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luggage weight for the US

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Dee Sa | 16:22 Fri 10th Aug 2012 | Travel
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If you travel by with an American airline does the "two bags no weigh check" when you come home. still apply.
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Up to around 5 years ago, even economy passengers were allowed two checked in bags, each up to 32kg in weight on most carriers between the UK & USA (both ways). Now most carriers limit economy passengers to one 23kg bag.

I can only assume that in the past with so many transatlantic flights, no one worried about the amount being carried in the hold. But there is money to be made out of those carrying excess baggage and less fuel consumed by a lighter aircraft.

Specifically answering your question – No, you are limited to one 23kg bag (or whatever).
One crumb of comfort I can offer is that check-in staff have told me that the 23kg limit is actually 25kg (to allow for errors in your bathroom scales).

In general, as you go up the seating/passenger grades, your luggage allowance is increased – check the terms & conditions of your carrier.
If your tickets allow you 2 bags at the start, you will be able to have the same amount returning from the US. Just make sure that you are allowed 2 bags at no extra charge before you start your trip.
Having a look at the airlines website is the only way of knowing. There is no broad brush approach on luggage allowance.

Having said that if you are flying both ways with the same airline then the same rules are likely to apply.

You e-tickets will have the necessary information.
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Thank you all three, I have always put one bag inside the other on the outward journey, shopped like mad in the US and and checked in two bags for the return flight without any extra charge but I havent been "over the pond" for about three years now so I wanted to know if the rules had changed.
Mrs Hymie used to do that (place one case inside another on the outward journey to the USA), but your bags would have been weighed on return, not just to check the 32kg limit; the pilot is given the total onboard load.

If you must bring back in excess of your checked in luggage limit, turning up at the airport with a single overweight bag can cost you 1% of the fist class airfare for every kg over the limit – but the cost of a second bag (up to 23kg) is not too prohibitive.

Rather than packing one case inside another on the outward journey, consider purchasing the second case in the USA – and check the cost of a second bag with your carrier.
This is wait AA has said .................Economy
One checked bag free of charge - maximum 23kgs / 50lbs
One second bag for a fee of $60 - maximum 23kgs / 50lbs

So that means just one suitcase both ways or the charges come in force. Hope that helps

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