Norwegian Air weight limits. Yikes!

10 kg is 22#! You can certainly get under that.

Lufthansa's weight limit for the main bag is 8 kg (17.6#). So an 8 kg main carryon and a 2 kg personal item (4.4#) is the same as Norwegian's 10 kg.

Yes, because they want the extra luggage income. There are trade offs when you fly the ultra-low fares. Check your bag. It is not the end of the world.

I have seen bags weighed and measured, but not on every flight. That’s why their fares are cheaper! Many flights these days have a 7.5 kg allowance. It is cheaper checking a bag in advance online than at the airport if you are stopped.

If I am away for more than a week, I always check in a bag and I have never had one go missing, taking on average 4 trips a year.

I have to echo Lee here. The weight limit is 22#. That’s beyond generous.

It’s certainly do-able. I’ve made it to 7kg in winter. Here’s the items to check:

• bag weight - this is usually the easiest. Many bags are heavy so replacing it with a lighter version is an easy way to get back several pounds
• toiletry weight - how heavy is your toiletries bag? Mine is 2.5 oz. Several kits weigh over a pound. Weigh yours. Replace with something lighter. No more than 4oz.
• packing cube weight. Several beefy cordura packing cubes can add up. Go for the Sil-nylon ones to save pounds
• toiletries - decant like crazy. Lean toward solid items to get rid of water weight. Take “just enough”. Take mini versions.
• electronics - share chargers as much as possible. Many electronics take a micro USB sync cord. That, combined with a 3A charger will cover everything but Apple. Take an additional fire cord for Apple products. Do not take separate chargers for each of your products.
• look at the extras and toss them. You do not need a full first aid kit. Substitute a collapsible water bottle for a hard sided one. A significant portion of weight creep occurs with our unrelated “stuff”.
• Consolidate. You do not need a separate case for everything. Consolidate similar items into light zip lock bags.
• Check the weight of your clothes. Travel pants are lighter than jeans. A puff jacket is lighter than fleece.
• Dump the paper. Scan items or convert to PDF. Put one version on your phone and one version in the cloud. The GoodReader app is a password protected and encrypted document storage device.
• Cloth is lighter than leather. Go for cloth for day bags etc.

No one can guarantee they won’t weigh your carry on and personal item. It’s only $45 each way to check a bag on Norwegian. Add $90 to your ticket price and it’s still a good deal. If your flight is non-stop there is very little chance your bag won’t arrive with you. Norwegian prices are à la carte, which I prefer. I don’t like paying more for a flight on other airlines for things I don’t care about.
I’m flying Norwegian in June, I paid to check my bag.

I fly Norwegian Air! From their website:

Each bag must not be heavier than 32 kg or lighter than 2 kg.
Your total amount of checked bags cannot weigh more than 64 kg.
Each bag must not exceed 250 x 79 x 112 cm (L x H x W) with max. circumference 300 cm. LowFare 1 x 20 kg

This is very confusing for someone to understand.
From Norwegian Airlines

This is very confusing for someone to understand.

It clearly states “checked baggage” at the top of the page.

You would need to go to “hand baggage” for carry on weights.

I am not a big fan of the competitive packing nonsense, but 10kg is over 1.5 stone. Will that really be too little for your hand-baggage? I wouldn't want to have to carry it about for a whole holiday, so surely put what you need in the carry-on and, for the rest, book hold luggage.

Norwegian Air throws a wrench into things. I'm flying on an ultra-low
cost fare and I didn't realize that their carry-on weight limit of 10
kg is a COMBINED weight that applies to both hand baggage AND the
personal item. Wow! I think I will have to wear cargo pants and a
jacket and stuff every available pocket with my electronics, liquids,
and other heaviest items. I'm gonna look very lumpy!

Have any of you had experience with Norwegian's strict weight
limitations? Do they really weigh both the carry-on and personal item?
I really don't want to check a bag (my only other option) because I
have heard terrible things about missing checked bags.

