Carry-on bag limitations

The few times I've flown to Europe, other people have had larger hard case bags and have had no problems. Usually the larger aircrafts flying over seas can handle the larger luggage; plus, many people check luggage so there is more room. This has been my experience.

tb,

Here is the "baggage" link https://www.alitalia.com/en_us/fly-alitalia/baggage/hand-baggage.html

The hand baggage you bring on board with you may weigh no more than 8 kg and measure no more than 55 cm in height, 35 cm in width and 25 cm in depth including handles, side pockets and wheels.
Alitalia also lets you bring an accessory of your choice from the following:

Briefcase, Laptop computer, Handbag/Small Purse, Small Backpack

I fly British Airways. They are more generous and lenient with their bag policies (except a very full flight with no wiggle room.) I stick to the weights and measurements; some sneak by with more than two bags inflight.

Some travelers have expressed Alitalia is more strict. It is up to the gate agent and flight crew.

To be on the safe side, I would carry an additional smaller bag (as allowed) with all your valuables and a change of clothes. If you are told to "gate check" your bag, you don't want to be fumbling at the last minute or worse, leave your valuables and essentials to the gate checking. You never know.

We have discovered that flying within Europe (not transatlantic) that weight and size restrictions on carryons are strict. On a flight from London to Paris (CDG) where we picked up our flight to Atlanta, we had to check another bag due to the weight limit. I think the weight limit was something like 8 kilos pp. and that included my briefcase. I had several travel books that I had acquired on our travels. It cost me an extra 60 pounds to check that bag.

Alitalia does check for both size and weight. So check carefully on the actual weight of the bag itself. 17.6 pounds doesn't go far if your bag weighs 6 #.

I use a day bag for my personal items, in it are my purse, meds, 3-1-1 items and a sweater or sweatshirt. This fits under the seat. Have also used a small backpack.

Curious
Knowing that the bag you favor is wider than a stated maximum, why do you STILL want to get THAT bag?

Probably 7, 8 times out of ten you probably will not have a problems if you are knowingly carrying an oversize bag. But if checked, then what is your plan.? Are you prepared to have it gate checked. You have assume you will be check either at check-in or later at the gate. It is a little bit like driving over the speed limit. Most of the time you get by but once in a while you don't.

Thank you all for the feedback, it is much appreciated. To clarify, the reason I was looking at that bag was that it was a 'spinner type' my daughter had selected. I am not wed to purchasing that bag, but since it is so close to the limit (and within the limits of the other carriers I checked) I thought it worth asking since it is most likely the only flight we will ever take on Alitalia. I think I will keep looking for other options, or just plan to check this bag. Thanks again.

.56 cm wider than their stated limitation of 35cm....

Just curious about the very precise measurement of 0.56 cm wider. Did you actually measure a width of 35.56 cm or is that a calculated from a specified 14 inch measurement. Measuring to a hundredth of a centimeter is very precise. Keep in mind that claimed luggage dimensions are often very inaccurate. Read: https://www.consumerreports.org/luggage/When-carry-on-luggage-isnt-carry-on-size/

Should you rely on manufacturers’ size claims? Consumer Reports’
luggage-measuring tests reveal the answer.

Edgar, thank you for the response and the link to the article, very interesting to see the actual results. The .56 cm I mentioned was simply the result of converting the inches to cm as you suspected. I will keep looking for another option, thank you!

A previous thread suggested making your own sizer out of cardboard.-"I made a carryon baggage sizing box" https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing/i-made-a-carry-on-baggage-sizing-box-99339501-d270-4d62-8c02-fb244fd6bc18 Use the airlines stated dimensions and then see if the luggage fits inside.