One of the most important procedures when traveling by plane is packing your suitcase at the airport. Despite the fact that this task, at first glance, seems quite simple, it is quite difficult to cope with packing on your own, which is why many travelers order a paid luggage packing service, which is provided at each airport. A properly packed bag or suitcase is a unique opportunity to simplify the process of inspecting items or transportation, as well as prevent theft, because unprotected luggage is so easy to open and take out all the most valuable things.

Each airport has its own rules for packing luggage. For example, durable suitcases with a solid frame and a combination lock do not need to be wrapped, because they are almost impossible to damage or break into. Soft bags must be packed properly, and open bags with things should not be taken into luggage at all.

Why do you need to pack your luggage?

At the check-in counter at the airport, luggage is accepted only if its wrapping is strong and there is no suspicion that the suitcase may be damaged during transportation or loading. Even if the suitcase has a solid frame and meets all the requirements, it still makes sense to securely pack such a luggage bag for several reasons:

• A packed bag can easily withstand the careless attitude of baggage handlers at the airport, withstand various mechanical damage, fabric tears, scratches on plastic and shocks;
• High-quality packaging is a guarantee of reliable protection against unauthorized break-ins: the contents in the bag under a thick layer of film are difficult to reach, so even the smallest external pockets will be safe from thieves;
• Protection from dirt, plastic packaging of luggage allows you to keep the suitcase in its original condition without any scuffs or stains. That is why it is necessary to carefully wrap even the strongest bag with a special elastic polyethylene film to limit the risk of contamination during falls from the transport belt.

Important! The bag should not be filled to the brim with things, because a suitcase at the airport travels a long way, and baggage handlers do not stand on ceremony with other people's suitcases, so a strong load or impact can lead to the clasp unfastening or breaking, and all the contents ending up on the floor.

Cost of paid baggage packing

Many busy travelers who do not have time to pack their luggage themselves are interested in the question of where they can order a paid service for packing suitcases at the airport. Each air port has special packaging machines located near the entrance or passages to the check-in counters.

Also nearby are check scales for checking the weight of luggage; weighing on them will allow you to avoid further unpacking of the suitcase if it is overweight. At some airports this service is provided free of charge, at others it is paid and often costs 50 rubles (in this case, automated scales work for approximately 30 seconds; with systematic weighing, you can find out the weight of 3-4 bags at a time).

Helpful advice. Luggage can also be weighed before packing at unstaffed check-in counters.

Packing luggage at any airport can be done either independently or with the help of experienced employees who will give the necessary recommendations. The packing racks have all the necessary materials and instructions for proper wrapping.

How much does paid baggage packaging cost at the main Moscow airports:

• Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo - the price of wrapping one suitcase varies between 350-500 rubles for luggage weighing up to 32 kg and 700 rubles for luggage weighing more than 32 kilograms;
• As for the question of how much it costs to wrap a suitcase at Domodedovo, much depends on the airline the passenger is flying with. For example, people who travel frequently with Aeroflot can pay with bonus miles; such a service will cost 2,200 bonuses if you contact PACK&FLY. At the same time, for each piece of luggage, Aeroflot passengers can receive an additional 50 miles to their bonus account. For travelers flying with other airlines, baggage wrapping will cost 500-600 rubles for each item, and the wrapping procedure itself will take only 1-2 minutes.

At Domodedovo Airport, packaging counters are located on the ground floor of the passenger terminal and they operate 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. This service is provided by several companies: PACK&FLY, Truestar, VEX UPAK. The PACK&FLY company is especially popular among passengers, providing discounts on club cards, as well as free packing of suitcases for WWII veterans, the opportunity to purchase special burglary protection, and many other advantageous offers to customers of UTAIR and S7 airlines.

Additional Information. TRUSTAR GROUP will be an excellent alternative to PACK&FLY. Their counters are located near the check-in point for the flight in the passenger terminal of Domodedovo Airport. Here you can pack a suitcase on a plane for 500 rubles, receive special protection against unauthorized opening, a small sticker that allows you to quickly find your luggage if it is lost, and have your bag weighed for free.

Rules for packing your own suitcase

For those who want to save on packing luggage at the airport, you can try doing it yourself. The main thing is to adhere to some basic rules and buy the necessary materials. When wrapping a suitcase yourself, you must use cling film, sold at any household chemicals store, and tape. The first thing to start with is to properly fold things inside the bag so that fragile things are not damaged and the suitcase is not stuffed to the limit. To do this, you need to put all heavy and large items on the bottom (books, shoes, clothes), the rest of the miniature items need to be distributed on the sides and additional pockets, if any. For convenience, you can put each item in a separate plastic bag, this will greatly simplify the inspection process at the airport.

