Because I will be staying with family the 6 weeks I'll be in Europe, I thought that my need to pack light was lesser. (It's much more expensive to do laundry after 8 am, so I thought I'd bring more clothes to fit in better.) I planned to bring gifts for grandchildren, and use that room on the way back. That was until I checked out the two airlines my agent booked. I get one carryon up to 40 pounds on USAirways, free, but two bags up to 32 pounds on Luftansa. Does one set of rules apply? Is it the ticketing airline (USAirways) or the short leg Luftansa? Luftansa is the last leg going into Europe and the first leg leaving. It matters now because the carryon I had wanted to use has a strap and I could walk anywhere with it. I'm over 32 pounds by a few after paring down items. (Is there no end to these silly questions? Guess not!)
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5790 posts
For the carry-on, it is the rules of the airline who operates the plane that will be enforced. They will be the ones looking at your bag as you get on the plane and deciding if it is too large or needs to be weighed.
Posted by
Minneapolis
1259 posts
Hi Sarah. It's easy to get confused about total bags allowed when considering checked bags plus carry on. You only mentioned carry on, but you of course can also check a bag for free. So going over, you could check one bag up to 50 lbs all the way through to your final destination, PLUS carry on a bag up to 40 lbs. On your second flight going over, likely you will be asked to have your carry on put below. No problem, just pick it up along with your original checked bag when you get to final destination. Enjoy your trip!
Posted by
OP
United States
223 posts
Ruth, you are quite right. Luftansa won't aggregate the weight (understandable, as the european standard is 32 pounds), so I'm limited to 32 pounds and one bag, business class, in reality.
Thanks, everyone!
Posted by
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
123 posts
If you check the Lufthansa website carryon allowance is 1 bag for economy class 2 for business class but the weight limit for carryon is 8 kilograms or about 17 pounds. Checked baggage is one or two bags at 32 KIlOGRAMS or about 70 pounds
Posted by
Seattle, Washington, United States
284 posts
Whatever the first airline is will determine what gets accepted, with the exception of carry-on luggage (which is per flight, based on the rules of the operating airline). Once you have your bagged checked to the final destination, the other airlines have to accept it. When you check your bag from A to C on Airline 1 (even if Airline 2 connects B to C), then Airline 1's rule apply. The only exception would be if you have to check in at your connection (where there is no interlining of baggage) because then you are effectively flying on two separate tickets, from point A to B and then B to C. Airline 1's rules would apply when you check your baggage A to B. Airline 2's rules would apply when you check your baggage B to C.
Posted by
OP
United States
223 posts
We are all right. Sadly, my last leg going in is the 'worse' airline, and it's my first coming back. The worse airline has to be the rule throughout as a practical matter. I'm good just knowing what's going on at this point.