Emirates hand baggage

[vctenderness]

I am due to fly ex LGW with Emirates in Economy.

I note that EK have a very generous hold luggage allowance but a measly 7kilo hand baggage allowance.

My question is how strict are they on this?

I am used to some of the loco’s strict hand baggage rules but not on a full service longhaul carrier.

Any frequent Emirates travellers able to advise?

[TLDNMCL]

It seems to depend upon point of departure but they are usually fairly flexible; they get tetchy about dimensions though, which to me is a good thing.

[Heathrow Harry]

Never been checked but that low limit allows them to stop you if they want/need to

As TLDNMCl says avoid bulk..........

[ExSp33db1rd]

No experience of Emirates, but Air NZ have the same measly limit, and weigh bags ex-AKL, tho' not necessarily elsewhere.

One of their reasons is weight in overhead lockers, but if doubtful I take heavy stuff out of the bag and carry it, as they allow a computer and "reading material" in addition to the bag, and also fill my coat pockets - if I'm wearing one - then either put it all back after being weighed, or just put the coat into the overhead locker anyway.

I also usually wear a Safari shirt, with massive pockets.

Stuff 'em. ( the airlines that is, not necessarily the pockets ! )

[Dryce]

Actual enforcement varies IME.

I've been checking in and my cabin bags haven't been weighed while at the adjacent checkin the passenger has been forced to repack to keep to the exact limit.

Other times they have been weighing everything but not to bothered about people who are a bit over.

And I've never had stuff reweighed when boarding a connection at DXB - but I've heard complaints that sometimes they do and it can be expensive if you are well over. Saying it was allowed on your first sector isn't a viable excuse.

I would add that 7Kg is pretty lousy - some camera gear and a small laptop and odds and ends can easily go above that. Allowing some flexibility just encourages chancers and is unfair on those who make sure they comply. I think a 10Kg limit with absolute enforcement - checkin weighing and regular gate checks - would make life a lot easier and actually be fairer.

[ExSp33db1rd]

Totally agree, the usual crap I carry almost always weighs the allowed 7Kg, so a bit of fat would stop me having to worry about it, and also use a better (heavier) bag, i.e. one with wheels.

I've experienced some USA airlines that use the 10 Kg limit, but regret can't remember which ones ! - Southwest maybe, for one ?

[vctenderness]

When you take into account the weight of the bag, say 3kgs, the contents have to be pretty limited to weight 4kgs or less.

I am taking a large tub of Roses chocs, iPad, chargers and cables, book, medication, folder of paperwork for cruise, couple of magazines and newspapers plus various odds and sods.

So I’ll end up pulling a virtually empty cabin bag whilst trying to hold armfuls of papers, magazines and iPad!

The joys of modern air travel......

[Metro man]

A lot depends on who's behind the counter, if it doesn't look excessive many won't bother weighing as they want to keep the queue moving.

Sometimes you get unlucky and end up with a Nazi who is "only doing their job" and enforces to the last gram.

Check in staff's days are numbered anyway as its going to self service machines.

[spiney]

Yes, if the flight is full... and it frequently is out of LGW, Emirates will get picky about your carry on weight. You may get away with a kilo extra, 3kg over and they'll usually ask you to check it in.

Even when I was Emirates Silver I used to wear a voluminous travel jacket which could happily swallow up a few kilos of cameras, tablets, chargers etc. Once checked in I transferred them to the now slightly overweight carry on bag. I agree it's stupid but avoids difficult conversations with check-in staff simply trying to do their job.

[Heathrow Harry]

years ago going through LHR SQ slave class with 20 kg of luggage and over 20 kg of books

Packed books into small carryon waltzed up to counter with trolley - checked bags

"Any hand luggage Sir?"

Picked up carry-on ONE HANDED to shoulder height and smiled - "just this"

"Fine"

HH whistles off cheerfully, round large pillar where turned grey, burst into a torrent of sweat and advanced palpitations..................

Since then I've paid the excess.............. partly because hauling a big weight around aircraft and airports is really no fun at all

[ExXB]

As long as your bag is not overly big, and you can put it into the lockers unaided you should be OK. Having a slightly smaller bag that will fit under the seat gives you an option on full flights where locker space is a premium.

