Airlines such as Ryanair, British Airways and easyJet are all cracking down on hand luggage passengers, according to an expert from Trtl Travel who has shared his top packing tips
Travellers opting for budget airlines such as Ryanair and easyJet are in for a treat with the opportunity to snag ultra-affordable flights, especially when flying with just hand luggage. But there’s a catch – if you want to bring along a larger cabin bag or check in some luggage, you’ll have to fork out a bit more cash.
And beware, turning up at the airport with luggage that exceeds your allowance could hit you with hefty excess fees. Matthew Corrigan, CEO at Trtl Travel, has shared a savvy tip to make the most of your luggage limit and dodge those costly extra charges.
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He warns that airlines including Ryanair, British Airways, easyJet, and Jet2 are getting tough on hand luggage rules. “Airlines such as Ryanair, British Airways, easyJet and Jet2 are cracking down on hand luggage passengers,” he said.
In a move seen across the industry in recent times, many carriers have tightened restrictions on the amount of hand luggage allowed onboard. Take Ryanair, for instance, where flyers are now limited to just one small item each, reports the Express.
Matthew points out that the major downside of jetting off with only a carry-on is the severe lack of space for your stuff. “One of the main drawbacks of heading off on holiday with only a carry-on bag is significantly less space for your belongings,” he says.
However, he reassures that it’s not all doom and gloom, as there are clever ways to squeeze every inch out of your hand luggage capacity.
He suggests that travellers might need to rethink packing certain bulky or heavy everyday items to save precious space and weight.
Matthew offers sage packing advice, noting: “Avoid packing items that will be provided by the accommodation – such as hairdryers, towels, and toiletries. Only bring items you know you’ll use, and try to share phone chargers and other technology wherever possible.”
Daily essentials like towels, shampoo bottles, and hairdryers are often supplied by most accommodations, so he suggests rechecking your hotel’s amenities list before taking off. And if necessary, it’s quite straightforward to buy toiletries at your final destination.
For those venturing into chillier climes needing bulkier wearables, Matthew recommends bypassing the hand luggage option. Instead, he proposes wearing your coats and thick jumpers.
At the airport, carrying a coat around is no hassle even in warmth, as it won’t count towards your carry-on limit—you can always slip it into the overhead compartment once aboard.
He concludes with a tip for navigating airplane temperatures while saving space: “It’s best to wear large items such as jumpers and coats onto the plane rather than packing them. This frees up space and ensures you don’t get cold during the flight.”