Latest news with #baggage
The Sun
12 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Popular travel bag that's allowed on Ryanair flights for free – despite being bigger than strict cabin bag size rules
THIS is the popular travel bag that's allowed on Ryanair flights for free. This is despite the fact that the size is bigger than strict cabin bag size rules. 6 6 6 As summer approaches, many Brits might be looking to go abroad for the perfect holiday in the months ahead. But during a cost of living crisis, many sun-seekers might be looking to go away for as cheap as possible. Ryanair might be a low-cost airline, but it may have somewhat of a reputation of having strict rules when it comes to baggage, otherwise customers risk having to pay extra charges. But you might be able to get around the extra charges with your kids by using the Trunki case. According to the brand's website, the standard sized bag is allowed across all major airlines. The travel accessory can be bought on-board airlines and can be placed under the seat in front of you. In terms of size, the standard children's case measures at 46cm x 20.5cm x 31 cm. According to the airline's website, passengers on Ryanair are only allowed to bring one free small personal bag onboard. The item cannot exceed 40cm x 20cm x 25cm and it must be able to fit under the seat in front. However, larger size Trunki suitcases will not be acceptable for the rules that are in place and they may have to go in the hold. Moment Brit woman is dragged off Ryanair flight & thrown to floor after 'assaulting passengers and making bomb threat' EasyJet and Tui also allow the bag on their flights, despite the respective airlines advertising that the case is too big according to the Trunki website. On their platform, the only major airlines which do not allow the bag to be used as carry on luggage are Icelandair and Transportes Aéreos Portuguese. Other popular low-cost operators such as Vueling Airlines, Wizz Air, Thomas Cook may require additional fees. For those wishing to take carry-on luggage on Ryanair, a special ticket must be purchased by customers. Advice for flying with Ryanair All Ryanair passengers can bring a small personal bag on board but this must fit under the seat in front of you, but it must be no bigger than 40cm x 20cm x 25cm Any over-sized cabin bags will be refused at the boarding gate and put in the hold for a fee Ryanair also charges passengers up to £55 check-in at the airport Anyone who loses their card at the airport will have to pay a £20 reissue fee Book to sit in the front five rows if you want to head off the plane first Extra legroom seats can be found in rows 1 A, B, C or 2 D, E, F as well as row 16 and 17 near the emergency exit The worst seat on Ryanair's Boeing 737-800 aircraft is also 11A because of its lack of window. A Priority pass and two cabin bags ticket is required for extra on-board baggage allowance. Then passengers would be allowed a 55cm x 40cm x 20cm bag as well as the smaller personal item. 6
Fox News
2 days ago
- Business
- Fox News
Airline passenger sparks heated debate about 'rarely enforced' baggage policy on flight
A flight passenger who boarded a late-night flight out of Atlanta, Georgia, shared frustrations about the baggage-related actions of some fellow flyers. Posting in the "r/delta" Reddit forum with the title, "Another rant about carry-ons and personal items," the user wrote to others, "Seriously, why have a 'rule' about one carry-on and one personal item when it's rarely enforced." The user added, "I watch[ed] a person with two, what I would call, large roll bags and no personal items put both rollers in an overhead bin while an FA [flight attendant] watched him do it." The user then added, "[Since] I paid to check my bag, I figured I'd put my backpack above my seat and the same FA [then] tells me that I can't do that." The person continued, "I mention to the FA that we just watched a person put two rollers in the overhead and why is that OK. The FA ignores me, moves on." The user said the flight attendant then put the bag under the seat in front. Reddit users took to the comments section to speculate about the actions of the traveler with two suitcases, plus bag policy habits. "Just from a personal experience, I once was asked about my two roller bags and my backpack as I was going to my seat," said one user. "I handle my mom's luggage when she gets