Jazmin Li
Most airlines allow passengers to bring two pieces of carry-on luggage: one carry-on bag and one personal item. The carry-on bag can be a duffle bag or suitcase, while the personal item should be something that can fit under the seat in front of you, like a backpack. While the specific weight restrictions vary between airlines, the advised maximum weight limit for a single item of baggage is 23 kg. The maximum weight of a single item of normal baggage that an airline should accept is 32 kg, above which the airline may be fined under IATA health and safety guidelines.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of bags allowed | Two (one carry-on and one personal item) |
| Carry-on bag | Backpack, duffel bag, etc. |
| Personal item | Purse, briefcase, or similar |
| Purchasing baggage | Some airlines allow purchasing baggage at the airport, while others offer it at a lower price online |
| Booking multiple tickets | It is not possible to choose different ticket types (e.g., Light and Value) or payment cards for passengers in one booking; separate bookings are required |
| Checking luggage on separate tickets | Possible but depends on the agent and your attitude; may require convincing the agent |
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What You'll Learn
Carry-on luggage and personal item allowances
Most airlines allow passengers to bring one carry-on item and one personal item on board. The carry-on item must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you, while the personal item must fit under the seat in front of you. This means that passengers can bring two bags on board, as long as one meets the airline's carry-on rules and the other meets the personal item rules.
The specific size and weight allowances for carry-on luggage and personal items vary depending on the airline and the type of plane. For example, on American Airlines, the total size of your carry-on, including handles and wheels, cannot exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm) and must fit in the sizer at the airport. The personal item should not exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm). On Delta Air Lines, the carry-on item and personal item must not exceed 22" x 14" x 9" to comply with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.
It is important to note that some airlines and airports may have additional carry-on restrictions. For example, on regional flights on American Eagle® planes, there is limited overhead bin space, so if your carry-on bag is larger than the personal item dimensions, you must valet your bag before boarding, and it will be checked for free. Similarly, on Delta Connection flights with 50 seats or fewer, due to limited overhead and under-seat space, larger items will be tagged and loaded into the cargo bin.
When packing your carry-on luggage and personal item, it is important to consider the restrictions on certain items. Most countries restrict the size of containers with liquids, gels, aerosols, and pastes, even in partially empty containers during security. These items should be limited to a maximum of 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters and placed in a single quart-size, zip-top bag made of clear plastic. Other restricted items may include electronic cigarettes, batteries, and duty-free liquids, which may need to be packaged in a security tamper-evident bag.
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Buying baggage at the airport
When it comes to bringing baggage on a flight, it's important to plan ahead and understand the policies of your chosen airline. While most airlines allow passengers to bring one carry-on bag and one personal item, there may be variations in baggage allowances, especially if you're travelling with multiple bags or have unique items that require special handling.
If you find yourself needing to purchase additional baggage at the airport, the process may vary depending on the airline and your specific circumstances. In some cases, you may be able to pay for additional baggage directly at the check-in counter or by using the airline's website or mobile app before your departure. It's recommended to compare prices and options across different channels, as some airlines offer discounted rates for purchasing baggage online or in advance.
For instance, American Airlines allows passengers to pay for up to three checked bags per person before arriving at the airport through their website or mobile app. However, if you're checking in more than three bags, you'll need to add the additional bags at the airport. They also offer the option to buy an upgrade that includes free checked bags.
On the other hand, experiences shared by passengers of British Airways suggest that purchasing checked baggage at the airport may not always be a straightforward process. In one instance, a passenger was unable to add checked baggage during the online check-in process or through a phone call with the airline. They were advised to contact the airport directly, but their attempts to reach the British Airways desk were unsuccessful. Therefore, it is advisable to plan ahead and purchase any necessary baggage allowances in advance to avoid last-minute hassles.
To maximise your baggage allowance, consider combining a flexible personal item, such as a tote or sling bag, with another piece of carry-on-sized luggage. This way, you can make use of the space under the seat in front of you while still adhering to the carry-on rules. Additionally, attaching your personal item to your suitcase using a luggage pass-through sleeve can make navigating the airport much easier.
