You may have an existing cabin bag already, but you should always check the dimensions of it before travel. Different airlines have different hand luggage size rules, so it’s always best to check beforehand – we’ve got a post here showing the different sizes for different airlines.
What should you be looking for? Obviously, price, if you are after the cheapest. But size is important – try not to get a hand luggage that fits only one airline. For example, trimming back on size and going for a 50cm x 35cm x 20cm will get you a case that can be used on Ryanair, Easyjet, BA, BMI, Wizzair, Flybe, Monarch, Aer Lingus, Transavia and Norweigan – practically any airline. However, pushing the boat out and going for a 55 x 45 x 25cm (Ryanair standard) will result in the case being oversized for half of these airlines.
Where to buy it? Keep your eye peeled in your local shops for discounts – Tesco and Sports Direct in particular have sporadic good offers. Online, cabin bags are really a bit of a commodity. Outside the main brands, there are not actually too many choices and much will be the same wherever you purchase it from. And at the lower end of the market, it’s like debating about the difference in quality of a pair of shoes from Tesco. Functional but the pricy ones are better in many aspects such as the wheels, handle and finish.
Ebay and Amazon surprisingly are good choices for this type of product. As commodities, they are good product lines for the ‘pile it high, sell em cheap’ brigades and also many smaller businesses operate on these sites, with their lower operating costs passed on in the form of cheaper goods. Additionally, postage has become a lot cheaper in recent years with couriers for small packages available cheaply. So, without further ado, let’s see what we have:
Seller: Ebay
Cost: £7.99 + post
Size: 46 x 30 x 26
Quite a good cheap option. The width implies the maximum if fully filled, so don’t overfill or you will struggle to get it in the cage. More practical use than cabin bag.
Seller: Ebay
Cost: £8.75 + post
Size: 56 x 30 x 26
A more professional version of the bag but not really possible to be mounted on the shoulder.
Again size implies max fill so don’t overfill. Contents more prone to crushing here than in regular cabin bag.
On Board Carry Bag
Seller: Ebay
Cost: £9.99 + post
Size: 45 x 33 x 24
A hybrid suitcase/laptop bag, quite popular if you have less to carry, and looks smart enough to be carried with a suit.
Seller: Dunelm Mill
Price: £12.99 + post
Size: 50 x 35 x 20
Budget cabin luggage; comes with recessed wheels, essentially all the features of a more expensive cabin luggage. Comes in variety of sizes.
Relic Small Trolley Case
Seller: Tesco
Price: £12.97 + post
Size: 46 x 34 x 19
A smaller design of the case; quite attractive price point and small enough to be suitable for all airlines.
Got a good deal from somewhere else? Do let us know.
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