We are flying out of Toronto to Rome on AirTran in June. We are only taking carry ons. Has anyone done this before? We have one 20 inch and one 22 inch hard side cases. The size limit is 20 inches( even the 20 inch really measures 21 inches) How particular are they? I do not want to purchase new luggage but do not want to be charged to check the bags at the last minute either. The only airline I have had issues with this is on Spirit. I am nervous, however, because most carriers have at least a 22 inch allowance for overseas flights.
Posted by
Hudson Valley
2267 posts
The only AirTran airline I've heard of shut down a decade ago after being merged into Southwest.
Posted by
San Francisco area
1891 posts
Perhaps op is referring to Airtransat?
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4657 posts
It is Air Transat, I believe. You know Canadians are rule followers, and yes, we expect others to do so too😉...so you may be required to put your luggage into the metal sizer. But what often happens is that if it is a full flight, the gate attendants start wandering and telling bag owners they will need to check the bag, but it rarely comes as with a fee. They also ask for volunteers to check bags for free. They just need to reduce the mayhem that arises around filling overhead bins. I have also experienced the last group to board having to check luggage
EDIT: to clarify, even compliant luggage may be required to be gate checked. It just depends how full the flight is.
But a 22 inch bag is definitely bigger that a 20 inch bag, so you run the risk of getting dinged before even getting to security or the gate.
Is there a weight limit for them, by chance? That also needs to be considered.
The flip side is that if travel will happen for a long time for you, then buying smaller luggage may be worthwhile. The trend has been to shrink allowed sizes and weight of in-cabin luggage. You may find smaller, lighter luggage becoming your 'go to' more often.
Outcome all depends on your level of risk.
Posted by
267 posts
Sorry no experience with AirTran, but this is one of my pet peeves. All these 21" and 22" suitcases are sold as "carry-on" even though the external sizes are often greater than 22". We are traveling Aerlingus next week, their carry-on limit is listed in cm and converts to 21.66". We aren't risking taking my husband's suitcase which is 22.5", instead he'll take another one that we have that is small enough. We're also very careful about weight limits (10kg for carry-on, but they don't weigh personal items). We have actually paid for checked bags but are concerned about things getting lost since we change planes in Dublin. On the way back when we don't care if bags are delayed we'll check them.
Iceland Air is another budget airline that has smaller than normal limits. Last year we flew out of Boston and our suitcases were measured carefully (ticket counter attendant made each of us insert our bags into the sizer bin and weigh them. Again we were prepared and all had small enough bags, but I'm glad I didn't chance it (I considered taking my bag which is under 22" but the thickness was too close, so I carried a backpack and tote bag. We did check luggage that time so we could limit what we carried on.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
5499 posts
Never heard of Air Tran, but Air Transat does fly Toronto to Rome. Per their website: All cabin baggage rules are strictly enforced. All bags that do not respect maximum sizes or exceed the number of pieces allowed will be checked, and additional fees may apply.
If you bought a budget economy ticket, you would have to pay for your oversize bag to be checked. But if you have a standard or flex economy ticket, you are allowed one free checked bag.
Posted by
Western Canada
3515 posts
I have to argue about "most" airlines having a size of 22 inches for carryons.
It is generally 21 to 21.5 inches max, INCLUDING the wheels.
So you will conceivably be asked to check a 22 incher and possibly pay a fee.
I've just checked Air Transat, and it looks like the max size for carry on is 9X16X20 inches, so even smaller than the OP thought!
There does not appear to be a weight restrction.
https://www.airtransat.com/en-CA/travel-information/baggage/weight-dimensions