My wife and I purchased the Rolling Backpack luggage from the travel store. After downloading baggage information from Alitalia we find that while the bag (just) fits the size limit, they also have a weight restriction of 8 kg or 17.2 lb. We are hoping to travel with just the one bag as a carry-on. However even using Rick's packing light tips this may not be possible.
Has anyone had any experience with the carry-on weight limit being enforced on Alitalia?
Unless you carry books (or bricks), you'll likely be within the limits or at least not too far from it.
Carry-on weight limits are not unheard of or uncommon in Europe. However, even for the lightest of packers, 17 pounds is quite light. Once you pack your bag up with all that you plan on taking it will most likely weight more than 20 pounds.
Additionally, as a company we design our bags to fit the carry-on restrictions of most airlines. However, there is never a guarantee that you can take it as a carry-on each time. There are lots of variables that could prevent this. Normally, we recommend simply checking the bag if there is any doubt in your mind. Usually airlines charge more to check bags at the airport rather than online.
I hope this helps some.
This is one of the few times that I'm going to disagree with Roberto. We found it very difficult to meet the 17 pound limit for our rolling carry-ons on Alitalia. The trick is to wear the heaviest articles of clothing you can (esp. heavy shoes) and put the remaining heaviest items in your "personal bag" which they don't weigh. (In case you're wondering why they weigh one and not the other, I've been told that they weigh the carry-on for safety reasons because it's going to be lifted above passengers' heads. The personal bag goes under your seat, so they don't care.)
And I really have to disagree with Abe's comment about "just checking it if there's any doubt in your mind." That defeats the whole point of trying to do carry-on - the satisfaction of being able to walk off the plane and head out of the terminal, ready to enjoy your destination without wasting time at the luggage carousel.
Agreeing with Michael. I have the rolling carryon and pack it with light-weight items. My Civita daybag holds all the heavy stuff (probably more than 20 lbs.) and fits under the seat. Only once did I have to gate-check the carryon but that was in winter and it bulged too much for Delta's measurements, not because of weight.
I'm flying Alitalia on Tuesday, so I just rechecked their website. Hand baggage allowance is ONE item, no more than 8 kg. with size limitations. Then is says: "Briefcases and laptop computers are considered hand baggage and may be brought on board in addition to the limits indicated."
So I can bring a briefcase and also a laptop, but not a handbag!?!?!
Apparently, you're right, Chani. The picture would indicate that the laptop is just that, a laptop, not a laptop in a case, however.
As for us, I guess we're going to have to buy some large briefcases or something. It's disappointing, though.
Hmmm... we are flying Alitalia from BCN to FCO. We may be able to keep the carryons under 17 pounds (since we are traveling with 2 kids whose stuff is light, so we can reorganize the heavier stuff)... but we also have small backpacks each. So I guess the backpack won't count for the "briefcase"?
When I get to the airport, will I just check in and then they will tell me if I need to check or not? Or do I have to do that in advance if I check in online? Actually, on "day at sea" for cruise the day before, so we may just need to check in at airport I guess...
Thanks for advice - and for posing this question!
Kim
I also asked on Trip Advisor about the "second" carry-on and was told (FWIW) that a handbag counts just like a briefcase or a laptop as an allowable additional item.
I will let you all know what happens on Tuesday morning - ah, did I mention I'm flying to Italy in 48 hours? Sorry, but I just love saying that.
Chani, you'll love it even more in 24 hours - I'm still counting days on both hands.
Yes, please do report back! On the second small item (like backpack) and if they weigh the carryon.
Thanks! And enjoy your trip!
Kim, it's a translation problem, I think, that leads to the confusion. Alitalia allows you one piece to go in the overhead (that would be your carry on and they do weigh them) and one piece to fit under the seat in front of you. That would be those backpacks or a purse or a messenger bag. You'll be fine.
While I have a Delta ticket our flt across the water is Alitalia( Codeshare) and Dl has a slightly larger limit on carry on size. Do I have to abide by Alitalia's rules or Delta's?
Joyce, assume the worst when it comes to conflicting luggage size limits.
Reporting back as promised. . .
Leaving Tel Aviv, no one looked at any hand luggage at all, but the plane was only about 2/3 occupied.
I transferred in Rome to a local Alitalia flight to Palermo. The flight seemed to be full, or close to it, and people were boarding with all sizes of carry-ons, some were odd shaped (squarish, rather than oblong) and hard-sided, but it all fit in the overheads and again, no one seemed to care at all.
My conclusion - it's hit or miss.
Rained all day yesterday, and I quite enjoyed it, not having seen any for so very long and the insides of all the churches were dry. Today is sunny and I have a lovely rooftop view of several church domes and steeples as I type this and drink freshly squeezed blood orange juice. The markets will open soon, where I'm starting my second day of exploration.
That's the best summary of many experiences with Italian rules and regulations: "My conclusion - it's hit or miss."
"However, even for the lightest of packers, 17 pounds is quite light."
If you take only what you know you will need and do a small wash every night, it's not that difficult. In 2000 I embraced Rick carryon idea. At the time, with a 3# convertible bag, I was near the 17.6# limit. With time, I have learned to pare that down. Now, what I take weighs less than 10# (slightly) and I have gone to a 1#13oz convertible, so my total weight is less than 12#.
Unfortunately, you've already saddled yourselves with a bag that weighs almost 1/3 of the weight allowance. Eight kg is 17.6 lb, not 17.2 (to be exact). With a "just over 5½ lb" bag, you'll have 12# of your own stuff. If you used a 1#13oz bag like mine, you could carry on almost 16# (33% more) of your own stuff or limit yourself to the same 12# and only carry 14#.
Lee, can you include a link to that lighter bag that you're using now? I'd like to take a look. Thanks.
FYI, the 8 kg limit also applies on Swiss International and Lufthansa flights.
We are flying to Milan out of Atlanta in 2 weeks. I did a sample pack tonight. Amazingly, I got everything into my carry on and my LARGE purse. But I am at 21.6 lbs. So now I have to figure out how to remove 5 lbs. The electronics (tablet, chargers, camera) are already in the purse.
Not sure why I'm stressing, as my husband is determined to check a bag in addition to our carry-ons. (He thinks we should check 2, since we can each have 1, but I told him 1 was enough to drag around when we change cities.) I just really wanted to succeed at this light packing thing. Gotta admit, though, I like the idea of having an extra bag to carry souvenirs home in.
