Carry On limits in kg

All airlines set their own standards for size and weight limit. Swiss is about in the middle. Were you forced to check for size or weight?

8 kg/17.6 pounds isn't much. We recently flew Aer Lingus, which I think had a 11 or 12 kg limit (not that they checked, but I think we'd have been OK). I'm not sure I'd ever make 8 kg.

Same question as Frank...was it because of size or weight? There was a very similar question about Swiss in the General Europe section recently. They had the same rules when I flew with them a couple of years ago but were totally lax about enforcing them (at least on all of my flights that trip). Obviously, things have changed with respect to enforcing their own rules based on your experience and that of others shared over in that other thread.

17.6 lbs is the limit on SAS and Lufthansa also. At the gate, they were checking people and making some people check their bags. We weighed ours carefully before we left home so we knew we were okay. They looked at our bags but didn't ask to weigh them. The other thing is whether they allow you to have a second personal item or not. US based carriers almost always allow a personal item; that's not necessarily the case on European based carriers. Aer Lingus allowed a personal item, SAS didn't. I use a campmoor essential carry on; it weighs about a 1 1/2 lbs. My wife uses a Heys USA xcase that weighs about 4 1/2 lbs. The key to making the weight is use the lightest bag possible.

As mentioned, each airline sets its own carry on limits, and some are more restrictive than others.
Forget the duffel, what you need is a good lightweight convertible carry on ( no wheels). There are numerous to choose from and all would serve you well if you follow the "pack light" mantra that Rick preaches. 8 kg?...my bag, fully packed, weighed in at 7.25 kgs ( 16 lbs ) on my last trip in November ( 2 weeks, 3 countries), and I never needed anything...and yes, I wore clean clothes everyday, was warm when it was cold, dry when it was wet, never checked a bag anywhere, and was thoroughly happy every day :)

Lose the wheels. With almost all rolling bags, you give up 1/3 of your available weight to the wheels, handle, frame, and other unneeded bits. Most wheelies are also larger than legal carry-on size. Sure, most people ignore that, but it'll eventually catch up with them. If you get a good, lightweight, carry-on-legal pack without wheels, you'll have enough space and weight capacity for long trips and your pack will be easier/lighter/more fun to carry. I know, I know, this is falling on deaf ears, and everyone has their justification. Last week I was the only person in a large group who did not have a wheelie bag. 20+ other people whined and complained about all the cobblestones and stairs.