Luggage restrictions and questions on Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand
I am leaving my home in 4 days for this trip and I have just realized that my carry-on bag is bigger than the specifications provided by Tauck for the internal flights. I have been so focused on weight that I didn't even notice that my standard TravelPro carry-on is 23" vs 20" limit. Even our smaller carry-ons which we bought for the smaller regional European airlines are 21". Can anyone tell me how strict the internal flights are when it comes to the weight and size limits? And do you think I can get away with calling my "TravelPro Soft Tote" as my purse or personal item? (The Soft Tote is roughly the size of a 1960s era choo choo bag and fits under the seat.) What are the repercussions if they do not let me carry it on the plane? Do they just make me check it and charge me $50 or something?
Comments
The airlines didn't check the size of carry-ons when I took that trip. But your experience could be different.
Went with a different company in January this year.
One internal flight from Hai Phuong to Saigon on Vietnam Airlines, two international flights from Hong Kong to Hanoi, Saigon to Singapore also on Vietnam Airlines. My carry on was 21 and others had 23. That airline did not check on all three occasions.
There may be a slight chance on Vietjet, a different airline. Accoding to the TD, checking size is very rare, random and easily negotiable. The airline emphasizes more on weight. Furthermore, Vietnamese people are very friendly, laid back and reasonable.
Have a great trip!
They didn’t check weight or size, but the overhead bins on some of the internal flights were small. Some of the group members checked a second bag on the internal flights. Checked Luggage travels and is checked in separately ( handled by ground transportation staff) so if there is a problem with checked luggage, we never heard/ saw anything. Our tour director mentioned that if there were overage charges for checked baggage on the internal flights he would take care of it. Internal flights are all economy 3 seats across so the space is limited..
The internal flights were uncomfortable and cramped.
They were the standard cattle car flights that you get anywhere. Luckily, they weren't too long.
I disagree, Mike. Asiana was the worst airline I've ever flown, in terms of (dis)comfort. On their A320 (or A321?), they stuff 3 more rows in the plane than just about every other carrier. My knees will never be the same :-)
I'm going to have to make a note to myself of what airline we fly, but I don't remember Asiana. I thought we flew a local Vietnamese airline. I'll go check my pictures and see if I took a picture of any of the planes and if they have the company name on them.
[I found one for a Vietnam flight - from Hanoi to Phu Bai - and it was Vietnam Airlines. In Thailand we flew Bangkok Air.]
[I found a picture for our flight to Saigon and it was also on Vietnam Airlines.]
[We flew Cambodia Angkor Air from Saigon.]
The reason I have that infromation is that I take a picture of the safety document on each flight to remember the type of aircraft (such as A-320). The company name happens to be on those documents, also.]
I'm not a fan of economy seating but the flights weren't that bad.