What Size Box Can You Check On A Plane

Tin you bank check a box as luggage? Here's everything you lot need to know…

Suitcases, child safety seats, and fifty-fifty bicycles are immune on airplanes as cargo, so why not boxes? Tin you lot check a box every bit luggage?

The proficient news is that it is perfectly adequate (and often very practical) to apply a box instead of a suitcase when flying. I've done it more times than I tin can count, and I've never once had an issue.

I've even been complimented at the baggage carousel by complete strangers for doing then. Information technology'south not often I go praise for having a good thought, and information technology feels slap-up to be given a thumbs up for thinking exterior the box (ha!).

That being said, at that place are a scattering requirements you lot must meet in order to have your box successfully checked as luggage. But don't worry – it's not all that complicated:

How to bank check a box every bit luggage
- What is the maximum size for a box checked as baggage?
- What is the maximum weight for a box checked equally luggage?
- Airplane size and handling considerations for a box checked as luggage
  - Narrowbody shipping
  - Widebody aircraft
  - Regional aircraft
- Packing materials
- Items y'all shouldn't put in a box checked as baggage
Pros and cons of checking a box as baggage
- Pros
- Cons

How to check a box equally luggage

Checking a box every bit luggage is equally piece of cake as checking a purse, with some considerations. You accept to adhere to the size and weight requirements of the box, merely every bit you would with a piece of luggage. If you exceed these requirements, you will take to pay an additional fee.

It's smart to know the size (and kind) of the aircraft you will be flight on, as this profoundly affects how they volition handle the box.
If you lot have brittle items in the box, extra-conscientious packing techniques will exist critical to protecting them. Remember – boxes don't take padding and compartments congenital into them similar suitcases do!

If you have any concerns nigh what the airline requires before you travel, contact their customer service. They tin can inform you of what their weather condition are for checking boxes as luggage.

checked box as luggage — This box has been checked equally luggage 3 times over the past 10 years (as well as being shipped cross-country via UPS in one case), and as you can see, information technology'due south held upward well! Shoutout to my sister for making it a fun conversation starter at baggage claims all over the US.

What is the maximum size for a box checked as luggage?

Each airline volition have maximum size requirements for baggage allowances, including boxes. Typically, a cardboard box should be a maximum of 62 linear inches. This linear measurement is the total sum of the meridian, width, and length of the box.

If it exceeds 62 linear inches, there could exist boosted fees with some airlines. Others may not even take a box over that measurement.

What is the maximum weight for a box checked as luggage?

If y'all are checking a box every bit luggage, the general rule of thumb is that it must not exceed a full of fifty lbs (2.68 kg).

If your box is over this weight, you may have an additional overweight fee. Depending on the mood of the agent at the check in counter, y'all may have to reduce the weight of your box (right at that place in line in front of everyone) before the airline will accept it.

Airplane size and handling considerations for a box checked every bit luggage

Some other factor in using a box for checked baggage with an airline is the size of the plane itself. This will make up one's mind how they handle your cargo.

Narrowbody aircraft

Narrowbody aircraft (such as the A320 and 737) have open cargo holds, meaning that they will literally throw everything in the abdomen of the aircraft without much idea to organization. If your box isn't very strong, it'due south probable to become crushed under the weight of other suitcases.

Widebody aircraft

Widebody aircraft (such as the 777 and A350) use organized pallets to transport cargo. This is a much more organized (and efficient) method of cargo handling, as each piece is manually placed onto a pallet of other similar items before beingness placed onto an shipping. A box volition be far more than protected in this instance.

Regional aircraft

Regional aircraft (such as the E175 and CRJ-200) take much smaller cargo holds. This means that the basis crew will use much more force to cram large objects into the cargo concur of the aircraft (I've seen them practice it, and it'due south scary). If your box isn't well-protected, it'south very likely to go damaged if at that place is a lot of other cargo on the flight.

baggage claim — "I'm tellin' you Neb, nosotros should have listened to that SANspotter guy and checked a box instead!"

Packing materials

If you want to check a box as luggage for air travel, I can't stress the importance of packing information technology as advisedly every bit you tin. Information technology took me a while to figure out how to do it properly, and I've ended upward with a box of broken junk at the finish of a flying more times than I care to admit. Here are a few really important tips I've learned over the years:

Fill the unabridged box with packing materials to secure your items (muddied underwear works groovy).
Reinforce the closing edges of the box, including both the meridian and bottom panels.
Brace all the corners with duct tape or other strong textile to keep them from caving in.
Reinforce the handles on the box with duct tape.

The near important lesson here: duct tape is your friend!

Items y'all shouldn't put in a box checked equally baggage

At that place are several items that you shouldn't put in a box checked in as luggage. The chances of checked baggage getting misplaced, lost, or damaged is still relatively high these days. It's always wise to plan for the worst case scenario.

When flying, always use your comport-on luggage for the following products to ensure that they don't get lost (or stolen):

Medications
Personal identification, passports, transportation documents, or other valuable paperwork
Fragile electronics
Cash, jewelry, or other valuable items
Lithium batteries
Eastward-cigarettes, lighters, matches, or combustible items
Your cat (yep, flying with a cat is possible). Yous might think I'm joking, but I have airline employee friends who tell me stories about people who have tried to do this.

flying with a box as luggage in the rain — Opting to use a box instead of luggage unremarkably works pretty well – except on days like this. Nil will ruin a trip faster than soggy cardboard tin, so programme accordingly.

Pros and cons of checking a box every bit luggage

If you similar the thought of checking a box as baggage, at that place are several pros and cons you lot should be enlightened of. It's taken me a lifetime of flying to learn (frequently the hard way) that a box instead of a suitcase isn't always the best option.

Pros

A box that is 62 linear inches tin can typically hold more items than a standard suitcase. Traditional suitcases waste product space for wheels, handles, zippers, and pockets that a box will not have.
If the box gets damaged in transit, you won't care as much (different if they ruin an expensive piece of luggage that may accept sentimental value to you).
You tin can wrap the entire box in plastic wrap for added protection.
Suitcases can counterbalance upwardly to 10 lbs (4.5 kg) when empty, where a cardboard box weighs virtually nothing. This difference allows you to pack more stuff while maintaining strict weight limits.
It'south sturdy, and it'll protect the contents very well. As a thing of fact, I recommend it for anyone trying to figure out how to bring a adapt on a airplane. As long equally you don't listen checking it in, that is.
It's a nice backup programme if the TSA nabs you lot for trying to get a prohibited particular through the security checkpoint. If you lot get defenseless, simply observe a box to put that prohibited item in and take information technology to the airline check in desk. They'll accept information technology as checked luggage, and you lot can go near your business. Trust me: you'll appreciate this option more if you lot know what the TSA does with confiscated items.
It'due south makes flying with ashes like shooting fish in a barrel (in case you aren't comfortable bringing an urn onboard the flying with you as a carry-on item).
It's cheap!

Cons

Yous will most likely need to sign a release waiving whatever responsibility from the airline for damage during transport.
It does not accept wheels or handles, so it'due south far less user-friendly to movement around (which is why it can be particularly inconvenient for first time flyers).
If information technology is out in the rain during loading or unloading, it could suspension downwardly or become damaged.
Your checked box may not be on the traditional baggage carousel at your destination – depending on it's size and weight, information technology may need to exist picked up at special location instead (which usually isn't far from the master baggage carousel).
Taped and secured boxes may have to exist cutting open past security for inspection, and I tin can tell you from experience that airport security personnel don't give ii ****southward about taping it support securely.