I guess I don't see the "wrench". I can't carry 22 lbs so Wow's weight limit is more than enough and in fact is GENEROUS! There was a funny article in The Wall Street Journal about travelers doing as you suggested and wearing everything humanly possible on a discount airline (several coats, more than one pair of slacks, pockets filled with chargers, etc). Since the WSJ has a paywall, I couldn't share the link even if I found it. I think it was on Spirit?

Typically I fly with no more than 12 lbs of weight including carryon, totebag, and purse inside the totebag.

I've flown 2 round trips from California to Europe and have not had my cross body bag weighed, although it could certainly happen next time. They will definitely weigh your actual carry-on.
I have a light down jacket with inside pocket lining. They are not really a pockets but are big enough that my Ipad mini fit in one and my 3-1-1 liquids in the other. Once I was through security I, of course, placed them in my carry-on bag.
For direct flights the add on charge for seat selection, 1 checked bag, and (mediocre) food is $90 each way, at least from the west coast. This is still a bargain, in my opinion. I always will do this coming home, loaded down with purchases that I am!
I like Norwegian Air. The planes are new and pretty comfortable. I just caution everyone to read the fine print and be sure to leave plenty of time if they are transferring to a different airline on their journey.

It clearly states “checked baggage” at the top of the page. You would need to go to “hand baggage” for carry on weights.

Of course, but is the weight 1 x 20kg or below it says "must not be heavier than 32kg")

44 lbs is more than generous. Just check your bag and pay the $90.00 and the don't worry.

If you want a meal, make sure to order one now, as Norwegian oftentimes runs out of snacks, etc and even meals for purchase.

I have traveled to Italy with a bag that had a total packed weight of 13.5 lb.s. So, 22 lb.s is doable. Wear your shoes over. Do not bring an extra pair. If you get hiking sandals or thick soled walking sandals - you can eliminate socks. Plan on doing laundry about 1 X every 5 days. Instead of heavy jeans - take lighter weight slacks or longer hiking shorts. Get tiny toiletries. Light weight disposable razors instead of electric razor. Anyway, you get the idea.
You can do this!

Of course, you can do this. But do you want to bother? I assume you are spending quite a bit of money for your trip. Paying to check your bags, is just a little more and then you have the convenience of carrying little through the airport and onto the plane, as well as having whatever comfort items you might want to bring on your trip. I travel relatively light as it is convenient, but my comfort/fun items would (happily) bring me a little over this weight. Basically, you need to decide whether to travel with the extremely light group or just the light group. Either can be done, and each has its own merits. I'm in the second group right now and happily check my bag. YMMV

"Light weight disposable razors instead of electric razor."

For someone who has used an electric razor all their life (that is from the point of needing to shave) this is NOT a practical idea.

I still would need a separate bag for my camera and computer. I will not check these items. Even the airlines tell you not to check them because of damage/theft. No, I do not travel without both of those items. If you said I had to leave them at home. I would stay home.

@Bob -what can your computer do that a phone or tablet can’t do?

I can see that argument for work, because work computers have special software. But personal? I’ve been able to do everything I’ve needed on my phone (including blogging).

Perhaps you could go lighter with a smaller device?

It can store the number of photographs I take. I usually take 300-400 full resolution, RAW images per day. For a 5 week trip that is a lot of storage. It also means I can catalog all the photos I take each day in a data base. I need Microsoft Office. I can not imagine coming home and trying to remember where/what all those photographs were. It also gives me a good screen to determine which shots were best and cull out the losers. Yes, I have a light weight 13" computer but that is still 3 pounds plus the charging cord and a backup drive. That is small compared to a DSLR, at least 3 lenses, several spare batteries, filters, flash, card reader, and battery charger.