on a plane because she can't. [So] it is very possible [this person was] doing the same." Another user pointed out other issues: "Let's talk about the real problem: baggage fees. This is why everyone uses a carry-on now. Which in turn makes boarding and deplaning take waaaay longer." Said yet another person, "Airlines need to start allowing a more generous checked baggage policy and start charging for carry-on luggage. That would solve several problems." One Redditor added, "I stopped traveling with a backpack because I got tired of having to sacrifice my legroom due to FAs screeching about backpacks going under the seat (even though it was usually my only carry-on)." One snarky user told the original poster, "Maybe you shouldn't be trying to police others, and [instead] should put your personal item under the seat in front of you where it [belongs]." "I'm [a member of a] flight crew who frequently travels as a passenger on commercial airliners," claimed one user. The person continued, "Rule of thumb is that if I'm not in uniform, I'm not allowed to bring more than the standard bag allowance for any passenger, whether crew or not." "If the flight is not full, oftentimes this rule is overlooked." Said another person on Reddit, "If I only have one item, that's my carry-on regardless of size, and I'm definitely putting it in the overhead and not under the seat in front of me." Former flight attendant and etiquette expert Jacqueline Whitmore of Florida told Fox News Digital the flight attendant may have been in the wrong in the case in question. "I'm not sure why this passenger was not allowed to put her backpack in the overhead bin. That's perfectly acceptable unless the bins are full," said Whitmore. She added, "The airlines have a policy that passengers can take one bag (of a certain size) and a personal item onboard the plane. If the flight is not full, oftentimes this rule is overlooked."
Irish Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
I'm the most efficient person to ever go through airport security. Here's why
I'm due to take my first flight of the summer in a couple of weeks and, as an anxious person, my needless fretting has already begun. With a bit of time before me and the travel event, baggage is currently taking the lead on the worry-o-meter. We're doing a music festival in Barcelona for three nights on one small bag (40x20x25) each. Usually, I'm good for it. I've done two weeks in Portugal with a 10kg carry on. I've done four days in Paris on the one small bag. I have the tiny toiletries down pat. I'm very partial to a mini. If social media is to be believed, the budget airlines are cracking down. They're seeing your assumption that your backpack is about 40x20x25 and they're raising you the little sizer of doom. I've seen several videos of passengers pushing their bags into the example cage only to be notified that there are two centimetres peeping over the top of the sizer. The cries of 'but I've brought this holdall to Fuerteventura three times with no issues' fall on deaf ears, and fines are doled out. Up to €75 in some instances. These flights to Barcelona were already eye-wateringly expensive, so the thought of a backpack bulge adding another potential €150 to the cost is almost as distressing as the idea of not being the Best Girl at the Airport. Yes, it's true. I am the undisputed champion of Best Girl at the Airport. My special skill is 'most efficient person to ever go through security', which is tricky given that the goalposts are always moving. One trip it's 'take your Kindle out of your bag you knuckle-dragging wally. Do you want to bring down an entire Boeing 737 with your Hunger Games trilogy?' But then the next time, you could get hissed and spat at for daring to have the Kindle out and ready to be placed in a tray. Same for little sandwich bags of liquids. They usually have to be out on full display – extra-strength deodorant, piles cream, KY Jelly. You name it, it's sailing along the belt. There is the odd special occasion when the liquids and gels should stay in the bag. You'd never catch me banking on that though. READ MORE Something I know for certain at airport security is that the belts must come off. Obviously, I never wear one. I'd lose Best Girl points immediately. One of the cruellest aspects of the security queue is being made to stand and watch while others learn of the belt-off rule and behave as if they've just hatched fresh from an egg. 