10 Helpful Tips for Moving by Plane

Moving by plane can be a convenient alternative to moving by truck or car. Sometimes, it may just be your best or only option, such as when you’re moving to a country across the ocean or when you need to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible. And while it may seem like a daunting task, if you give yourself enough time to plan, moving by plane can actually be both cost-effective and relatively stress-free. Ready to ditch the road and hit the open air? Here are 10 tips for making your next move by plane.

1. Make sure to plan ahead

   In addition to browsing for the best ticket prices, you should also be researching baggage policies for different airlines early on in your planning process. (For example, see the carry-on luggage size chart for 2022. We’ll discuss both the carry-on and checked luggage restrictions below.) Some airlines also limit the number of bags and boxes that you can check during peak travel seasons like summer and the winter holidays, and all of them have rules dictating weight and size limits. https://www.themoveme.com

   Depending on how much you need to bring with you, you may not be able to ship everything on the flight (we’ll talk about alternative shipping options later), so it’s important to know exactly what the airline will allow — and how much it will cost — before locking into a ticket. To make sure you have the most up-to-date information out there on baggage policies, do your research online but also call different airlines to inquire with them directly about how much you can bring along and how much they charge. You’ll also need to know the exact size and weight limit allowed per checked item so that you don’t face a tricky situation when you show up at the airport on moving day.

2. Lighten your load

   Moving by plane, especially if you’re planning on shipping all of your items on board with you, often necessitates that you be pretty particular about what you do and don’t bring. How you do this depends on how permanent your move is and what sort of storage options you have available. If you’re planning on moving back in the semi-near future (for example, if you’re going to be studying abroad for a semester during college), you can probably get away with just bringing what you need and leaving the rest at home. But if you’re moving for the long haul, your best bet is to take some time to edit down what you own by donating, recycling, or throwing out items that you don’t need anymore. Use these tips for organizing your belonging and cutting down on what you own.

3. Double your packing space

   Once you know how many bags or boxes you can bring along with you and how much each container can weigh, you’ll have to get creative with packing in the most efficient way possible. Maximize space by packing clothes and linens in compression bags, which can easily double the number of items you can fit in each container and are especially useful for packing bulky items like parkas, sweaters and blankets. Compression bags are vacuum-sealed to suction out all the air so they flatten as much as possible. You can also find travel-specific compression bags that can be flattened simply by rolling, and don’t require a vacuum pump. Please use Moving.com’s moving and packing tools and Packing Calculator to organize your move.

4. Know your airline’s luggage restrictions

   Check with your airline, but, according to Luggagepros, most domestic airlines permit a carry-on piece of luggage that is 45 linear (total) inches. A common sized bag for carry-on luggage is 22″x 14″x 9″. Most airlines have a carry-on weight limit of 40 pounds. International airlines may have different restrictions, so definitely check with yours. Most airlines post their luggage restrictions on their websites of moversdubai. Measurements must include handles and wheels. And these days, airlines enforce their size limits more strictly. If your carry-on is too large, you’ll be asked to check it at the gate. It might be classified as an extra bag, which may result in an extra charge.

   As for checked Luggage, most airlines will allow you to check one bag and have one carry-on bag. There is normally a maximum weight limit of 50 pounds per checked bag as well as a size restriction. The most common maximum size bag allowed is 62 linear (total) inches. A common size bag for checking through is: 27″ x 21″ x 14″. Overweight and oversize luggage is allowed for additional fees. Those are steep, so it’s best to avoid it.

5. Weigh before you go

   Don’t run the risk of getting to the airport only to find out that your bags are too heavy to be checked. Instead, use a digital luggage scale to verify the weight of your containers before heading out — you can get a highly rated one for as little as $10. Most also come with built-in tape measurers so you can double-check that your bags don’t exceed the size limits imposed by the airline (if your scale doesn’t have one, you can always use a standard tape measurer). Digital luggage scales are a small price to pay for not having to hold your breath at the check-in counter while waiting to make sure your bags don’t weigh too much. Overweight bags often incur heavy fees, and can easily blow your moving budget.

6. Look into alternative shipping options

   When you’re moving by plane, you might need to ship items by other means than simply putting them in cargo. For example, if the amount of stuff you want to bring exceeds the baggage limits for the airline you’re flying or if you need to ship large furniture or fragile items. Fortunately, you’ve other shipping options available.

   • Rent moving containers.

     Rent a moving container, which will be dropped off for you to pack at your convenience and then picked up and transported to your new home. As with any moving service, be sure to get quotes from at least three moving container companies so that you can be sure to get the right rate. Get a moving container quote quickly and easily.

   • Ship via USPS, UPS, or FedEx.

     Big-name couriers can securely pack and ship your items to your new home — you just need to be able to get them to the store first. This option can get pretty expensive, so it’s not a great choice if you need to ship large or heavy items. However, if you’re moving cross-country or to another country, it’s one of the first options you should look into. It’s also one of the cheapest ways to ship a few boxes. https://www.allieddubaimovers.com

   • Hire movers.

