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Airline Weight Limit For Carry-On Luggage -- Do The Various Airlines Actually Weigh It??

Posted by (Lone Tree, Colorado (adjacent to Highlands Ranch)) on

As long as the carry-on DOES NOT LOOK OVER-STUFFED:
a. Do all the airlines weigh the carry-ons at check-in - always, automatically?
b. Then, if 2 or 3 lbs. over their weight limit, do they make you check it?
1. Flying Lufthansa Denver/Frankfurt/Rome -- Lufthansa carry-on weight limit is 18 lbs (including weight of bag).
2. I have practice packed, and have it down to 17 lbs - and satisfied I have everything I really need.
3. But -- there are 2 or 3 more items I would like to take - might take the weight to 20 lbs - carry-on still looks slim and trim.

So, should I pack them, not worry about it -- and hope that even if weighed, Lufthansa will not make an issue of it.
(I've got other things in my day pack, but no weight limit on a day pack).
Recently retired, on a RS Italy Tour in 2 weeks, an infrequent traveler, and never been out of the country -- so don't yet know all the finer points of traveling that only comes with experience.

Thanks for comments ------ Jim

Posted by
1902 posts

Just flew Lufthansa to Italy and home. they didn't weigh bags. They might check the size before you board...so make sure you are within the size limits. If you are traveling to Italy, leaving from Rome....they are very lax when they check bags...they don't even look unless the bag is super heavy...

Lufthansa has a bag sizer at the gate at DIA, so be prepared to have to prove your bag fits.

I'll PM you with my phone number if you'd like to talk...I fly Lufthansa usually to Europe...

Posted by
1078 posts

I also just flew Lufthansa leaving on 18 May from EWR and they were weighing all carry-ons with a small scale at the gate and forcing people to either re-pack or check-lots of grumbling from the Americans at the gate, however, My carry-on was below limit.
This was the first time had every experienced this, however, the flight(747) was packed. Return from EU was on UA and if youcould carry it, they let you bring it on.

Posted by
23793 posts

Our experience with Lufthansa is that they are more concerned with size than weight. I have stood in several check in lines where every piece of carryon luggage was placed in the sizing box but never weighed. But that is no guarantee that they will not weigh it. It is all dependent on the attitude of the gate personal. United just announced, again, that they were cracking down on size and weight. We shall see.

Posted by
7737 posts

Jim, good job on getting the weight on that bag down. That can be a real challenge. As for those items that might push you over if they weigh your bag, pack so that they're easy to get to. That way you can quickly move them to your day pack, if needed.

BTW, I used to wonder why they weigh the carryon but not the "personal item." Then someone pointed out that it's a safety issue. The carryons get put in the overhead compartments and have the risk of being dropped on someone. The personal items go under the seat in front of you, so no concern with their weight.

Have a great time with your first trip abroad. Remember that one of the reasons you're doing this is to experience new things. Tell yourself that when something doesn't go the way you might have wanted or expected. Also, if/when bad things happen, think of them as material for really good stories once you get back home. :-)

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