Best Airlines for Heavy Packers
In some ways, packing light is like quitting smoking. You know you should do it, that it could save you money and better your health (pulled muscles are the heavy packer’s smoker’s cough), but leaving that fifth pair of shoes at home gives you serious jitters. And besides, aren’t light packers just so smug? Like they’re living on some enlightened plane of existence that remains outside the heavy packer’s reach? Do you really want to become one of them?
We won’t pass judgment - hey, sometimes you really do need to bring six hardback books, enough clodhoppers to line the bottom of the suitcase and a bundle of rocks. I mean, what about the rock collectors of the world? Let’s not discriminate.
So here are my picks for the airlines best-suited for heavy packers. If you’ve gotta pack heavy, you’ll have more flexibility, less hassle and save yourself cash by booking on one of the following carriers:
- Southwest: Not only does Southwest still allow passengers to check two bags for free, it only charges $25 for a third bag. That’s also the fee for overweight bags between 51 and 70 lbs, and you’ll only pay an extra $50 for bags 71-100 lbs. Most major airlines charge double that amount for overweight luggage.
- Virgin America: This newcomer only allows one free checked bag per passenger, but the weight allowance is a roomy 70 lbs to other airlines’ 50 lb limit. To check a second bag, passengers only pay $10 for items up to 50 lbs. A third bag will run you $50.
- go!: Yes, you can only choose this airline if your destination is Hawaii, but heavy packers headed to these islands will appreciate this low-cost carrier’s overweight baggage fees. Check two bags for free, a third for $25. Pay $25 for bags 51-70 lbs and $50 for bags 71-100 lbs. Competitor Hawaiian Airlines has a similar policy, but will not accept checked luggage over 70 lbs.
- JetBlue: This airline wins props for allowing passengers to check two bags for free and only charging $20 for overweight luggage up to 70 lbs.
Yes, there are other airlines that only charge $25 for a bag between 51 and 70 lbs (which is the weight range most heavy packers are likely to fall into). They were not included in the list because of their higher fees for a third bag or complicated checked bag rules. These airlines include Spirit Airlines, AirTran, Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Air and Horizon Air.
**As always, remember that airlines are constantly changing their baggage rules, so be sure to check directly with your airline for the most up-to-date and accurate information.