'I must remove my belt? And this coat and scarf? And I can't bring this 400ml bottle of Herbal Essences?' Best Girls manage to keep their simmering rage under control, but these displays of ineptitude only serve to strengthen their resolve even further. 'I lost many Best Girl points on a recent trip to Zurich by forgetting to drain my water bottle before hitting security. A rookie mistake' Once I'm at the top of that queue, I'm laser focused. I've fired my bag into a tray before the security staff have even bellowed at me to come forward. BLAM! My liquids are down. WHAM! There's my Kindle, just in case. THWACK! There's my phone. As if I'd leave it in my pocket like some amateur. I brush off any suggestion that I might be wearing a belt or carrying keys. I already know my shoes are below ankle height because I planned it that way. The Americans will make you take them off anyway, so I'll often employ a different footwear strategy if heading stateside. I learned long ago that underwired bras may set off the scanners, and are instruments of torture anyway, so it's non-wired all the way. Sometimes you get pulled for a random drug swab, and listen, we all become convinced that we unwittingly swallowed seven condoms of cocaine for breakfast when that happens. Mostly though, I sail through, and am free to wait in the Recombobulation Area, where we all anxiously watch and wait to see whether our bag will be chosen for a humiliating search. I lost many Best Girl points on a recent trip to Zurich by forgetting to drain my water bottle before hitting security. A rookie mistake. Luckily the latex-gloved overlord didn't rifle through my backpack and see I'd brought eight pairs of knickers for a two-night stay. [ Emer McLysaght: To the person in front of me at airport security . . . Opens in new window ] Obviously, I recombobulate quickly, and aggressively return my tray and the trays of the uncouth oafs who left theirs strewn around before immediately heading off to confirm my boarding gate exists, safe in the knowledge that my Best Girl crown is intact. Until, that is, they bring out the bag-sizer of doom.
Fox News
7 days ago
- Business
- Fox News
Travelers are stuffing basic household item with clothes to avoid flight baggage fees
Summer travel is in full swing after a record-breaking Memorial Day weekend. A massive 45.1 million Americans were predicted to travel at least 50 miles from their homes, with 3.61 million Americans flying to their destination. For those flyers who tend to bring a lot of baggage with them, a viral travel hack involving pillowcases is now apparently helping some passengers avoid checking a bag. The pillowcase travel hack disguises clothes and other soft items as a travel pillow. People are stuffing items into an empty pillowcase — then bringing this item on board for free. Most airlines allow passengers to bring travel pillows without counting the items as baggage. Travel expert Francesca Page of New York told Fox News Digital she recently returned from a trip and noticed an influx of people traveling with their own pillows. "I always thought it was for in-flight comfort, especially for red-eye flights," said Page. "However, I came to find out that that isn't the ONLY reason people are taking their own pillows." Page said that with the "additional tightening of onboard luggage and fees, people will start getting smart about using the case itself to take whatever bulky items can't fit in their bag, because it's not technically considered more than a pillowcase." "You're betting that it just gets a pass." Gary Leff, a Texas-based travel industry expert and author of the blog "View From the Wing," told Fox News Digital he saw the hack circulate on social media in 2023 and 2024, too. "Nobody minds a pillow as an extra carry-on," said Leff. "It's not going in the overhead bin, or underneath your seat, usually. So you're betting that it just gets a pass." "This trick has been talked up enough, I think, that it's become too obvious to work in many cases. At least there's enough risk that it won't that it's probably not worth trying," he added. Leff said that by bringing more items than allowed just to save on fees, he's seen passengers turn themselves into "human suitcase[s]." Some passengers are even wearing as many clothes as possible along with stuffing their pockets with additional clothes.
