Do thomson fly weigh hand luggage

Immediate action: use a digital scale at home and pack so the onboard item registers 8–9 kg on that scale. Keep liquids in containers of no more than 100 ml inside a single clear resealable bag; place chargers, medication and valuables in a small personal item that fits under the seat.

At check-in and boarding staff routinely check both mass and dimensions. If your fare has a reduced cabin allowance, move dense objects (books, camera bodies, metal chargers) into your checked case or wear heavier clothing to reduce the carried mass. Measure your case with a tape: some gates enforce a 55×40×20 cm rule, others accept slightly different limits, so confirm the exact numbers for your booking before leaving home.

Practical checklist: a foldable digital scale, a tape measure, packing cubes to distribute weight, liquid bottles ≤100 ml, and a clear bag for liquids. Expect on-the-spot charges or baggage transfer costing roughly £20–£60 if over the published allowance; avoiding surprises requires measuring and repacking before arrival at the airport.

Does the airline check cabin-bag weight?

Yes. Many carriers measure cabin-bag weight at check-in and at the gate. Check your booking for the exact allowance and plan for 10 kg or less and dimensions no larger than 55×40×20 cm (wheels and handles included) unless your confirmation specifies a different limit.

Before departure

Use a portable scale calibrated to grams; weigh your packed carry item and the separate personal item. If your scale shows within 200 g of the limit, remove or redistribute items. Measure external dimensions with a tape measure; record length×width×height including wheels. Opt for lightweight fabrics, compressible packing cubes, and decant liquids into 100 ml containers inside a clear bag. Replace paper books with an e-reader and swap heavy full-size toiletries for travel-size versions.

At the airport

If staff state your cabin parcel exceeds the allowance, available options are: transfer content to a checked bag, move items into an allowed personal item (coat, small backpack), or pay the carrier’s excess fee. Typical gate charges for oversized carry items range approximately €25–€60, but policies and prices differ–request the exact figure at the desk. If you dispute the measurement, ask for a written statement of the carrier’s policy or speak to a supervisor before paying.

Checklist: portable scale, tape measure, clear liquids bag (100 ml rules), lightweight packing cubes, plan to redistribute heavy items between cabin and hold.

What cabin baggage size and weight is allowed per fare class?

Quick answer

Most fare types allow a main cabin bag up to 10 kg with maximum external dimensions 55 x 40 x 20 cm; lower-tier fares restrict passengers to a single small personal item (approx. 40 x 30 x 20 cm). Upgraded or premium tickets typically permit an extra onboard piece or a higher combined allowance (often 15–20 kg total across items).

Allowance breakdown by fare level

Value / Basic: 1 small personal item only – suggested maximum dimensions 40 x 30 x 20 cm; typical maximum mass 4–6 kg or unspecified but strictly enforced at the gate.

Standard / Classic: 1 main cabin piece – max 55 x 40 x 20 cm and up to 10 kg, plus 1 small personal item (40 x 30 x 20 cm). This is the most common configuration for regular economy bookings.

Plus / Flex: 2 onboard pieces – main bag (55 x 40 x 20 cm, up to 10 kg) + second small item; some fares state a combined allowance of 15 kg instead of per-item limits. Priority boarding often included.

Premium / Club / Business: 2 pieces with increased flexibility – common options are 2 × 10 kg cabin items or 1 larger cabin piece up to 15 kg plus a personal item; cabin stowage priority on busy flights.

Practical recommendations

Check the specific allowance printed on your booking confirmation or the carrier’s cabin policy before travel; fare names and exact kg/dimensions can differ by route. Use a home scale and measure external dimensions of soft-sided bags (including wheels and handles). Place heavier items in registered baggage when possible, and keep liquids in 100 ml containers inside a clear resealable pouch to speed up gate checks. If your booking shows a different allowance than above, follow the booking information – that rule governs at boarding.

When and where cabin bags are measured

Pack a compact scale and prepare for checks at the check-in counter and again at the departure gate; staff commonly use scales and rigid sizers to confirm compliance with published mass and size limits.

Typical checkpoints

Check-in counter / bag drop: Primary location for inspection – items are placed on a scale or pushed through a sizer. If an item exceeds the allowance it will be tagged for the hold or extra charges will be applied.

Security screening: Focuses on prohibited items and screening procedures; enforcement of mass limits is uncommon at this point.

Gate / boarding area: Most frequent spot for last-minute checks, especially on full flights or small aircraft. Staff may re-measure and can require immediate gate‑check if bin space is constrained or the item is outside limits.

Aircraft doorway / cabin crew: Crew assess stowage feasibility at the door; they can refuse onboard carriage and direct the item to be checked if it cannot be safely stowed.

When checks increase

Expect stricter controls during peak travel times, on short‑haul or regional jets with limited overhead space, and for basic fare types; passengers with priority boarding or premium fares see fewer rechecks.

Practical checklist: Measure and confirm mass and dimensions at home, choose a compressible soft-sided cabin bag, keep a smaller personal item for valuables, and have card or app payment ready for a gate fee or hold tag.

