Airport Weight Limits: Kgs And Pounds Explained

When it comes to packing for a flight, weight limits are crucial. The weight limit for checked luggage varies by airline and destination, but it typically ranges from 20 to 30 kg per traveller. For carry-on luggage, the weight limit is usually between 7 and 15 kg, although some airlines, like KLM Royal Dutch, British Airways, and Air France, allow up to 23 kg. These weight restrictions are in place for safety reasons and to ensure the comfort and convenience of passengers and airport workers. It's always a good idea to check with your airline before packing to avoid any surprises at the airport.

Domestic vs international airline luggage weight limits

When it comes to luggage weight limits, there are significant differences between domestic and international flights.

Domestic Flights

Most domestic flights in the US limit carry-on luggage to 35 lbs. However, it's important to note that many domestic airlines do not enforce specific weight restrictions for carry-on baggage, giving passengers more flexibility. For checked luggage, the weight limit is typically around 50 lbs, although some airlines allow up to 70 lbs.

International Flights

International flights usually have stricter weight limits. The allowable weight for carry-on luggage varies by airline but generally does not exceed 16 to 18 lbs. However, there are exceptions, such as British Airways, which allows up to 51 lbs. For checked luggage, the weight limit is usually the same as for domestic flights, typically 50 lbs, but can also go up to 70 lbs.

Tips for Packing

To avoid overweight baggage fees, it's recommended to use a luggage scale and pack smart by rolling clothes and using packing cubes to maximise space. It's also important to check the specific weight restrictions of your airline, as they can vary.

Carry-On Luggage Dimensions

In addition to weight limits, it's crucial to be mindful of the permitted carry-on luggage dimensions, as they can differ between domestic and international flights.

Domestic Flights

For domestic flights, the common carry-on luggage dimensions are typically 22 x 14 x 9 inches, but specific airlines may have different restrictions. For example, Southwest Airlines allows up to 24 x 16 x 10 inches.

International Flights

International carry-on sizes are generally smaller, often adhering to dimensions of around 21.7 x 15.7 x 9 inches. It's important to check the specific restrictions of your airline, as some, like Qatar Airways, have stricter limits.

Personal Items

In addition to carry-on luggage, most airlines allow passengers to bring a personal item on board, such as a handbag, laptop bag, or purse. These items should be smaller and lighter than carry-on luggage and fit under the seat in front of you. The weight limits for personal items typically range from 17.5 to 22 lbs.

Airline weight restrictions for carry-on luggage

When packing for a flight, it's important to be mindful of the weight and size restrictions for carry-on luggage, as these can vary between airlines and types of flights. Here is a guide to help you navigate the weight restrictions for carry-on luggage when flying with different airlines.

Domestic Flights

Most major domestic airlines do not impose a weight limit on carry-on bags. However, you will need to ensure that you can lift your bag to store it in the overhead bin. Some airlines, such as Hawaiian Airlines, do enforce weight restrictions. Their carry-on luggage weight limit is 25 pounds.

International Flights

International flights tend to have stricter weight restrictions for carry-on luggage. The allowable weight differs from airline to airline, but it is generally between 15 and 18 pounds. However, British Airways offers a much higher weight limit of 51 pounds.

Budget Airlines

Budget airlines often have specific weight restrictions and additional fees for carry-on luggage. For example, Frontier Airlines, a budget domestic airline, includes only a personal item in their fares, and you need to pay extra for carry-on luggage. On the other hand, Southwest Airlines, another budget domestic airline, includes both a personal item and a carry-on bag in their fares.

Specific Airlines

• Delta Airlines: No weight limit for carry-on luggage, but there is a 22-pound weight limit for flights to/from Beijing and Shanghai, and a 15-pound limit for Singapore.
• American Airlines: No weight limit.
• JetBlue: No weight limit.
• United Airlines: No weight limit for most fares, but for Basic Economy fares between the US/Canada and Central/South America, only a personal item is allowed.
• Aer Lingus: 15-pound weight limit for Aer Lingus Regional flights.
• Air France: 26.4-pound weight limit for Economy, 40-pound limit for Premium Economy and above.
• British Airways: 51-pound weight limit.
• EasyJet: No weight limit, but only a personal item is included in the fare; a fee is required for a carry-on bag.
• Emirates: 15-pound weight limit for Economy and Premium Economy, 30-pound limit for Business and First Class.
• KLM: 26-pound weight limit for Economy, 40-pound limit for Premium Comfort and Business.
• Lufthansa: 17.5-pound weight limit.
• Qatar Airways: 15-pound weight limit for Economy, 33-pound limit for Business and First Class.
• Scandinavian Airlines: 22-pound weight limit for carry-on, no weight limit for personal items.
• Turkish Airlines: 22-pound weight limit.
• Vueling: No weight limit, but only for passengers with TimeFlex or Premium Fares, those requiring assistance, or travelling with children under 2.