The Guardian
18-05-2025
- The Guardian
The best suitcases for your next holiday: eight expert picks, rigorously tested
A suitcase is like the portrait in the traveller's attic, accumulating more than its fair share of knocks and scrapes while we refresh ourselves on the road. We trundle them over cobbles, see them tumble from luggage racks on the train – and if we choose to fly, there's a fair chance they'll be mishandled before we reunite at the carousel. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. For our testing, we pushed eight suitcases to the limit by dropping them on to a hard surface, as if they'd been fumbled by a baggage handler. Air travel is especially tough on suitcases, so you might get away with choosing a less resilient case if you make the climate-conscious choice to travel by rail or sea. According to one Gatwick worker interviewed by the Guardian, the average baggage handler has to load about 150 bags within 40 minutes to facilitate every landing or takeoff – and that's one of several stints of intense effort during a shift. It's only natural, then, that some suitcases are roughly handled or dropped. Sita, a service provider to the civil aviation industry, reports that more than 36 million air passengers worldwide had their hold luggage mishandled in 2023. Clearly, dings, scratches and even breakages are a distinct possibility. The good news is that many of today's suitcases are extremely tough. Some of the best are made with highly durable plastics such as polycarbonates, which are also used in hard-wearing items such as safety goggles and windscreens. There's more to being a suitcase than getting bashed about, of course. Most travellers want something that looks appealing, provides useful internal organisation, such as storage compartments and pockets, and is easy to manoeuvre with components such as casters and a telescopic handle. I tested eight models – diverse in shape, size, material, style and price – to help you find the best suitcase to be your trusty travel companion. Best suitcase overall: Away The Large£300 at Away Best budget suitcase: Tripp Holiday 8£60 at Amazon Best suitcase for shorter breaks: July CheckedFrom £220 at July Best small suitcase:Horizn Studios H6 Pro£470 at Horizn Studios Best for a luxurious look: Carl Friedrik The Trunk£595 at Carl Fredrik Best wheeled backpack:Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler duffel£179.95 at WildBounds I've been reviewing products since the mid-2010s – long enough to know you can't assess a product superficially. I've tested them rigorously, from the waterproof jackets I've worn in the pouring rain to the sunrise alarm clocks that woke me up every day last winter. But luggage has felt like a special case – to test them to the same degree of rigour, I had to consider the suitcase's experience when out of the owner's hands, too. Whether they're being dropped at the train station or tumbling from the hold of an Airbus A320, suitcases must prove their mettle. So I stress-tested each case by filling it and dropping it, several times, from a ladder on my driveway. As we'll see, some cases sustained significant damage as a result of the drop tests, while others emerged with just a few scuffs. I also assessed each model's everyday functionality by packing it, carrying and wheeling it, and testing features such as TSA combination locks and telescopic handles. The most impressive models offered durability and travel-ready convenience in equal measure. Perhaps unsurprisingly, given my testing methodology, none of the brands wanted their suitcases back after testing. Review units in saleable condition have been donated for fundraising to the Cat Action Trust 1977, a small national charity dedicated to the welfare of feral cats. This charity is close to my heart: I'm currently fostering two adult cats and a litter of kittens on its behalf. £300 at Away If you're happy to shell out on a very well-made suitcase, this would be a good pick. It was one of the best performers in my drop tests, emerging with just a few scuff marks on the sides and scratches on the corners. Using the special 'eraser' sponge included with the case, I was able to remove most of these marks after testing. Why we love itIt's very nicely finished, with an understated pattern of horizontal grooves on the slightly rough-textured shell, and a silky-soft lining and mesh on the inside. I particularly admired fine details, such as the rubbery trim around the main zip, and a recessed handle on the underside that comes in handy when the case is packed with heavy items. The Large is a lovely suitcase to use in every respect, from adjusting its glossy compression straps to wheeling it around on its nimble casters. This wasn't an official part of testing, but it also proved more than capable