It might have been horrific to some a few years ago, but travelling now with hand luggage only has become the norm, especially on short-haul flights and short breaks.
With some airlines offering advantageous allowances, it can also save you a huge amount of money.
Yes, you would be pushed to travel for two weeks just with a small suitcase and a handbag or small ‘personal item’, but you can get away with it, although there are a few tips you should remember. With the cost of taking bags in the hold ever-increasing, with Ryanair that can be up to £80 return, with British Airways also not including hold luggage in their ‘basic’ fare now – formally called the Hand Baggage Only fare. You’re not going to be able to take large bulky items in your mini suitcase, so plan in advance and wear or carry anything which is bulky – this could include jumpers or large overcoats. This goes for shoes as well, you can’t take too many!
With the current 100ml liquid rule, you also have to be careful about what you take with you. I would recommend buying travel miniatures which are available at Boots – you can get everything from Shampoo to Sun Tan Lotion. Remember that most luxury hotels will have toiletries in the room. While the specific bag sizes vary from airline to airline, the generosity is massively different and surprising from a couple of the airlines. As you would expect, British Airways allow you to take a mini-suitcase which goes in the overhead locker as well as a small bag which goes under the seat in front. This includes everyone on the aircraft.
Ryanair does the same system, although they will only guarantee the first 90 in the cabin due to space, those who have purchased ‘Priority Boarding’ will be allowed to take them onboard.
EasyJet has a different system, where only those who are easyJet Plus customers (those who have an easyJet card or are seated in an upfront seat, or emergency exit row seat’ are allowed to take on two bags, the standard fare will only allow one. So, there’s the challenge – pack smart, travel smart and take advantage of what is free in your ticket.