How airline staff measure cabin-bag mass: tools used and how to avoid penalties

Carry a personal digital scale and target a cabin-bag mass at least 10% below your fare allowance; this practical buffer prevents disputes during on-site checks.

Common tools: calibrated platform scales at check-in with typical precision of 0.1–0.5 kg; portable electronic scales agents deploy for spot measurements (resolution often 0.05–0.2 kg); rigid metal sizers for dimensional checks; and trained visual inspection to flag visibly overloaded items. Calibration cycles and model choice vary by airport and operator, so readings can differ slightly between desks.

Actions staff take when limits are exceeded

If an item surpasses permitted mass or dimensions, staff will request redistribution into hold baggage, impose an excess-charge (charged per kg or a flat fee – amounts differ by route and carrier), or refuse carriage of the item. Agents may document the incident on a report or issue a written notice; for related procedures see how can a coach get a yellow card.

Practical preparation tips

Weigh and measure at home using a compact scale (recommended specs: 50 g resolution, 0–40 kg capacity) and a tape measure. Use soft-sided bags for easier fit in sizers, redistribute heavy items into checked pieces, wear bulky clothing on board, and place dense items near the wheels to keep the main compartment within limits. If uncertain, plan for a paid checked item rather than risk last-minute rebooking or surcharge.

Immediate fees and options if your carry-on exceeds the airline’s allowance

Buy extra allowance online before airport arrival – online add-ons commonly cost £10–£30 / €12–€35 / $15–$40, while paying at the gate or desk can be 2–3 times higher.

Options presented at check-in or gate

• Purchase an additional cabin allowance or priority boarding addon: online advance price ~£10–£30; at counter/gate ~£30–£70.
• Check the item into the hold as a standard checked bag: advance purchase often £15–£40; airport/last-minute check-in £30–£80 depending on route and season.
• Pay an excess-baggage or oversized/overweight charge if only weight/size is exceeded: common gate charges range £35–£75; some routes charge a fixed fee per kilo above allowance (e.g., £10–£15/kg).
• Repack at the counter: transfer items into a smaller permitted cabin bag or into another passenger’s allowance (if they agree); no fee when within both passengers’ allowances.
• Purchase an extra seat for valuable or oversized items that must stay with you; fares vary widely – often far more expensive than checked-bag fees.
• If none of the paid options are acceptable, the carrier may refuse carriage of the item or require disposal/donation to reduce size/weight.

Practical recommendations at the airport

1. Measure and compress: use a compression pouch or remove non-essential items; this is free and often resolves the issue immediately.
2. Ask staff for exact on-the-spot fees before paying; confirm whether payment at counter or gate grants boarding with the oversized item.
3. Buy checked allowance online via the airline app or website if you have mobile access at the airport – savings versus gate purchase are common.
4. If traveling with fragile or high-value items, choose checked-with-declaration or an extra seat rather than last-minute gate handling.
5. Keep receipts and booking references for any excess charges; some credit-card policies or travel protections may reimburse unexpected fees.

Measure, repack and redistribute to meet the carrier’s carry-on limits before you leave for the airport

Practical target: measure each cabin bag and personal item at home with a scale and tape, and keep the measured mass at least 10% below the carrier’s published limit to allow for boarding checks and variations in scales.

Accurate home measurement

Use a digital hanging luggage scale for the main cabin bag: attach strap to handle, lift vertically and read mass. If you only have a bathroom scale, step on it holding the packed bag and subtract your body mass. For small items (chargers, adapters, toiletry bottles) use a kitchen scale and add totals. Measure external dimensions with a tape measure at widest points (wheels and handles extended/retracted as per the airline’s rule); record length × width × height.

Repacking and distribution tactics

Empty pockets, remove receipts and non-essential papers, then group items by category: electronics, liquids, footwear, clothing, toiletries, and duty items (passport, medication). Place heaviest, dense items close to the bag’s frame to maximize usable space. Replace hard-case bulk with soft-sided compression cubes or vacuum sacks for off-season clothes. Wear the bulkiest shoes and jacket to transfer mass off the bag.

Move liquids into travel-size containers and consolidate into a single clear pouch; for cold or spill-prone items consider a best leak proof backpack cooler placed in your permitted personal item rather than the main cabin case. Swap printed books for e-books or put magazines into checked baggage. For umbrellas choose a compact collapsible model – see best large windproof travel umbrella for options that fit under-seat compartments.

If the packed mass or dimensions still exceed limits, redistribute: transfer bulky/heavy items to a checked suitcase or to a travelling companion’s allowance; split electronics and chargers between cabin bag and personal item; convert non-essential clothing to the checked bag. Re-measure after redistributing and compressing.

Final pre-departure check: confirm mass and dimensions one last time, verify liquids follow the carrier’s size rules, and ensure the personal item actually fits under your seat – comfort and boardability are the best indicators that the setup will pass airport checks.