of supporting a person's weight during an impromptu joyride around the spare room. It's a shame that … considering its imposing size, this suitcase has a middling storage capacity. Carry-on version available: yes, The Carry-On 39.8l (£220)Capacity: 99.2lWeight: 5.5kgDimensions: 52.1 x 31.8 x 73.6cm (WDH)Colours available: 11 Outer material: polycarbonateClosure: zipper with TSA combination lockStorage: main compartment with two compression straps, a zippered flap pocket, a mesh storage insert with two zippered pockets and a laundry bag; lid compartment with two zippered pockets in the mesh cover £75 at Next£60 at Amazon What sort of suitcase can you get for less than £100? A very good one, it turns out. The Tripp Holiday 8 is an exceptional case for the price you pay, with an expandable design (using a secondary zipper) that bumps its internal storage up to a generous 102l. Why we love itChoosing an affordable suitcase does come with some trade-offs. There's no doubt this Tripp case is made with coarser materials than some of its costlier competitors, and it takes a little extra effort to click the telescopic handle into its one and only height position. For the most part, though, the case is a pleasure to handle. The casters manoeuvre fluidly, and the textured outer material should minimise any sliding during transit. Most of all, the Holiday 8 stands out among affordable suitcases for its durability. While hurling the case from a ladder, I noticed that the material has plenty of give, which may have helped it to stay intact. On a less glowing note, scratches and scuff marks stood out prominently on the case's shiny material. It's a shame that … there aren't any small storage compartments or pockets to help with organisation. Carry-on version available: yes, Holiday 8 Cabin 37l suitcase (£47.50)Capacity: 102lWeight: 4.2kgDimensions: 50 x 32 x 76cm (WDH)Colours available: 11 Outer material: polypropyleneClosure: zipper with TSA combination lockStorage: main compartment with compression straps; zippered lid compartment with mesh cover From £220 at July£275 at Selfridges This cool, minimalistic case from Aussie brand July ticks all the boxes for couples on a weekend break or solo travellers taking a slightly longer trip. It has a reasonable weight relative to its toughness and abundant internal storage options. I appreciated the internal mesh pockets and removable laundry bag, which make it simple to keep particular items separate from the bulk of your clothing. Why we love itJuly produces this case in a jaunty array of colours, including eye-catching clay and shadow lavender versions. Taking hue out of the picture, the luggage has a utilitarian, almost military aesthetic, with a textured surface that holds up well to scuffs and scrapes. And I should know, as this suitcase proved to be among the hardiest performers during drop testing. Scuffing occurred mostly around the anodised aluminium protective corners, which actually looked pretty good with the extra wear. It's simple to move around, with a good telescopic handle for wheeled use and a side handle providing an extra option for hoicking it off the luggage carousel. It's a shame that … the casters don't run quite as smoothly as they might – but that's me splitting hairs. Carry-on version available: yes, Carry On 42l (from £196) Capacity: 80lWeight: 3.8kgDimensions: 47 x 29 x 66cm (WDH)Colours available: 11ncluding limited edition)Outer material: aerospace-grade polycarbonate; anodised aluminium corner bumpersClosure: Japanese YKK zippers with TSA combination lockStorage: main compartment with Y-shaped compression strap, large zippered mesh sleeve, zippered pocket and removable laundry bag; lid compartment with two mesh pockets £470 at Horizn Studios£480 at 24S Given its jet-set pricing, I fully expected the H6 Pro to be something special – and so it proved during my rough-and-tumble testing. Simply put, this case came away with less damage than any other. For the most part, there were just a few light marks, and many of these wiped away easily (except at the corners, which were more deeply scratched). This was a relief, as it's a fine suitcase, from its weighty casters and abundant internal storage options to the two-position telescopic handle. Why we love it The polycarbonate outer shell is light, hardy and lovely-looking. Much like the internal organisation, it's delightfully smooth to the touch – and there are tough plastic rests on one side of the case to help you keep it that way. The TSA lock and locking zippers feel extremely robust. One potential downside to this case is that it's on the smaller side. You wouldn't be able to use it for a week-long couple's holiday, but the H6 Pro is a great fit (both practically and aesthetically) for work trips and weekends away. The larger