Packing & Travel Gear
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Underseat Backpack Dimensions That Consistently Clear International Personal Item Rules
There is no one-size-fits-all personal item size; the smallest size in your travel class may also be the best number to plan for. Lufthansa accepts 40 x 30 x 15 cm, for example, regardless of travel class, United allows for 9 x 10 x 17 in on all classes, LATAM allows for up to 45 x 35 x 20 cm,…
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Carry-On or Checked Bag: A Practical Decision Framework for International Itineraries
The worst way to determine whether to use a carry-on bag or check a bag is based on trip length — the actual determining factors of the outcome are related to the connection you made on your ticket and the type of fare you purchased. The bag must endure the process of transferring from one aircraft to another and a…
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Why Your Cabin Bag Fails the Airport Sizer Despite Meeting Published Dimensions
The size number you see on your suitcase and the size number published by your airline usually refer to two different items. One refers to just the packing portion of the suitcase, while the other includes everything else about the suitcase as it gets to the gate (including wheels, handle, pockets). Air France states this in their documentation: their cabin…
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How to Pack Airport Security Liquids Without Exceeding the One-Liter Pouch Limit
A one-litre capacity does not translate into a one-litre capacity for all toiletries in your bag. Typically a one-litre capacity will hold about 6 to 8 mini bottles (or containers) due to the physical dimensions of the containers, and the need for the bag to actually seal correctly around your toiletries! Thus, the best way to begin filling your bag…
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The Hidden Tare Weight Trap That Turns a 23 kg Checked Bag Overweight
The weight of your ticket should be read as a maximum weight for your checked luggage, as opposed to being an allowance for packing (i.e., the size of the bag). This means, for example, that if you have a 23 kg maximum weight for this particular bag, it has already used up a certain amount for the suitcase itself before…
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