1. The first thing to do is press the free edge of the cling film onto the bag;
2. Secondly, you need to make a full turn with your second hand so that the polyethylene adheres tightly to the surface of the bag or suitcase;
3. Then you need to make at least 5-10 full wraps along the entire length of the luggage;
4. Wrap not only one side; for the sake of reliability, it is recommended to do the same manipulations with the other side;
5. To provide better protection, it is necessary to wrap not only the body itself, but also the handle and leg, and then make small holes for accessible use of these parts;
6. The slots for the wheels and handles should be secured with adhesive tape to prevent damage to the packaging at the airport when transporting luggage.

If the passenger wrapped the suitcase himself with cling film, then such luggage will differ from others in the transparency of the packaging, because the polyethylene used at the airport is much denser and is not transparent. Despite this, it is worth marking your bag and placing a sticker with personal information and a contact phone number under the last packing layer; this will help in locating your luggage if it is lost.

A little advice. If you fly often and are wondering how to pack your suitcase, then the best solution is to purchase a reusable, aesthetic and reliable luggage cover. An indispensable attribute can also be a fastener belt that protects the suitcase from burglary. If it is damaged, you can easily determine the fact of theft and file a complaint in a timely manner.

Damage to a suitcase during a flight

If a bag or suitcase was damaged during transportation due to the fault of airport employees, and the luggage itself shows visible signs of tampering, then each passenger can request compensation.

To do this, you need to do the following manipulations:

• Record the fact of hacking immediately upon detection at the airport;
• Provide information on checked baggage (boarding passes, baggage tags, etc.);
• Find a representative office located at the airport or employees of the airline with which the flight was made;
• Fill out a form with a claim, indicating the amount of compensation and detailed personal data;
• Apply stamps and make copies of documents that will remain with airline employees.

After this, you just have to wait for a call from the air carrier representatives. On average, compensation is paid in the amount of $10 per kilogram of luggage weight.

When wondering where to pack your luggage, at home or at the airport, you should rely on your own skills and financial capabilities. If the passenger is confident that he will be able to securely wrap the suitcase, then he will be able to save on this service. Special equipment at the airport and specialists involved in baggage packing can guarantee the safety of the bag and reliable protection of the packaging material, so professional packaging is more reliable, although expensive.

Video

Experienced travelers have one rule: the suitcase must weigh less than 20 kg, otherwise it will turn golden. Most airlines allow you to carry no more than 20 kg of checked baggage free of charge, and for each kilogram of excess the passenger will have to pay extra. We advise you to weigh your suitcase at home and resolve this issue “on shore”. How to do this, read our article.

First of all, check with your airline about the rules for transporting baggage. Find out about the permissible weight and size of transported luggage. Don't forget your hand luggage. There is also a decent list of requirements for its transportation.

And now you have already packed all your things in your suitcase, and now let’s start weighing. You can weigh your suitcase using a floor scale. Regular hand scales may not be suitable as they are mainly designed for light weights.

How to weigh a suitcase?

Weighing a small suitcase is not difficult. But large luggage is unlikely to stand on small scales. In this case, we came up with a little trick.

Step on the scale and note your weight. And then stand up again, but with a suitcase in your hands. In your head or on a calculator, calculate the difference between the first and second values ​​- this will be the weight of the suitcase. Please be aware that there may be a slight error here.

And if you are the happy owner of a suitcase that itself weighs a significant amount of kilograms, then you should understand that there will be very little left for the weight of your things. In this case, we recommend getting rid of such a “golden” suitcase, and then look at the online store’s website

→ 10 ways to save on baggage transportation

Very often we go on vacation to a resort, or on a trip, or simply take flights in which we need to transport a lot of necessary and necessary things.

In addition, we all know that a regular ticket on most airlines allows you to carry no more than 20 kg of baggage for free. Anything we carry in excess of this is subject to a hefty fee (from 5 euros for each extra kilogram). Sometimes the amount reaches the cost of the ticket itself. We want to tell you How can you avoid these surcharges?

