'I snapped up a £12 cabin bag to save me £50 on airport fees'
Ryanair has jacked up the price of larger cabin bags bought after booking - but I kept my money in my pocket by purchasing a compact piece of hand luggage that fits neatly underneath the seat
Finding the right size travel bag to carry for free on budget airlines can be almost as difficult as finding cheap flights in the first place. This is even more important in light of new guidelines issued last summer, meaning that Ryanair passengers could be hit with increased charges simply for carrying the wrong size bag.
Passengers with bags that are too big to meet the super strict measurements of 40 x 20 x 25 cm would need to be in possession of a Ryanair Priority tickets or have paid extra for larger luggage. Flyers who just turn up with overloaded cabin luggage could otherwise be stung with up to a £50 fee at check in (€/£60).
Luckily for me and other Ryanair flyers, some bags have been designed to be the perfect size. Eager to not waste a penny on airport fees, I previously invested in a £12.99 Ryanair cabin bag from Amazon.
The Narwey Cabin Bag promises to spare passengers from shelling out on extra luggage fees by simply sliding under the seat in front. Small on the outside, the bag is surprisingly roomy on the inside.
For a quick trip away, I managed to shove two pairs of jeans, three T-shirts, one hoodie, a couple of dresses, swimwear, ample socks and underwear, a spare trainers and all my toiletries all for a weekend jaunt.
Looking a bit bulky when full, it zipped up nicely and the bag's adjustable straps and zipper colluded to revert it back to its aircraft-friendly shape. On a jaunt to France, I popped the bag under the seat in front of me, leaving ample room for my feet either side.
Managing to be somehow both compact and spacious all at the same time, this bag's an all-season champion that is once again set to be carried by savvy travellers this year.
If the Narwey bag isn't quite right, Amazon is also selling the Cabin Max Suitcase for Easyjet for £39.95. More than three times the price of my little bag, this suitcase a still a good choice with buyers calling it "ideal for budget airlines."
Elsewhere, Dunelm is selling the chic Elements range, with underseat suitcases for £28. Available in a wide range of colours, shoppers can also snap up matching cases in three other sizes.
For passengers who would rather stick to a soft sided carry on like mine, Next has the Cabin Max Brown Cabin Max Vela 20L Tote Bag for £40. The perfect pick for trendy travellers, in comes in a choice of designs including leopard print.
With more than 8,900 five-star reviews on Amazon, it seems many customers agree with me, finding the little bag to be practical, smart and a bit of a life saver.
One buyer said: "Super great for saving on cabin bag fees!", while another agreed saying: " It's great for budget travel."
A third person joined in with even more praise, explaining: "I recently purchased the foldable travel duffel bag for Ryanair Airlines from Amazon, and it has proven to be a fantastic addition to my travel gear. The size is perfect for Ryanair's underseat cabin bag requirements, measuring 40x20x25 cm when expanded."
However, not all feedback has been positive, with some customers describing the zipper as fragile and the bag a 'bit flimsy'. One disappointed buyer said: "This bag is not very sturdy especially once filled. The material is quite thin and feels easily puncturable. The zip also did not feel very secure and was uneasy using it when flying."
From my own use, I've found that it stands up well to the challenges of flying, and its affordable price means you have a bit more to spend on enjoying a drink on the plane.
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