Question How strict are Emirates Airlines/Fly Dubai WRT Carry-on weight limits?

[Hoag]

This winter, I have the trip of a lifetime booked. I am flying to the Maldives for a week on a Liveaboard (Emperor Serenity) with a 3 day stop in Dubai on the way to the Maldives. I will almost certainly be flying on one of these two airlines for the portion of the trip between Dubai & Male.

Both Emirates and their subsidiary Fly Dubai have a listed 7kg (roughly 15pound) limit on carry-on weight.
I have pretty much come to accept that I will be putting my reg in checked bag, but I really would prefer to not put camera gear and my laptop or iPad in my checked luggage.

Has anybody flown on either of these airlines recently who can offer any guidance?
How strict are they with regards to their published weight limit for carry-on?
Do they see camera gear and let in on?
Do they weigh the carry-on and force you to check it if it is over 7kg regardless of the content?
Do you have any advice?

Thanks.

 

[Rayk]

It depends who you encounter with but it’s safe to say for economy class they are strict inbound to Dubai. Outbound is almost never a problem.

 

[Hoag]

It depends who you encounter with but it’s safe to say for economy class they are strict inbound to Dubai. Outbound is almost never a problem.

The way things are shaping up, I will probably be flying Air Canada into Dubai on the way to the Maldives, but either Emirates or Fly Dubai for the 2 legs between Dubai & Male and then Air Canada home from Dubai at the end of the trip.

 

[Edward3c]

I’ve flown through Dubai many times with Emirates, I’ve never had my carry on weighed. But then I check my regs in on all trips.

 

[umhlangan]

I've done four flights with Emirates through Dubai and they weighed our carry-on together with personal items every single time.

 

[Pearlman]

I think You cannot check-in your tablet with lithium batteries in it …

 

[MB NZ]

Passed through Dubai the other day. No hand baggage weighed. Camera gear, prescription mask, laptop and dive computers in hand luggage. Everything else in checked baggage.

 

[Edward3c]

I think You cannot check-in your tablet with lithium batteries in it …

No lithium batteries in hold on any airline that I know of.

 

[boqurant]

As others have said (and you could just read the policy) you’re not really allowed to put batteries (and the devices they’re fixed inside) in the hold (checkin). Those have to be in the cabin with you (carryon).

However the checkin process is highly variable: some days they weigh everything (particularly on busy flights and smaller planes), and many more days they simply don’t bother. I think it also somewhat depends on the obvious size of your carryon (go small), and how well presented you are (avoid looking like an unwashed hippy backpacker with all your worldly possessions in carryon)

 

[Hoag]

As others have said (and you could just read the policy) you’re not really allowed to put batteries (and the devices they’re fixed inside) in the hold (checkin). Those have to be in the cabin with you (carryon).

However the checkin process is highly variable: some days they weigh everything (particularly on busy flights and smaller planes), and many more days they simply don’t bother. I think it also somewhat depends on the obvious size of your carryon (go small), and how well presented you are (avoid looking like an unwashed hippy backpacker with all your worldly possessions in carryon)

I am well aware of airline policies regarding Lithium batteries. That isn't my question. That is a tangent that others have wander off into.

My question was that I would prefer not to check my camera gear. How strict are Emirates & Fly Dubai with enforcing the 7kg max weight for carry-on. Thank you for your advice regarding these factors.