Why do they make carry ons larger than airlines allow?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We travel for 2-3 weeks every summer as a family to a different location (ranging from Yellowstone to Europe to Alaska), and each take a carry-on wheelie and a backpack each, no problem. Yes, we do laundry, but this is an American problem: we buy too much stuff and we pack too much stuff. You do not need an entirely new outfit everyday (yes to new/clean socks and underwear every day), but jeans, black pants, navy pants, etc can be worn more than once

Ever been to Italy in the summer?

You need fresh clothing.

Yes, I often travel to Italy in the summer. My family of 3 can do 10-14 days with a carry on and a backpack each and make it work without being smelly, and my DH is a sweaty guy. I take a travel steamer with me always, wash some things in the sink, and can't stand being encumbered by lots of luggage when traveling to/fro in airports, train stations and the like.

Steaming is not cleaning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here:

Per Air Canada, they limit it to these (ridiculously small) dimensions:

21.5 x 15.5 x 9 inches

Only my kid’s child size roller bag (just barely) meets the requirements.

WTH?

We might just check our luggage and risk it rather than buy all new carryons.

Our Samsonite and Travel Pros are an inch or two bigger.

Why not bring everyone a backpack as well as your child's carryon on the plane. Put a couple days of clothes for each person plus personal grooming items in those. Have one checked bag of overflow stuff that won't fit in the carryons. This is what I would do and probably will do when we go to England/France next year. You can get an airtag for the checked bag if you are worried. But it will mostly likely be fine.

Everyone already planned to bring a backpack and a roller bag carryon, but Air Canada basically just allows an abnormally small roller bag and a purse. So I guess we will just bring backpacks and then check our usual big luggage. Now I’m worried they’ll consider our XL LL Bean rolling duffel bags as oversized.

We never have these issues flying on American Airlines or United—even when flying out of the country.

Just out of curiosity, how tall is everyone’s roller bag carry on? I guarantee it’s bigger than 21.5 and it’s never an issue flying a mainstream American airline.

You'd be surprised what you can fit in a full sized backpack with clothes rolled tightly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here:

Per Air Canada, they limit it to these (ridiculously small) dimensions:

21.5 x 15.5 x 9 inches

Only my kid’s child size roller bag (just barely) meets the requirements.

WTH?

We might just check our luggage and risk it rather than buy all new carryons.

Our Samsonite and Travel Pros are an inch or two bigger.

Why not bring everyone a backpack as well as your child's carryon on the plane. Put a couple days of clothes for each person plus personal grooming items in those. Have one checked bag of overflow stuff that won't fit in the carryons. This is what I would do and probably will do when we go to England/France next year. You can get an airtag for the checked bag if you are worried. But it will mostly likely be fine.

Everyone already planned to bring a backpack and a roller bag carryon, but Air Canada basically just allows an abnormally small roller bag and a purse. So I guess we will just bring backpacks and then check our usual big luggage. Now I’m worried they’ll consider our XL LL Bean rolling duffel bags as oversized.

We never have these issues flying on American Airlines or United—even when flying out of the country.

Just out of curiosity, how tall is everyone’s roller bag carry on? I guarantee it’s bigger than 21.5 and it’s never an issue flying a mainstream American airline.

The carry-on I use is "19.88 in 13.36 in 8.64 in". My personal item is a 25L Osprey backpack. I have been able to get these onto most flights if I can keep the weight to the airplane limits. I think you have your answer. Backpacks for everyone (are you saying the only personal item is a purse? Usually they allow for a backpack). And the rest is checked. Carry a change of clothing for everyone on the plane in case your bags take a while to be reunited and enjoy your trip. At the end of the day - worst case scenario you end up having to buy stuff in Rome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here:

Per Air Canada, they limit it to these (ridiculously small) dimensions:

21.5 x 15.5 x 9 inches

Only my kid’s child size roller bag (just barely) meets the requirements.

WTH?

We might just check our luggage and risk it rather than buy all new carryons.

Our Samsonite and Travel Pros are an inch or two bigger.

I fly Air Canada a lot. Those are international size dimensions that have been in place forever.

If I were you, I’d try to get on the plane with your slightly larger carry ons. At worst, you will need to gate check.
It is unlikely they will check systematically by making you try to fit your carryon into those metal things. I haven’t seen Air Canada do this in a long time, flying out of Toronto Pearson.
Air Canada has had a high rate of luggage being lost - which you have probably seen. It’s been worse when flying into or out of Toronto Pearson but that might just be due to the volume. So I wouldn’t check.

On flights to US with Air Canada, there is often an issue with not enough space in overhead bins for the carryons and people are asked to gate check anyway, even if your bags are within the dimensions but on a long flight, most people will check. Still, if it matters to you, try to be in Zone 1-3 to board, so there is less chance the bins will be full.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m struggling to find carry ons for an upcoming international flight on Air Canada to Europe. Why don’t they make carryons a uniform size?

Anyone know how strict they are? Google is all over the place.

Flying out of Montreal on a huge plane to Europe.

Who is "they?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We travel for 2-3 weeks every summer as a family to a different location (ranging from Yellowstone to Europe to Alaska), and each take a carry-on wheelie and a backpack each, no problem. Yes, we do laundry, but this is an American problem: we buy too much stuff and we pack too much stuff. You do not need an entirely new outfit everyday (yes to new/clean socks and underwear every day), but jeans, black pants, navy pants, etc can be worn more than once

Ever been to Italy in the summer?

You need fresh clothing.

I spent two weeks in Southern Italy/Sicily last June and only had carry on. It was fine. My Briggs Riley carry on packs quite a lot and in Sicily we had laundry cheaply done by a local laundry service place recommended by our hotel. Drop off in morning, collect that PM. No, we did not smell, and we were well dressed. Polos, shorts, summer dresses.

Really no need to take massive suitcases.

[Anonymous]

You need a good backpack. The material is softer than a hard suitcase so it can be squeezed into the compartment.

[Anonymous]

Question shouldn't be "why do they make carry-ons larger than airlines allow" but rather, why do people bring and get away with bringing carry-ons larger than allowed.

Luggage manufactures make various sizes to give you options.

[Anonymous]

Air Canada’s personal item is restricted to 13 x 6 x 17 … which is smaller than most stuffed backpacks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Air Canada’s personal item is restricted to 13 x 6 x 17 … which is smaller than most stuffed backpacks.

They never check. Ideally it fits under the seat. But they won’t check.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Air Canada’s personal item is restricted to 13 x 6 x 17 … which is smaller than most stuffed backpacks.

They never check. Ideally it fits under the seat. But they won’t check.

Carryon and personal item are two different things.