airline baggage

[doodlebug 3]

Does anyone know if British Air allows a handbag in addition to the carry on? It doesn't really say on their site and although it says it allows ONE bag onboard, usually implied in that is that a pocket book can be brought too, right?

[payxibka 10,047]

Does anyone know if British Air allows a handbag in addition to the carry on? It doesn't really say on their site and although it says it allows ONE bag onboard, usually implied in that is that a pocket book can be brought too, right?

European airline rules are different than US. It should not be assumed. It will depend on how strict they decide to enforce it.

[Pam&Mbaye 0]

Does anyone know if British Air allows a handbag in addition to the carry on? It doesn't really say on their site and although it says it allows ONE bag onboard, usually implied in that is that a pocket book can be brought too, right?

Doodle,

I went to Africa in June using British Airways and I had my handbag and a carry on bag which I put in the overhead compartment, and the handbag I kept next to me. You still may want to call BA to make sure.

All the best

[featherB 1]

They always used to allow two items, but I'm pretty sure that with the new hand baggage restrictions, you can only take one - so if you take a handbag as well, you have to be able to fit it inside your main item of hand baggage to go through the security checkpoint. They've been relaxing the rules gradually, but they're still restricting it to one item. It's not the airline's rule, it's BAA - the British Airport Authority... but you can see the latest info on their site here.

[featherB 1]

Oops.. have just realised, what I've posted only applies if you're actually flying with BA from/through a UK airport - otherwise you'll probably (but still best to check...) be ok taking on a small 'personal' item as well as the main hand baggage - SO LONG AS that's permitted by the security at the airport you're flying from. Best speak to BA, I reckon...

Sorry, that's not much help!

[pj1959us 0]

From what I'm reading on the BA site, the handbag must fit within the carryon:

Other bags, such as handbags, may be carried WITHIN the single item of cabin baggage, not in addition. All items carried by passengers will be X-ray screened. Cameras, (including digital, small electrical items such as mobile phones, MP3 players and game consoles can remain in the bag for screening. However, all laptops and large electrical items must be removed from the bag and placed in a separate tray.

[doodlebug 3]

If I sit on my carryon I can just about zipper it within a centimeter with my pocketbook in it so I'm gonna chance it.

[Henia 11]

Yes, handbags and laptop cases are allowed in addition to the carry on.

[pj1959us 0]

Yes, handbags and laptop cases are allowed in addition to the carry on.

That isn't what it states on the BA site...the handbag must fit within the carryon now, and it's recommended to check the airport's site as to the size of the carryon.

[doodlebug 3]

It's allowed from boston to london but not from london to cairo, so I may as well abide by the more stricter regulations. If I didn't have to bring so much stuff for fear that they'll lose my luggage I wouldn't have this problem to begin with. lol

[Henia 11]

Yes, handbags and laptop cases are allowed in addition to the carry on.

That isn't what it states on the BA site...the handbag must fit within the carryon now, and it's recommended to check the airport's site as to the size of the carryon.

I take flight from USA to Europe and/or North Africa 5-6x yearly...so I base my answer on that...I have had no problems so far...with taking a laptop case and a handbag. And actually took a handbag, laptop case and shopping bag (shopping from the airport shoppes) last trip in Nov. Doesnt matter what the site says, it is a guideline and left to the decision of the officers in the airport...some are nice, some are not.

[Lennys26 0]

A handbag does NOT count as a carryon.

A computer bag counts as a computer bag (and also not countable) only if it contains a computer - Yes, I was once asked to show the computer inside to verify.

This being said, as a male, I have not tried carrying a handbag, a computer bag AND a (n additional) carryon.

This is based on national US travel as well as International and inter-Europe travel.

Cheers,

LS.

[featherB 1]

A handbag does NOT count as a carryon.

... except that, recently, with the new hand luggage restrctions, it HAS counted as a carryon - they've been VERY specific about this! BAA's guidelines quite clearly state that only ONE item (which must not be bigger than a specific - smaller than previously - size) can be taken through the security check, and that additional items like handbags, laptops, must be put INSIDE that item of hand baggage or not be allowed through.

[payxibka 10,047]

A handbag does NOT count as a carryon.

A computer bag counts as a computer bag (and also not countable) only if it contains a computer - Yes, I was once asked to show the computer inside to verify.

This being said, as a male, I have not tried carrying a handbag, a computer bag AND a (n additional) carryon.

This is based on national US travel as well as International and inter-Europe travel.

Cheers,

LS.

Maybe so but it is not based on recent international or intra-European travel..

[Ladylethal 12]

I was travel with a backpack AND a handbag. Never had a problem with it.

EDIT: And even a bag with books bought at the airport half of the times.

Edited December 25, 2006 by Luis&Laura