Checking Bags to Europe

What matters are the outside dimensions and the weight. (And if it has an external frame, that has to be included.)

NWA says the carryon cannot be bigger than 45 inches (approx 22 x 14 x 9) Plus a personal item.

Cubic inches doesn't matter.

JB, if your flight is direct there should not be a problem with check in. However, a good rule of thumb is to take a small case (ie: school backpack/ messenger bag) and carry on important items like medicine or even special toiletry items like contact lense solution.

Remember not to check in super important things like tickets or money!

You should not be worried about checking bags. It happens sure but it is rare and even if they misplace your bag you typically get it within 24 hours. Classic example, last year I was flying back from DC to Portland via Seattle on Alaska. My bag did not make my connecting flight. I got home and five hours later they dropped off the bag at my house. A similar thing happened to my mom and sister when they came back from Europe last summer as Air Canada delivered their bag the next day.

Check the NWA website the acceptable dimensions and weights for carryon luggage. Most airlines are becoming increasingly strict about following their rules, so you want to be sure. Personally, I always check a bag and have never had any problems. If you plan to carry on and don't meet the requirements, they might ask you to check it at the last minute (which might make it more likely that it won't arrive with you).

I'm thinking that my bag might be able to go on the plane. My connecting flight will not permit me to do so, however it will be check when I board and returned when I get off the plane. It is an internal frame and standing alone it only weighs 3lbs. It can be compressed down with the external straps. It's deminsions typically are a little bigger than the requirements but if you pack accordingly it can be compressed enough. It would have to be stowed above not below.

I'll have to play around and see what I can do, i'd prefer to speed things up and not have to check, that way I have nothing to worry about and no baggage claim to deal with - only customs.

What Bag is it? Others here might have it and can tell you their experience.

Osprey Atmos 50 Backpack

the pack is 27.5 x 14.25 x 11.75 way too big for carry on with NWA.

I'm going to head to the outdoors store today and see about some other packs but those dimensions are only bigger by a couple inches on one side...like I said it can be compressed so i'm going to load it full of my stuff and then compress it and see how big it is.

The Osprey pack is 27.5 x 14.5 x 11.75

NWA allows 22 X 14 x 9

So you need to compress the length 5 1/2 inches and the depth by 2 3/4 inches. It won't be easy. Don' t think, oh, I'm only a couple of inches over. The airlines are strict and sometimes used a sizer box. If it doesn't fit, it doesn't go as carry-on.

The internal frame may not allow it to get that much compressed.

The bag I use has a near 3000 cu in packging space, is carryon size but is not a serious backpack. it is a convertible bag with no internal frame but has hideaway backpack straps, waist belt and sternum strap. Ebags Weekender

Thanks for the tips - I went out shopping again today and found something smaller that two of the sales folks personally used it when backpacking in Europe - they said they never had any issues carrying it onboard planes to Europe, or with easyjet or ryanair while in europe. It's a Gregory z55 pack - really nice pack and was recommended by 3 different people at different stores. It's small and the is made for 'traveling light' - I think it's going to be a good option, the compression straps are pretty helpful and the internal frame does not get in the way - I think it'll be a good pick.

Anyone use this pack?

So have you taken the Z55 as a carry on before?
No problems i'm assuming?
I'm about to head to Costa Rica and Panama and want to take only the backpack.
I'm thinking the key to making it small enough is splitting the load with my carry on (the gregory) and my personal item (which goes at my feet).
So, if i pack accordingly, i can put a good bit of stuff beneath the seat in front of me which will take the demensions off the Z55 and then won't cause a fuss.
Also, i did fill it up next to my 'approved' carry on, the Patagonia guidewater duffel, and it really was the same size if you don't pack it over the frame.

We checked our bags from the States to London, then from London to Rome, then Rome to Paris without a problem. All my life I have checked luggage and only had one bag missing about 20 years ago when we were going to Norway, and it turned up a few days later! We even went through Heathrow three times and everything was fine. Neither did they break the TSA locks.

I second the advice from Michelle. I think that if anyone checks a bag, it is a good idea to anticipate it being delayed by taking the "essentials" with you on board the a/c in your (removable if need be) carry-on.

Consider taking a change of clothes with you and whatever you might need for a 24 hour period. Or at least cross pack with your TP so if one bag is delayed or lost you'll be able to get by until your luggage is delivered.

My SO and I are both Int'l Flight Crew with more than a decade of safe skies under our wings. We are strictly carry-on travellers only. Neither of us have checked a bag in 10 years with the exception of non-essential items on the return Flt only. We can remember our bags being delayed on three occaisions in about 10 years. And good as gold they were delivered to us in less than 24hours just like David experienced.

The reason why I/we don't check is for the convenience factor and not b/c of any bad experiences with our Airlines. I would not hesitate to check any luggage but would definately take the precautions mentioned above.

We just flew on NWA from Seattle to Heathrow last week and they were giving the fish-eye to a couple of passengers whose carryons were a bit large. Luckily we had the RS convertible bags, non-expanded and well cinched in with the compression straps--no problems.

By the way, if you do check a bag on the way over, make sure you have a copy of your itinerary on top of your things (and note that the itinerary is in the bag on your luggage tag.) It's true that the vast majority of misplaced bags turn up within a day or so, but it's essential that the airline staff know where to contact you and send your bag. Unless they know what hotel you're in, they'll have no choice but to send it back to your home. Exactly where you don't want it while you're in Europe. With a daily itinerary (with email and phone numbers for each place you're staying) it's a snap to get reunited with a missing bag while you're traveling.

JER,
Thanks for the advice! ill definitely be doing that!

JB:
I have flown on several airlines (AA,DL,AF,Spanair, Vueling) with my Atmos 50 and have had no problems carrying it on. I would go for it.