If you travel frequently, then mastering the art of utilising your hand luggage is incredibly important. After all, your hand luggage contains the items that you need the most; the ones that you will rely on in the event of delays; and the ones that are most-readily accessed.
However…
Many travellers experience problems with their hand luggage, or don’t quite make the most of the possibilities it offers. In an effort to address this, below, we’ve put together three essential hand luggage tips that all travellers need to be aware of.
#1 – Check the regulations before you fly
Before you think about the items that you will be taking in your hand luggage, it’s important to first consult the hand luggage allowance for the airline you are flying with. The rules, regulations, and requirements are different for every airline, and even those you have flown with previously may have since changed their rules about what is and isn’t allowed.
It’s therefore essential to check the allowances for hand luggage every single time you fly. If you’re a frequent traveller, this might seem like an unnecessary step, but it genuinely is worth it – and is far preferable to arriving at the airport, only to be told that your chosen hand luggage is no longer in line with the regulations.
#2 – Be cautious with power banks
The inclusion of a powerbank in your hand luggage is generally considered to be a good idea, and can help to ensure you can spend any delays playing a fun new mobile strategy game or texting your friends rather than having to browse the airport store for the 10th time in an hour. However, while power banks can be useful, you have to ensure you have the right power bank.
As a general rule, airlines will only permit power banks of 100Wh to be placed in hand luggage, which equates to power of less than 27,000mAH. If you want to take anything more substantial, you will need prior permission from the airline to do so.
#3 – Roll, don’t fold
Many travellers have embraced the trend for travelling using only hand luggage, which offers extra convenience as well as reducing costs. If you are going to give this a try, then there’s one tip that can help to make this possible: roll your clothes rather than folding them.
While folding has long been the established method of packing garments, it’s not necessary the most space-efficient. If you’re hoping to travel with just hand luggage, then space efficiency is essential – and rolling can really help out in this regard. Not only does rolling prevent the dreaded “fold lines” from developing, but it also allows you to ensure you’re using every inch of space as effectively as possible. Give it a try – you’ll be surprised at just how much more you can fit into your bag when using this method!
In conclusion
Hopefully, the tips above will prove useful the next time you are preparing your hand luggage – enjoy your travels!