Me, too, Marti! And going to the Arctic Circle in July, so my puffer coat stuffed in its pocket to pillow size trick won't help this time. The difference with Norwegian is that the carry on bag and personal bag will probably be weighed, instead of just having to physically fit into the measuring thing. I bought a luggage scale since my bathroom scale gives different readings each time😀. If I just can't pull it off I will pay for it to be checked. For me, the stress is not knowing ahead of time if it will "pass".

@Bob.

It sounds like you want the big screen. Even phones can do office now. And supplemental storage is also available. For example, I have an iXpand drive that goes to 128 G. Not enough for your needs but that is just for a phone. You can get even larger with a tablet.

Karen -

I might suggest buying a digital food scale for weighing individual items. That will help you figure out who is the weight hog. From there, you can decide if you want to replace it with a lighter version.

The luggage scale helps you with the end product but doesn’t help you with the interim packing decisions.

You need both to lighten up.

what can your computer do that a phone or tablet can’t do?

Eh, like offer a real keyboard, not one of those phony, imitation ones. I own two "tablets" (a smart phone and a real keyboardless pad - I have tried the alternatives), but I have never been tempted to take either to Europe. Until my last trip, I took a 2¼#) netbook, with a real keyboard. On my last trip I took a transformer pad (a pad with a detachable keyboard), the idea being that I could take the lighter pad with me during the day, and use it without the keyboard, and attach the keyboard to use it at night, in the room. I do too much typing to suffer with a faux keyboard. In actuality, I never used the transformer without the keyboard. I learned to touch-type 50 years ago, and it is so much more effective than with a tactileless, virtual keyboard. In addition, I keep my expenses on a rather large speadsheet, and only a small corner would fit in a phone screen.

No, I will skimp on weight other places, but not on my computer.

I'm not sure I understand Frank's problem. I looked up Norwegian Airline, and it appears that the carryon size is 55x40x23 cm. That's over 50 l. The carryon size for most US airlines is 45 l, so Norwegian is being generous. More specifically, he said he was over Norwegian's thickness limit (which, like US airlines, is 9 inches) by 3 cm (1.2"). So his bag must be 10.2" thick. How did he get the bag to Norway? He must have checked it. So why the surprise that a bog you had to check from the US has to be checked intra-Europe?

I was thinking of Flybe's carry on dimensions that are 55 x 40 x 20.

My carry on is 55 x 35 x 23 however my personal item is larger than what Norwegian (and Flybe) allows. Both airlines allow a 10 kg limit for a combination of carry on and personal item. My total weight is over 10 kg. (My main bag is well under the weight limit but my personal item is heavy and bigger than allowed. My main carry on empty is 3.75 lbs.)

Dont' start telling me I could cut down on weight and the size of my personal item. Much of it has to do with medication I need. It weighs a lot and takes up room.

So, with a combined weight of 10 kgs, I will never make it.

Lee why are you packing so heavy? A full size transformer? I make do with a cell phone and a folding bluetooth keyboard. The keyboard is full size, weighs 5.5 oz and when folded is just slightly larger than a cellphone. Works flawlessly. I need to recharge it about once a month. Total weight for phone (with protective rubber casing), keyboard and stand....14 oz.

(In honesty, I did bring my 8" tablet but so far as I'm into week three of my trip, I have yet to turn it on.)

And also remember, uber light packers. just because someone else takes something you don't doesn't mean you are right and they are wrong. It's all a personal choice or do you need to prove that your way is the right way for everyone? Even people who make packing videos are showing you what they like to do. I watched one by someone known to this board who kept saying..."you don't need this, you don't need this, but you do need a full size pillow." How many actually take their own pillow? If you do, and it makes your trip more enjoyable, great. But if you feel the need to prove you can pack lighter than anyone, then maybe your goals and mine are completely different.

People have choices. I know some who live on the road in the same 2changes of light weight clothes for weeks on end to allow space for what they consider as vital. It can be camera equipment or a computer, or art supplies....whatever. We are human with different advanced needs and interests.
I want a camera, binoculars and an tablet, but weight needed to be pared down as I am my own sherpa and it was taking its toll. But I invested in smaller versions of all 3 and reduced 5 or 6 pounds. It was at an added expense and a few compromises, but a choice I decided to make.
There is no one size fits all, but one can research alternatives if open to change. Now, 'preference' is a totally different topic.....

