Hi all. Travelling Scandinavia next feb and encountered an issue. Whilst we're doing business on points redemption for qantas for most of the major flights we have a couple of internal Scandinavian flights on a standard economy. When booking the likes of Icelandair for Stockholm to Reykjavik (Iceland) and say finnair internally i noticed they specified a 62"/158cm linear size limit on checked in bags. Other airlines have a larger limit… but i currently have a lojel lucid (original not #2) large suitcase which from memory comes to about 168cm linear. Abour 2 or 3 cm per side. Not visually material but nontheless over the 158cm technically.
I got through USA (where many follow the 158cm rule) and other trips without being measured once and so im inclined to say i'll be fine. But all airlines have an oversize bagggage fee. Except Icelandair it seems. So my inkling is if they do measure unlike anywhere else i cant just pay my way through with an oversize? Would be screwed if so.
So two questions :
1) anyone flown Icelandair and can comment on whether ground staff typically measure and if they are that strict? (Given they don't even allow for paying oversize charges? Or do they accept over size?)
2) i know nothing about suitcases - if i wanted to buy a large hard case suitcase are there any brands to stick to?? I liked my Lojel lucid as the tech uses supposedly very strong polycarbonate/macron material? Can be bent twisted etc. Per testing. Also double zipper coils to prevent splitting from overstuffing but also the whole theft through poking a pen through the ziptrack to rip it open (so anti theft essentially). Has a heap of other marketed tech in terms of wheels etc.
One thing i noticed is all the large suitcases from Lojel, Samsonsite etc. Which are 75cm or 77cm all add up linear wise to just over the 158cm standard linear length? They are always like 159cm or 160cm etc otherwise alot are similar to my current bag - 168cm or so?? Is there a standard reason why many 75/77cm bags all fit to a standard size and add up to 168cm linear?? Was this an old airport standard that many large bags still manufacture to meet that size??
If i have to dish out another $300 or so for a new bag just for a trip id much rather know it fits to the 158cm standard at stricter airlines. But those that fit definition are much smaller e.g. 68cm etc and so i lose alot of the much needed space for this holiday (nearly 40 days) and don't
feel like ive maximised luggage space .
Recommendations and advice?? Would love a lighter bag to maximise check in. Current Lojel was abit heavier at a standard around 5.1-5.2kg.
Icelandair do not accept oversize luggage.