Luggage weight restrictions?

Alitalia's weight limit is five kilograms. The Delta dude apparently said the same thing. It's doubtful that you're going to slip something by that is four times as heavy as the rules allow.

RS's idea of weight probably has to do with what you can comfortably tote all day; not a universal weight guidline for air carriers.

You can carry on the Alitalia flight with no problem. Your bag just has to weigh 5 kilos (11 pounds) or less. They usually weigh the bags as you check in.

A lot of the European carriers have the 5 kilo rule for carry on bags.

Very funny that you would have the exact same question as me. We are also traveling Alitalia and wanted to just pack carry-on. Also traveling for two weeks and nervous about accomplishing this goal. I am purchasing a bag that is two pounds so that leaves only nine pounds for clothes and supplies. I have bought all clothes that are made of dry fit material and similar that pack up small. I am hoping to be able to do laundry. At Shoppers Drug Mart I purchased a clear zippered bag similar in size to a ziplock baggie, it contains several small see through jars that I am putting in all the face cleaners, medications etc, this will help a lot for space. Sorry I can't give any advise but PLEASE let me know when you get back how you made out. Perhaps they won't be too sticky with their 11 pound rule if you are only over a bit. GOOD LUCk and Buon viaggio!

You are at the mercy of the check-in attendant. I have stood in lines where every bag was weighed and stuffed into the size box. Same airline two weeks later, nothing was checked. I believe that they are more aggressive in checking when they know that the plane is packed. Last year was caught with two pounds over the limited. Pulled out a pair of sandals and stuffed them in my pocket. Another time I knew we were about 10 lbs over but because we had used the external straps to really compress the bag so that it look small, they said ok just before I was going to put it on the scale. We have never had any questions at the gate. It has always been the check-in counter.

On the other hand we have never had any experience with discount airlines in Europe where it is reported that they weigh everything.

Thanks, all. We'll be packing & weighing this week. If we're over the limit we will probably carry-on to New York and check our bags at JFK. No gaurantee they won't get lost but at least they won't have to change planes. Marianne, I'll let you know how it goes!

We are taking domestic flights from Malaga to Rome and Rome to Madrid. We will be traveling for 6 weeks and hope to pack lightly however with a cruise we need things we could get away with if we were only doing ground tours. I bought another seat on Alitalia in Europe and was very surprised that I was only charge $67 (ticket was $157) for the extra seat as they could not charge tax again. This gives us another 20k of luggage.

I realize this flight is much less than overseas but something to take into consideration if you fly W/I the UK and Europe.

Sue

Sue or Karen -- another 20k is 44 pounds. That seems like a lot. We frequently cruse in Europe and our only addition for two of us is one carryon size rolling bag that contains the extra clothing/shoes/etc, we need for the cruise. Other than that we each have our normal carryon bags with the clothing that we would normal use on any trip. The rolling bag does have to be checked and it tends to be a little heavy, closer to 30 lbs, because we do through in the guidebooks.