Good grief! We just read, on the British Airways site, that we can only have ONE piece of carryon luggage. We'd been planning to take our usual carryon cases, plus day packs holding all the stuff we're going to need during the flight. Now, it seems we must make room in our one bag for the stuff we'll need at our seats, forcing us to either check our bags- which, given the chaotic state of baggage checking these days we REALLY don't want to do- or carry significantly less, and get our day packs out before we belt in. Anybody else dealt with this? Any creative solutions? We're changing not only planes, but airports in London, on our way to Pisa.
Posted by
San Jose, CA, USA
424 posts
John, there has been a lot posted about this. I would suggest using the search option within Travelers' Helpline to ready up on the responses too.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5865 posts
Yes, you can only bring one bag through the security checkpoint at British airports. You can have more after you get out of security (e.g. I put my purse in my daypack before going through security and took it out as soon as I got through when I flew from London to). You should be allowed more than one bag as carry-on when you go from the U.S. to London, but when you change airports and go through security there you will be allowed only one.
I always check my carry-on sized roller bag just because I don't like having to cart that bag through the airport. I put more in my daypack before I get on the plane. I always make sure to have enough in my daypack to get me through a couple days.
If there are two of you, another suggestion is for each of you to put half of your clothes in each of your two bags. This way if one of your bags is delayed, you both have half of your clothes to get started.
Posted by
Portlandia
3313 posts
They're serious about it, too. My wife had a large boat bag to carry stuff she needed on the flight. I ended up stuffing my daypack into her bag so, technically, it was just one piece. But at Heathrow they had all kinds of travelers pulled aside trying to repack.
The enforcement is at security. Once you get through, you can have more bags, depending on the airlines' rules (some have weight limits). If you're traveling a budget airline from Gatwick to Pisa, double check their size and weight limits.
Posted by
Arroyo Grande, California, USA
24 posts
I hear you ! just finished packing....very frustrating to have to cram my handbag that has my "neccesseties" into my suitcase. makes it heavy, and more of a challenge for sure .
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8123 posts
John; Hate to mention it, but check the weight as well. Most of the European airlines weigh carry-ons as well, not just by size. BA may not be too bad, but if you are taking a budget to Pisa, check their regulations as well.
Posted by
Niagara Wine Country, Canada
808 posts
I think one carry on is reasonable. How much stuff do you really need during a flight? Your documents in your money belt, a book, a sweater, a water bottle, a snack, a flashlight, your medications, and a few other small items, maybe? That's not too much to add to your roller carry-on, is it?
I'm perfectly comfortable travelling with one piece of luggage. And my Crew roller is only 17", not 19" or 21". I've learned to pack wisely and wash as needed. My 17" is all I need for a 5 day layover. I only bring/check one piece of company issued luggage if I'm going to be going on a shopping trip.
I worship the one bag, one person rule. While other Crewmembers are waiting at the Baggage Claim, I'm sitting enjoying a drink with my feet up!
Posted by
Renton, WA, USA
3 posts
We just got back from Italy and did the SFO to LHR, to Gatwick to Pisa flight. We were able to carry on two pieces from SFO to LHR, but at Gatwick we were forced to consolidate/check. They are just as strict coming back, as we again flew though Heathrow and were allowed only one carry on item. No creative solutions, sorry.