I’m moving to Japan in a few days and I’m currently packing my bags. JAL has a limit of 23kg for checked baggage (max 2 bags, 23kg each but I’m only taking one) and a 10kg combined limit for carry on luggage (a suitcase and personal bag). How strict is JAL with these requirements? I’ve pretty much finished my packing but my carry on suitcase and backpack combined weigh about 12kg as I have some heavy things I must take in my hand luggage. If JAL is strict I will find a way to lose those kg but it’s pretty difficult for me to do.
4 comments
I never heard of any issues with carry on luggage since they don’t actually weigh it.
With check in luggage it depends how good of a mood the ticketing person is in. Some have let me slide for up to 1 kg over the limit.
I’ve heard of other cases where people have gone significantly over the limit and had to take some stuff out and put it in a separate bag or face additional fees.
From my experience and what I have heard/seen, all airlines are getting strict with high fees at check in. I wouldn’t risk anything with checked bags, you might be okay with carry one. Why don’t you just do another checked bag to be on the safe side?
Checked bags are weighed, and additional fees may assessed if the total weight exceeds the limit. You may be required to remove items and repack if an individual baggage item exceeds the single item limit.
> max 2 bags, 23kg each but I’m only taking one
To avoid worries, take another bag.
It doesn’t need to be expensive hardshell luggage, buy a cheap duffel and stick your clothing and soft goods in that one.
If you don’t, and arrive at the airport with a single overweight bag, you may be required to remove items anyway, so why risk it.
Anecdotally, I was on a full international flight with JAL in April and they weighed my carry on luggage (a small backpack) as well as my checked. First time it had happened to me on a JAL flight though.