1. Get dressed!
Usually, when checking in, you place your suitcases and bags on a conveyor scale. But no one will feel your clothes or your pockets. If you feel seriously overweight, put on the heaviest things on yourself: instead of trousers, jeans with a belt, instead of sneakers, shoes or boots. This will make your suitcases a little lighter and you will be a little hotter, but the inconvenience ends right at the check-in counter. Grab a couple of large plastic bags to put your warm jacket in after check-in and bring it on board.
Gain in kg: 1-3

2. Use pockets!
By wearing items with lots of pockets, you can really load them up with a ton of heavy items from your suitcase. For example, chargers, batteries and CD players can easily fit into your pockets. In addition, remove books from the suitcase - each of them significantly weighs down the main luggage. After check-in, all listed items can be put back into your hand luggage.
Gain in kg: 1-2

3. Come with friends
The most important thing is that the weight of your main suitcases does not exceed 20 kg. per person. If you feel you may be overweight, place the heaviest items from your luggage in a bag or carry-on bag. Usually they may also be asked to weigh it along with the suitcase. To do this, enlist the company of a companion: let him stand with heavy carry-on bags during check-in. The tag that the manager hangs at check-in costs nothing, you will be allowed on board without it, and by leaving hand luggage with friends, you guarantee yourself that they will not be weighed along with your luggage and will not force you to pay.
Gain in kg: 1-5

4. Take a lot of bags
Make sure your luggage consists of three small bags rather than one large suitcase. Use permits for additional baggage, such as laptops, cameras and sports equipment (such as alpine skis). Here's an example: laptops and cameras in a case cannot be weighed. This means that in addition to the laptop, your bag may well contain a charger (and indeed all chargers), and in addition, any equipment that may be needed to work with the laptop, disks, books, and so on. At registration, the main thing is that the laptop is working, they check this. And then - at least stick a brick in there, just not very clearly.
Gain in kg: 1-5
Important! On many budget airlines you pay for luggage by the number of bags, in this case, on the contrary, you should try to fit everything into one suitcase.

5. Leave room for maneuver.
In addition to everything that we described in the previous paragraph, many bags are also an opportunity for maneuver. Imagine, you place your suitcase on the belt, and it displays a weight of 21 kg, which, with a ticket costing 1000 euros to New York, costs you an additional 10-20 euros. In this case, you can ask for your suitcase back and offer to leave anything unnecessary at the airport. You can stuff the “unnecessary” stuff into your hand luggage, pockets, or simply ask your friends to hold it, and weigh the suitcase again, which, at 19.9 kg, will not make you pay for it. Therefore, do not pack your suitcase in plastic cellophane without knowing its exact weight.
Gain in kg: 1-2

6. Travel with transfers
It’s clear that carrying ten-kilogram hand luggage is not a pleasant pleasure. But you have a wonderful opportunity to include it in your luggage too. If you are flying with a transfer, your baggage is automatically transferred from one aircraft to another. At the transfer airport, you can add your hand luggage to your luggage, and the airport staff will have no way of knowing how many kilograms you checked in the first time. So theoretically, during a transfer you can add up to 20 kg of luggage for free.
Gain in kg: 1-20

7. Shop locally
You should not buy shampoos, creams, soaps, toothpaste, inflatable mattresses and rings, kites on the road - in a word, everything that you can painlessly and simply buy upon arrival. As a rule, you manage to save not only kilograms, but also space in your suitcase.
Gain in kg: 1-2

8. Buy souvenirs at Duty-Free
Quite often you can buy sweets, local alcohol and ordinary souvenirs there. For example, at the duty-free airport in Vienna you can buy, perhaps, everything that you can buy on the streets of the Austrian capital: magnets, toys, sweets! Find out if it is possible to buy any souvenirs at the duty-free airport of departure and shop there.
Gain in kg: 1-2

9. Weigh your luggage at home!
The advice is the most banal, but as it turns out, not so many tourists use it. Just put your suitcase on the scale at home and solve all your problems “on the shore”!
Gain in kg: everything over 20

10. Don't get carried away!
We advise you not to get carried away by the large amount and weight of luggage. Firstly, it is extremely inconvenient to transport all this to and from the airport. Secondly, large luggage on a plane will certainly cause you troubles, for example, you will have to put your bags under your feet, and you will not be able to fly comfortably. Therefore, one of the main rules for saving on luggage is to travel light!
Gain in kg: priceless

Bonus tip for those who read to the end:

11. Make friends in line
If you are traveling alone, we recommend that you take a closer look at other passengers in the check-in line. One person is entitled to 20 kg of free luggage, and two people are entitled to 40, respectively, so if someone in the queue has a much lighter suitcase or even only hand luggage, ask them to say that you are together, and you most likely will not be forced to pay anything extra.

These are a few problems for me. Sometimes when I'm packing and preparing to move, I find that I don't have a reliable way to weigh my luggage.

Of course, most of us know that airlines nowadays usually have severe restrictions on luggage, including size, type, but mostly weight.

How can I accurately estimate the weight of my luggage then? It seems that the norm for most airlines is £50 per baggage, but how can I tell if something is below, equal to or above this set limit?

Carlson

I've used it with hard material suitcases and it was accurate to within 0.1 lbs as long as it didn't touch the floor.

Maitre Peser

I often use the Carlson method with any type of bag and it gives pretty good readings.