H7 Pro (£520) provides more baggage capacity at a marginally higher price. It's a shame that … the price will be off-putting, even for frequent flyers. Carry-on version available: yes, M5 Pro 37l (£470) Capacity: 61lWeight: 4.1kgDimensions: 46 x 24 x 64cm (WDH)Colours available: fourOuter material: aerospace-grade polycarbonateClosure: zipper with TSA combination lockStorage: main compartment with two compression straps, two very small mesh pockets, one large mesh sleeve and a removable clear toiletries pouch; lid compartment with a mesh cover, long zippered pocket and a removable laundry bag £595 at Carl Fredrik£595 at Harvey Nichols This suitcase oozes luxury, from its riveted hinges to the satisfying, thumb-wound number dials on the combination locks. It's fairly heavy but does plenty to make handling easier, with excellent casters that truly glide across hard surfaces, and a height-adjustable telescopic handle with a nicely moulded grip that doesn't dig into your hand while you pull the case. Why we love itOpen up the case and you'll find ample internal storage options, including three removable zippered bags that are ideal for stashing items such as beauty products. The lid compartment is surprisingly deep, thanks to the case's distinctively cuboidal shape, which could make it an ideal choice for packing a couple's belongings in separate sections. Sign up to The Filter Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. after newsletter promotion The Trunk sustained some scratches and dents (especially on the corners) during drop-testing, perhaps more so than some of the other polycarbonate cases we've featured, but it held up impressively overall. If anything, I think a little wear and tear has made it look better. It's a shame that … the polycarbonate shell, although strong and lightweight, is a bit of a magnet for dust and finger marks. And of course, the eye-watering price of this suitcase will rule it out for a large proportion of holidaymakers. Carry-on version available: not an exact match, but Carl Friedrik sells The Carry-on (£325) Capacity: 90l Weight: 6.2kgDimensions: 39.3 x 36.6 x 72.5cm (WDH) Colours available: threeOuter material: polycarbonateClosure: buckle and two TSA combination locksStorage: three removable storage cubes; zippered lid compartment; two compression straps £179.95 at WildBounds£210 at Rohan As you can see, this is not your ordinary suitcase. Really, it's a back-wearable duffel bag on suitcase-style casters – and it's well worth considering as an alternative to a hard-shell case. Why we love itI was taken aback when I first saw the Cargo Hauler in its 'stuff sack'. The roll-up design of the bag means you can store it in a shoebox-sized space, and it's surprising to see just how large it becomes when unfurled, with storage capacity comparable to that of a large trunk. Because the duffel is so light, at 1.93kg, it'll give you some extra wriggle room in terms of baggage allowance. I'd recommend packing it pretty fully, as the lack of internal storage divisions means it can be hard to keep things from moving around inside the cavernous main compartment. When it comes to moving this bag, you've got plenty of options. You can wheel it by its (non-adjustable) pull handle and excellent pair of casters, unveil its back straps to carry it like a backpack, or popper the straps together to use it as a duffel bag. It's the perfect compromise for the moderately adventurous traveller. The Cargo Hauler was practically unaffected by my drop testing, with just a few light scuffs to tell the tale. It's a shame that … like any soft luggage, the Cargo Hauler doesn't protect contents as well as a good hard-shell suitcase would. Carry-on version available: yes, without wheels Cargo Hauler 40l duffel bag (£119) or with wheels Cargo Hauler 36l wheeled duffel XT carry-on bag (£209.95) Capacity: 108lWeight: 1.93kgDimensions: 35 x 38 x 77cm (WDH)Colours available: four Outer material: nylon dobby and polyesterClosure: lockable zippers with central lock pointStorage: large main compartment; top compartment with zippered mesh pocket; small flap compartment £60 at John Lewis£60 at Dunelm Best for: a lighter-duty suitcase This case eschews the trending shell material of the moment, polycarbonate, in favour of good, old-fashioned ABS. You might not know what that material is, but you'll know how it feels – lightweight and comfortingly familiar. Unfortunately, when it came to drop-testing, this case split at one of the corners. So, if you want a really hardy suitcase, this wouldn't be our recommendation. If you're only travelling a few times a year, though, and don't regularly fly, then this might be less of an issue. In all other respects, it was one of my very favourite suitcases. Inside the case, storage options are good, if not