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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What do you take on a flight

41 replies

Holibobsjoy · 30/07/2024 22:40

Full disclosure I have never flown before so I'm quite overwhelmed by everything.

We are flying with Tui and are not taking checked luggage. It's hot and we are only going for 5 days so no need for too much.

We have our cabin bags which are all the correct dimensions or under the research that went into them was outrageous. The website seems to indicate I can take a handbag or laptop bag that fits under the seat in front. My partner who has flown before but not for some time says that it doesn't say it on the booking confirmation so we can't take it.

Does anyone know? Can I take a handbag or aibu?

My partner has got me all flustered and I'm questioning everything but we can't afford to pay more but we fly tomorrow morning!

OP posts:
CharlotteStreetW1 · 30/07/2024 22:44

Yes you can take a handbag. I usually take a tote bag.

MulberryBushRoundabout · 30/07/2024 22:46

Their website is very clear: your hand luggage case plus a small personal item (ie handbag).

Wakeywake · 30/07/2024 22:48

Pretty standard to be allowed a small piece of luggage that fits under the seat. Even the crappiest most money grabbing airlines like Ryanair allow it.

SummerInSun · 30/07/2024 22:52

You need to look at the badge limit rules on the website you booked with. But generally it's a bag under the seat in front (eg handbag, backpack) and an additional bag to go into the overhead locker if you've paid for it.

Most will also allow a carrier bag of things bought in the airport, eg if you buy some magazines and food for the flight.

Original poster
Holibobsjoy · 30/07/2024 22:53

Perfect thank you everyone. I was getting so flustered but mumsnet AIBU to the rescue 😘

Happy to take any other advice if there is anything I should know! I have a window seat and I'm very excited to watch the world getting far away.

OP posts:
SummerInSun · 30/07/2024 22:56

You know that you can't take more than 100ml containers of liquids? So small travel bottles of shampoo, toothpaste, etc. And you need to have them in a clear small plastic bag (sandwich bag size). Some airports have the whizzy new scanners that were meant to do away with those rules but then the rules got reinstated again for some of them (eg London City).

Freebumblebee · 30/07/2024 22:58

Not sure if you’ve paid for meals on the flight but if not, get some sandwiches in advance/in the airport maybe. I always get really hungry on flights. Have a lovely holiday!

SpanThatWorld · 30/07/2024 23:01

Once you've been through security, get some water. You can obviously buy bottled water but lots of airports now have somewhere that you can refill a water bottle.

The air on planes is really dry and I always end up thirsty

Greychairs · 30/07/2024 23:02

@Holibobsjoy take sweets you can suck. If you’ve never flown before, the pressure in your ears might get uncomfortable - sucking sweets can help. Take everything you need during the flight out of your overhead bag before you get into the plane. The put your bag in the overhead locker as soon as you can and before you sit down. Take a spare padlock for your overhead bag because the flights are often at capacity so they may insist you check it in (at their expense) ditto a luggage label for it. Don’t delay getting through security and know where your gate is and how much time you need to allow to walk to it.

Have a good holiday!

Original poster
Holibobsjoy · 30/07/2024 23:06

SummerInSun · 30/07/2024 22:56

You know that you can't take more than 100ml containers of liquids? So small travel bottles of shampoo, toothpaste, etc. And you need to have them in a clear small plastic bag (sandwich bag size). Some airports have the whizzy new scanners that were meant to do away with those rules but then the rules got reinstated again for some of them (eg London City).

A friend warned me about that yesterday so I went and bought lots of cute little bottles of everything I feel like a kid with new stationary!

OP posts:
Original poster
Holibobsjoy · 30/07/2024 23:07

Freebumblebee · 30/07/2024 22:58

Not sure if you’ve paid for meals on the flight but if not, get some sandwiches in advance/in the airport maybe. I always get really hungry on flights. Have a lovely holiday!

That's a very good idea. We don't have food booked and I am not so sure I want it after hearing how 'delicious' it is! Sandwiches are a great idea Thank-you

OP posts:
Original poster
Holibobsjoy · 30/07/2024 23:08

SpanThatWorld · 30/07/2024 23:01

Once you've been through security, get some water. You can obviously buy bottled water but lots of airports now have somewhere that you can refill a water bottle.

The air on planes is really dry and I always end up thirsty

Oh that's a good idea and something I would never have thought of. Thank you.

OP posts:
mrsfollowill · 30/07/2024 23:09

Just wanted to add TUI and Ryanair are fine with a bag from Boots/duty free as well. I got a largish Boots bag with 3 x meal deals plus some toiletries I had forgotten and a couple of magazines from WHsmith. We had checked luggage but also each had a small backpack that fit under the seat in front plus the Boots bag.
Most people on the flights I've been on in the last couple of years take a meal deal and/or have a meal at the airport- prices on board are outrageous for even a sandwich.
We had one flight home from Greece last year with Ryanair late in the day and they literally refuelled and cleaned the toilets - no time to restock food/drinks so no food available for the flight and very little choice for drinks. They only take cards for payment onboard no cash and it has to be mastercard or visa.

Mothlike · 30/07/2024 23:11

In some seats at the very front you will have to put your handbag and any carrier bags in an overhead compartment instead of under your seat. Put your devices on airplane mode before takeoff otherwise they can make the public address system crackle noisily during the safety demos.

I always take a kindle or a book, tissues and some sweets.

