Bag it - the lowdown on luggage

By now, most passengers understand the rudiments of airport security. What even the most seasoned of travelers may have problems with, however, is baggage restrictions. That's because they vary.

To help ground fliers in the basics of bags, the U.S. Tour Operators Association has posted a chart delineating baggage allowances for checked and carry-on luggage in various parts of the world.

Most domestic United States and transatlantic flights allow two pieces of checked luggage. They have to measure no more 62 linear inches (that's height, plus width, plus depth). The maximum weight, if you're flying coach in the U.S., is 50 pounds. Understandable enough, but let's say you're changing planes in Europe, or perhaps within South America. Then the maximum allowance is 44 pounds.

Rules of thumb for carry-on can also vary. Forty-five linear inches is the dimension limit, and maximum weight ranges from 40 to 50 pounds. In some places, a personal item (such as a handbag or a laptop) and an additional carry-on are permitted, but flights departing to, or flying through, the United Kingdom permit just one carry-on item. The reason is security.

© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler