Katia, I think it's because the flights are longer, and the heavier the plane is, the more fuel it'll consume (plus the quantity of fuel needed to fly the plane for that long also weighs the plane down).As for the flights to the US, it's two-fold - one, people are fatter & two, the price of gas has gone up so much that in order to keep the airfares the same, they had to lower the luggage weight limits so that the plane would consume less gas during the trip. Another secondary reason was the fact that the baggage transport union was pushing to have the weight limit lowered so that it would be easier on their backs - I mean, can you imagine having to throw around 32kg suitcases all day long?And in all the trips I've taken in my life, I've never once had my hand luggage weighed - which is good, because my little roll-on suitcase is usually packed with canned goods (black beans, pumpkin pie filling, etc) & usually weighs about 20kg!! I'm going to be in big trouble my next trip home if they've started weighing regularily...PS. The new expat trend is to move to Spain - there are tons of British expats that moved to France a few years ago and are now packing up & moving to Spain because it's cheaper, the weather is better, the people are friendlier & they tend to speak more English.

I am excitedly anticipating the lists of your favorite places/places you go cause we'll be in Paris Oct 13-21. Can you do it before then? Definitely we will go to the juice bar and mention your names. Such laughs I get from your podcast.