How to get on a flight with a lot of hand luggage is an eternal puzzle for air travelers. Travel expert and co-founder of travel company Flash Pack Lee Thompson share his top tip for getting a heavier bag on board past the flight attendants.
After the pandemic, airlines, at least some foreign ones, have reduced the free carry-on baggage allowance. But there are a few tricks that travelers can use to fit more items in their carry-on bags onto the plane.
Do not take a bag/suitcase on wheels
“Try to avoid carrying hand luggage on wheels. All too often, on overcrowded flights, airlines are looking for luggage to load into the hold of the plane, and wheeled bags are the number one target in their search. Even if your bag is heavy, bags slung over your shoulder almost always go unnoticed,” he said.
Airlines are much more likely to remove wheeled suitcases from carry-on luggage to the airliner’s hold if the flight is fully booked. That is why passengers who take a backpack or a bag may have more chances to carry more hand luggage on board than the norm.
Wear outerwear with pockets
“My main thing when traveling is a camera, so I always wear it around my neck and stuff my coat pockets with lenses. I like to go through security quickly, so my liquids are usually in one of the pockets as well, so I can ensure a seamless baggage transfer process,” the expert added.
Using coat pockets to carry extra items will help travelers board their flights without having to pay for extra baggage. Once inside the cabin, travelers will be able to remove their coats to enjoy a more comfortable flight to their destination.
“Get on the plane first and always sit in the front. If you’ve made the effort to take hand luggage, then you’re guaranteed to get a free overhead shelf and get off the plane first, pass any queues and get to your destination before anyone else,” Lee Thompson warned.
Passengers can sometimes struggle to find space in the overhead bins for their bags on a very busy flight. This means that it may be advantageous for them to board the plane first and find a place for their bag. However, almost every airline allocates seats before seating, and if passengers do not want to pay for a seat, they may not be seated in the front. Carriers also often drop off tourists in groups to save time, so this hack may not always be applicable in reality.
Get a “pass” – a package with Duty-free
In addition, the expert advises you to always carry a plastic bag with you to put all your extra things in it if necessary. No matter how full it is, a packet can always become a second packet, even if only one is allowed.
For example, a package Duty-free is ideal for these purposes, it can be bought at the airport. Inside you can put everything you want, and not necessarily bought in a duty-free store. Such bags are allowed to be transported on the plane as hand luggage and will never be considered as additional baggage of the passenger.