Airline Flying with only Hand Luggage

How to Travel Light, with no more than Carry-on Baggage, on a Plane

Sep 23, 2008

With prior planning, it is possible to go away for a weekend or even longer and avoid airline baggage carousels by taking only what one can carry on to the aircraft.

Most airline passengers know the frustration of arriving on time at one’s destination, only to have to wait and wait to collect their luggage from the baggage carousel. Some have even experienced the misery of finding their luggage has gone astray. But if one is travelling for a weekend, or even a few days, it is quite possible to fly with only hand baggage. All it takes is a little planning in advance.

The Maximum Size and Weight for Carry-on Bags on Airline Flights

The maximum size is 56cm x 45 cm x 25 cm for most flights, but airlines do vary, and it is wise to check with each one before flight. Until recently, each passenger could also carry a coat, a handbag, and other small items in addition to the main bag.

However, recent restrictions mean that some airlines now insist that only one item of hand baggage is allowed – although a coat is always acceptable, whether worn or carried separately. The maximum permissible weight is often seven kilos, but it is less with a few airlines, and some have no weight limitation at all. For those wishing to travel with only carry-on baggage, it is essential to check with the airline in advance, then buy the largest permissible bag.

Forbidden Items in Hand Baggage

Some items are not allowed in carry-on baggage. No sharp items are permitted; these include knives of any type, metal nail files, screw drivers, and similar items. Also, recent restrictions in some countries mean that only a certain amount of liquid materials may be carried, and these must be in a separate polythene bag – see Hand Luggage Restrictions for Airline Flights for details.

This means that passengers might need to buy an emery board (a permitted item), and keep toiletry items to a minimum, perhaps decanting them into small containers if necessary. Any necessary extra items can be bought once checked-in.

Learning to Travel Light

Travelling with minimal baggage is an art, but it is easily learned. One should make a note of what clothing is actually required, and stick to it. For a short period, only one change of clothes is really necessary, and things can be washed overnight if necessary. It is helpful if all clothing is colour co-ordinated, if the passenger wishes to ‘ring the changes’.

Toiletry items should be taken in small amounts, and travel or sample sizes can often be bought in supermarkets. Reading matter too should be kept to a minimum. Before packing any other item, the traveller should consider whether it is actually necessary. Remember, other countries do have shops such as pharmacies and book stores if something is needed unexpectedly!

The above may sound quite restricting, but it makes travelling so much easier, and it is such a relief when waits at the baggage carousel are eliminated. Travelling in this way can even be done for much longer periods.

One traveller known to the author, an elderly lady, went on a six-week round-the-world trip with only hand baggage, figuring that she would rather have less clothes than risk luggage going astray, when she had no idea even where it should be sent on to! She had a wonderful time…and so can everyone else!

The copyright of the article Airline Flying with only Hand Luggage in Commercial Aviation is owned by Helen Krasner. Permission to republish Airline Flying with only Hand Luggage in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.