Thank you all for your advice and counsel. Big shout out to Cindy H and Karen; I found your advice very helpful and practical. I'm already doing pretty much everything you suggest (including weighing everything on a kitchen scale). But like Karen, it is the stress of not knowing that is taking a toll.

I am leaving for Uganda next week (where weight is not a concern - just carry-on size) and cannot focus on the Norwegian issue until the end of May. I will do a practice pack as soon as I get back and will use my hand-held baggage scale to determine the final weight. My goal is to be waaaay under the 10 kg limit, if I possibly can. I would prefer to not check a bag, but will do it if I just can't meet the weight limit. If I have time, I'll report back to you with the final numbers!

The RS forum community is so generous with their advice and I always learn something from you. Thanks again.

I just can't weigh my stuff on a kitchen scale! And I have OCD. I have a 3-1-1 zipped plastic pouch and measure out just enough mouthwash into a small plastic bottle, for example, for the duration of the trip, take a half-full travel toothpaste, etc. Squirting either into a- what!? ziplock baggie to save a fraction of an ounce? Instead I ask myself if I really need to carry it across the world, and then, hopefully not back. Ditto for a plastic first aid pouch I find great comfort in. I get that lots of little things can add up quickly, but at a certain point it feels like we figure out what works and stick to it...

@Karan

I think you’ve failed at the reasoning behind weighing things on a scale.

• We do it to find the weight hogs. Many times we are surprised by the findings. Then we ask ourselves:
  • is it even worth taking?
  • is there a lighter weight version of this item? should I substitute it to save weight?
  • Is there another item that will do a similar function? Do I need both?
  • do I want this as a luxury item? Am I willing to sacrifice other things to carry it? (That full size pillow is an example, or a full size laptop.)
  • What’s the worst thing that will happen if I leave this at home?

It’s about going in with eyes wide open and acknowledging our choices. Instead of saying something is “impossible” and moan about it we admit that we choose to carry at that weight.

As far as consolidation, no one is asking you to sqeeze toothpaste into a ziplock!!!! But instead of a separate case for your sewing kit and a separate case for your manicure kit and a separate case for your laundry kit you just put all of them into the pockets of your toiletry kit.

You can also substitute zip locks for soap dishes, plastic pill bottles, razor cases, etc.

You do NOT have to do this every trip. It’s like spring cleaning. Do it once a year to see what you really need in your life. Pre pack your bag and you’re ready to go. If you travel long enough you’ll know which items you always use and which ones you never use.

I find that every time I have done this exercise I’m able to go lighter and smaller. I believe I have hit my lower limit with my 16 liter 6.5 kg (packed) under seat bag. I’m not willing to travel for 3 weeks with a 12 liter purse. I don’t WANT to give up my raincoat or second pair of shoes or my travel comfort kit. I don’t want to use leggings as pants. I won’t use a Chrysalis cardi because it looks awful on my body type. I will always bring a silk long john top because I’m always cold. I will always bring my own toiletries because of my allergies. And I’ll own that.

I also know where I can cull the weight if I want to do so. Eyes wide open.

But I won’t say that it’s impossible to travel lighter. Because I know better.

I have great news that I am so happy to report back to you. I just finished a very sloppy -- bring WHATEVER you want -- practice pack. (I was trying to get an idea of how much an overstuffed pack might weigh.) And guess what? I am way, way, waaaay under the 10kg limit. There is no way I'll pack all this stuff when we actually pack, so my anxiety level is down to zero.

I'm doing a happy dance!!!

Congratulations! Can I ask how much your carry on and "personal" bag weigh empty? Also, please report back your experience with Norwegian? Safe travels!