[Laarbruch72]

Sometimes you get unlucky and end up with a Nazi who is "only doing their job" and enforces to the last gram.

You're equating someone enforcing rules on hand baggage with the behaviour of a group responsible for mass genocide?
Claiming Godwin at this point doesn't quite cover it somehow... how unbelievably crass.

[S.o.S.]

Hand luggage is the discussion topic.

[GrahamO]

As long as your bag is not overly big, and you can put it into the lockers unaided you should be OK. Having a slightly smaller bag that will fit under the seat gives you an option on full flights where locker space is a premium.

This.

If you try to bring a shrink wrapped load of clothes, blankets and small child, or if you give them a reason to look, then you'll be checked.

If you have a standard carry on (without the expansion pockets which make the bag obviously bursting at the seams and twice the size), you are likely to be checked.

We brought back 15kg or stone ornaments in a wheely case and they didnt check as the bag was small.

[yellowtriumph]

This.

If you try to bring a shrink wrapped load of clothes, blankets and small child, or if you give them a reason to look, then you'll be checked.

If you have a standard carry on (without the expansion pockets which make the bag obviously bursting at the seams and twice the size), you are likely to be checked.

We brought back 15kg or stone ornaments in a wheely case and they didnt check as the bag was small.

I have a mental picture of a shrink wrapped small child being put in the hold.:ooh:

[xanda_man]

Have used Emirates economy 10+ times over the last month to and from DXB from BHX, LGW, MAN, LHR and throughout the ME, on both A380's and 777's, all times travelling with both a laptop backpack and also my holdall, which goes against the rules in terms of number of items but both conservatively sized and not excessive.

Not once was I stopped, checked or asked to check anything in but then I did go straight to departures for each flight and I don't recall seeing any scales/sizers (although I'm sure they're there).

Some of the bags I saw being put in the bins were ridiculous. I would just say use some discretion and don't bring anything too large and you should be fine. Worst case scenario it gets put in the hold free of charge and add's 20-30 mins in baggage claim.

[vctenderness]

Thanks all for useful and helpful comments. I’m not a ‘Bulk’ hand baggage type of guy just a standard wheelie so hopefully will not have problems.

[ExSp33db1rd]

Check in staff's days are numbered anyway as its going to self service machines.

Which will be worse, unless the airline build in an allowable excess over the 7Kg. At our local airport the staff have an instruction to use discretion up to a maximum of 0.99 kg over the 7 kg i.e. 7.99 kg is OK, 8Kg isn't.

Computers will exercise no discretion.

LIFE was easier before computers.

I check in what I can usually unless day tripping it.

It is my ambition to travel around the World with just my passport in my shirt pocket. Not made it - yet.

One was spoiled travelling as crew, you wouldn't believe what I have carried as "crew baggage", except that .... on one occasion when unexpectedly travelling home as pax. the Flt. Eng. was asked to pay an excess baggage charge for his suitcase. He opened the case and deposited his uniform jacket, trousers, hat, dirty shirts, Flight Manual, small toolkit etc. on to the scales and said ... "that's Company equipment, buggered if I'm paying for it, give me a receipt and I"ll draw it all again from Stores when I get home"

Collapse of - not so - stout party.

[vctenderness]

There was a very famous BA cabin crew known as The Gypsy. He spent his entire, very long, career without ever having a suitcase. This in the days of 21 day trips which often could become 25 days.

He had a very small cabin bag which supposedly contained flip flops, t shirt, one pair trousers, one spare underpants and toiletries.

Uniform shirt would be ‘laundered’ in hotel room.

As you can imagine he was not the best dressed person down route!

[ExSp33db1rd]

Arriving in New York one New Year's Eve, my then Captain suggested that I might like to join him for dinner at the home of one of his local friends ? I suggested that I would be pleased to accompany him, until he suggested that I had of course packed a dinner jacket, as it was a Black Tie invitation.

I celebrated the New Year at the Cabin Crews' room party, imbibing much of the Company's vintage Champagne !

I probably had the better time !