Travelling to the USA

Posted by solomani (84 days ago)

Hi all,
I will be travelling to the USA for the first time for many years. I was looking for some advice from fellow travelers (or natives). It seems you can take two pieces of luggage to the USA. According to QANTAS there is a limit on actual dimensions though:

http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/previous-checked-baggage-policy/global/en

Anyone had any experience with this? Do you just measure the total size of the bag and it has to be less than 158cm? For example one of our bags is 167cm if I just add HxWxD together.

Any idea how strict the USA/HK side is in enforcing this stuff?

Thanks in advance.

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Posted by axptguy38 (84 days ago)

The luggage policy is wholly up to the airline. Typically though, for North American flights, a "pieces" rule is used as is the case here.

I think you'll be fine with 167cm. They are normally lenient if you are close to the limit.

Posted by solomani (84 days ago)

Thanks AXP. So its not a fed/state law or anything? Just some airline thing?

I am traveling with Cathay. Not such a big deal if they stop me on this side as I can just duck home from Kowloon and leave the bags. Would be a pain if I was stopped coming back with full bags (though logically if they let you one way they must let you the other).

Posted by axptguy38 (83 days ago)

Correct. It's not a law at all. The reason there are luggage restrictions are so the airlines can keep handling and fuel costs down.

As I said, unless it's really blatant, most airlines tend to be lenient with a few percent extra. The exception is some of the low-cost carriers, who really lay down the law. I can't guarantee anything of course, but Cathay tends to be "nice".