Just wondering if anyone who has done the Regent pre or post-cruise to Taj Mahal can clarify baggage allotment. The docs explain we can have one checked bag less than 44 pounds per person for the Indian domestic flight. Do they allow a small carry-on as well?

Cindy:

Now I will have to go back & re-read the Regent material. I seem to recall something about how ALL of our bags would join us.
Clearly a re-read is called for.
Thanks for bringing this up.

Doug

What would they do with your bags if they have a limit - you aren't going back to Mumbai after your excursion.

The main luggage is being shipped by Trucks to Jaipur and I hope will be in Jaipur before we are. WE FLY. So we only need a small bag on the plane. Probably the luggage will be collected the night before and making it way to Jaipur by road as we are in Mumbai overnight.

Then we are in buses from Jaipur to Agra and Agra to New Delhi and the luggage will be with us in the buses.

I do understand that excess large baggage will be collected on arrival and sent directly to the ship. Don't have a problem packing with that in mind. Was just hoping to get some concrete guidance about how Air India deals with carry-on luggage. Although the dimensions listed say 21.7 X 15.7 X 7.8 for carry-on, I am sure everyone has experienced United and other commuter flights refusing to accommodate luggage that large. I would really like to be able to check one small bag and carry-on two even smaller (actually under the seat size) with our computers, cameras and one change of clothes. Guess I'll pack accordingly and hope for the best!

I think asking someone who has just done this trip about carry on luggage is A GREAT IDEA I will do that and post the answer. It certainly could help.

Sometimes they weigh, sometimes they dont. Sometimes size is strictly enforced other times you see people taking on massive back packs. Even the person who checks you in on the flight can make a difference. One a stickler for the rules another who lets things slide.

I cannot tell you how often I have stressed over this I think we all do. Our cameras and computers have to be carried on that is for sure! I always worry that my bags will be lost and with good reason I cannot tell you how many times that has happened to us.
So then I want a FEW clothes and all of a sudden you have more than intended.

On a Air New Zealand domestic flight in January they had a low weight limit and the one bag rule and for some reason I abided by that and weighed everything before we left. |Good thing because they were so strict! They weight each bag as you boarded the plane and it had to be approved. Never seen anything like that before.

I looked at the Air India web site and it pretty well says ONE bag and not a bag and small personal bag. It states this for ALL classes of service. I think I will adhere to the rules and then grin and bear it when someone walks on with TWO BIG bags. You know it could happen.

. What are the limitations on carriage of hand/cabin baggage?
A. The carriage of hand/cabin baggage is limited to one piece weighing not more than 8 kgs. This applies to all classes of travel and all flights on our network. The hand/cabin baggage should be suitable to place in the closed overhead rack or under the passenger seat, provided the sum of the 3 dimensions of all such carry on items does not exceed 45 inches or 115cms.

This is what I also found on the Air India flight. I don't think it is quite as restrictive. For example, it states that in addition to the carry-on bag, a lady's hand bag is allowed as long as it does not exceed the carry-on dimensions Ngaire mentioned.

"To ease your journey, we suggest that most items are placed in your checked-in baggage, except items of value and those required on-board the aircraft, are carried in your hand baggage.

In addition to one piece of cabin baggage or package, you may also be permitted to carry the following items, subject to Security Regulations:

Lady's hand bag.
An overcoat or wrap.
A rug or a blanket
A camera or a pair or binoculars
Reasonable amount of reading material for the flight.
Infant's feed for consumption during the flight and infant's carrying basket if an infant is carried.
Collapsible wheelchair or pair of crutches or braces for passenger's use if dependent on these.
A gift item purchased from the Airport duty free shop.
Walking stick.
Umbrella (Folding type)
Feeding bottle.
Shaving kit, excluding razor blade and straight razors.
Medicines required during Flight like Asthma inhaler etc.
Umbrella (Folding type)
Laptops.
Cell phones.
An odd sized cabin baggage not conforming to the specified dimension will not be allowed in the cabin. Such baggage will be removed at the gate / boarding point, Will be affixed with a "Limited Release Baggage Label" and will be loaded in the hold.

Children are entitled to the same cabin baggage allowances as adults.

When an infant (not entitled to a seat or free baggage allowance) accompanies an adult, a carrycot, or a fully collapsible push chair/stroller is allowed. This may be carried in the cabin if space is available, or else as checked baggage.

Due to security reasons / Government regulations, passengers travelling on flights originating from certain stations like Jammu, Srinagar etc. are not allowed to carry any hand baggage. Please check the current regulations of the station."

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Eugene

Yes Ngaire, I understand what you are saying!

We were on a United flight in First Class on one of the commuter aircraft (only 6 first class seats). The gate agent refused to allow us to take our roll-aboards citing "insufficient overhead bin space" making us gate check them, and she was quite testy about it. Our suitcases had easily been accommodated on similar flights before. But we complied - I have learned it's not worth arguing with them, especially with someone like that that appeared to have a chip of their shoulder and could have easily denied our boarding altogether if I made too much trouble (we were on the last leg of a long flight home, and just wanted to get there!). So, I quickly had to transfer our most valuable stuff (computer, medicines, etc) to my quite large "ladies handbag". Got on the plane, and the lady in front of us had been allowed to bring aboard 2 large roll-aboards and 2 personal items! She filled the bin above her and on the other side. Our bin actually remained empty as there were only 3 of us in the first class cabin anyway!

Sometimes it can be pretty frustrating!

I had read all of the above information from Air India on their website, but as Ngaire said, I thought it would be nice to hear about personal experience. I know Colonel Wes and Ida did this trip - maybe he will chime in here!

From Travelcat - Jackie.
Thanks Jackie information much appreciated, Ngaire

We were told Air India and when they got to the airport it was a different carrier. They took all the checked luggage and handled it all one time, so you did not line up and get your luggage checked individually.

They did not even look at the carry-on luggage (however, I wouldn't take a huge bag as there is not much room for it on the plane). I had my handbag and carry-on. We found the people from the tour company incredible -- they told us not to worry about things like this -- we didn't and there was no problem:-)

Great info! Thanks Jackie!

We had planned to take one check in bag, and a small (under seat dimensions) carry-on with a "personal item". This is very reassuring.

Thanks Ngaire for soliciting the feedback for us.

You might want to go back to Colonel Wes' posts from last year when he and Ida did the pre-cruise trip Dehli, Jaipur, Agra, Mumbai. They had no problem with their luggage and it was well handled by Regent reps. Don't remember whether his thread on the trip was here or on CC. Their cruise was from Mumbai-Bali on the Voyager.