Weight limits for checked luggage

When it comes to checked luggage, the weight limit is typically around 50 pounds (approximately 23 kg) per bag. However, it's important to note that this limit can vary between airlines and destinations. For example, American Airlines allows a weight limit of 50 lbs/23 kg for flights to and from Australia or New Zealand, but only 23 kg for flights to and from Cuba.

To avoid unexpected fees, it's crucial to check the specific weight restrictions of the airline you're travelling with. These restrictions are usually available on the airline's website. Additionally, some airlines may offer perks to frequent fliers or members of their rewards program, such as allowing one free checked bag per flight.

If your luggage exceeds the weight limit, you may be charged overweight bag fees, which can be quite expensive. These fees vary depending on how much your luggage exceeds the limit. For instance, going 1-20 lbs over the limit may incur a fee of around $100, while exceeding the limit by 21-50 lbs may result in a fee of approximately $200.

It's worth noting that checked luggage also has size restrictions, in addition to weight limits. The most common maximum size for checked bags is 62 linear inches (total length, width, and depth). Again, it's important to check your airline's specific restrictions, as some may allow larger bags, especially for first-class or business-class passengers.

Average passenger weight calculations

Airlines calculate passenger weight based on recommendations from airline regulators, which vary depending on the regulator. For example, the European Aviation Safety Agency has calculated the average weight of a male passenger at 84.6 kg, 66.6 kg for females, and 30.7 kg for children aged 2-12. In the USA, the Federal Aviation Administration sets the weight of an adult male at 90.7 kg in summer and 93 kg in winter, including carry-ons. For female passengers and their carry-ons, the figures are 81.2 kg in summer and 83.5 kg in winter.

These standard weight measures are broken down by passenger type (adult/child), sex (male/female), and other factors such as season or class. To obtain these figures, a survey is carried out at an airport, with appropriate measures taken to ensure the sample is representative.

The result is a single value that represents the standard weight for a male, female, child, etc. While the standard weight may have a minimal bias, it does not represent the variance of observed passenger weights. Given that airline operators must be extremely careful and conservative with their weight management, they need to account for this uncertainty in their calculations.

In some cases, passengers are weighed before boarding smaller commercial aircraft. For example, before a QantasLink flight from Sydney to Port Macquarie, passengers were asked to step on a scale along with their carry-ons to check the figures the airline was using for passenger weights. Air New Zealand also completes a customer and crew weight survey every five years to meet regulatory requirements.

In the United States, the FAA has issued guidance on surveying people, including random sampling and elective passenger participation. The guidance also states that operators should protect the privacy of passengers and ensure that any passenger weight data collected remains confidential.

How to deal with inaccurate airport luggage scales

Many airlines enforce strict size and weight limits on luggage. Bags are weighed at check-in, and some airlines have placed bag sizers at their gates. If your carry-on bags are too big, you will have to check them, and they may be classified as "extra bags", which usually incurs an extra charge.

To avoid unexpected fees, it's a good idea to invest in a small luggage scale to use at home when packing. These can be purchased for $10-$20 from travel supply stores and will ensure you're not getting too close to your airline's weight limit.

However, even with careful preparation, airport luggage scales may sometimes appear to be inaccurate. Here are some tips on how to deal with this situation:

• Check your luggage weight early during check-in: Place your bag on the scale at the beginning of the check-in process so that you can see the weight while the agent works on your ticket. If the weight is higher than expected, you can quickly take out an article or clothing that weighs about half a pound and put it in your carry-on bag or wear it. Then, ask the agent to reweigh your bag.
• Look out for public scales at the airport: Some airports, like Changi Airport, offer scales in the check-in area for passengers to check their luggage weight. If you find that your luggage is overweight, you can use the repacking area to rearrange your luggage and avoid extra charges.
• Ask for a reweigh: If you suspect that the scale is inaccurate, politely ask the airline employee to test your bag on another scale nearby.
• Travel with your own set of scales: While this may not be practical for everyone, travelling with your own set of scales can ensure peace of mind. An inspector from CBS Local in Boston, who investigated the accuracy of airport luggage scales, travels with his own set of scales to make sure he's not overcharged due to a faulty scale.
• Allow for a margin of error: When packing, aim to stay well below the weight limit. That way, even if the scale at the airport shows a slightly higher weight, you will still be within the permissible range.

By following these tips, you can proactively manage your luggage weight and reduce the stress of dealing with inaccurate scales at the airport.

Frequently asked questions