Baggage Restrictions: Originating Airline or Operator?

My experience has always been that the operating airline's rules apply with regard to carry-on bags. For example, I would expect the Aer Lingus rules to apply when you are flying on Aer Lingus metal. With regard to carry-on and purse, it depends on the airline. Each airline lists their rules for carry-on. Some allow a carry-on plus a personal item (like a purse or laptop) and some only allow one item.

Everwho's name is painted on the side of the plane gets to make the rules.

Ed is right, the Aer Lingus rules will apply on their flights, the Flybe rules on theirs. I can't imagine why American would think their rules would apply for the whole trip. The Aer Lingus flight is entirely separate, not being operated for American.

That's really what I figured, but after talking to the AA rep, I was confused. I don't guess it matters, but I booked the trip on Orbitz.com & when I pull up my reservation on AA's site (using the AA confirmation # provided on Orbitz), the entire trip shows up. I've never booked a multi-stop flight on Orbitz before, so I'm new at all this. Thanks again. I did find a US phone # for AL & will call them to discuss the various size restrictions, purse question, costs, & pre-booking/paying for the hold baggage. Now, if I can only find out about carrying a purse & a cabin bag on Flybe, I should be set, except for packing, figuring out the Customs procedures for Scotland, Ireland, & US, finding the right map download for the gps, etc., well, you get the idea! LOL

Just thought I'd share the US toll-free number for Aer Lingus/Aer Arann (since it was somewhat buried in the website): 800-474-7424. Spoke to a rep about baggage restrictions and was told that, yes, a purse is allowed in addition to the carry-on bag. Also found out that, since we booked through a travel agent/online service, we are allowed 1 free checked bagno need to pre-book/pre-pay for them. YEA! She also said that the originating airline baggage rules (in our case American Airlines) should apply for the whole trip, just as theirs would. In theory it sounds like a great idea, but in practice, when I have to deal with the airport personnel (not someone over the phone), I'm just going to play it safe & plan on the most restrictive guidelines for the whole trip. Better safe than sorry! Thanks again for all of your help!

Doesn't make much difference what the rules are or who told you what the rules are. In our experience it stops at the gate personnel who decide who or what gets on the plane. If they say no, it is no. So plan for the worse case and you probably will be OK.

I think legally, your ticket is your contract and it spells out bagage rules, etc. The problem is legally doesn't do you much good when a gate agent tells you you can't carry on your bag. For that reason, I look up everyone's rules and live within the most restrictive so I know I'm always okay. Here's the rules for Aer Lingus: http://www.aerlingus.com/help/help/baggageinformation/#d.en.1215 The size looks relatively normal but I don't see anything about a second "personal" item. The personal item seems to be more common for US carriers (and is often abused).

Greetings from the Emerald Isle. Just thought I'd share that on our trip over, every time we checked our luggage, we had no problems--even on Flybe & I'm almost positive we were over weight for our carry ons. Also, when checking in at Aer Lingus, the clerk started to ask us about baggage payment then saw we were booked through American and just checked the bags. Now, if only the weather would give use a break, too! LOL

When traveling between the UK and Ireland there is no passport control. If you are coming back to the US flying out of Dublin, you will clear customs before getting on the plane--you will be expected to check in 3 hours early but when you land in the US it's as if you are on a domestic flight

The rules for carry-on luggage are always the rules of the airline operating the aircraft, i.e. the airline whose name is painted on the aircraft itself, thus varies from flight to flight, but the rules regarding baggage allowance in the hold now follow the rules of the "Most Significant Carrier" for your trip as defined in IATA regulations. This was changed on April 1, 2011. The "Most significant carrier" is normally the one that brings you between continents (i.e. over the pond).

Thomas, your point brings up another question...we are departing from Cork to Heathrow...will we go through customs in Cork, then? Is it 3 hours before there as well? (My folks are going to be less than thrilled if we have to be at the airport at 4:00am LOL)

Cork to Heathrow is "domestic" (within the EU). You will go through customs when you arrive in the US. You will go through passport control when you arrive at Heathrow and again in the US. Only Shannon and Dublin have US customs. Even if you were flying directly from Cork to the US, you would not go through customs until you arrive in the US.

We flew out of Cork this summer over to London and while a quieter airport, it does take a minute to make it through all the lines. I wouldn't be there less than 2 hours early, as sometimes it can take longer as an American to get through everything (we don't have the EU pass etc). We got there 1.5 hours early and made it to the gate as they started boarding, which is way too close in my mind.