When booking connecting flights with different airlines, it's important to be aware that carry-on luggage allowances may vary between carriers. This can sometimes result in unexpected fees if your carry-on complies with one airline’s rules but not others. We’d recommend you check the weight and dimensions of your luggage before travelling to the airport. 

Understanding different carry-on allowances

Each airline sets its own rules for carry-on luggage, including size, weight, and number of bags allowed. If your itinerary involves more than one airline, especially for self-connecting flights, you might encounter different luggage policies on each leg of your journey.

For example:

• Airline A may allow larger and/or heavier carry-ons.
• Airline B might have stricter size and weight limits for carry-on luggage.

Even though you may not be charged for your carry-on on the first flight, the second airline could impose a fee at the gate if your luggage exceeds their limits.

How to avoid extra fees

To minimise the risk of being charged for your carry-on during your connection, we recommend the following steps:

1. Check Carry-on Limits for Each Airline Before You Travel
   Before you travel, visit the websites of each airline in your booking and verify their carry-on baggage policies. Pay attention to both size and weight restrictions, as these may differ significantly.
2. Pack According to the Strictest Limits
   To avoid any surprises, we advise packing for your entire trip with the most restrictive carry-on allowance in mind. For example, if one airline allows a carry-on of 10kg and the other only 7kg, it’s safer to pack within the 7kg limit for the whole journey.
3. Consider Purchasing Additional Baggage in Advance
   If your carry-on exceeds the more restrictive airline’s limits, consider purchasing additional baggage allowance in advance. Most airlines allow you to prepay for checked baggage or extra carry-on luggage, which often costs less than what you will be charged at the gate.

What happens if you are charged for your carry-on?

If you are charged for excess carry-on luggage at the gate during your connection, unfortunately,  the ConnectSure service does not cover this fee. Airlines set and enforce their own baggage rules, and the passenger must comply with each airline’s policy in their itinerary.

Tips for managing carry-on luggage

• Plan for Transfers: When connecting between airlines, especially if you're transferring between international and domestic flights, be aware that carry-on policies may change. Some domestic carriers have stricter carry-on rules than international ones.
• Use a Luggage Scale: Consider using a luggage scale to check the weight of your carry-on before heading to the airport, ensuring it meets the strictest airline’s limits.
• Consider Checking Your Bag: If your carry-on is too large or heavy for one of your flights, it may be more cost-effective to check your bag rather than risk paying a higher fee at the gate.

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