Contributor Level:
Captain
Posted: 4 years ago
Good question and one often discussed. There is quite a variation in opinion regarding full size luggage but fortunately we happened onto suitcases that have lasted for quite some time now. For many years our luggage only made it one or two cruises, when we traveled overseas. It was a joke, for us, buy new pretty soft sided luggage for Christmas and throw it away before the next. That is until we bought our first Samsonite 28’’ Spinner type luggage, years ago. Can’t believe it, we have traveled around the globe so many times with them I’ve lost count and the ramp workers haven’t damaged one yet. We have four big ones now and a half size one. Maybe Samsonite should hire bigger than their 500 pound guerillas to test them for their adds, LOL. Hey, ours still look pretty too.
As for size and weight, here are the rules most airlines use. Be careful when traveling overseas as some allow the bags to weigh 75 pounds max each, while domestics hit you hard for anything over 50 pounds, so if you are making a connection and unable to check heavy bags all the way, get your wallet out.
"No single piece of checked baggage may weigh more than 100 pounds (over 50 pounds you must pay a penalty) and/or exceed 115" (linear). Exception: Musical instruments."
"Measure the distance from the floor to the highest point on the top of the bag (typically the handle.) Then, measure the width of the bag from side-to-side when looking at it from the front. Last, measure the thickness of the bag when looking at it from the side. The sum of these equals the total linear inches."