Rick: "When leaving Britain, you're allowed only one carry-on..."

when Rick wrote that, the Brits were only allowing one carry on per person. That has changed.

If you're flying out of Heathrow on United you're allowed one carry on and one personal item.

Thanks for the update...Appreciate the info...

Both answers are slightly in error. It was security not the the airlines at Heathrow that allow only one carry on bag through security. We just stuffed everything into one bag and then took it apart on the other side. However, I think restriction has been lifted.

What did I write that was wrong? I never said it was an airline's restrictions. I said "The Brits." Unless that's the name of a new airline, I would guess most realized that was referring to the British government. And Lea asked about United so I said United now allows one carry on and a personal item?

It probably is worth noting that the one item restriction was no lifted across the board. Some airports removed the restriction but it is still in place at some.

It's probably best to check to official website of the airport(s) you intend to use and see what their security procedure is. Much better than relying on posters opinions.

I just came back to the US (Via United Airlines)from London through Heathrow this past Tuesday and I had 2 carry-ons stuffed to the gills and no one batted an eye.

Here is the direct "Cabin Baggage Latest" from Heathrow itself, and the BAA (not BA. lol)

In the UK, -where- your going to, does determine what you can take on, and as others have mentioned it does change, so check it a couple times before you go.

http://www.heathrowairport.com/portal/controller/dispatcher.jsp?ChPath=Heathrow^General^Airport%20information^Security%20control&securityCountryGUID=fb9da11b4763d010VgnVCM10000036821c0a____/448c6a4c7f1b0010VgnVCM200000357e120a____/

To the USA
"Hand baggage restrictions

If your airline allows it, you may take more than one item of hand baggage through security control.

Cabin baggage must be no larger than:

• 56cm (22in) tall
• 45cm (17.7in) wide
• 25cm (10in) deep.

However, please check with your airline – some operate further limits on the number and size of bags."

At one point, you were allowed to take X number of bags coming in, and Y number of bags leaving, gets a little crazy. Seems better now.

I had read about this same issue so I checked with the airlines and was told that there was no problem with the airline but there might be a restriction with security. We opted to do what others have done and just be prepared to stow the personal item inside the carry-on

However, when we traveled from London to the U.S. on American last month we had no problem with one carry-on and one personal item (backpack) per person. My husband also carried a motorcycle helmet and there was no problem.

Always best to check and double check though.

Have a great trip!

Lea..

1)Does your carry-on bag have wheels? If yes, continue reading. If no, skip to #2.

If your bag has wheels, then you must add the extra length to the dimensions given for the bag. They never include in the bag dimensions. (So, a 22" bag with wheels is actually 24-25")

2) Does your carry-on bag (with adjusted meaurements) fit within the Heathrow guidelines given in Chris' posting above. If yes, skip to question 3. If no, you'll have to check it.

3)Is your "backpack" approximately the size of a purse or briefcase. If it's much bigger it may not be allowed as a personal item.

Here are United's carry on rules:

Carry-on baggage for worldwide travel
For worldwide travel on United (including travel within the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada), you may carry on one bag and one personal item such as a purse, briefcase or laptop computer. Your carry-on bag

* must fit under your seat or in the overhead bin;
* should not be more than 9 x 14 x 22 in. (23 x 35 x 56 cm) (length x width x height) or 45 linear inches* (114 linear cm); and
* may be required to travel as checked baggage if the bag cannot be safely stowed on a particular flight.

*linear measurement = length + width + height

And here's United rules about traveling through Heathrow:

Flights departing from or connecting through the United Kingdom
If you are departing from or connecting through London Heathrow (LHR), you are allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item as stated above; however, please note that the Department for Transport (DfT) regulations in the U.K. require that the 45 linear inches (114 linear cm) includes the handles and wheels of your carry-on bag