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Booking luggage for two people travelling together
When booking luggage for two people travelling together, it's important to be aware of the policies of the specific airline you're flying with. Some airlines allow passengers to combine their weight restrictions, while others do not.
If you and your travel partner wish to share a checked bag, it may be necessary to make two separate bookings, as airline booking sites typically don't allow you to choose different luggage options for passengers on the same booking. However, this can cause issues if one person's flight is changed and the other's isn't, and you may not be seated together. To avoid this, you can contact the airline and request that the two bookings are linked.
Some airlines, such as Ryanair, EasyJet, IndiGo, Air Asia, and Emirates, do allow passengers to pool their weight restrictions. For example, if two passengers have a weight limit of 20 kg each, they can combine their allowance so that one bag weighs 15 kg and the other weighs 25 kg. However, it's important to note that this is usually only allowed for passengers on the same booking, with the same booking number.
If you are looking to avoid checking any bags, you may be able to maximise your carry-on allowance by bringing a carry-on bag and a personal item each. However, it's important to ensure that your carry-on luggage complies with your airline's size and weight restrictions.
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Travelling with two backpacks
Airline Policies
Firstly, it's important to check your airline's baggage policies. Most airlines allow passengers to bring one carry-on bag and one personal item. A carry-on bag is typically a backpack, duffel bag, or suitcase that meets the size requirements specified by the airline. A personal item, on the other hand, is usually a smaller bag such as a purse or briefcase that can fit under the seat in front of you. By utilising both your carry-on allowance and personal item allowance, you can travel with two backpacks.
Backpack Selection
When choosing your two backpacks, consider selecting a travel backpack as your primary luggage. Travel backpacks combine the best features of suitcases and hiking bags, offering ample packing space and comfortable carrying straps. For your second backpack, consider a smaller bag that can serve as your personal item. Duffel bags, totes, or slings are good options that can easily fit under the seat in front of you. Additionally, some backpack brands offer detachable daypacks that can be attached to your main backpack or carried separately.
Packing Strategy
To effectively utilise your two backpacks, consider your packing strategy. Your primary backpack should accommodate your main gear, including clothes, toiletries, and other bulkier items. Your second backpack can be used for items you may need quick access to, such as a camera, water bottle, spare change, maps, or any other valuables. If you're carrying a DSLR camera, consider a camera bag that wraps around your waist for easy access and weight distribution.
Comfort and Convenience
Group Travel Considerations
If you're travelling with a group, there may be instances where some members of the group struggle to carry their packs due to fitness or health issues. In such cases, consider redistributing the packs' contents among the stronger members of the group or using the "secret pass" method to quietly switch packs without causing embarrassment. Additionally, you can employ the "slow-rover" technique, where the group is temporarily split into faster and slower subgroups to accommodate different paces.
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Checked luggage on two separate tickets
In principle, it is possible to check luggage when travelling on two separate tickets. However, there is no guarantee that your request will be fulfilled, and it is generally accepted that you will never be entitled to this service. The success of your request will depend on the cooperation between the airlines involved in your trip and the willingness of the check-in agent to help.
To increase your chances of getting your luggage checked through, ensure that the airlines involved have some form of agreement. Airlines often have partnerships where they agree to handle passengers and their bags when they are travelling on the same itinerary, even if the flight codes are different. You can research these agreements using ExpertFlyer, or contact the carriers directly via email or social media to ask how they will handle your request.
If you are connecting between airlines on separate tickets, you will need to give the check-in agent or gate agent your bag tag at the intermediate point so that they can record it on your reservation. In some cases, you may need to collect and re-check your bags yourself when transferring between airlines.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can bring two carry-on bags onto a plane, but only if one meets your airline's carry-on rules and the other meets the personal item rules.
A personal item is typically considered to be a purse, briefcase, or something of similar size.
A carry-on is usually a backpack, duffel bag, etc. of similar size.
It is possible to check luggage through on two separate tickets, but it is not common and may take some time and effort to convince the agent at the airport.
