According to their website, my airline says the size limit on checked baggage is 62 linear inches (length+width+height). Does anyone know whether this is just the size of the actual case, or does it include things like wheels, handles that stick out? Thanks.
We have travled a lot and my experience is that it includes the total including handles etc. You are limited to the space the suitcase takes up including anything that sticks out, such as wheels, handles etc. You are better off taking two rather than just one huge piece of luggage because they end up weighing too much and you are charged extra for anything over 50 lbs too. Hope this helps.
I traveled in October and I thought I was being smart by taking one large "duffel" type bag. It's a good thing I was nice to the baggage guy. He made a comment on how my bag was too big and too heavy- but since I was a nice lady with a nice smile he would put it through without an extra charge. He did advise me that it's better to travel with two smaller bags then one large bag. I gave him a $15 tip!
The airlines are sticklers for the size/weight- If I was you I would make sure your bag fits the dimensions and include the handles etc in your measuring. You don' want to have to pay the extra fees etc.
By the way- Just a tip- If you are traveling out of Ohare plan on checking your bags at the curbside. You have to pay and tip per bag, but it's SO SO SO much better than waiting in line in the airport.
Also- If you are traveling with a child be prepared for your security check. That was the worst part of the entire trip! The other thing I was going to tell you is that if the security tells you to go to another line- don't panic and don't be offended. We got really lucky on the flight home we were pulled from the LONG LONG LONG line and taken to the handicap line. We waited about 2 minutes vs. 30 minutes! Just a tip!
Happy and Safe Travels to you! :)
MV
My husband works for the airlines as long as you don't go over 50 lbs you are good! :-)
Customer service through the airline is usually very helpful. We just traveled with 3 small children and I called with lots of questions. You may want to try that to make sure you are getting the right answers. Good luck...
Combined height, width, depth. Unless the wheels come off, they are part of the height.
My husband travels all the time and the airlines are more concerned about the weight of your luggage than the size. Just check the weight, you'll be fine.
Most airlines are allowing ONE bag. I find the bigger the bag, the more they weigh ( even empty) they don't ding you on the size they ding you on the weight. 50lbs domestic,
70lbs over seas. ( but Hawaii is not overseas) Your bag sounds fine in size.... keep it under 50 lbs.
M.,
I believe for checked baggage the major concern is weight. if you are an inch or two over I think it's really a non-issue for them.
carry-on bags are a bit different though. My mother in law is a flight attendant for United and she says you would be amazed at what people try to bring on as 'carry on' - like those big hockey gear bags.
Also,... your purse counts as a carry on. This really irritated me because my purse was so small it would not even fit a pop can inside... I ended up having to shove it inside my carry on because I also had a shopping bag and my carry on bag (i always pack my carry on with my essentials like toothpaste, toothbrush, change of clothes, hair brush, make up...in case my luggage gets lost, at least i can change my underwear and brush my teeth!)
anyway... I don't know if i helped at all - i'm still working on my first cup of coffee and so i'm a little scatter brained jsut yet ;-)
Enjoy your trip!
I'm not so sure about the size, but weight is HUGE. They weigh your bags now and I had to pay $25 at check in because on the way home my bag was 51 pounds (and I only had one bag but was allowed two). I should have bought a second cheap bag and stuffed a few things in there! Good luck!!
