Continental Slashes Luggage Limits

Continental Airlines, which serves multiple diving destinations in the Caribbean and Pacific, has slashed its luggage weight limits for international economy passengers. The new limit is two bags at a max 50 pounds each (formerly 70 pounds each). OnePass Elite members will still be able to get 70 pounds each; Business Class pax will get three bags at 70 pounds each.

So for those us non-Elite members with the two 70-pounds bags full of dive gear and camera equipment, take some extra money with you to the airport if your're traveling Economy. You'll need the bucks at the Continental ticket counter when you check in for your international flight to pay for those excess baggage pounds. Personally, there's no way I can cut 40 pounds.

That's bad news, I fly with them a lot because I think they have the best frequent flyer program and because they never lost any of my bags.

It kills me, Continental is the only carrier here. My new Phenom weighs over 50 pounds with the box. Its gonna be real fun when i eventually move on, 2 videos and housings, 1 DSLR and housing with about 9 lenses, 3 P&S and housings, 2 Nik Vs, strobes, scuba gear....guess i don't need clothes....

Alaska Airlines, which owns a similar monopoly here, has had a 50# limit for some time. Is there an airline left that allows 70# without an extra charge?

Tom

I guess you guys have been having it easy all this while. Most commercial airlines in Europe and Asia only allow 45 to 50 pounds TOTAL for check-in luggage. My camera gear alone is more than double of that.

Mike, no need to go naked: just wear 5 layers of clothes when you board the plane, and stuff your pockets with extra underwear

Mat

Would you believe that Qantas wanted to charge me $1300 for a third bag from HK to Sydney a few years back?!?! Only cost me $100 to get it from Manila to HK...

"Ohh i just came from the States.." "well in that case its only $300..."

Euros, Asians, and Aussies have it tough!

Underwear?? inside or outside? perhaps a special dispensation if i do that? B)

the contrary is surprisingly also possible: just read that Swiss (belonging to Lufthansa now) increased the checked luggage maximum for european flights and some international flights (?) from 20 kg to 32 kg for 1 piece only. Interestingly on the same time they cut for flights to the US from 32 to 23 kg but here you can take 2 pieces for this limit each.

just checked Lufthansa: same as Swiss for flights to the USA but only 1 piece for 20 kg within Europe!

DRAT!!

My pelicans weigh 28 pounds apiece empty, and I've always packed them at 70 pounds on the dot.

I guess I'll have to use them for extra seating at home.....

And this means much heavier carry on luggage now...

funny really isn't it? I weigh 170 pounds, yet someone weighing 40 pounds more than me doesn't get charged excess baggage for carrying that weight on their physique....

On some airlines excess baggage is charged at more per pound than people and a few times I've been threatened with charges that exceed the cost of the ticket - where's the economics in that? an average ticketed person will weigh in at the 120 - 200 pound mark plus baggage, plus they consume food, need waiting on, present an insurance risk if the plane goes down etc. An excess bag full of dive/photo gear is far less hassle for an airline to carry.

Personally, I will not fly with an airline that does not accomodate my baggage.

Airlines I've found particularly good are Malaysian Airlines and also Emirates. Tell them you are a diver and they will help out with an increased baggage limit.

Right, soapbox over...

In the past when i have been travelling to Malta with maltabargains (who seem to change airlines regular) I try and get to check in early, smile nicely and that seems to work.. They usually say 20kg but I have been through with 33kg before with no probs... Just put my housing / Lights and lenses in the dive bag with my other gear.. On the way back you could get through with the entire BBC NHU crew and they wouldn't notice for talking...

Though one time there was a bloke on check-in and the smile bit didn't work (anything for my art darlinks)...

I mostly seem to be only 5-8kgs over... Thats why i love the smaller video cams..And there getting lighter.

Dive safe

DeanB

airlines are reacting to decreased profit margins. most airlines are subcontracted by at least one of the shipping companies ups/fedex/dhl/usps. that extra weight they shave off from passengers means more freight they can carry.

Their new motto is 'fly the unfriendly skies' <_<