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.

 

[boqurant]

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.

Well, I answered that too if you read. Basically, your mileage may vary, but you’re likely to get slightly better treatment and potentially get away with an extra kilo or two if you’re presentable, friendly and the flight is not too full.

 

[Edward3c]

If you really want to not let your carryon get weighted, go business or 1st Class.

 

[David Haas]

Been to Maldives 3 times and flown Emirates all 3. Once Economy Plus and twice Biz class.

For either I'd pack your UW set up in padded luggage and just ship it through. Recent Red Sea trip I bought a Pelican VAULT case with velcro orange padded divider set. Got some deal on Amazon as it had been returned but looked and functioned as new.

Only thing was the case while light has no wheels. SO I measured the padded divider set after configuring for the gear I took and have a carry size wheeled Delsey case I'll just drop it in for my next trip Looks like regular luggage and most international flights even Economy you get at least a couple 50lb. or so bags free. That way I can wheel through any airport with 2 cases, no need to get a cart, etc.

Carry on any laptop, camera, lenses, etc. Overall Emirates is a great airline no matter what class you book.

I've also never carried on a regulator in over 50 years. I do dive an Aqualung Aorsource II so only 3 hoses off my Titan LX regulator. Primary hose, thin SPG and BCD / Combo Octopus hose all MIFLEX.

Wrap it in your wetsuit and bury it deep inside whatever type of checked luggage you use. Never had a broken regulator, SPG or whatever on dozens of world dive trip.

Have fun!

DH

 

[Zane]

Play by the rules or be prepared to "render unto Mohammad" They do not care if it's camera gear. They can enforce it to exactly 7 kg. They will not weigh everyone's carry on. If your bag looks normal, the chances of getting measured and weighed is low. Good luck!

 

[Hoag]

If you really want to not let your carryon get weighted, go business or 1st Class.

Might be nice for those who can afford it, but its not in the budget for me.

 

[Hoag]

Well, I answered that too if you read. Basically, your mileage may vary, but you’re likely to get slightly better treatment and potentially get away with an extra kilo or two if you’re presentable, friendly and the flight is not too full.

I know you answered it. That is why I said "thank you".

 

[Searcaigh]

Done hundreds of flights with Emirates over the past 27 years and cabin baggage is generally ok when checking in through DXB.

Fly Dubai is a bit different though and they tend to be a stricter, in particular when boarding outside of the UAE.

Smile, be nice and non aggressive and explain that you are carrying fragile camera equipment if challenged.

 

[Hoag]

Well, my flights are booked (Emirates the whole way) and I think I have found a somewhat workable solution.
It isn't an ideal solution, but I think it'll work. Life is, after all full of compromises.

The tickets that I bought allow for 2 pieces of checked baggage each up to 23kg/50lbs. I have been known at times to be a bit of a "pack rat" and I tend to not throw things out. I have an old carry-on bag with hard sides that is too big to use as a carry-on for most if not all airlines today. I also have the original packing for the housing - a cardboard box, but more importantly, the injection molded foam insert that Ikelite shipped the housing to me in.

I had planned on packing my reg in my checked luggage anyway, so what I will do now is put my housing into its original packing, and put both it and my regs into the luggage that is now too big to be used as carry-on and check it as my 2nd piece of checked luggage.

I'll still take my batteries & Chargers,strobes (Ikelite's new RC165s), camera, lenses, mask, laptop & iPad in my carry-on, but that should now be well under the 7kg/15pound restriction.

Thank you to all who offered suggestions.

 

[Hoag]

Done hundreds of flights with Emirates over the past 27 years and cabin baggage is generally ok when checking in through DXB.

Fly Dubai is a bit different though and they tend to be a stricter, in particular when boarding outside of the UAE.

Smile, be nice and non aggressive and explain that you are carrying fragile camera equipment if challenged.

I think that today people underestimate the power of simply being nice. Good manners like something as simple as saying "Please" and "Thank you", a simple warm smile or a pleasant greeting often go much farther than many people realize. Also, dressing comfortably (after all, it is a 14+hour flight from Toronto to Dubai) but presentably also helps a lot. (Nice looking but comfy pants and a golf shirt will make a much better first impression than showing up at the ticket counter (or security or Customs) in pajamas.)

I once caught a "Red-eye" from LAX to Fiji. As I boarded the plane in LA, the flight crew were greeting the passengers with the standard "Hello how are you? Welcome aboard." I responded with an ear to ear grin and replied "Are you kidding! I'm headed to a tropical paradise for a week of diving!". By the time I had my stuff in the overhead bin, there was a flight attendant standing beside me with a complementary glass of champagne. That simple joy that I expressed when I got on the plane was so different from all of the other passengers that the crew took notice and brought me champagne.

The "little things" like manners, common courtesy and first impressions still really do matter.