Tips for packing a cabin suitcase
Travelers used to flying know this well, registering a suitcase in the hold is becoming more and more expensive, Checking in at the airport takes time and as a bonus, the suitcase is sometimes lost along the way. Once there, you will then have to carry it to your destination, a real burden. What if this year, you traveled light to go on vacation with a single cabin suitcase? Julie Catard, storage expert and Féé du sort ambassador, is helping us meet the challenge.
Which cabin suitcase to choose? What sizes are allowed?
If you take the plane, check in advance the size of cabin baggage authorized in the cabin to avoid unpleasant surprises. Airlines are not interconnected, each has its own requirements and the maximum dimensions and weight allowed fluctuate. So your vacation will start with a measuring tape in hand, don’t forget to include the wheels and handles to take the measurement.
Here are some examples from well-known companies. Also remember to check if your airline charges for cabin suitcases, this is more and more often the case.
- Air France: 55 x 35 pour 12kg maximum
- Transavia: 55 x 35 x 25cmbut we will have to lighten up, 10 kilos maximum
- Easyjet: 45 x 36 x 20 cm maximummore 15 kilos authorized
- Ryanair: it’s still different; 55x 40x 20 maximum pour 10 kilos.
Faced with these constraints, what cabin baggage choose between a travel bag and a suitcase? “I really recommend taking a suitcase on wheelsit allows better organization with its two compartments and you will not have any surprises with the size, unlike a bag which can deform and become heavy if you fill it too much”, says the expert. Without count on it being less heavy to carry.
The prices of cabin suitcases can quickly skyrocket, but there are still sales until July 23. So if you can, treat yourself to a 4-wheel cabin suitcase (double wheels), this will reduce your efforts to almost nothing.
Soft or rigid? Soft suitcases are lighter and less expensive, some have a gusset to increase storage capacity, but are less resistant to shock than a rigid cabin suitcase.
What quantities of liquid are allowed in a cabin suitcase?
Shampoo, shower gel, moisturizing cream, perfume… With a cabin suitcase, the toiletry bag is reduced to nothing, because the quantities are limited which requires sorting. Containers must not not exceed 100ml and 1L per person. They will be stored in a transparent pouch 20 cm x 20 cm. You will find empty containers (sold by 4 or 5) in all stores to fill them with your products. Also think about solid soaps very practical when traveling. If you want to bring liquid laundry detergent, keep one of the containers to put it in.
Are you undergoing medical treatment? You have the right to take it with you on board (even if the syrup exceeds 100ml) provided you have the prescription, you may be asked for it. For the medicine kit, take a few essentials (antidiarrheal, for example) while you find a pharmacy there, but don’t take up unnecessary bulk, especially if you are going to France.
