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What do airlines consider "oversize" luggage?
02-11-2018, 01:41 PM
I have traveled with a military-style duffle bag since 1996. I checked in with Aero Mexico and learned that it is "oversize." It was the first time this had been an issue. They cut me a break and allowed it.
They said it was too big because it was 62 inches long. Their limit is apparently 52 inches.
I had a close call with the bag at Christmas on Southwest. It was about two pounds under their 45-pound limit. Fortunately, there was no charge. I was carrying a lot of paperwork.
I am flying back on Aeromar and Interjet. Do I need to be worried? Should I ship stuff back? Should I try to break it up into two bags?
What is considered "oversize" luggage? Anyone have experiences like this?
My trip is from San Antonio to Acapulco. Thanks
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What do airlines consider "oversize" luggage?
02-11-2018, 02:26 PM
I wasn't inquiring about carry-on luggage. My general rule with that is that I don't take anything that won't fit under the seat.
Many airlines understandably have weight limits. A size limit is a new thing to me.
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What do airlines consider "oversize" luggage?
02-11-2018, 02:36 PM
I used to travel with a large Samsonite, weighing up to 30kg. It hasn't flown for some time. On a related note, there was a time when no-one cared if you went a few kg over the limit.
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What do airlines consider "oversize" luggage?
02-11-2018, 02:42 PM
I think it varies by airline, but not all oversize luggage is not allowed. Think about surfboards, golf clubs, rifle cases, etc. They're oversize, but are pretty commonly carried by airlines. Weight, in the US, is cut off at 100 lbs. I think it's a baggage handler union thing. It doesn't matter what it is, but 100 lbs. is the absolute limit.
In regards to dimensions, I did a quick search of 3 airlines and they were different, but all mentioned 62" linear.
Southwest: "Weight and Size Allowance. Southwest will accept the first two checked bags for free provided that the bags do not exceed 50 lbs and 62 inches (L+W+H). Overweight items from 51 to 100 pounds and oversized items in excess of 62 inches but not more than 80 inches will be accepted for a charge of $75.00 per item one-way."
Delta: On military orders, your bags can be 80 inches (total length + width + height)
For personal travel, your bags can be 62 inches (total length + width + height)
United: Customers who travel with checked baggage exceeding 62 linear inches (158 cm) (total length + width + height) will be required to pay a service charge per bag or item, based on the itinerary. To determine service charges for oversized baggage for your trip, use our baggage calculator, and after your results are displayed, check the box for “Additional and other bag charges.” These service charges are in addition to any charge assessed for additional or overweight baggage. Baggage measuring more than 115 inches (292 cm) will not be accepted as checked baggage. View the Excess Baggage page for more information.
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What do airlines consider "oversize" luggage?
02-11-2018, 03:04 PM
i think they mean stuff like surf boards etc.
The largest luggages out there in main stream manufactures are probably around 82cm these days. It can be bigger, but rare.
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What do airlines consider "oversize" luggage?
02-11-2018, 04:56 PM
Each airline is different. For weight I found most places you have to pay extra for anything over 20kg. A simple google search reveals many sites that have every airlines info on condensed on one page.
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What do airlines consider "oversize" luggage?
02-12-2018, 01:06 AM
Southwest apparently has never enforced this L*W*H limit. The duffle bag has flown with them many times. Southwest doesn't charge anything for bags either.
I called the other two airlines I am flying back on. They have weight limits of 25 kg. They said nothing about size.
I don't see that many people carrying a duffle bag to the airport these days. It does make me wonder if I should just try to travel lighter.
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What do airlines consider "oversize" luggage?
02-12-2018, 03:13 AM
Why would you want to carry a duffle bag around anyway? It's much easier to take something through the airport that has wheels and if you must have a big that can be carried, a travel backpack will be much more comfortable.
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What do airlines consider "oversize" luggage?
02-12-2018, 11:10 AM
In Europe and Asia this kind of enforcement is more prevalent among the discount airlines.
I won't fly on Ryanair, AirBaltic, AirAsia, etc because of that. It makes for a shitty customer experience.
Looks like the US airlines are starting to do it.
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What do airlines consider "oversize" luggage?
02-12-2018, 12:48 PM
In the U.S. you typically get charged extra over 50 lbs, and I think in Europe its 25 lbs.