Original poster
Holibobsjoy · 30/07/2024 23:13

Greychairs · 30/07/2024 23:02

@Holibobsjoy take sweets you can suck. If you’ve never flown before, the pressure in your ears might get uncomfortable - sucking sweets can help. Take everything you need during the flight out of your overhead bag before you get into the plane. The put your bag in the overhead locker as soon as you can and before you sit down. Take a spare padlock for your overhead bag because the flights are often at capacity so they may insist you check it in (at their expense) ditto a luggage label for it. Don’t delay getting through security and know where your gate is and how much time you need to allow to walk to it.

Have a good holiday!

You sound like a professional. Thank you.some good points that would never have occurred to me.

OP posts:
babybythesea · 30/07/2024 23:15

Think about what you will want on the plane itself (phone with headphones, book, tissues…). Put that in your handbag and that goes under the seat in front of you. Your luggage can then go in the overhead locker but you won’t need to get anything from it.

If you can’t fit plane stuff into your handbag (my handbag is small and my book doesn’t always fit) then put it in a tote bag or similar and put it in the top of your cabin baggage. When you get on to the plane get the tote bag out, that goes under the seat with all your plane bits in, and the cabin bag goes into the overhead locker and doesn’t need to be got down mid-flight to get something.

Original poster
Holibobsjoy · 30/07/2024 23:16

mrsfollowill · 30/07/2024 23:09

Just wanted to add TUI and Ryanair are fine with a bag from Boots/duty free as well. I got a largish Boots bag with 3 x meal deals plus some toiletries I had forgotten and a couple of magazines from WHsmith. We had checked luggage but also each had a small backpack that fit under the seat in front plus the Boots bag.
Most people on the flights I've been on in the last couple of years take a meal deal and/or have a meal at the airport- prices on board are outrageous for even a sandwich.
We had one flight home from Greece last year with Ryanair late in the day and they literally refuelled and cleaned the toilets - no time to restock food/drinks so no food available for the flight and very little choice for drinks. They only take cards for payment onboard no cash and it has to be mastercard or visa.

A meal deal sounds like a great idea, bring on the chicken triple.

OP posts:
SummerInSun · 30/07/2024 23:17

Take an empty water bottle to fill up after you are through security. And as PP have said, stock up at Pret or somewhere on water.

Original poster
Holibobsjoy · 30/07/2024 23:18

Mothlike · 30/07/2024 23:11

In some seats at the very front you will have to put your handbag and any carrier bags in an overhead compartment instead of under your seat. Put your devices on airplane mode before takeoff otherwise they can make the public address system crackle noisily during the safety demos.

I always take a kindle or a book, tissues and some sweets.

We got extra leg room, we are both over 6ft so we splashed out!

Tissues, book and sweets are on the list thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
Holibobsjoy · 30/07/2024 23:22

babybythesea · 30/07/2024 23:15

Think about what you will want on the plane itself (phone with headphones, book, tissues…). Put that in your handbag and that goes under the seat in front of you. Your luggage can then go in the overhead locker but you won’t need to get anything from it.

If you can’t fit plane stuff into your handbag (my handbag is small and my book doesn’t always fit) then put it in a tote bag or similar and put it in the top of your cabin baggage. When you get on to the plane get the tote bag out, that goes under the seat with all your plane bits in, and the cabin bag goes into the overhead locker and doesn’t need to be got down mid-flight to get something.

I'm very happy about the tote bag I'm going to be running around tonight choosing one! I have a bit of a collection

OP posts:
Original poster
Holibobsjoy · 30/07/2024 23:24

SummerInSun · 30/07/2024 23:17

Take an empty water bottle to fill up after you are through security. And as PP have said, stock up at Pret or somewhere on water.

Am I OK to bring a bottle rather than buy one from the airport?

OP posts:
Squidlette · 30/07/2024 23:29

Small backpack easily found on Amazon. Contains kindle, chargers, water, sweets, sunnies.

Fink · 30/07/2024 23:32

For 5 days and no checked luggage, I wouldn't bother with a tote bag, I would take my normal handbag. Otherwise you'll be left with a tote bag for the journey and no actual bag you use day to day, or having to make space in your case for an empty bag. As pp said, a bag of products bought after airport security (called duty free for short, whether or not it actually is duty free depends on the product and place) doesn't count towards your luggage allowance so you can get more on like that. Always take your own empty water bottle.

For that length of time and 2 people, I wouldn't bother bringing mini toiletries of everything, I would buy a standard size bottle of shampoo, body wash, toothpaste etc. once you arrive. As you only get one (small!) sandwich bag of liquids per person, I would save that for the things you are brand-conscious of like facial moisturiser, lipstick or whatever.

Plan what you're going to wear to the airport and on the plane. Even if you're going to a hot country, you'll need something for the evening (e.g. jumper/cardigan), it's worth wearing your bulkiest clothes on the journey, to make space in the case. Ditto shoes.

mrsfollowill · 30/07/2024 23:32

You are fine to bring a bottle - it will have to be empty to go through security but then you can fill it up when through- airports I've been through all had places to fill your bottle. I'm lazy - we normally buy a bottle water from Smiths each then a coke/sprite with the meal deal that can be used as a mixer if the airline have run out of tonic!
You must be very excited @Holibobsjoy I wish I was going away tomorrow Grin

Fink · 30/07/2024 23:33

Holibobsjoy · 30/07/2024 23:24

Am I OK to bring a bottle rather than buy one from the airport?

Show quote history

Yes, that's absolutely fine. Put it out on the scanner as you go through security and then there will either be fountains to fill it up once you get through security/duty free, or any of the cafés or bars will fill it up for you.