The system is not working

@MasterSergeantShooterPerson - When all I have is a bathroom scale, I weigh myself, weigh myself with luggage, and then just subtract the two weights.

Answers

Simon

yuritsuki

Changed my accepted answer to this. Even though @Itai noted that feeling is a good idea, I never felt enough to know if I would have to pay an overweight baggage fee at the airport.

Simon

@thinlyveiledquestionmark I'm glad I could help.

dat1grl

Weigh yourself on a home scale, then weigh yourself while holding your bag. Subtract the first from the second and you get the weight of the bag. If the bag is larger than the scale, such as hanging over the sides, it will not weigh properly and so you must stand on the scale while holding it.

Jeff Bauer

This is what I did when I traveled by bike.

Itai

As Simon suggested, you don't need to estimate and can buy a hand scale that you put in your luggage after measuring if you are going to purchase items while traveling.

Before I drank one of these, I measured it and rarely lost a few pounds. The idea is very simple: find out what 50 lbs feels like. You should do this at home by holding up your suitcase with its various contents and comparing it to something known to weigh 50 pounds. The easiest way to measure is a 50 lb dumbbell or my 5 year old who weighed 49 lbs :)

Mark Mayo

I have gone to a courier or post office in my local area in the past. They have large industrial scales that will easily take your backpack/bag/suitcase/camel and give you an accurate weight reading. Sometimes it's even in public places, so you don't have to check with anyone, and otherwise ask and act like a crazy tourist, panicking about the weight of your suitcase - most people will be keen to help and see if you're going to be overweight - also, if you are perhaps sending things home and look - you are at the post office! :)

Andrew Ferrier

Of course, this depends on where you're staying, but I've found in the past that most mid-range to luxury (and sometimes budget) hotels will have an affordable scale even if they don't. in the room. Just ask the front desk/concierge/etc.

driver

If you don't have access to a scale, and there's no post office around you, and you don't know what 50 pounds is, just go to the airport an hour early, find an empty check-in counter, and weigh it there. Plan enough time so that you can pack some items in your carry-on or even take out some of those heavy boots/jackets/etc. and wear it. Since all airport scales are calibrated, 50.0 pounds on one scale is also 50.0 pounds on another scale, and you can make the most of your luggage!

NSN

This is not a definitive answer, just some additional advice if you don't have a scale and don't know what to do:

I have seen myself in this situation more than once. I have a portable scale, but it's not hard to forget.

I often weigh my luggage at the airport. I simply walk to the empty check-in counter and place my luggage on the belt. In most cases, the scale is included and has an LCD weighing screen for the user to see. Sometimes I even do this if I'm weighing luggage at home, but I'm close to the limit. Home scales can vary by up to half a kilogram and may be difficult to read accurately unless they have a digital screen.

I know weighing in at the airport can sometimes be too late, but at least you don't have the embarrassment and pressure of being overweight and having a whole line of people waiting to check in while you try to solve the problem (either by paying extra or putting things away).

In either situation, if you don't want to pay extra, be prepared to leave things behind or be able to quickly move things between your carry-on and checked luggage (sometimes only one of which has extra weight) or a friend's luggage that has less weight. Select the items you want to trade or are willing to leave behind and leave them in a location where they are accessible.

What I usually do is:

1. If it's a returning trip and I weighed my suitcase when leaving (home or at the airport), I know how much weight I have. I'm just trying to fit the same content (or less) and evaluating the additional weight I want to add (souvenirs, documents, whatever)
2. If I have no idea why it's bad, I try to choose the heaviest items and put them in my carry-on luggage. Carry-on luggage can be weighed, but there are a few situations that are a little easier to handle. A. Some companies do not have weight restrictions for carry-on luggage; B. You can still register and solve your weight problem after leaving the queue. You can then come back and ask for an Approved Carry-on Baggage sticker, if applicable.

In any situation, try not to be late for the airport so that you have time to deal with the situation.

Ashok Nikumb

To make weighing my travel luggage easier, I made a simple help. It has a calibrated portable spring scale that hooks onto the handle of the suitcase. The suitcase is lifted using a two-meter lever until it is released and its weight is registered. The lever is supported by a chain and a hook supported from an arch of steel tube. The arch fits two vertical pieces of pipe that are welded to a bracket with two legs. Because of the lever, less energy is required to lift heavier luggage or suitcases.

you failed

Please use lowercase letters, it's quite painful to read.

David Richerby

Frankly, I don't think a device with a spring balance, a two-meter lever and a welded steel frame is considered "simple". Plus, I imagine most people won't be willing to give up the space needed to store this device considering how rarely it will be used. So I suppress my voice due to the sheer impracticality of it all.