2006Cases/Carts/Stands and Transport forum
Airline baggage weight restrictions and strategies for transporting heavy equipment cases
20 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Airlines including Air Canada and Continental enforce maximum weight limits of around 70 pounds per bag, with excess baggage fees for bags between 50-70 pounds
- The 70-pound limit aligns with occupational health and safety regulations for airport workers handling baggage at check-in belts
- Dividing equipment into multiple lighter cases is a common strategy to comply with airline weight restrictions
- Shipping companies can be used to transport heavy equipment separately, though customs clearance delays are a documented risk
- Airport regulations vary by location and can differ from airline policies, sometimes imposing stricter weight limits than the airline itself
- Chartered flights may have additional restrictions, such as limiting total baggage pieces to four regardless of total weight
- Security screening procedures, particularly for batteries in equipment cases, can require significant extra time and should be anticipated
- Hard-sided cases with locks may be confiscated or damaged by security if they cannot be easily opened for inspection, while cases with plastic fasteners are safer
- ATA carnets facilitate customs clearance for equipment crossing international borders
Depends on
- The discussion references Air Canada and Continental policies from 2006, which may have changed
- Experiences described are anecdotal and specific to individual trips and airports
- Variation between different airports means no single weight limit applies universally
- Specific airline cargo service details are mentioned without confirmation of current availability or pricing