More and more people are travelling light. You can travel more easily with hand luggage only, avoid fees for extra luggage, and avoid standing in line at airport check-in and baggage carousels. As a bonus, you’ll have everything you need in case flights are delayed or cancelled.
As airports struggled to find staff to cover everything from cabin crew to ground and baggage handlers, the latter became increasingly important in Europe during the lead-up to the summer of 2022. Many customers waiting for cancelled flight bags had little patience as they awaited the arrival of their bags.
Here are our top tips on how to travel with hand luggage only.
In most cases, a soft-sided bag or backpack will fit better under the front seat or in the overhead locker than a hard-sided one. It is also important to consider the size of your carry-on bag. Most airlines recommend you keep it to 55cm (22in) x 35cm (14in) x 20 cm (9in). Choose a bag with plenty of pockets and zips so you can organise your clothes and toiletries and keep the weight of the bag between 7kg and 10kg.
of the bag between 7kg and 10kg.
Here are a few links to Airline cabin luggage policies;
With carry-on, there is a limit to the volume of liquids you can carry. Liquids should not exceed 100ml, and they should be stored in clear plastic bags. Anything over 100ml will be discarded by security. Once you are through security, there are usually numerous shops at the airport where you can purchase anything you may need or you could buy it when you arrive at your destination.
A heavy jacket or winter boots will take up all the space in your luggage, so wear your heaviest bulkiest clothes on the flight. A jacket can double as a pillow or blanket during a long flight, and packing everything else can be made easier if it is rolled up.
Create multiple outfits with minimal items by choosing neutral clothing that can be worn in a variety of ways. The best fabrics are those that don’t crease and can be rolled up small.
Wear walking shoes or trainers and a jacket on the plane. Rather than carrying books, you should carry a kindle, lightweight headphones, an iPad instead of a laptop, and a phone instead of a camera.
Consider the climate where you are travelling. It is usually easier to pack light for warmer weather than cold.
Think about your trip and the activities you’ll be doing. What clothes you’ll need? Do you need an outfit for hiking, visiting a church, going to the beach, or attending a fancy dinner party? Choose clothing that can be worn to one activity and dressed up or down for another.
Most importantly, be sparing – Consider how many of each item you need, and don’t pack things you haven’t worn recently.