     You can always hire a moving company to drive your belongings from your old home to your new one while you travel there by plane. Use our Moving Cost Calculator to get an estimate of how much you should expect to spend when considering how much you’ll need to ship and how far your movers will need to travel.

     Other options to look into for international moving include cargo shipping by boat and smaller-name couriers. Research all of your international shipping options thoroughly so that you don’t end up spending more than you need to, and keep in mind that you’ll likely have to wait anywhere from a few days to a few weeks for your items after you’ve arrived in your new destination.

7. Check with the airline if you’re bringing boxes or household items

   Did you know that you can bring things like antlers and artificial skeleton bones both in a carry-on and in checked luggage? The same goes for small household items and devices like desktop computers, clocks and coffee makers, according to TSA. Per TSA, the regulations are that you can generally check smaller pieces of furniture, as long as they fall within the required parameters. Some airlines charge additional fees, so please check with the airline you’re flying with, as it can get expensive. Big furniture items will need to be shipped. For carry-ons, the same rule applies as to any other items. You can bring it as long as will fit in the overhead bin or underneath the seat of the airplane.

   As for boxes, you can certainly check them as long as they fit the required dimensions. The air travel regulations have to do with the size and weight of the luggage you are bringing, and not necessarily with the kind. So boxes, suitcases, sporting equipment, backpacks are all OK.

8. Make sure moving by plane is the right decision

   If driving is an option, we recommend asking yourself these seven very important questions when deciding whether to fly or drive for a long-distance move.

   • How far are you moving? The farther the move the more flying makes sense.
   • How many belongings do you need to bring with you? When flying, you’ll only be able to bring several suitcases and carry-on bags with you, so be sure to plan for that.
   • Are your old and new homes near an airport? The distance to and from an airport is an important consideration when deciding whether to fly or drive for a long-distance move. If the new home is located near an airport, and the flights are fairly convenient, then we strongly recommend saving yourself the hassle of driving. https://servicebasketuae.com
   • How much time do you have to move? Are you in a crunch? The quickest way to relocate is to fly. However, if you are on a flexible moving timeline options like driving might seem more cost-effective.
   • Do you have to move a car? If you prefer to fly, one of the best ways to move your car is to hire a professional auto transporter. To move your car internationally, you can ship it by sea.
   • Are you traveling by yourself? Is anyone else coming with you? Pets? Kids? The elderly relatives? Then you may want to consider flying to the destination.
   • Can you afford to fly? What’s your moving budget? Flying is expensive, and moving by flying is even more so, especially when flying during a holiday or busy travel day. Then there are baggage fees, pet fees (if moving with a pet) and meals while traveling. So, budget, plan ahead and do your research.

9. If flying with your pet, know what to expect

   There are some restrictions on air travel with cats and dogs, as well as other animals. Knowing those ahead of time will make the flight easier for everyone. Keep this is mind, but also contact your airline for details and to make advance arrangements:

   • No airline will guarantee the acceptance of an animal it has not seen. Airlines are not required to carry live animals, and they reserve the right to refuse to carry an animal for any reason.
   • Airlines require that wheels installed as part of a kennel be removed or rendered inoperable prior to transport, to prevent the kennel from rolling and potentially injuring the animal inside.
   • USDA assigns airlines the final responsibility for determining the safety and compliance of the kennels they accept.
   • If your pet’s carrier can fit under the seat, some airlines will allow you to carry your pet with you (cats and smaller dogs). Otherwise, your pet will have to travel in the cargo compartment. You’ll need to go to the cargo terminal, usually located in a separate part of the airport.
   • When you make your reservation, tell the airline that you will have an animal with you. Be sure to reconfirm with the airline 24 to 48 hours before departure that you will bring your pet.
   • Make sure you have all the necessary paperwork, like the vaccination record.
   • Some countries require a quarantine period for animals at the owner’s expense, so you’ll need to plan for that if you’re flying to one of those countries.

10. Minimize stress where you can

    Air travel is notoriously stressful, and stress can easily get amplified when you’re not only traveling by plane but moving by plane. To make it as easy as possible, follow the same steps you would to minimize stress during standard air travel. As early as possible, make sure that you have all documents you might need, such as a passport or driver’s license if you’re flying within the U.S. (see which documents you’ll need to bring with you if you’re moving abroad). Research guidelines about what you can and cannot pack in both carry-on and checked baggage and be sure to abide by the rules as stated.

    And give yourself plenty of time — it’s always better to get to the airport a little bit early than a little bit late. As long as you prepare ahead of time and cover all of your bases before arriving at the airport, moving by plane can actually be a relatively easygoing way to get to your new destination, and certainly faster than trekking by car.

Ready to move?

As you can see, there are plenty of moving logistics to figure out beforehand. Our comprehensive Move Planner can help with the planning. We provide customizable moving checklists, personal tasks list, helpful recommendations, email reminders and plenty of coupons to get you organized. Need assistance with your move? Moving.com’s extensive network of reputable and reliable movers also makes it easy to find and book a moving company that fits your budget needs. All relocation companies in our network are licensed and insured, so you can rest assured that your move will be in good hands.