dazzling, and the materials feel luxurious relative to the modest price. The casters, telescopic handle and combination lock work perfectly. It didn't make the final cut because … other cases proved more durable. Carry-on version available: yes, expandable cabin case 47l (£50); capacity: 104l; weight: 4.2kg; dimensions: 48.5 x 30 x 70cm (WDH); colours available: six; outer material: ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene); closure: zipper with TSA combination lock; storage: main compartment with two compression straps; lid compartment with one large zippered compartment and two stuff pockets in the cover £245 at John LewisFrom £255 at Antler Best for: family trips Pity the plucky parent who has to haul a family sized suitcase through a busy airport or train station. It'll never be easy, but really good high-capacity luggage will help. This is just such a suitcase from time-honoured label Antler, with a whopping volume of 135l. On the outside, this suitcase looks and feels quite similar to some of the other polycarbonate cases I've tested for this feature: lightweight, subtly detailed and soft to the touch. The inside is more traditional, with a dark cream lining and accent colour zippers. Dare I say it feels a little more special? When fully packed, this suitcase will be very heavy. It's a good job that the telescopic handle (which doesn't have far to telescope, given the case's stature) feels very robust, and the casters manoeuvre serenely. It didn't make the final cut because … some models proved tougher during drop testing. This case didn't break, but it accumulated relatively deep scuffs and scratches, especially around the corners. There was also damage to the plastic around the casters. Carry-on version available: yes, four-wheel cabin case 38l (£175); capacity: 135l; weight: 4.9kg; dimensions: 51.7 x 33.6 x 78cm (WDH); colours available: eight; outer material: polycarbonate; closure: zipper with TSA combination lock; storage: main compartment with X-shaped compression straps and a long, zippered flap pocket; large lid compartment with two zippered mesh pockets in the cover Among the various factors that play into a suitcase's durability, its materials, design and construction are particularly important. Most modern hard-shell suitcases are made of plastic, but this shouldn't be taken as an indication that their material has similar durability. Some plastics, such as polycarbonates, are particularly tough and lightweight, and you'll find these types used in some of the hardiest luggage. Suitcase design also affects durability and the level of protection given to the items inside. Corners are especially vulnerable to splitting, so in some cases, they're shored up with a hard-wearing guard over the suitcase shell. Joins between the parts of a suitcase can also prove to be weak points. If you don't have the luxury of being able to drop several suitcases from a ladder, you might have a hard time determining which suitcases are well constructed with secure joins. Tightly fitting parts and premium fixings such as rivets often bode well, but above all, a generous guarantee should put your mind at ease. Some suitcase brands offer lifetime coverage against manufacturing faults, and we'd recommend seeking a multi-year guarantee at minimum. The maximum permitted dimensions (and weight) of your suitcase will depend on the airline and options you choose when booking a flight. Bear in mind that budget airlines and short-haul operators sometimes apply tight size limits, so choose a case to suit the stingiest airlines you use. There are often options to pay extra for an increased hold luggage size allocation when booking your flight. If a suitcase has one or more locks – and most good ones do – then these must be TSA locks, with a special keyhole that will allow customs officials to open the case using a master key. Most large suitcases have these TSA locks, which are denoted by a red diamond symbol. If your suitcase doesn't have locks and you wish to keep it locked, you can use a TSA padlock such as this Master Lock model (£8.51). For this article, we've focused on large suitcases that would be placed in the hold of an aircraft, rather than the cabin. Smaller cabin bags can stay with the passenger on certain flights – although restrictions apply, and you should always check the flight operator's policy. Pete Wise is a journalist with more than a decade's experience covering everything from global development and social causes to technology and music. He's had some interesting experiences as a product reviewer – setting up a plethora of pet water fountains to discover which one his cat liked best; squinting at severed plant stems to see which secateurs cut the most cleanly – but dropping suitcases from a ladder might take the biscuit
