How to Pack Light for Air Travel

It used to be that you could travel and stuff everything but the kitchen sink in your suitcase. With the maximum weight limit on a suitcase or piece of luggage being 50 pounds, airlines are beginning to put tougher restrictions on how much luggage you can bring and exactly how much you can stuff inside. Even if you are only a pound over, you could be looking at a fine of at least $25.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Two pieces of luggage
• One carry-on bag

1. Choose your luggage wisely. Before you can even begin to pack, you should know how much your luggage weighs. Keep in mind that luggage with wheels and extendable handles will most likely weigh more so you will need to decide which suitcase is going to be best to bring. If you shop around, you can find lighter options for luggage.

2. Bring only what you need. While you might be tempted to bring along the hair dryer, and irons, don’t. These items are considered the big weights in packing. If you are staying in a hotel, your room should come equipped with some of these items. In the case where you will be staying with friends or family, ask to borrow. It could save you a hefty fee at the airport.

3. Use your allowed limits. You may have to restrict what you pack to 50 pounds but you are permitted to have two pieces of luggage so take advantage and fill them both. As long you stay within 50 pounds on each piece of luggage you won’t have to worry about being over the weight limit.

4. Utilize your carry-on for all other items. There is no weight limit for your carry on so if you absolutely can’t live without the flat iron, then feel free to put it in the carry-on bag. Instead of leaving the heavy items at home, you can put them in the carry-on bag and even check it at the gate without a weight limit. So fill it up!

5. Send the souvenirs home early. In order to avoid getting tapped with weight limit fees on the way home, send your souvenirs home via the postal service or UPS. This way you won’t have to worry about those precious memories from your trip and gifts being left behind.

Tips & Warnings

• Bring only what you know you will use.
• Split your luggage with a companion.
• International flight weight limits may be different.
• Charges are per flight, not round trip.

[Susanh]

on 6/25/2008 Great info.

[Inkling]

on 6/9/2008 Hi and thanks for the tips! Packing for my upcoming trip will be downsized thanks to the new extra bag fees!

[Inkling]

on 6/9/2008 Hi and thanks for the tips! Packing for my upcoming trip will be downsized thanks to the new extra bag fees!

[Ceile]

on 12/9/2007 Isn't that funny there is no weight limit for carry on bags? Good advice about mailing things through USPS. If you can't live without the iron or hair dryer...you could even mail them TO your destination and mail them back. Great article!

[grouch]

on 12/8/2007 The postal system rocks. Even flat rate shipping a box of rocks from east coast to west coast would be cheaper then those fines. Great information I never knew about the "no weight limit" on the carry on. Heck, bring a muscle bound friend who would offer to carry it for you, pack it up!