg (44 pounds), above which the charges can range up to $3/pound or more.
I could easily live with this limit if it were just me and/or I was only going for a weekend or a few days. But I'm planning a trip with my wife and it'll be about two weeks or more.
Does anyone have any tricks they use because of this limitation? Frequent laundry stops? Mailing baggage ahead? Leaving some behind? Or am I just being paranoid about a problem that's not real?
I could easily live with this limit if it were just me and/or I was only going for a weekend or a few days. But I'm planning a trip with my wife and it'll be about two weeks or more.
Does anyone have any tricks they use because of this limitation? Frequent laundry stops? Mailing baggage ahead? Leaving some behind? Or am I just being paranoid about a problem that's not real?
Aug 18, 2005 | 9:57 am
#2
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Where in Europe are you going?
One alternative, of course, is to use the train.
For longer distances, well, LCCs aren't always the cheapest option.
Otherwise, I don't know: I don't think I've ever even come close to a 20kg limit.
One alternative, of course, is to use the train.
For longer distances, well, LCCs aren't always the cheapest option.
Otherwise, I don't know: I don't think I've ever even come close to a 20kg limit.
Aug 18, 2005 | 10:06 am
#3
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Who are you flying with?
easyJet don't have a weight limit on hand luggage (small print is within reason) as long as the bag fits in their little cage thing that looks a standard sort of size, and you can lift the bag into the overhead lockers. From easyJet.com :
So get your travel space bags out, reduce the volume and put any excess in your carry-on. 
easyJet don't have a weight limit on hand luggage (small print is within reason) as long as the bag fits in their little cage thing that looks a standard sort of size, and you can lift the bag into the overhead lockers. From easyJet.com :
Each passenger is usually permitted
one standard piece of hand baggage to maximum dimensions of 55x40x20cm, and
a free allowance of standard checked-in hold baggage to a maximum weight of 20kgs
one standard piece of hand baggage to maximum dimensions of 55x40x20cm, and
a free allowance of standard checked-in hold baggage to a maximum weight of 20kgs
Aug 18, 2005 | 10:08 am
#4
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Originally Posted by BigLar
Most of the LCCs in Europe have pretty strict baggage weight limits -- usually 20kg (44 pounds), above which the charges can range up to $3/pound or more.
I could easily live with this limit if it were just me and/or I was only going for a weekend or a few days. But I'm planning a trip with my wife and it'll be about two weeks or more.
Does anyone have any tricks they use because of this limitation? Frequent laundry stops? Mailing baggage ahead? Leaving some behind? Or am I just being paranoid about a problem that's not real?
I could easily live with this limit if it were just me and/or I was only going for a weekend or a few days. But I'm planning a trip with my wife and it'll be about two weeks or more.
Does anyone have any tricks they use because of this limitation? Frequent laundry stops? Mailing baggage ahead? Leaving some behind? Or am I just being paranoid about a problem that's not real?
On our honeymoon she brought the contents of a small apartment. Over the years she has learned to manage with carryon very well and the only time she checks luggage is when I'm not traveling with her as she is unable to place it in the overhead by herself.
We have our laundry done while traveling. The inconvenience for personal time used for this task IMO is a lot less then waiting for your luggage to arrive. (could be an hour could be a day or more)
Aug 18, 2005 | 10:39 am
#6
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Originally Posted by flyingbee
Who are you flying with?
easyJet don't have a weight limit on hand luggage (small print is within reason) as long as the bag fits in their little cage thing that looks a standard sort of size, and you can lift the bag into the overhead lockers.
easyJet don't have a weight limit on hand luggage (small print is within reason) as long as the bag fits in their little cage thing that looks a standard sort of size, and you can lift the bag into the overhead lockers.
I'll probably take at least one train trip (AMS-Paris), but going from, say, FCO-AMS or BUD-FCO takes a long time on the train, and costs more than flying.
Aug 18, 2005 | 11:16 am
#7
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Originally Posted by BigLar
Most of the LCCs in Europe have pretty strict baggage weight limits -- usually 20kg (44 pounds), above which the charges can range up to $3/pound or more.
I could easily live with this limit if it were just me and/or I was only going for a weekend or a few days. But I'm planning a trip with my wife and it'll be about two weeks or more.
Does anyone have any tricks they use because of this limitation? Frequent laundry stops? Mailing baggage ahead? Leaving some behind? Or am I just being paranoid about a problem that's not real?
I could easily live with this limit if it were just me and/or I was only going for a weekend or a few days. But I'm planning a trip with my wife and it'll be about two weeks or more.
Does anyone have any tricks they use because of this limitation? Frequent laundry stops? Mailing baggage ahead? Leaving some behind? Or am I just being paranoid about a problem that's not real?
Aug 18, 2005 | 11:35 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 7,566
Originally Posted by chalf
The LCCs are not alone in this. BA and many other European airlines allow 23 kg for economy short-haul, and Aeroflot only allows 20 kg. If you pack sensibly and limit yourself to one checked bag and one carry-on you should be able to fit under 20 kg, well under if you pack very sensibly.
Avoid Ryanair - their baggage limit is 15 kg (plus 10 kg carry-on), and it's strictly enforced with stiff excess baggage charges for anyone who goes over the limit by as much as 1g.
Aug 18, 2005 | 11:37 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2004
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Sometimes you get dinged, sometimes not. My last trip to LHR I got dinged on BA on the connection to Geneva, but not on the return (BA) coming back ten days later. It's brutally expensive, so I do anything I can to avoid the surcharge. I think that BA is much more forgiving if your international leg was also on BA. I carry a lot of mountain climbing gear with me, so the heavy stuff I put in my carry on backpack. Then I stuff as much as possible of the remaining heavy stuff in my carry on. Also, duffel bags can be almost five pounds lighter than rolling suitcases, so that's a little savings.
Aug 18, 2005 | 11:58 am
#10
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Hou, Tx
Posts: 314
With or without the baggage limits, packing light is the only way to go unless if someone else is hauling your bags for you. I have seen carryon bag so heavy that the person had a difficult time lifting it. Of course, they expect some gentlemen to help. Usually some strong guys materialize to help. If these strong guys would stop helping, people would:
1. Learn to pack light, or
2. Check the stuff and pay the surcharge.
Besides, it is not just the airports. Train stations are full of stairs. Heavy bags and stairs just dont mix.
Edited to include:
Helping someone really needs help is one thing. Helping someone who does not know how pack light is another.
1. Learn to pack light, or
2. Check the stuff and pay the surcharge.
Besides, it is not just the airports. Train stations are full of stairs. Heavy bags and stairs just dont mix.
Edited to include:
Helping someone really needs help is one thing. Helping someone who does not know how pack light is another.
Last edited by TXNancy; Aug 18, 2005 at 12:00 pm
Aug 18, 2005 | 10:23 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,218
Originally Posted by philipperv
It is only 15kg on the asian budget carriers. I'm bringing the largest carry-on bag that I can.
There really aren't any tricks to getting around the checked baggage limits.
Either you pack light (perhaps get a lightweight duffle bag), pay the excess, store some luggage at a hotel (assuming you are returning to the city), buy a jacket that has lots of pockets, or ask your wife to wear really tight panty hose and baggy pants and stuff the excess around her legs
