Are Flight Attendants Legally Prohibited from Lifting Heavy Carry-On Bags?
At a recent flight, an announcement stated that “federal law prohibits flight attendants from lifting heavy carry-on bags,” and that passengers who cannot lift their own bags may receive a free gate check. Many travelers are surprised by this claim, but is it true?
Looking at the law, there is no federal statute that explicitly bans flight attendants from helping passengers lift carry-on items. However, several federal agencies, from the FAA to OSHA, recognize that lifting heavy bags is a major source of injury for flight crew. Airlines have therefore adopted internal policies intended to protect attendants from preventable workplace harm.
In practice, this means that while federal law doesn’t prohibit assistance, federal safety rules and risk-management standards strongly discourage it. Airlines respond by limiting what their crew are allowed (or expected) to do.
It’s also important to note that not all airline policies are the same. Because no universal federal rule exists, each airline sets its own policy, and this can cause confusion for both passengers and crew.
- Delta Air Lines states that “flight attendants are unable to proactively assist customers placing carry-on baggage into overhead bins,” with limited exceptions
- Southwest Airlines, meanwhile, says attendants may assist as part of “Southwest hospitality,” but clarifies that this help is voluntary and not a job requirement
Other major carriers, including American and United, provide guidance that emphasizes passenger responsibility for lifting their own bags.
So Can a Passenger Get a Free Gate Check?
If a passenger cannot safely lift their own carry-on, many airlines will gate-check the item at no cost, especially when the bag violates weight or size expectations. Airlines prefer this than to expose crew to injury risk. The key rule across all carriers remains the same, that if you brought it onboard, you must be able to lift it. If not, the airline often checks it for you.
Why This Matters for Injured Flight Attendants
Abrams Landau represents many flight attendants who suffer torn rotator cuffs, neck injuries, shoulder strain, and back damage from handling carry-on bags. This problem has intensified as passengers cram increasingly heavy items into “carry-on compliant” luggage, often using vacuum-packing, compression tools, and other methods to avoid checked-bag fees.
When passengers expect assistance with overweight items, flight crew face the risk of:
- sudden weight shifts while lifting
- awkward, overhead angles
- turbulence during boarding or deplaning
- repeated strain across many flights
These hazards are exactly what airline policies are trying to limit, both to reduce injuries and to comply with federal safety expectations.
Flight attendants injured by heavy bags may be entitled to:
- Workers’ compensation benefits
- Medical treatment and wage loss
- Permanent injury awards
Because every airline and every injury scenario is different, our Workers’ Compensation Team at Abrams Landau helps crew members understand their rights and navigate claims from start to finish. If you or someone you love has been injured while assisting with luggage or any airport-related accident, don’t wait. Lawyer Doug Landau and the team at ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. are committed to advocating for injured passengers and their families. Contact us today to get experienced legal help tailored to aviation-related injuries at frontdesk@landaulawshop.com or call/text us at (703) 796-9555.