TOP TEN excuses for oversized baggage

We’ve all been there. Knelt on the airport tiles surrounded by those extra shoes you didn’t need, a bunch of bulky jumpers and that ‘authentic’ dining kit you simply HAD to buy from a street market in Hanoi…

The carry-on baggage allowance is a constant gripe for us frequent flyers but low-cost airline, Norwegian Air, have revealed the most bizarre attempts by passengers to avoid checking-in their bag when hand luggage failed to meet carry-on requirements. A survey of 50 aviator ground staff at London’s Gatwick Airport listed the top ten tried and tested methods by passengers. Well played England, well played…

1. Wearing three pairs of trousers, with a pair of shoes stuffed in the jacket pockets. Toasty.

2. Deciding to give up their bag and asking for it to be donated to charity. What strange-but-good samaritans.

3. Explaining that they were carrying a beloved pet’s ashes in their handbag and begging for leniency. Poor fluffy.

4. Attempting to bribe gate staff with newly bought chocolates from duty-free. Fair play.

5. Refusing to comply by constantly repeating “Me no speak any English”. I’m sure they’d understand ‘upgrade’ though.

6. Wearing two pairs of jeans, doubled up and wrapped around their neck as a “double denim” scarf. Inspired.

7. Claiming their bag contains ‘fragile antique pottery’, hmm…

8. Wearing two entire suits, one on top of the other.

9. Insisting their credit card is completely maxed out so they had no money left to pay. Been there…

10. Checking in wearing two winter coats and three jumpers tied around around their waist. Hopefully the seat next to that guy isn’t taken…

Despite being an issue that affects all airlines, Norwegian’s customers are able to carry-on one bag and a small personal item at no extra cost. Stuart Buss from Norwegian said, “With Norwegian, passengers can say goodbye to excess baggage charges and save time and money at the airport if they book extra baggage online up to 25 hours before departure. For standard travel, Norwegian passengers have the option of travelling with one checked bag of up to 20kg with baggage rates varying dependent on their travel itinerary. This baggage allowance can increase to two checked bags of up to 20kg each on flexible, Premium class or Premium flexible tickets.” Take note, Russell Crowe.

Norwegian, Europe’s third largest low-cost airline. www.norwegian.com/uk

Alternatively, you could holiday here in the UK…